By John W. Lillpop
High drama dominated news from Florida this Friday as new developments became public in the Trayvon Martin case.
To begin with, George Zimmerman, accused of 2nd degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin, may have been at least partially vindicated by a photograph which shows the back of Zimmerman’s head badly injured and bleeding.
As reported by ABC News, in part:
"A new photograph released by ABC News shows a bloodied George Zimmerman with injuries on the back of his head.That was followed by a ruling from Judge Kenneth R. Lester Jr., presiding over the Trayvon Martin case, which held that George Zimmerman could be released upon meeting a bond of $150,000.
The photo, which was reportedly taken three minutes after Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin, could serve as possible evidence supporting the neighborhood watch volunteer's claim of his violent confrontation with the teen.
The image shows blood trickling down Zimmerman's head from two cuts, and a possible contusion on the crown of his head.”
According to media reports, “Authorities and attorneys need to work out arrangements to allow Zimmerman to live outside Florida as he awaits trial on a second-degree murder charge because of threats made against him and his family.”
Finally, based on the latest developments, Professor Alan Dershowitz added to his criticism of the prosecution by calling them, “Not only immoral, but stupid.”
As reported in Reference 1:
With ABC News’ release of the George Zimmerman photo showing blood flowing freely from his head, the question becomes whether Angela Corey, the prosecutor in the case, had access to the photo before charging Zimmerman with second-degree murder.
The arrest affidavit did not mention the photograph, or the bleeding, gashes, and bruises on Zimmermans’ head.
Professor Alan Dershowitz of Harvard Law School stated upon release of the arrest affidavit that it was “so thin that it won’t make it past a judge on a second degree murder charge … everything in the affidavit is completely consistent with a defense of self-defense.”
After the release of the photo, however, Dershowitz went much further, telling Breitbart News that if the prosecutors did have the photo and didn’t mention it in the affidavit, that would constitute a “grave ethical violation,” since affidavits are supposed to contain “all relevant information.”
Dershowitz continued, “An affidavit that willfully misstates undisputed evidence known to the prosecution is not only unethical but borders on perjury because an affidavit swears to tell not only the truth, but the whole truth, and suppressing an important part of the whole truth is a lie."
When asked if it made a difference whether the prosecution had the bloody photograph at the time they charged Zimmerman, Dershowitz responded, “We do know that there were earlier photographs before the affidavit was done that strongly suggested blood on the back of the head, and we know the police had first access to him, so if there was blood they [the prosecution] would know about it …
"I've had cases in Florida against prosecutors,” Dershowitz said, “and this is not the first time they have willfully omitted exculpatory evidence. It's a continuing problem. Here, it’s not only immoral, but stupid. The whole country is watching. What do they benefit from having half-truths in an affidavit?"
Dershowitz added, "I'm not taking sides, but I'm insisting that both sides play by the rules, and so far the prosecution is not playing by the rules."
Hmmm.
Sounds as though the presiding judge was reasonable in considering bail for Zimmerman, but was remiss in not ordering the immediate arrest and detention of Angela Corey!
Reference 1
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/04/20/Dershowitz-prosecution-immoral
