process last week.

I am thinking that a manslaughter plea might be in the future.

but i doubt it.

A plead-out is easier all around.

But the charge is the accurate one.

And I'm pleased by the charge -- I was one of the ones assuming manslaughter.

A plea prevents them from having to have a trial. Trials are not cheap. I'd bet one for a case like this could go on for weeks. Not to mention all the pre-trial stuff I bet will go on. Things like motions for change of venue and competency evaluations and hearings for Zimmerman.

So I'm just going on logic and pragmatism in thinking a plea is preferable to a trial.

the verdict had nothing but criticism for the prosecution. This is a highly emotionally-charged case, too, so a plea might just be the best route to take.

Trials can bring out inconvenient and embarrassing facts.
Something I don't think the state of Florida or that towns police department wants to see happen here.
Expect more spin and rewrites until the story is fit for public consumption.

Dam I can't wait for the movie.

You always charge as high as you can prove. Then take a lesser plea. Saves the state time and money. Courts are overburdened. States are short on money.

Should Zimmerman have to stand publicly and say 'I'm guilty' no one on either side of the matter has much grounds for further discussion, let alone complaint, assuming there is actual jail time in the arrangement. This particular prosecutor actively likes putting people in jail, and probably would not sign off on a deal that had no appreciable time involved.

It saves time and money, but more importantly it avoids the risk of a jury letting a defendant walk. If it is plead down to manslaughter, he could still be sentenced to as much as 30 years.

He got lucky with that 2nd degree murder.

I will accept no less than 50 years in prison before his first parole hearing comes up.

first it was all this shit about how she wouldn't charge him. Then it was all the shit about how he'd run to South America. Then it was, he wouldn't be taken into custody, he'd blow his brains out. Now all this shit.

For fuck's sake.

I never was one of the ones who was sure she'd let him slide or that he left the country.

So you can remove me from your condescending post as being one of those "people".

For all the talk about freepers freaking out, this website has no shortage of people who do the same thing. Frankly, it's embarrassing, but in balance I find more benefit in sticking around - if for no other reason than to say 'chill the fuck OUT!'

DU is one of the best resources around, and I call on knowledgeable DUers all the time.

I have no problem with being told I'm wrong, just with people who spend their time criticizing others instead of contributing in a meaningful way.

They will have issues finding an impartial jury. Will not be shocked to see a change of venue.

that a plea bargain would still land him in jail, so that's positive.

And the Feds are not done (civil rights, could lead to hate crimes)

A judge can still decide the SYG law applies and charges will be dropped.

on Chris Matthews but I was in and out of the room, so I don't know what the 'experts' said.

Did you learn of that from someone who's knowledgeable?

No the autopsy report is already in the hands of the prosecution. It was the one piece of evidence that has been properly handled by law enforcement. I have a feeling that this is the key to why they have charged Zimmerman with 2nd degree murder. Once the press got hold of this situation Zimmerman knew he was done. His dad knew the way around the legal system in the beginning but once the press got involved and forced the state to investigate it was just a matter of time.

I'm sure the Martin family wants the maximum penalty applied to Zimmerman - which means he won't ever leave prison unless he's in a coffin.

that Zimmerman went out that night with the intention of shooting MArtin. That's never going to happen. The charge is correct.

It is the defendants choice whether or not to have a trial by judge or by jury. The prosecutor is merely pointing that out. If charging him with 2nd degree murder gets him to plea to voluntary manslaughter then good for her and the state of Florida. Please remember that the Sanford Police Department was going to close this case up with no charges at all. Also if Zimmerman is convicted of either charge he can then be sued by the Martins for wrongful death as well. Even if he is not found guilty as long as a verdict is reached he can be sued, however if the judge rules in favor of a pre trial motion for dismissal on the SYG statute then the Martin family cannot sue Zimmerman because he is protected from civil prosecution under that law.

allow the defendant to plea down. Pretty simple and is frequently done. As a matter of fact, pleas are most often done.

it could result in a substantial prison sentence without a trial. its up to zimmerman on advice of his lawyers.

I was kind of surprised that they charged murder2...I thought they would have gone with manslaughter.

The last thing we need is a racially charged trial similar to that of the L.A. cops who beat Rodney King. That didn't work out really well for anyone, except the cops, of course.