Neighbor testifies in Zimmerman trial
SANFORD, Fla. – Two neighbors and a police officer gave accounts Friday in George Zimmerman’s murder trial that seemed to bolster the neighborhood watch volunteer’s contention that he was on his back and being straddled by Trayvon Martin during a confrontation with the teen.
Neighbor Jonathan Good said it appeared the unarmed teen was straddling Zimmerman during their confrontation, while another neighbor, Jonathan Manalo, said Zimmerman seemed credible when he said immediately after the fight that he had shot Martin in self-defense. Officer Tim Smith said on the witness stand that Zimmerman’s backside was covered in grass and wetter than his front side.
All three were called as prosecution witnesses on the fifth day of testimony.
Good, who had perhaps the best view of the fight of any witness, said he did not see anyone’s head being slammed into the concrete sidewalk, which Zimmerman has said Martin did to him. Good initially testified that it appeared “there were strikes being thrown, punches being thrown,” but during detailed questioning he said he saw only “downward” arm movements being made.
Zimmerman has claimed that he fatally shot 17-year-old Martin last year in self-defense as the Miami-area teen was banging his head into the concrete sidewalk behind the townhomes in a gated community.
Reports: Cartwright target of leak probe
WASHINGTON – A former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is under investigation for allegedly leaking classified information about a covert cyberattack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, according to media reports.
Retired Marine Gen. James “Hoss” Cartwright has been told he is a target of the probe, NBC News and The Washington Post reported Thursday. A “target” is someone a prosecutor or grand jury has substantial evidence linking to a crime and who is likely to be charged.
“Gen. Jim Cartwright is an American hero who served his country with distinction for four decades,” his lawyer, Gregory Craig, said Friday. “Any suggestion that he could have betrayed the country he loves is preposterous.”
The Justice Department referred questions to the U.S. attorney’s office in Baltimore, where a spokeswoman, Marcia Murphy, declined to comment.
The investigation of the leak about the Iran cyberattack is one of a number of national security leak investigations that have been started by the Obama administration, including ones involving The Associated Press and Fox News.
Final birth control rule issued for faith groups
WASHINGTON – The Obama administration issued its final compromise Friday for religiously affiliated charities, hospitals and other non-profits that object to covering birth control in their employee health plans.
The Health and Human Services Department said the final plan simplifies how insurers provide the coverage separately from faith-based groups and gives religious nonprofits more time to comply. However, the changes are unlikely to resolve objections from faith groups that the requirement violates their religious freedom.
More than 60 lawsuits have been filed challenging the rule. The cases are expected to reach the Supreme Court.
The birth control rule was first introduced in February 2012, as part of President Obama’s health-care overhaul, drawing praise from women’s groups and condemnation from religious leaders. The original plan exempted churches and other houses of worship, but required faith-affiliated charities, universities and other nonprofits to provide the coverage for their employees.
Under the compromise, administration officials said they simplified the definition of religious organizations that are fully exempt from the requirement.
Associated Press
