Zimmerman vs. Martin

I have taught hand gun self defence both from the stand point of Texas law (not unlike Fl) and the execution of self defence. Like others have said, yes I think Mr. Zimmerman was a bit spring loaded. I do not question his passion for protecting his neighbors and community but I think it got in the way of good sound judgement. Regardless of if he should have stayed in his vehicle, and I think he should have, or not, then again IF Trevon attacked Zimmerman and regarrdless of his injuries Zimmerman felt his life was in danger then he had the legal right to defend himself. So at least now I feel it is a leagal shooting but not a good one, it could have been avaoided.

Honestly, after Casey Anthony walked... I have lost all faith in the Florida justice system.

This is pathetic thread that should be locked. If it were about God, it would have been stopped 7 pages ago, but since it is about the murder of a black child and yes, 17 is a child. Anyone knows that, it doesn't take a degree to see that. If someone was stopping my son, he would probably not react with roses and flowers.

Get racially profiled because you drive a nice vehicle, live in a decent neighborhood, then come talk to me.

George Zimmerman was wrong, he had no business playing, judge, jury and executioner. Now you can all respond with your nasty snide remarks, I expect it. I see a lot of bigotry and racism here and MFP should be ashamed for letting it continue.

i agree with you on everything but having this locked. its good for people to discuss this. if anything it exposes the racists.

I suppose this is true. I'm full on "Tell me more" every time someone mentions race wars or being scared of black people's reactions or uses the word thug. The casual racism, bundled up as concern for the neighborhood/law/justice/society is my favorite because they don't even realize how what they say actually is projecting.

Those darn scary black people and their social pressure and the media (run by black people I guess) and their darn race war riots!

Meanwhile in Europe, people riot over football.

This I have to reply to. I have read more than one article, and seen the tweets myself, from black people talking about rioting and how they will go out and "kill a random white person" if Zimmerman walks.

I realize you want to think that people are making that up just to be racist, but it would seem they are given a damn good reason to be concerned.

Well if you saw it tweeted on the internet good lord knows it's gonna happen.

I didn't say it was made it, but I do believe the fact that people are taking tweets seriously and referencing something that happened 20 years ago as the reason a Race War is going to be started is rooted in some people's inherent fear of black people. They play nice in public but the minute a black kid is walking behind them they cross the street and can't resist glancing back in fear every 20 seconds.

I have a 18 year old son. If someone was following him and approached him I would expect him to defend himself. I also know if it was my son he shot there would be no safe place on the planet for him. I wouldn't need the courts to solve this issue. It is a simple blood feud. Blood for blood.

YES Mercutio! Loose the hounds and sharpen thy blades for TONIGHT THERE WILL BE BLOOD!

Please join us in the 21st Century...

I don't know about anyone else but I feel I have a obligation to protect and defend those that I love and am responsible for safety and defense. Maybe it is my Marine Corps and Army Ranger training (in the 21st Century by the way) but the murder of my son is just as valid a reason to go to war as an attack on New York is to star a 10 year war that has cost thousands of lives.

Third, this was a 6', 17 year old young man. Martin was hardly a 'child'. He was the one who came at Zimmerman first. He was beating the crap out of Zimmerman, the police photos and medical documents prove that.

Fourth, sorry but it was self-defense.

Size isn't the issue. Age is. Seventeen is a child. How mature were you at that age? I am the mother of an 18-year-old college student. I know her friends. They are still children.

As for self-defense/stand your ground, considering that Zimmerman was following Trayvon, couldn't the prosecution make a case that TRAYVON was standing his ground? Zimmerman is responsible by his actions for what happened. Now someone is dead. Had he at the very least remained in his vehicle, this would not have happened.

No because you can't stand your ground against someone walking behind you. Someone walking isn't a threat to your life. Beating your head into the ground is. You should really read up on laws.

He wasn't just "walking behind" Martin. He followed him first in a vehicle and then on foot.

That's called stalking. Clearly Martin felt threatened.

Should have ran and not attacked. Then he would be alive. Not illegal to follow someone.

All of your posts on this topic reek of prejudice and latent racism. I'm white btw.

I think the prosecution made a mistake charging him with Second Degree murder. If he's found not guilty it will be because he was overcharged and they couldn't prove he's guilty of that charge.

I don't think he deserves to walk, though.

agreed. 2nd degree is exteme, but a kid was shot to death some charge should be held.

Why?

Well I hope he gets 2nd degree murder. Zimmerman should get the chair or the needle for what he's done. That poor family lost their son and deserves justice.

Okay. That'll hold up in court.

I wasn't talking about the court, I was talking about my hope. As for the legal aspects, I agree Zimmerman could walk. I would find that very disappointing, cause I think he's guilty. But that's separate obviously from how the trial or FL legal system may resolve this.

All of your posts on this topic reek of prejudice and latent racism. I'm white btw.

Latent?...

I think the prosecution made a mistake charging him with Second Degree murder. If he's found not guilty it will be because he was overcharged and they couldn't prove he's guilty of that charge.

I don't think he deserves to walk, though.

agreed. 2nd degree is exteme, but a kid was shot to death some charge should be held.

Why?

Well I hope he gets 2nd degree murder. Zimmerman should get the chair or the needle for what he's done. That poor family lost their son and deserves justice.

Okay. That'll hold up in court.

I wasn't talking about the court, I was talking about my hope. As for the legal aspects, I agree Zimmerman could walk. I would find that very disappointing, cause I think he's guilty. But that's separate obviously from how the trial or FL legal system may resolve this.

How do you know he is guilty? You're just emotionally attached or trolling. I'm done replying to you though. Watch the trial, learn the facts, then come back.

i guarantee 90% of the people in this thread have not watched one second of the case, or reviewed the evidence.

Otherwise they're just blinded by SOMETHING to think Zimmerman should be found guilty.