Florida case law on Manslaughter charge

[bigdarryl]

Seems pretty clear cut to me. http://statelaws.findlaw.com/florida-law/florida-involuntary-manslaughter-laws.html

[woolldog]

1. Isn't the charge voluntary manslaughter here?

[Just Saying]

3. Yes it's voluntary manslaughter

http://statelaws.findlaw.com/florida-law/florida-voluntary-manslaughter-laws.html

[Igel]

11. With a twist.

He's claimed self-defense.

Has the prosecutor demonstrated with evidence and argumentation to the jury beyond reasonable doubt that it was not self-defense?

Did the defense cast enough doubt on the prosecution's attempt to show this that the jury may have reasonable doubt?

If there's reasonable doubt, then it's justifiable and there's no legal culpability.

With a bit more of a twist: The jury is able to basically decide what evidence it wants to follow and what conclusions it wants to draw. If they split on reasonable doubt and some compromise, on manslaughter then it may not be according to Hoyle but nobody'll come back and ask for a re-do.

[bigdarryl]

4. I though he could be found guilty of both

But maybe Im wrong anyone want to clarify this.Only in fucking Florida would they confuse a charges meaning.It gets back to the republicans being in charge of that state so long to past these crazy laws

[woolldog]

7. Yea, im not sure either.

One of my criticisms of the prosecution was that they didn't go for a negligent homicide type charge, but I could be wrong, maybe they did.

[FarPoint]

5. Yes it is...

the good FineLaw link focus seems to address involuntary mostly.

[woolldog]

9. I thought so,

but don't remember hearing any of the "passion" type language in the jury instructions.

[arely staircase]

2. He'll get manslaughter imho nt

[LittleBlue]

6. I think Zimmerman may have committed involuntary manslaughter

Can he be convicted of it? Because it pretty much describes what he did.

[ThePhilosopher04]

10. Of all the options, Involuntary isn't one of them...

It wasn't an accident, he pulled the trigger with intent to kill

[customerserviceguy]

13. Did the state prove intent to kill?

If not, then it can be presumed that it was intent to stop the attacker. That's been the whole defense posture, did the prosecution make a dent in it?