The Murder of Trayvon Martin

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by UVA17

But is convicting the defendant of a lesser charge something that is always on the table? I'm thinking of the Louise Woodward trial. If I recall correctly, her legal team asked that the jury not be given the option of convicting her of manslaughter. The jury's only options were to convict or acquit her of murder.

The jury ended up convicting her of murder (although the judge later vacated the verdict) but individual jurors who were interviewed afterward said they would have gone with manslaughter had it been an option.

At least that's what I remember my APGOPO teacher telling us a couple of years ago.

As to lesser included offenses "always" being an option, perhaps the legal folks will weigh in, but I know it was definitely an option in the Zimmerman trial.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

As to lesser included offenses "always" being an option, perhaps the legal folks will weigh in, but I know it was definitely an option in the Zimmerman trial.

From state to state YMMV, but around here, it's up to the state what the Defendant is charged with. If they want to allow the jury to convict of a lesser included, they can charge it. If they want murder in the first degree and nothing else, they can do that as well.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

From state to state YMMV, but around here, it's up to the state what the Defendant is charged with. If they want to allow the jury to convict of a lesser included, they can charge it. If they want murder in the first degree and nothing else, they can do that as well.

Yes, but here at least, it doesn't stop there. Here, regardless of what the state charges, if there is evidence at trial that will support a lesser included offense and if the defense requests that the lesser included offense be submitted to the jury, then the judge is required to submit it to the jury.