George Zimmerman Acquittal Likely, ‘Not Guilty’ Due To Burden Of Proof
A George Zimmerman acquittal seems likely, with George Zimmerman declared “not guilty” based upon a criminal trial’s Burden of Proof legal standards.
As previously reported by The Inquisitr, during the George Zimmerman trial Travyon Martin’s father changed his mind on whether the 911 call screams were from his son.
George Zimmerman’s defense waived a pre-trial Stand Your Ground hearing to argue classic self defense because the law wasn’t designed for someone who starts a fight and then begins losing that fight. They could have argued that Trayvon Martin started the fight because he confronted George Zimmerman after the latter had begun walking back to his vehicle. But that legal argument seems weak since Zimmerman initially pursued Martin, not the other way around.
In a criminal case the Burden of Proof for whether George Zimmerman is acquitted or declared guilty of second degree murder or manslaughter depends entirely on if Zimmerman shot Martin because he reasonably believed using lethal force as a form of self defense was the only way to protect himself from “imminent death or great bodily harm.” The prosecution has to prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that George Zimmerman did not believe this to be the case, which is why there is such a focus on whether George Zimmerman had a “depraved mind, hatred, malice, evil intent or ill will” toward Trayvon Martin.
It doesn’t matter in this case who initiated the conflict or whether it’s possible George Zimmerman could have shrugged off the alleged beating Trayvon Martin gave him. The prosecution has the task of disproving self defense beyond a reasonable doubt. And so far the testimony has been extremely conflicting, with many of the prosecutions own witnesses providing information that helps George Zimmerman’s case. So while the jury likely will say George Zimmerman is not guilty they might find him guilty of some other minor gun control charges in Florida or Federal law.
But a civil trial of George Zimmerman is another matter entirely. Trayvon Martin’s parents could sue George Zimmerman for money in a civil action, which they already did with the neighborhood association to the tune of $1 million. The Burden of Proof in a civil case is based upon a “preponderance of the evidence” so it’s possible they might win something there depending on what charge is made.
Yet, at the same time, it’s possible George Zimmerman could dodge that bullet as well by declaring bankruptcy with certain timing. After all, George Zimmerman was out of money before the trial even began.
Do you think we’ll see George Zimmerman not guilty and acquitted?
