"Zimmerman is, at this point, the only eye witness...and he is, of course, also the gunman."

[Amerigo Vespucci]

MSNBC, right now.

Zimmy's new attorney Hal Uhrig leaned hard on the "George was defending his life as his nose was broken and his head was slammed into the concrete." The reporter asked "Are you saying that's what happened?" He responded "That's EXACTLY what happened."

Thomas Roberts' guest then made the observation in my subject line.

The discussion then went to evidence...or lack of it (powder burns on Trayvon's clothes? blood spatters on Zimmerman's clothes?).

I still don't think anything is going to happen before the 10th (date of the grand jury).

[uppityperson]

1. April 10? Thanks.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

4. Yep. April 10.

So when will we find out whether Zimmerman will face charges?

We may find out something next week, when a grand jury convenes to hear witnesses and to decide whether or not to indict him. If the panel rules in favor of indicting Zimmerman, it would be the basis for his arrest. However, the special prosecutor assigned to the investigation by Florida Governor Rick Scott has said she may or may not utilize the grand jury scheduled for April 10 to indict Zimmerman.

There are several scenarios in which Angela Corey could decide not to use the grand jury. Corey could decide to file charges on her own if she believes the evidence is strong enough. She could also decide to not utilize the grand jury if she doesn't believe there is enough evidence to indict him, or if she needs more time to develop her case.

In Session's legal experts say they believe Corey will use a grand jury in this case because of the controversy surrounding the shooting. Grand juries are often called the "conscience of the community," because they are made up of public citizens. If the grand jury decides to not indict Zimmerman after hearing evidence, a prosecutor can deflect criticism back to the "conscience of the community."

http://www.hlntv.com/article/2012/04/04/when-will-we-find-out-if-zimmerman-going-be-charged

[uppityperson]

5. Thank you. eom

[Fawke Em]

6. I thought the old saying went,

"In a secret grand jury, a prosecutor could indict a ham sandwich."

Therefore, why wouldn't she opt for a grand jury, get Zimmerman charged and let the justice system work out this mess? He should have just been charged to begin with and, if the facts are in his favor (and I'm not saying they are - at this point, I'm in full-throated belief he murdered Trayvon), then he walks.

Seems like that would have saved this city, Trayvon's parents and every other parent in the entire world a lot of grief.

[HooptieWagon]

7. The Grand Jury only hears the prosecutions side

The defense does not go before the Grand Jiry. The Grand Jury only decides if there is sufficient evidence to prosecute, not the guilt or innocence of the defendant.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

11. In some states, the defendant can file to be heard in the Grand Jury

[Fawke Em]

12. That's what I said... er... or meant

by the prosecution being able to indict a ham sandwich.

[slackmaster]

2. There will be plenty of twists and surprises in the media between now and April 10

They have to maintain the outrage in order to maintain audience share.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

8. You said it...check this out (video clip):

Zimmerman could walk, lawyer says

http://www.hlntv.com/video/2012/04/03/zimmerman-could-walk-free-lawyer-says

Criminal defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh tells HLN’s Dr. Drew how Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law could grant immunity to Trayvon Martin’s killer George Zimmerman if the case goes to trial.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. So the other two are now gone

I knew John was fired. Second is not reliable either.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

10. No, he "joined the team"

I misspelled his name in my OP but here is the reference from yesterday:

Orlando-area criminal defense attorney Hal Ulrig joined the 28-year-old's defense team with Craig Sonner this week.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/os-george-zimmerman-attorney-hal-ulrig-20120405,0,3590824.story

I read something earlier this morning...really not worth hunting down for a link...but in essence, Sonner was approached by a local Florida TV station and said he was "too busy preparing for the national media to deal with a local station."

So it's Sonner AND Ulrig.

[Mariana]

9. I am going to be so angry

If he either doesn't face charges, or if he goes to trial and walks, because there isn't enough evidence to charge/convict him - and the reason there isn't enough evidence is because the police didn't bother to collect everything that was available at the scene, on Zimmerman, and on Trayvon.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

14. He's going to walk on the basis of "Stand Your Ground."

I really want to believe that's not going to happen, but I don't.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

13. As they say... a one sided story is easier to tell.

Whether he faces a grand jury/trial and is convicted or aquitted, I probably will not be upset. Utimately, if a jury of his peers makes the decision then I'm confident in that decision.