By Rene Stutzman, Orlando Sentinel
7:07 p.m. EST, August 9, 2012
"There is clear support for a strong claim of self-defense," O'Mara wrote in a blog post Thursday.
Central Florida lawyers predicted that, based on the evidence released so far by prosecutors, Zimmerman has a strong chance of winning.
"He's assaulted, and he claims he's on the ground, fighting for his life. I don't see how a judge does not grant that motion," said Robert Buonauro, an Orlando defense lawyer who has been through three "stand your ground" hearings, one that cleared his client.
"He was in a place where he had a right to be. He wasn't violating any laws. He was attacked. There's no other witness to contradict his testimony," Buonauro said.
That last point — that no other witness saw the entire encounter — is key, according to experts. An Orlando Sentinel review of Central Florida "stand your ground" cases found that suspects were far more likely to be exonerated if they were the lone surviving witness."
