George Zimmerman on Hannity, By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 09:30:25 PM EST
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The bottom line to me: He said nothing that helps the state's case or provides impeachment fodder. And there will be a Stand Your Ground argument as well as general self-defense.
Most lawyers would not subject a client who is facing murder charges to a national interview. That O'Mara allowed it, and was present for it, suggests that both are comfortable with his version of events. Now it's up to the state to disprove his version, beyond a reasonable doubt.
I would imagine many of the witnesses -- both police and neighbors who heard or saw some of the events-- will see this interview. I have no idea whether the interview will affect their perceptions.
As to potential jurors and the public, while the interview may not convince anyone he's innocent, it could go a long way towards leveling the playing field, and reducing the presumption of guilt created by the media and Martin family representatives. That would be a good thing.
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Update: A lot of people are asking why Zimmerman did this interview. I have no idea. But I think it's interesting that Zimmerman's friends and family (as opposed to his legal team) have resurrected his website, The Real George Zimmerman.com. On the "about" page, it states the goals of his legal team's website and says that site has fallen short in some respects. It intends to take up the slack.
I can't imagine O'Mara is happy about the relaunch of this website. He needs to be in control of the message. Zimmerman should let his lawyer, not his family, speak for him while he has criminal charges pending.
Is the Zimmerman family at odds with O'Mara's defense stategy? (Remember when they used Mark NeJame to get their point of view out? O'Mara was concerned even before then that Zimmerman's family might provide "exclusives" to the media.) Was the interview with Hannity the family's (including brother-in-law's) idea? Did O'Mara counsel against it but go along? I have no idea, but if so, it seems to me that at some point, O'Mara is is going to put his foot down and insist on being the sole mouthpiece for Zimmerman, or ask to get out of the case.
http://www.talkleft.com/story/2012/7/18/223025/805