What's Up with the Prosecution?

I really need someone to tell me what’s going on with the prosecution in the Zimmerman case?  Am I the only one seeing the prosecution as being very poorly prepared? If the state was trying to throw this case, they couldn’t do a better job.

Last week’s witnesses seemed to be either not prepared or more supportive of the defense.  Rachell Jeantel, the last person to speak with Martin, seemed completely unprepared before taking the stand. So much in fact that Don West and his family felt justified in toasting the slamming of Miss Jeantel as a witness. 

Jonathan Good, a resident that vaguely witnessed the struggle from a safe distance, wasn’t exactly an asset either.  He introduced the phrases “grounding and pounding” and mixed martial arts as the treatment Trayvon was serving Zimmerman.  Fortunately, witness Selma Mora, another neighbor, contradicted Good’s testimony.

Jonathan Manalo was the first person on the scene following the shooting. He took photos with his cell phone of Trayvon and the crime scene and testified to Zimmerman’s demeanor after the shooting.  Manalo said, words to the effect, Zimmerman seemed unusually calm for someone who had just killed someone. He also reported that Zimmerman appeared to be more interested in calling his wife to inform he had just shot someone. Other than Jonathan Manalo,  the other witnesses did little for the prosecution.

As we approach the midway point of the second week since opening remarks, we’re no closer to a verdict then we were a year ago.  That may be greatly due to the seemingly ineffective groundwork being laid by the state.

Direct examination, cross examination, re-direct, and re-re-redirect, best describes Chris Serino’s (Sanford Police Department’s original Lead Investigator) two days on the witness stand.  A veteran officer of more than 17 years, Serino requested removal from the case and prompted the DA’s office to indict Zimmerman with manslaughter.  By the end of his first day, he seemed more damaging than good to the prosecution.  By the time his stint on the hot seat concluded, his testimony seemed to have shifted moderately in favor of the prosecution.

Dr. Valerie Rao, the Medical Examiner proved a stellar witness.  In addition to identifying Zimmerman’s wounds as less than life threatening and insignificant, she dispelled the allegation of Zimmerman’s head being severely pounded on the concrete.  She also stood up well to cross examination.

Next called to the stand was Zimmerman’s best friend, Mark Osterman.  Osterman authored a book detailing the events surrounding this case.  Why was he called?  How did he benefit the prosecution?

Scientific testimony was also given on Tuesday.  Forensic evidence revealed there were no finger prints or DNA to prove Trayvon ever made contact with Zimmerman’s weapon.

A video was also shown of Zimmerman and  defense attorney Maro being interviewed on some local television program.  I noted specific changes in Zimmerman’s account of the events surrounding the shooting.  Why didn’t the prosecutors point out these issues too?

Day seven of testimony ended with the prosecution attempting to prove Zimmerman had prior knowledge of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Laws.”  Needless to say, the defense is fighting tooth and nail on this issue.

In the end, it seemed to be a good day for the prosecution.  I still feel more time should be spent in preparing witnesses.  And every now and then, an objection or two can’t possibly hurt.

I’m not hatin, I’m just sayin…