Zimmerman Charged With 2nd Degree Murder Maybe Will Now Have To Prove His Innocence...

...and yes I know that in most criminal cases you are presumed innocent until proven guilty and so will be Zimmerman. Yet, he has been charged with 2nd Degree Murder and he has been claiming self defense. If he continues to claim self-defense, then yes - he probably will be obligated to prove that it was self defense. The burden of proof as to a claim of self defense is that of the person making the claim. It is called an Affirmative Defense. Of course, if the this falls through, the prosecutor does not get a freebie and still has to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Zimmerman is guilty. The thing is, if the self defense claim falls apart, it will be pretty much a given that Zimmerman will be found guilty of something even if not the current top charge against him - 2nd Degree Murder.

And to think, almost all of the national outcry over this may have been fanned into a flaming frenzy by a media employee who edited the tape of the 911 call to make it seem as if Zimmerman had targeted Martin because of race! The outrage I feel over that single fact has me seething, screw the mud slinging media.

All the best,
Glenn B