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HLN Angela Corey Interview: Calls Zimmerman a "Murderer"

HLN is promoting an interview with Angela Corey and Bernie de la Rionda tonight in which the preview has Corey describing George Zimmerman as a "murderer." Poor choice of words. Not every killing is a murder. Some are excusable, some are justifiable, some are murder.

The jury instructions say:

A killing that is excusable or was committed by the use of justifiable deadly force is lawful. If you find Trayvon Martin was killed by George Zimmerman, you will then consider the circumstances surrounding the killing in deciding if the killing was Murder in the Second Degree or was Manslaughter, or whether the killing was excusable or resulted from justifiable use of deadly force.

[More...]

They also say:

JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE

The killing of a human being is justifiable and lawful if necessarily done while resisting an attempt to murder or commit a felony upon George Zimmerman, or to commit a felony in any dwelling house in which George Zimmerman was at the time of the attempted killing.

and

To prove the crime of Manslaughter, the State must prove the following two elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

1. Trayvon Martin is dead.
2. George Zimmerman intentionally committed an act or acts that caused the death of Trayvon Martin.

George Zimmerman cannot be guilty of manslaughter by committing a merely negligent act or if the killing was either justifiable or excusable homicide

§776.012 Use of force in defense of person.—

A person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if: (1) He or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony; or
(2) Under those circumstances permitted pursuant to s. 776.013.

776.013

(3) A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.

776.032 Immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action for justifiable use of force

(1) A person who uses force as permitted in s. 776.012, s. 776.013, or s. 776.031 is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force, unless the person against whom force was used is a law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 943.10(14), who was acting in the performance of his or her official duties and the officer identified himself or herself in accordance with any applicable law or the person using force knew or reasonably should have known that the person was a law enforcement officer. As used in this subsection, the term “criminal prosecution” includes arresting, detaining in custody, and charging or prosecuting the defendant.

Corey also calls Zimmerman a "stalker."

“We never said Trayvon didn’t do something to George Zimmerman. What we said is you can’t take a concealed weapon and encourage or incite a fistfight -- which is what he did by stalking a teenager who didn’t know who he was -- and then whip your gun out and shoot,” said Corey.

And now, we finally get the meaning of "confront" as used in the affidavit to arrest Zimmerman: He "encouraged or incited a fistfight." Of course, even the trial judge disagreed, as evident from her rejection of the state's request to instruct the jury on the aggressor/provoker limitation in using deadly force.

Could Ms Corey do any more to cause people to doubt this case was prosecuted in good faith?

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  • Display: Sort:
    Ms. Corey should cease talking to the media (5.00 / 5) (#1)
    by oculus on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 03:52:30 PM EST
    about this case.  And she should not refer to Zimmerman post-NG verdict as   A "murderer."  And she should know better than to do so.

    This is so absolutely... (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by Cashmere on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 04:08:30 PM EST
    unethical IMHO.  How can she further incite the flames of this case after a verdict has been rendered?  She apparently does not trust the judicial system which she is part of and is discrediting the jury with her statements.  I am absolutely floored by her conduct.

    Parent
    Finger in the Wind (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by squeaky on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 04:10:45 PM EST
    She must be planning on running for something, Governor?

    Parent
    Good luck with that. (5.00 / 0) (#9)
    by Teresa on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 04:21:14 PM EST
    I know, based on my experience, people who comment on news sites aren't always representative of the total population, but a lot of stuff has come out about Ms. Corey.

    Apparently she moved taxpayer money into her and BDLR's retirement funds ($324,000 or around there), fired the IT guy which they think means she's ok with covering up ethical and legal obligations of her office, and now this.

    Some of the comments are well written, and if they are representative of the feelings of her district, she won't even get reelected. And some of them thought having a trial was a good thing, but think she's not acting ethically.

    Parent

    please (none / 0) (#52)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 10:00:54 PM EST
    don't bring unsourced claims here. Did you check her response to the pension fund allegation? Something you read at a random, unnamed internet site is not authoritative. When you are casting aspersions on a public official's character, you need more that that. For example, you could research and find the articles quoting Harry Shorenstein  who criticized her during her campaign against his preferred successor.

    E.g., CBS News reported:

       According to the Associated Press, then-State Attorney Harry Shorenstein said Corey was fired after she failed to respond satisfactorily to a complaint against her.

    Corey said her termination was political and she was undeterred, announcing immediately that she planned to run for her boss' job. With the support of local law enforcement, she won.

    Check out this opinion column in the Florida Times Union for a summary of those who question her suitablility for this case in particular.

    I remember reading about this and the pension fund transfer over a year ago and she had an explanation.


    Parent

    That's some column (none / 0) (#76)
    by Teresa on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 01:52:07 PM EST
    It's kind of sad to read that knowing she's in charge of the state's attorneys office there. Her responses to criticism don't relect even-tempered good judgement, to me.

    I got my opinion from this article in the Jacksonville newspaper. You're right, though, that I didn't research what they wrote and whether it was right or wrong. Or maybe justified is the correct word.

    Parent

    Maybe (none / 0) (#23)
    by RWunder on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 05:09:08 PM EST
    but usually this kind of politics requires that she wins the case!  See eg New Hampshire Senator Ayotte.

    Parent
    What are the chances (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by TeresaInPa on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 03:54:33 PM EST
    that she goes to far and ends up in legal trouble herself?  Can Zimmerman sue her for malicious prosecution or some other charge?  Is there some civil rights violation she could be brought up on?  I am hearing that she tends to overcharge defendants.  Could there ever be a class action suit against her?  Also, do you think she has interest in higher office?  

    I don't know what this means (5.00 / 0) (#11)
    by Teresa on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 04:26:49 PM EST
    but a lot of FL attorneys say that GZ has an obvious "1983 civil rights action" against __. I don't know what that 1983 law is or who he would be suing. But it's a lot of them that the newspapers and tv stations in FL went to for legal opinions.

    Of course, like Jeralyn has shown us, they aren't always right.

    Parent

    42 USC § 1983 (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by jbindc on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 04:35:33 PM EST
    Wonder which they're referring to? (none / 0) (#21)
    by Teresa on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 05:01:32 PM EST
    deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws,

    The inability to put on a defense to the jury instruction about you can compare the relative physical abilities of the two parties?

    Parent

    Anybody saying... (none / 0) (#57)
    by bmaz on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 12:12:42 AM EST
    ...that Zimmerman has a great §1983 case against Corey is high on something. First off, as a prosecutor she has presumptive immunity for charging decisions. Secondly, as lame as it was, the court signed off on the probable cause.

    This is just crazy talk.

    Parent

    What about the statements she is making now (none / 0) (#64)
    by Darby on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 06:43:01 AM EST
    After the case is over. Not sure what ordinance you ate citing. It seems it should be unethical and perhaps some civil liability here. She is making false statements such as The state would not let Zimmerman claim he had to defend himself  because he thought he was dead or seriously injured when she knew he was  neither.  Yes, she did say that. And a few other outrageous misrepresentations as well.

    Parent
    By all means, Zimmerman should sue Cory. (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 04:27:24 PM EST
    Then, he can stand up in court, take the oath and testify for the public record exactly how she defamed him.

    (Crickets chirping.)

    On second thought, maybe not. He's not completely out of the legal woods yet, and he's most likely about to be sued in civil court for wrongful death. He might just want to keep his mouth shut, grin and bear it.

    I don't like it that Angela Corey is making these statements, but my opinion's not going to stop her. That's up to the people of Florida.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Zimmerman was found not guilty (2.00 / 1) (#60)
    by TeresaInPa on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 05:00:23 AM EST
    I'm liking his chances in civil court.  Trayvon Martin unfortunately had a history that is not going to look so much like the young black martyr he has been made out to be up till now.  I am betting his parents might not want to even go there. People might start to wonder what they were choosing sides for.

    PS.  Here's this great quote from another thread.  I'd hate for you to have missed it.  

    Those who believe assault should be legalized and following someone should be criminalized should have a conversation about changing the laws instead of excusing the breaking of one and ex post facto criminalizing the other.

    that was melamineinNY, a very wise addition to the voices here IMO.

    Parent

    Too bad no one here has been (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by Anne on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 06:32:55 AM EST
    advocating for either of those things, huh?

    One thing you should remember: Trayvon Martin is not the only one with history.  

    Parent

    I loved that quote. (none / 0) (#69)
    by DebFrmHell on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 10:39:24 AM EST
    I have been trying to twitter-ize it!

    Parent
    He stands (none / 0) (#15)
    by jbindc on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 04:37:14 PM EST
    Actually (none / 0) (#7)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 04:11:23 PM EST
    I don't think so since the trial is done. A lot of people are saying the same thing. Does Zimmerman sue all of them? But I'm not a lawyer either.

    Parent
    Accountability? (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by PM on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 04:01:17 PM EST
    So, a State Prosecutor can go on TV after a Jury finds a defendant "Not Guilty" and call the not guilty citizen a murderer and there are no legal repercussions?

    I believe (none / 0) (#8)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 04:12:10 PM EST
    the prosecutors in the OJ Simpson case did the same thing as did the Brown family.

    Parent
    yes, I remember that (none / 0) (#61)
    by TeresaInPa on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 05:13:37 AM EST
    believe it or not, I do not normally watch these court cases.  I was working and did not get to watch that one, but did follow it.  My office was split about even between white/Black.  Reactions to the verdict were typical.  
    I thought that prosecution team did not prove their case and I have presumed ever since that OJ was not guilty. That he was hated, hounded and presumed guilty ever since has always bothered me.  

    Parent
    He should sue her (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by rickroberts on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 05:17:21 PM EST
    It's going to be hard enough as it is for him to find work. He does not need state officials maligning him. Sue the crap out of her.

    Not Only that (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by Darby on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 05:25:37 PM EST
    But no evidenced he used his concealed weapon til the last moment

    I deleted the comment (none / 0) (#51)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 09:42:59 PM EST
    you are replying to for stating Corey is lying. We don't call people liars here. You can say she falsely stated, she misrepresented the facts, her statement "x" was not the truth, or any other number of things but do not say someone is lying. Lying is purposefully making a false statement. She is a public official and prosecutor, and there are ethical rules for lawyers that prevent us from making such claims. If I can't make them, readers here can't make them.

    Calling anyone a liar here is name-calling and a character attack.

    Thanks.

    Parent

    Corey calling Zimmerman a murderer (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by Luke Lea on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 09:15:36 PM EST
    Couldn't that be considered a libelous defamation of character?  

    She had to... (2.00 / 1) (#19)
    by HTuttle on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 04:58:41 PM EST
    She had to publicly diss him. Her 'tolerant' Liberal friends have likely disowned her for losing the case and she had to do something drastic to get back in good favor to be invited to their elitist parties ever again.

    Yeah - Corey's a "liberal" ... (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by Yman on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 05:14:15 PM EST
    ... dying to go to those swanky, "liberal elitist" soirees.  That's how she got elected (as a Republican) and appointed by the Republican governor.

    Heh.

    Parent

    She ran for office, not appointed (none / 0) (#26)
    by Teresa on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 05:20:40 PM EST
    from what I've read, and is a Democrat. I may have read wrong Yman, but it was a legit media site. Of course, they've been wrong about a lot (and a lot of things, not just this case).

    Parent
    She was appointed ... (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by Yman on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 05:40:15 PM EST
    ... a Special Prosecutor by Governor Rick Scott (Republican).  She was elected as a Republican.  She is not remotely "liberal".

    Parent
    lol, Yman, I went to the store and (none / 0) (#36)
    by Teresa on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 06:00:01 PM EST
    came home & saw my rely to you and you clearly said elected. Sorry, truly!

    Parent
    true, you know who is liberal? (none / 0) (#62)
    by TeresaInPa on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 05:20:12 AM EST
    the guys on the defense.

    Parent
    Your assumption (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by Yman on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 11:58:33 AM EST
    But it's interesting that you view that as a positive, now.  Seems to vary greatly depending on whether you support their position/client.

    Parent
    I think she may mean neoliberal (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by jondee on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 12:04:03 PM EST
    ..seeing as how radical deregulation in certain spheres seems to the ideal..

    Parent
    She's republican (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by Pugfrench on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 06:37:25 PM EST
    But she was hired by her predecessor, a democrat, and later fired by him when she decided to run to replace him. He retire and she beat the person he had announced as his desired successor. This case was about her making nice with with the NAACP and the left. They were unhappy with her because if the cristian Fernandez case, and the marissa Alexander case.

    Parent
    republican? (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by Jack203 on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 10:09:43 PM EST
    I am not surprised.  She is vile.

    Parent
    Perhaps (none / 0) (#43)
    by friendofinnocence on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 07:05:16 PM EST
    Corey needed some good PR when her decision to try a 12 year-old by as an adult wasn't met with the standing ovation she was expecting.

    Parent
    Jeralyn (none / 0) (#3)
    by jbindc on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 03:56:50 PM EST
    Your hyperlink is skewed and running off the page (at least on my screen)

    which one? They all work in Firefox (none / 0) (#48)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 09:29:53 PM EST
    This one (none / 0) (#65)
    by jbindc on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 07:36:08 AM EST
    promoting an interview with Angela Corey and Bernie de la Rionda tonight in which the preview has Corey describing George Zimmerman as a "murderer." .......

    It's running off my page.

    Weird.

    Parent

    Jeralyn, of course I may be outside the rules (none / 0) (#18)
    by Cashmere on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 04:51:32 PM EST
    for my post and if so, I apologize for the heat of this case getting away from me and fully understand if you delete my post.

    I did delete, we do have a policy (none / 0) (#49)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 09:31:53 PM EST
    (not a stated rule) against bringing up past comments to discredit a commenter. It's too easy to take them out of context, and it turns the thread into an argument between two commenters which no one else wants to read, detracting from the topic being discussed.

    Parent
    Thanks and I apologize again.. (none / 0) (#56)
    by Cashmere on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 10:14:19 PM EST
    Very sorry ...

    Parent
    Is She Still Involved in the Case? (none / 0) (#20)
    by RickyJim on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 05:00:49 PM EST
    Suppose Zimmerman now asks for a finding of immunity to future civil law suits, will Corey's team be the ones to argue against it at the hearing or will it be Crump and his team?  Is it also possible that there will be no hearing and a judge will decide from the record of the criminal trial whether to grant immunity?  I don't know if there is a precedent for the current situation under Florida law.

    Has Anybody Heard of a Proposal (none / 0) (#29)
    by RickyJim on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 05:37:35 PM EST
    in the Florida legislature that their law be changed so that nobody be indicted for a felony unless it is done by a judge after a hearing where both sides can present witnesses or it is done by a Grand Jury?  I have a very low opinion of grand juries.  I prefer the former option.  Grand Juries only exist in the USA, listen only to the prosecution, and famously "Would indict a ham sandwich".

    Had not heard that (5.00 / 2) (#58)
    by bmaz on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 12:16:25 AM EST
    But, it would bring FL into the norm of most jurisdictions that require either a grand jury indictment or a preliminary hearing for charges to be bound over for trial on felonies.

    Parent
    No (none / 0) (#32)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 05:40:53 PM EST
    but Jeralyn banned somebody for doing this already. He was constantly putting up what people said previously and harassing them.

    g6th Dem, I deleted the comment (none / 0) (#50)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 09:34:57 PM EST
    referring to prior comments and the subthread talking about it. Cashmere has apologized. And as I just explained somewhere in this thread, you are correct about that policy. But since it's not in the comment rules, some may not know it.

    Parent
    Okay (none / 0) (#66)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 08:18:18 AM EST
    Thanks.

    Parent
    It is against policy here to resurrect previous co (none / 0) (#39)
    by oculus on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 06:34:06 PM EST
    Other commenters here and then re-post them here.  

    I apologize to you... I am not (none / 0) (#42)
    by Cashmere on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 07:01:05 PM EST
    stalking you, I just read both sites.  Apologies to you.  

    Corey is misrepresenting the law (none / 0) (#53)
    by Darby on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 10:09:12 PM EST
    She said Zimmerman claim of self defense was that he 'suffered death or great bodily harm'. Of course we know the law is he had to fear either of those, not suffer them.  I am sure she know it too.

    Doesn't this fall under unethical behavior?

    Clarify (none / 0) (#55)
    by Darby on Mon Jul 15, 2013 at 10:12:21 PM EST
    She claimed he thought he suffered death or great bodily harm, but we all k ow he suffered neither.

    Parent
    Will this work (none / 0) (#59)
    by vlpate on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 02:33:30 AM EST
    Pension Fund confirmed by Corey, and qualified. http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400589/frank-denton/2013-07-14/frank-denton-corey-s-silence-dis service#.UeTD-006ihM.twitter "She explained that she also was upgrading the pensions of 17 of her other prosecutors, but when we checked with the state, a state official said no such paperwork had been filed, a story we reported."

    SITE VIOLATOR - TURKISH SPAM! (none / 0) (#68)
    by Anne on Tue Jul 16, 2013 at 09:38:17 AM EST
    Hitting some of the other threads, too, I think.