Rachel Jeantel - Round Two

Rachel Jeantel returned to the stand today to continue her cross-examination.  It is obvious to even the most casual observer Ms. Jeantel has been instructed as to proper courtroom decorum.

West says that Jeantel had earlier said to Trayvon, "Whate are you talking about"  Later her testimony was that Zimmerman had asked Trayvon "What are you doing around here?"  Since both statements were made under oath, this could be a difficult situation for the prosecution.

One thing I find particularly odd is that according to Jeantel's testimony, Trayvon's mother Sybrina Fulton was sitting next her as she gave her interview with the state's attorney and law enforcement for the first time.  I don't believe this is standard procedure.

Later, Jeantel was asked to read a letter that was sent to Martin's mother describing what she allegedly heard on a phone call moments before he was shot.

A hush went through the packed courtroom when she admitted that she couldn't read the letter because she doesn't read cursive.

As a teacher, hearing Rachel admit that as a student on the cusp of graduation is unable to read is a tragedy.  Many people are sidestepping the fact that her speaking skills will cripple her in the job market determined to show how PC they are.  The fact is that in an already tight job market Rachel will experience a great deal of difficulty in finding and keeping a job based on the skills she brings to the workplace.  Couple this with the attitude she displayed yesterday we should be asking why the schools, her parents, and the community didn't provide with the life skills she will need as she continues in her life after this trial.

In a case the highlights charges of racial profiling and race relations I find this young lady's testimony a sad testament to the chasm that lies in the education available to inner-city students all these many years after the advent of busing and integration.

I'm on the subject of cultural divide an incident happened today showing the need for lawyers to become more social media savvy.

During a proffer Bernie de la Rionda asked a witness (Jenna Lauer) if  why she was following Robert Zimmerman, Jr (George Zimmerman's brother) on Twitter.  She claimed she didn't think she was.  At that moment de la Rionda acted like he had a Perry Mason moment and strode up to the stand computer in hand.  He pointed out that Robert Zimmerman was "FOLLOWING" and asked her suspiciously about his proof that she was following him.  In fact Robert Zimmerman was following her but she did not follow back.  Heck I have people following me that I don't follow back I hope none of them are involved in any nefarious actions or I may find myself questioned about who is following me.

de la Rionda didn't seem to be one to let a good conspiracy theory lie said, "Well if you're not following him why is he asking to follow you?"  He pointed to the area on the side of twitter that comes under the category "Who To Follow"  Right at this moment Hanes (the underwear folks) and Verison are in my que.  Sorry guys not going to follow back  It was then pointed out that she had never tweeted not once.

I found the moment of the allegation that she might be pulling something over on him funny in the sense of showing his age.  I know if I have questions about social media I ask a teen because they are all over it.  Maybe Mr. de la Rionda should hire a teen to translate social media for his firm.