Judge debra nelson biography

That idea isn't as crazy as it sounds. That opening statement 'knock knock' joke alone, that West told in seriously questionable taste and trial strategy, will probably be included in the first paragraph of any Zimmerman appeal if he is found guilty on any of the counts against him. So I'd suggest that the Judge Nelson naysayers take a step back and examine whose conduct during this trial has really been questionable.

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Judge debra nelson biography: Debra S. Nelson (fl.

HuffPost Personal. NEW: Games. From Our Partners My 5-To International U. Follow Us. Terms Privacy Policy. What's Hot. It turns out that those in the know may have been right. Zimmermantrial — T. Mark O'Mara, who is defending George Zimmerman against a second-degree murder charge in the fatal February shooting, said the traditional self-defense approach is appropriate because the facts suggest his client couldn't retreat from a beating Martin was giving him.

Zimmerman's attorneys had said last week that they would use Florida's controverial "stand your ground" law, which allows people to use deadly force -- rather than retreat -- if they believe their lives are in danger. I expect a more traditional common-law self-defense defense. The attorney representing the murderer may not quote the SYG law -- that was bought and paid for by the right wing gun community, including the NRA -- but will assert Zimmerman had no choice but to shoot the unarmed teenager.

Hopefully, the prosecution will counter successfully assuming the facts are as we know them that Zimmerman targeted the unarmed teenager; stuck his gun in his pants; got out of his car which he would not have done without his gun ; stalked the unarmed teenager; provoked the unarmed teenager; and shot the unarmed teenager in cold blood.

And that while Zimmerman may have thought he was defending himself against the unarmed teenager under applicable Florida laws, he was simply wrong and should have paid more attention to what Florida and other similar laws state. The judge debra nelson biography is that those who think state SYG laws allow you to shoot someone who "kicks sand in your face" a la Charles Atlas are wrong.

Zimmerman thought he was safe under SYG laws. Unfortunately, Zimmy will ultimately get off if only one juror in this -- and any subsequent trials -- is bigoted enough, and into guns enough to like the idea of being able to "stand one's ground" against armed or unarmed "thugs" or just someone who pisses one off for some reason. This is a SYG trial in many respects.

In fact, because of the SYG laws and the confusion over whether SYG should allow someone like Zimmerman to shoot an unarmed Black teenager in a hoodieZimmy was not originally charged and likely would not have been if people hadn't have raised hell. In any event, Zimmy's attorney will throw out all kinds of theories to get Zimmerman off -- and he'll use SYG right up to the point that the judge says "no more.

Judge debra nelson biography: Debra Steinberg Nelson (Ret.) was a

That must be some kind of record. The word has been tossed around a lot in discussions about this tragic case even though it is actually irrelevant. The defense is going to claim that Zimmerman's initial pursuit following, stalking, however you want to spin it of Trayvon Martin had ended, and that Trayvon attacked Zimmerman without any legal justification.

It will come down to whether or not the prosecution can punch enough holes in Zimmerman's story to remove any reasonable doubt in the minds of the jurors that Zimmerman willfully killed Trayvon with malice aforethought. The defense need only maintain a reasonable doubt about Zimmerman's state of mind. The prosecution has a very tough job ahead of it.

Of course Zimmerman created the whole situation and is morally responsible for a needless death, but he could very well be acquitted of murder. I think there was enough evidence in the phone calls to require him to stand for a hearing and probably a trial, but who knows what evidence will be presented and excluded at the trial if there is one.

He may plead. That would not surprise me either. I don't think he will plead. I think he is saying "the media made up a bunch of shit and I'm going to prove my innocence". Just my guess. Not saying I think either way, I take much of what the media says with more than a grain of salt. When it comes to trials by media, I ignore what it says and eschew the conventional wisdom or wisdoms in this case.

We have our conventional wisdom, the right has theirs. If he doesn't claim SYG, there is no hearing and it goes straight to trial. That is what is going to happen. Whatever the result is, I only care that it is just and correct either way. This is especially important for Trayvon Martin's parents. I cannot imagine the pain that they have suffered as a result of losing their son in this fashion.

At least, if there is a trial, they will be able to piece together a narrative for themselves. We never know the objective truth about events like this, but we can only find peace if we can figure out what happened and at least stop our minds from asking endless questions and wondering "what if? What can I say?

Judge debra nelson biography: Debra Steinberg Nelson is

The thought of it is just devastating. From what I can tell Zimmerman might have just screwed himself. Apparently judge Nelson is a very fair but stern jurist. Hope you are liking that Zimmerman. Friendly forums for passionate Dems! Sign in. Home Latest Greatest. Videos Forums Help. Hide ads Join up!

Judge debra nelson biography: Debra Steinberg Nelson was

Latest Discussions. Greatest Discussions. Latest Videos. Latest Breaking News. General Discussion. The DU Lounge. Issue Forums. She was also an arbitrator for the U. District Court, Middle District of Florida from to Nelson was unopposed and automatically re-elected following the primary election on August 14, Lester, Jr. Zimmerman was charged with shooting year-old Trayvon Martinin a case that gained national attention.

On July 11,Nelson allowed the jury to consider a verdict of manslaughter or, second-degree murder, but not third-degree murder. NBC did make a public apology for reporting false or misleading information about Zimmerman, and fired two employees who were involved. Nelson ruled, "There exists absolutely no clear and convincing evidence that defendants knew that the information published was false at the time it was published, or recklessly disregarded the truth or falsity of those statements.

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