ZIMMERMAN TRIAL UPDATE: GEORGE’S AFRICAN-AMERICAN FORMER LAW TEACHER SIGNALS TO COURT, ‘NOT GUILTY!’

I almost couldn’t believe what I saw happen today in the courtroom.

Maybe I’m the only one who saw it this way, but when George Zimmerman’s former college criminal law instructor was called as a witness for the prosecution this morning, he was ostensibly supposed to give testimony that the state could use to help convict the accused of being a murderer–instead, U.S. Army JAG corps officer and attorney Alexis Carter basically, glibly, unabashedly sent trans-racial “dog-whistle code” to acquit and absolve his former student, right there in front of the jury and everybody.

Captain Carter did something which completely surprised me, and told me and anyone else who heard the whistle:  This is a good guy, and he’s no murderer.

A rather dark-skinned, well-dressed black man, Carter presented a very relaxed, amiable demeanor as his testimony got underway.  After spending awhile answering probative questions from the prosecutor about his professional background and the criminal litigation course he taught to Zimmerman at Seminole State College, he was asked if he saw Zimmerman there in the courtroom.

Carter’s face immediately began to break into a broad grin as he said “Yes,” and turned to look in the direction of where Zimmerman sat at the defense table.  He didn’t even try to conceal his warm affection for his former student as he waved his hand at Zimmerman and greeted him, cutting right through the stuffiness and formality of the proceedings, saying “How ya doin,’ George!”

Translation:  I know the Law, I teach the Law; George is my man, and he’s innocent.  I vouch for him.  Let him go!

In reaction, for the first time since the trial got underway, Zimmerman (who had stood up from his seat in order to be identified by the witness, as is the protocol) was visibly moved by the message sent, and displayed affection in kind–evidence of the special sort of relationship that can develop between student and teacher.  His own face showed joy and relief, albeit somewhat forcibly suppressed for the sake of trying to stick to poker-faced decorum, as he fought to suppress his own grin by keeping his briefly smiling lips sealed tightly and contain his realization that his friend, Justice, had just made its principled presence felt.  His entire countenance was momentarily awash with relief.

Carter then proceeded to describe further the course contents of criminal procedure which he had transmitted to Zimmerman.  Asked in detail about legal theory applied in the state of Florida concerning justifiable use of deadly force as course material, Carter confirmed that Zimmerman not only had been instructed in things like “castle doctrine” and the newer “stand-your-ground” law, but that George had been one of his better, brighter students, and had earned an A in the class.

As the prosecuting attorney went on, querying Carter on a particular aspect of using deadly force in self defense, Carter’s wry, deadpan answer caused most of the courtroom to break into laughter.  The live TV camera didn’t miss George joining in the mirth shared among those in attendance, as this time he actually dared let his teeth show for a moment as he fought back a broad grin and a hearty chuckle.  Malik Zulu Shabazz must have been throwing furniture at his TV screen.