[RussP]

Folks, please do not take this thread off the rails with personal attacks.

Thanks.

RussP

[Misty02]

Originally Posted by jdavionic

CNN was reporting the same thing. The press brief by the lawyers included a reference to contacting Hannity [edited...just saw it on Hannity] and the prosecutor directly. They stated that a prosecutor will not want to meet with him or talk with him without an attorney present at this stage.

Originally Posted by Pardoner

Something sounds strange here. They said they have not been able to get in contact with him for several days.

Uhrig is a heavy hitter for an attorney. I sure would want him representing me.

Hopefully there isn't some foul play going on here.

Originally Posted by jdavionic

Given he has apparently contacted Hannity and attempted to contact the prosecutor, I think foul play is not likely.

Originally Posted by hamster

More proof that he isn't the brightest bulb in the pack. This is the second time George has decided to ignore sage advice.

We have to understand that at times those “good” attorneys may recommend or do things that their client may not be in agreement with. They may perceive it necessary to win the case but be against what he believes should be done.

If he attempted to contact the prosecutor and Hannity, my guess is that he has not left the country; he just severed ties with his known (to us) legal representatives.

His level of concern and frustration are probably off the roof, add to that the aftermath of having to take a life (under conditions he is likely questioning now), the national attention the case has been receiving, the death threats, a bounty on his head, and the possibility he could be feeling responsible for hate crimes around the country and you have conditions no one can possibly relate to.

Nothing that can be compared with this case, back in the early 90’s I was involved in an auto accident with a private school bus that ran a stop sign. The impact was on my driver’s door. I managed to put my knee through the panel under the steering wheel. I also had injuries from the seatbelt and the steering wheel. My daughter was in the car, thankfully all she had were injuries associated with the seatbelt. I was in crutches and therapy for a long time (because I refused to have surgery). You can still see the bump under the knee, which I was told will create problems as I get older. My insurance paid for my medical bills but not lost wages. The other driver had a ringy-dingy insurance company that didn’t want to pay for my lost wages. Naturally, I went to a well known attorney experienced in handling those cases. Since I had legitimate injuries and a legitimate claim I thought it would be an easy case for them, I was wrong. They drafted this document with a bunch of lies of things I couldn’t do because of this accident. I started crossing everything that wasn’t true. When I was finished I was told they couldn’t win a case with what I left them to work with and refused to continue with my requirements. I went to another attorney, same thing. I ended up absorbing the lost wages and some other expenses because I didn’t have the patience to continue looking for an attorney that would work on contingency and would stick to the truth.

While Zimmerman did make the mistake of getting out of his vehicle (my opinion, and probably his after the fact), I get the impression from what I’ve read thus far that he is not a bad person. If his attorneys were planning on using something he objected to (for one reason or another) I can understand him severing ties with them. If you were him, facing what he is facing, who would you turn to for help, guidance and probably to get the recommendation of another legal counsel?

If I were in that mess I might be tempted to reach out to the prosecutor and plead for some guidance and recommendation (without giving out too many details). Something like “I don’t agree with the path this is taking and need help finding another competent attorney. Who can you recommend that would stick to the facts?” They say the prosecutor refused to talk with him without his legal representatives present. What is his next choice?

It is difficult to imagine that someone in his position would be able to think clearly and calmly. My demands of my lawyers in a case like this would include “Hands off the family and the kid’s background. Stick to the facts that were known to me at the time and how, based on what was going on, self-defense was necessary.” Finding an attorney that can and will do that might not be easy and require reaching out to others with more resources.

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[Misty02]

State Attorney To Hold Trayvon Conference Within 72 Hours

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47011579...ws-orlando_fl/

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[c6601a]

Originally Posted by Misty02

...back in the early 90’s I was involved in an auto accident....

A civil case is very different than a criminal case. A contingency based civil case is a totally different animal and is not even remotely similar to the a criminal case.

In a contingency case, the lawyer is investing his time and money in the case and wants full control over things to ensure that it is a good investment. If you do not agree with him, he loses his investment and that is personally bad for the lawyer.

In a criminal case, if you tie your lawyers hands and you loose a case that you could have otherwise won, it is you that goes to jail. The lawyer is not out much.

If you had been willing to pay a lawyer up front, almost any lawyer would have taken your case and run it the way you wanted it run. Like with everything else in life, he who signs the checks gets to call the shots (for the most part).

[c6601a]

Originally Posted by Misty02

If his attorneys were planning on using something he objected to (for one reason or another) I can understand him severing ties with them.

Severing ties is very different than stopping to answer phone calls and doing things that you are not allowed to do while you still have those ties.

Originally Posted by Misty02

If you were him, facing what he is facing, who would you turn to for help, guidance and probably to get the recommendation of another legal counsel?

The last two people I would turn to would be the prosecutor or a TV personality (or talk show host). Do you really think that any TV person would do what is in your best interest or would they guide you into a course of action that will boost their own ratings?

[Misty02]

Originally Posted by c6601a

A civil case is very different than a criminal case. A contingency based civil case is a totally different animal and is not even remotely similar to the a criminal case.

In a contingency case, the lawyer is investing his time and money in the case and wants full control over things to ensure that it is a good investment. If you do not agree with him, he loses his investment and that is personally bad for the lawyer.

In a criminal case, if you tie your lawyers hands and you loose a case that you could have otherwise won, it is you that goes to jail. The lawyer is not out much.

If you had been willing to pay a lawyer up front, almost any lawyer would have taken your case and run it the way you wanted it run. Like with everything else in life, he who signs the checks gets to call the shots (for the most part).

Originally Posted by c6601a

Severing ties is very different than stopping to answer phone calls and doing things that you are not allowed to do while you still have those ties.

The last two people I would turn to would be the prosecutor or a TV personality (or talk show host). Do you really think that any TV person would do what is in your best interest or would they guide you into a course of action that will boost their own ratings?

I’m aware of the difference in the two types of cases and what is at stake in either. It doesn’t change what I meant with my comment. The reason for no longer maintaining contact is not known, it could have been due to a disagreement, it could have been because a new attorney has taken the case and he recommended to no longer communicating with the prior ones, it could be for a variety of reasons. In an article I read (not that you can believe anything read on this case) he had not officially signed on with the team known to us as his attorneys.

I don’t know who I would turn to if it turned out I could no longer trust or agreed with my selected counsel, but your comment is valid and I better develop a plan B (and should even consider a plan C) in case plan A fails. Where Zimmerman is in now is not the preferable condition to develop plans of action where clear thought is needed.

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[c6601a]

Originally Posted by Misty02

The reason for no longer maintaining contact is not known, it could have been due to a disagreement, it could have been because a new attorney has taken the case and he recommended to no longer communicating with the prior ones, it could be for a variety of reasons.

Anyone is free to fire or replace their lawyer for any reason or no reason. But just ending communication without informing the other party that the relationship is terminated is not acceptable behavior and reflects poorly on the person doing it.

Originally Posted by Misty02

In an article I read (not that you can believe anything read on this case) he had not officially signed on with the team known to us as his attorneys.

According to the now former attorneys in the "we quit" press conference, Zimmerman was sent a retainer agreement which Zimmerman informed them he had signed, but the lawyers had still not received the signed copy.

Totally separate from this, in many places a verbal contract is as enforceable as a written one. I am not familiar with FL law, so I do not know if that is the case in FL or not.

[Misty02]

Originally Posted by c6601a

Anyone is free to fire or replace their lawyer for any reason or no reason. But just ending communication without informing the other party that the relationship is terminated is not acceptable behavior and reflects poorly on the person doing it.
[/COLOR]According to the now former attorneys in the "we quit" press conference, Zimmerman was sent a retainer agreement which Zimmerman informed them he had signed, but the lawyers had still not received the signed copy.

Totally separate from this, in many places a verbal contract is as enforceable as a written one. I am not familiar with FL law, so I do not know if that is the case in FL or not.

They quit over the holiday weekend due to Zimmerman not responding to their calls. Perhaps they have received additional information since then.

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[redbaron007]

Thinking outside the box a little here.

Is there a legal advantage/philosophy/theory to them severing ties at this point? Plausible deniability? It is my gut feeling, this doesn't seem right. Z may not be the sharpest tack in the box; but I don't see him being completely stupid. Just curious if there could be a legal advantage to this manuver; severing their ties.




red

[cadillacguns]

However you may feel, Zimmerman has been tried in the court of Public Opinion, and been verbaly lynched all ready, may God bless his soul as whatever happened his life (and of course the Martins) is forever changed. If he is culpable, I want him fried, if he is within the law, I want him absolved.

What I wouldn't want is to be in his shoes.

[jdavionic]

Originally Posted by c6601a

Anyone is free to fire or replace their lawyer for any reason or no reason. But just ending communication without informing the other party that the relationship is terminated is not acceptable behavior and reflects poorly on the person doing it.

I don't think we know enough to judge his handling of these attorneys.

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[HexHead]

Originally Posted by redbaron007

Thinking outside the box a little here.

Is there a legal advantage/philosophy/theory to them severing ties at this point? Plausible deniability? It is my gut feeling, this doesn't seem right. Z may not be the sharpest tack in the box; but I don't see him being completely stupid. Just curious if there could be a legal advantage to this manuver; severing their ties.

Don't forget his father is (was?) a judge. I'll assume he's not without legal advice. Perhaps the attorneys were recommending he ask for a plea deal to a lesser charge to placate the masses? I'd stop taking their calls too.

[Baba Louie]

Do you really think that any TV person would do what is in your best interest or would they guide you into a course of action that will boost their own ratings?

Both? Perhap$ help Z rai$e a little awarene$$ to help defray the legal bill$ he $oon will face... might be one reason. Some attorney or three might say "Hey a Pro Bono get our name out there" kinda thing, lets give him a call, what have we/he got to lose?.... Not to mention seek sympathy (or spin) from the "opposing side of the coin" point of view.

But probably raise moola for defense.

My initial CCW instructor, back in '95 preached "Don't scrimp on your weapon, your ammo or your lawyer". Sage advice

There but for the grace of God...

Wondering how far up the judicial ladder this case may or may not rise? One side is awarded a "You Lose". They Appeal. One side or other Loses. Appeal again? Sounds pricey. Real pricey.

[redbaron007]

Originally Posted by HexHead

Don't forget his father is (was?) a judge. I'll assume he's not without legal advice. Perhaps the attorneys were recommending he ask for a plea deal to a lesser charge to placate the masses? I'd stop taking their calls too.

Could be.

I'm curious what his father has provided to him. Maybe they have gotten wind he is going to be charged; would there be an advantage to these attorneys not representing him at that juncture? I think there is more to this than we know. It'll come out sooner or later; but it is an interesting turn of events.



red

[Gallium]

Originally Posted by Misty02

They quit over the holiday weekend due to Zimmerman not responding to their calls. Perhaps they have received additional information since then.

.

Ma'am,

You have (from your posts here) followed this case more closely than I.

• It is being reported in the MSM that these attorneys have never met with Zimmerman face to face.

• In earlier posts here, it was reported his attorneys (these same gents) defended the wounds he had.

• In other reports (I saw them outside of here) they (same attorneys) said his injuries were akin to "shaken baby syndrome" (I assume they meant coup-contrecoup...but they may not medical professionals, and I am not an attorney).

Do you find it odd that his (now ex) attorneys were reportedly able to describe the nature and quality of his injuries without seeing them 1st hand? Do you think their statements were genuine, or part of an overall defensive strategy?



-G

[DocCasualty]

Originally Posted by Gallium

Do you find it odd that his (now ex) attorneys were reportedly able to describe the nature and quality of his injuries without seeing them 1st hand? Do you think their statements were genuine, or part of an overall defensive strategy?



-G

I realize you directed this at Misty, but I don't find it odd that they didn't see the actual injuries, assuming they saw convincing photos taken that night as well as the paramedics documentation and that of the doctor who saw him the next morning.

Genuine or spin? Time will tell.

[jdavionic]

Just breaking....prosecutor will be pressing charges. No surprise here. I just hope the decision is based on evidence and not emotions or politics. If he committed a crime, he should be charged. If not, leave him alone.

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[IndyGunFreak]

Originally Posted by jdavionic

Just breaking....prosecutor will be pressing charges. No surprise here. I just hope the decision is based on evidence and not emotions or politics. If he committed a crime, he should be charged. If not, leave him alone.

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I wanna see what the charges are. I'm guessing manslaughter.

I just hope he gets a fair trial. I'm guessing he's gonna have a lot of lawyers looking to represent him.

[RussP]

I believe this is a natural break point to open a new thread... Trayvon's Family Calls For Arrest Of Man: Vol II - Zimmerman Charged...

[RussP]

I want to thank everyone contributing to this thread.

Y'all did good!!!!!!

Let's keep it going in the new thread!!

[RussP]

We'll save this as a sticky for a while...