On 5/1/13 12:47 AM, wrote:
On Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:38:43 -0400, "F.O.A.D." wrote:

...this has been a lively topic here. Update:


The man charged with murdering Trayvon Martin waived his right to a
pre-trial self-defense immunity hearing during a Tuesday morning court
appearance in Sanford, Fla.

Under oath, George Zimmerman told Circuit Judge Debra Nelson that he
understood Florida's self-defense laws, that he had talked to his
lawyers about the "stand-your-ground" statute, and that he decided not
to have a pre-trial immunity hearing. The decision is seen by at least
one expert as wise but risky.

Zimmerman will not be allowed to have such a hearing after a jury has
made its decision but will also not have to testify twice. If he had
chosen to have the immunity hearing, Zimmerman could have claimed self
defense before a judge without a jury and if successful, could have been
cleared of the murder charge.

"George wants this case before a jury of his peers -- that's where he's
going to be acquitted," his attorney, Mark O'Mara, said after the
hearing. He added that the case was a "straight forward self-defense
case," and would not comment further on the defense's decision to forego
the immunity hearing.

http://tinyurl.com/yw9tj7

I think he is getting bad legal advice but it may be that O'Mara knows
the process is so compromised by politics that he could not get a fair
immunity hearing.
People with far worse cases have prevailed in that hearing.



Well, of course. Shoot away, and then claim stand your ground.