[ITMedic]

Morning all,
Newer to the forum, and been reading for well over 2 years. Just had to ask......

What is the deal with the judge hearing this case throwing out the defense's ability to bring up his multiple suspensions from school for fighting and marijuana possession in opening arguments? Not to mention the fact they found traces of marijuana in his system during tox. Screen/autopsy.

(Just to be clear the situation probably wouldn't have happened if he hadn't have chased after the kid, and yes I know he is giving the rest of us ccw permit holders a bad name, but I still don't understand why they are not letting the jury hear the facts)

 

[OutWestSystems]

From the same reason the defense is not allowed to bring up the sexual history of a rape victim. The victims are not the people on trial. The defense is not allowed to try to attack the victim to try to get their client off. This is pretty standard practice. Now if you would have read the ruling, the judge said it may be revisited later if the prosecution opens the door to those things.

 

[Voice]

Yep. If the prosecution tries to paint TM as a choir boy, it is almost certain that his past history would be allowed to be introduced by the defense.

 

[Nmuskier]

Excellent illustration with the rape victim analogy.
One question should be, is it relevant if Martin had drugs in his system at the time of the altercation?

 

[gasmitty]

We have on on-going moratorium on threads about the Martin-Zimmerman case, still in effect.

Closed.