At 8:01 am this morning the Fifth District Court of Appeals in Florida gave Benjamin Crump 20 days to respond to the request for a Writ of Certiorari filed last week by George Zimmerman’s defense attorney Mark O’Mara – before they make a ruling.

After reception of Crumps response – O’Mara will have another 10 days to submit a reply.

At stake is whether or not Trayvon Martin family attorney, Benjamin Crump, will be deposed during the discovery phase surrounding the State of Florida V. George Zimmerman case.

The judge, Debra Nelson, ruled twice that Benjamin Crump would not have to present himself for questioning by the defense surrounding the discovery, in March 2012, of a witness he named “Dee Dee” (Witness #8). (more…)

Sorry for the delay – Have been in Metro-Orlando ALL DAY doing research, and talking to folks.   All prior info once again confirmed…. /SD

The financial scheme was constructed in March 2012 – the execution of the scheme merely continues.

On Friday March 23rd 2012,  At the spring board meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists, board members interviewed attorney Daryl D. Parks, the principal in the Tallahassee, Fla.-based law firm representing the parents of the 17-year-old who was fatally shot by a neighborhood watch captain.

In a wide-ranging interview with board members of the National Association of Black Journalists, conducted via Skype, attorney Daryl D. Parks said that after separate meetings with federal and state authorities, he doubts Travyon’s killer will be indicted with a federal hate crime.

However, Parks said he is increasingly hopeful that the gunman, George Zimmerman, will face state criminal charges.

Police say Zimmerman was not arrested because there was no evidence disputing his claim of self defense, prompting national outcry for state and federal officials to level charges.

Members of Trayvon’s family met with U.S. Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigations officials on Thursday  [March 22nd, 2012] afternoon.

“It was rather clear that the attorney general is quite aware of the situation, and they have devoted a great deal of resources to this matter,” Parks said. “It’s very clear that this is a very high priority for this administration.”

The Martin family also met briefly Friday [March 23rd, 2012] with attorney Angela Corey, who was appointed as special prosecutor this week by Florida Gov. Rick Scott to head the state investigation.   The legal team representing Trayvon’s family plans to pursue civil litigation against Zimmerman and the community’s Homeowner’s Association.  {snip – note proclamations only weeks after death /sd}

Parks, who also is president of the National Bar Association, said he does not believe the Justice Department will pursue federal hate crime charges against Zimmerman.

Even without hate crime charges, Parks said it’s clear that race played a role in Trayvon’s killing and that the family believes Sanford police actively covered up the racial component to protect Zimmerman.

“Trayvon’s situation is very tragic for this family and, I think, for every black person who lives in America,” Parks said. “We all know many situations where the person of color was not given the benefit of the doubt. That’s a subtlety in America that a lot of people don’t talk about.”  (link)

TODAY – As previously outlined the Clerk of the Court has denied the request of Martin Family attorney, Benjamin Crump, to “seal” or “attach filing in confidence”.   Instead the clerk and the court have determined the financial settlement terms between the Home Owners Association at the Retreat at Twin Lakes will be made public.   Such was the content of a letter advising Benjamin Crump: (more…)

FLORIDA – The executive director of the State Attorney’s Office is leaving the  employment of Angela Corey.

Richard Komando resigned his position Thursday. In his three-sentence  resignation letter, Komando said his last day in the office would be that day,  but he will be taking leave through April 19 when he will officially depart.  Komondo declined to comment on his departure Friday.

This is the fourth high-profile employee to depart the State Attorney’s  Office in the last year. Chief Assistant State Attorney Dan McCarthy, former  executive director Mike Weinstein and Nassau County chief Wes White also  resigned.  (link)

Both Komando and Weinstein were both Executive Directors of the State Attorneys  office both reporting directly to Angela Corey. An Executive Director manages  the business office, human resource, and the office budget. Who would know best  about any money being used to pad Angela Coreys pension. This is a Salem Witch  hunt to find out who leaked the information to the press about Angela Corey  taking tax payer money to pad her retirement pension. The times Union created  some very bad press about the pension padding and this sounds like a Witch hunt  by Angela Corey to find the leak (link)

(more…)

Here is exactly what I was hoping someone would share when I asked the question yesterday about how Mark O’Mara’s involvement into the HOA settlement with the Martin Family could be considered.   This author has digested the information, considered the surrounding issues, and formulated an up-side opinion to O’Mara being involved in the civil matters around the case.

In short – this person sees a positive or bright side approach. This well though out guest post came via e-mail and the author has approved my sharing it with you.

[…] Like many, I was outraged the first day or two when the story broke nationally, then I started wondering what the heck was going on after Obama made his comment. I then started paying attention and thought something smelled bad. I found your site shortly after Angela Corey become involved and reading your posts about what Crump and company needed to achieve in order to make money was eye opening, especially as I watched it unfold in the manner consistent with your assertions.

Anyway, in response to your blog, I would like to state this about Omara being involved in the settlement process with the HOA. I am no fan of Omara, but its brilliant. (more…)

Generally I don’t like to address the ideological critics -rarely is there any substance or opportunity for *rational* discussion- but this really is a bigger issue; And I’m trying to understand the thought processes.  First, here is an example of how the sunlight upon the recent information has been received:

Danny says:  I can not comment on the gossip that Mr. OMara had advised anyone on the HOA settlement. There is no proof. I am sure many will agree Sundance has been consistent with diverting away from important issues involving this case. In fact this may be the nail in the coffin for many who were teetering on whether or not SD is a reliable advocate. This does not mean people should not be grateful, but face it SD has made an enemy out of the wrong person. It makes me question his character and his motive. (more…)

Update for clarity – I guess asking questions, and soliciting opinion about Mark O’Mara is now tantamount to attacking him ?   *WHISKEY*TANGO*FOXTROT*

No-where in this thread post is there an attack on Mark O’Mara.  To the contrary this is seeking an opinion based on known facts surrounding the case and the revelation that Mark O’Mara was a key decision maker in the agreement to financial settlement with the Martin family.   In short, it was O’Mara’s final nod -albeit perhaps reluctantly- that led to the settlement. 

My questions were/are about propriety, and conflict of interest, and do they exist against the backdrop of his involvement with civil litigation avoidance and his dual-role as criminal defense counsel;  And to what extent, if any, does that impact the criminal proceedings.

Yes,  I personally was surprised to find out that O’Mara would be the one to make the final decision on the settlement agreement with the estate of Trayvon Martin.   In my mind it brings many questions to the surface about appropriate representation.   However, I was actually seeking opinion as to whether or not this fact of O’Mara’s affiliation presents an issue – or not.

The knee-jerk reaction to view such questions as an attack merely solidify my worry that this is indeed an issue.    The responses which reflect a preference not to believe in such a relationship exists cement the concern.   Apparently, this is a troubling digestion for many people and avoidance is easier than reconciliation.   That is unnerving.

Last August we brought you the information about the potential lawsuits by the scheme team against the HOA, and their insurance carriers, for the Retreat at Twin Lakes – The location of the Trayvon Martin shooting.    The contacts went into negotiations and a holding pattern pending the outcome and/or progress of the criminal trial. (more…)

I wonder which “court” this is referring to?

SANFORD — Trayvon Martin’s parents settled a wrongful-death claim Friday against the homeowners association of the Sanford subdivision where their teenage son was killed.

Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin’s attorney, Benjamin Crump, filed the suit against the Retreat at Twin Lakes subdivision.

Crump asked that the agreement remain confidential. However, the court has decided that there is no reason for the agreement to remain confidential, and is giving Crump 10 days to appeal that decision.

We have learned, that the homeowners association’s insurance company did not have to pay out a claim on the case. (read more)

“All we want is an arrest, we only want an arrest”……

Within 3 days of Trayvon Martin’s death his family hired a media consulting firm.   Within two weeks of Trayvon Martin’s death his mother, Sybrina Fulton, filed legal documents to trademark his name.   Subsequently Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton set out on a cross country tour to collect money.  After the coast to coast tour, they took the scheme international and headed to Europe to continue exploiting the financial opportunity.  [link]

(more…)

The Orlando Sentinel weighs in on the recent filings in the George Zimmerman case.

Benjamin Crump:  Resist we must, and we much, about that, be committed….

ORLANDO – Attorneys for George Zimmerman Thursday asked an appeals court to reverse the decision of a Sanford judge and allow them to make Benjamin Crump, the attorney for Trayvon Martin‘s family, answer their questions under oath.

It is a battle defense attorneys have been fighting – and losing – for months.

They twice asked Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson to allow them to depose Crump, and she twice said no, most recently one week ago.

Now, they’ve asked the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach to overturn her decision. (more…)

The State of Florida has filed a response to the defense sanctions motion regarding their attempt to block videotaping of Witness #8 “DeeDee” during deposition in the George Zimmerman Case.

The response motion to the court is filled with a laugh out loud admission of their incompetence in the attempt to block videotaping.   Bernie De La Rionda opines that he never paid any attention to the “intent to videotape” the deposition and whines that no-one else was video taped – therefore he didn’t expect it.

READ FULL RESPONSE HERE.

BDLR compains that he should not be sanctioned for his obstruction – despite the court ruling that videotaping was appropriate and the defense team adequately informed the State of their intention ahead of deposition session.

(more…)