THE TRIAL VERDICT ~WHAT U MAY NOT KNOW

Even If George Zimmerman Found Not Guilty Of Murder And Manslaughter, He Could Still Get 25 Years

by Richard Hornsby | 1:05 pm, July 11th, 2013nion.com/articles/george-zimmerman-offers-to-just-plead-guilty-and-p,33087/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=Default:3:Default

George Zimmerman will either be convicted of Second Degree Murder or he will be found Not Guilty.

But the reality is much more complex, because the jury will have a number of Lesser Included Offenses to choose from.

And because of these numerous options, it is not uncommon for a jury to exercise what is known as their “pardon” or “nullification” power and return a compromise verdict that they believe is just under the circumstances. See generally Haygood v. State, 109 So. 3d 735 (Fla. 2013).

Lesser Included Offenses

In Florida, there are two types of Lesser Included Offenses:

1. Category One Lesser Offenses (Mandatory Lessers); and
2. Category Two Lesser Offenses (Discretionary Lessers).

While mandatory lesser offenses must be given, discretionary lesser offenses are only required if the Information alleges the essential elements of the offenses and one of the parties requests the lesser offense. See Herrington v. State, 538 So. 2d 850 (Fla. 1989).

Aggravated Battery

Aggravated Battery is classified as a Second Degree Felony. Under Florida’s sentencing guidelines, and absent mitigating circumstances, a judge is required to impose a minimum sentence of 21 months in prison, but can impose any additional combination of the following penalties:

• Up to 15 years in prison.
• Up to 15 years of probation.
• Up to $10,000 in fines.

10-20-Life Firearm Enhancement

If the jury finds that a firearm was used, Aggravated Battery is reclassified to a First Degree Felony, which increases the maximum sentence to 30 years in prison or 30 years of probation.

However, because Aggravated Battery is an enumerated felony, if the jury finds that a firearm was used to kill Trayvon Martin, the judge would be required to impose a 25 year minimum-mandatory prison sentence and could sentence him to life in prison if she so decided.

If the jury only found that he possessed or discharged the firearm, then the respective 10 or 20 year mandatory-minimum sentence must be imposed.

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