Bail wars in Florida: 1 million for hit-and-run vs 150 thousand for murder

[Sancho]

For the professional baseball player, the prosecution was prepared:

"Prosecutor Richard Simpson brought in several witnesses of his own, including three police officers who delivered more details on the chase involving Bush that day. The officers described the Dodge Durango that Bush was driving as reaching speeds upwards of 80 miles per hour, swerving between lanes, driving on the shoulder and over driveways and running a red light.

Simpson and Kirshy both went over Bush's previous arrest record, which includes a DUI conviction and reckless driving conviction. Simpson pointed out Bush had already been through a four-month rehab program in San Diego several years ago, and also entered another program in 2010 when signing with the Rays (the Winning Inning in Clearwater), arguing rehab won't be enough and he won't be able to control himself."

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/rays-rhp-matt-bush-breaks-down-bond-reduction-hearing-which-will-be-continued-thursday

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For Zimmerman's murder charge, the prosecution presentation was ridiculous. Almost no evidence, witnesses, or prior acts were documented:

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_NEIGHBORHOOD_WATCH?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-04-23-07-45-58

"Prosecutors had asked for $1 million bail, citing two previous scrapes Zimmerman had with the law, neither of which resulted in charges. In 2005, he had to take anger management courses after he was accused of attacking an undercover officer who was trying to arrest Zimmerman's friend. In another incident, a girlfriend accused him of attacking her."

[TheWraith]

1. Bail isn't just about the prosecution's argument.

It's also about what the subject's history is, whether they're considered a flight risk, and how much money would constitute a serious commitment for them.

[jberryhill]

2. Someone speeding to get away from police...

...and someone who voluntarily showed up to turn himself in, would IMHO present different "flight risk" considerations.

[Sancho]

3. ok...

One's a professional ball player who is visible...and he has faced charges before and always showed up...the prosecution called multiple witnesses, described previous therapies (that didn't work), prior bad acts, etc. They called several officers and investigators who reported on impressions of the arrested.

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Zimmerman's mother is from Peru and he has family there, disappeared for a month after the shooting, and his first lawyers resigned because they hadn't heard from him. This was not mentioned at the bail hearing.

Zimmerman had previous court-ordered anger control therapy; had been fired for man-handling a woman; had a previous restraining order, and was arrested for interfering with a law officer. None of those witnesses was presented.


IMHO, Zimmerman is certainly as likely to be a flight risk.

[jberryhill]

4. Well the judge had a different opinion

I'm glad Zimmerman was charged and arrested. The system can now do its job. That's all anyone can ask.

I'll bet he shows up for trial.