The Zimmerman case makes me think of an article by Renata Adler in the August 2000 issue of Harper’s Magazine, A Court of No Appeal.  In her article Adler infers some things about Watergate judge John Sirica based on what he wrote in his book, To Set the Record Straight.  The article is worth a read.  It’s an exercise in how evaluate other people’s statements for plausibility and, when they’re not plausible, inferring what really went on.  Much speculation and there are probably strong counteragruments to Adler’s inferences that haven’t occurred to me, but it’s a memorable for her relentless questioning of the story she’s being fed and her entirely plausible alternative explanations.