you dont know any of that. he was following him, not chasing. if you were suspicious of somebody you may follow as well. we as just dont know what transpired. as more info trickles in maybe you should keep your mind open so as to make an informed decision about how you feell about this.

Some news that many people will absolutely not want to hear. First, all the photos of him being circulated are old photos that have been digitally cleaned up.

Second, It seems that Trayvon Martin was a gangbanger complete with tattoos, gold teeth, etc.. That people have twitter and facebook accounts and think their content can be kept secret in this day and age is naive.

It also seems that his facebook account and various photos have been now scrubbed but many of them have already been leaked beforehand, especially the ones of him holding AK's and other weapons.

Second, It seems that Trayvon Martin was a gangbanger complete with tattoos, gold teeth, etc.. That people have twitter and facebook accounts and think their content can be kept secret in this day and age is naive.

It also seems that his facebook account and various photos have been now scrubbed but many of them have already been leaked beforehand, especially the ones of him holding AK's and other weapons.

D'ya have any links to pictures showing these items? Not that any of it would change the facts of this case.

Wet Willy, I don't see how any of that changes the facts of the case. That he looked thugish to you doesn't mean he should have been shot.

The cops tell you to "follow at a distance"

If this kid turned and faced his follower, well, as there are no witness we will never know exactly what happened, but Zimmerman WAS there on a "semi official" business. (neighborhood watch)

The mishandling of the scene by the police after they showed up and lack of prudence in the collection of evidence. Will no doubt be a major factor in the failure to prosecute this case based on facts, and unfortunately I'm afraid Justice will not prevail.

Siestasis

I want to make one thing Clear - Zimmerman should not have been following anyone and clearly bears some fault to this attack.

BUT - Get the whole facts.

1) Zimmerman is hispanic - not white

2) the neighborhood nearly 50/50 white and minority

3) Zimmerman was the one screaming on the 911 call, not Trayvon (Trayvon's dad verified this)

4) There was a witness who saw a a man in a hoodie on top of a man in red, beating the man in red. The witness turned away to call 911. When the witness looked again (after the shot) he saw the man in the hoodie lying in the grass and the guy in red standing nearby.

5) Treyvon was on a 5-day suspension from school - the reason why is not being released.

6) Trayvon is 6'-4" and 200 Lbs. The picture you see with the articles is from when he was much younger and smaller.

7) This witness gave an interview to a news affiliate the day after the incident. Why is it resurfacing now - a month later after everyone has been fed false information for 3 over weeks?

IT IS UNCLEAR FROM THE WITNESSES AND OTHER INFORMATION WHO ATTACKED WHOM, but generally you don't attack someone bigger than you, especially if you think the other guy might have a gun - which from released information, Zimmerman thought Trayvon might be armed.

I'm afraid of that as well. I'm also afraid of the repercussions.

I have been saying this for over a week.!

I think the "Stand Your Ground law would have applied more to Treyvon Martin rather than Zimmerman. Treyvon was the one being stalked by a man with a gun... not Zimmerman.

I'm never amazed at such comments. Whatever Trayvon's Martin background was (and from ALL the reports I've read, he was a good student) it doesn't negate the fact that he was PURSUED and chased after. If you are suspicious of someone, you may follow at a distance so see where that person goes, but you'd never approach that person. Bottom line, He pursued him, and confronted him, and demanded to know "what he was doing there"... and He was questioned back, with "why are you following me." Never once did he say.. I'm the community watch captain. If I was trayvon martin, you wouldn't have gotten an answer out of me....by who's authority do i need to answer you?? Trayvon is the VICTIM not george zimmerman...

Phil-

>The cops tell you to "follow at a distance"

Actually, in this case specifically (and in general with neighborhood watch) the police said DON'T follow, just report.

>If this kid turned and faced his follower, well, as there are no witness we will never know exactly what >happened, but Zimmerman WAS there on a "semi official" business. (neighborhood watch)

And as a house guest of a resident, Martin was there legitimately too.

Martin (if he had a gun) could have shot Zimmerman, he certainly had a belief he was being threatened. Does anyone thing in that event that Martin wouldn't have been arrested?

So what happens, under SYG, when two groups, each with a fear of the other, start shooting?

Answer, it seems: everyone of the survivors gets off.

In other words Florida has become the Wild West. Of course they had to check their guns when entering a saloon.

DB- Trayvon was 6-3 140 pounds, this is a fact, Zimmerman weighs 250. God please stop trying to make the victim the villain! His only crime walking while black!

Watch and learn. This law is being applied differently based upon race. When African American invoke the Stand your ground law the police arrest and tell them to take the argument to the courts then a white invoke the stand your ground law they don't arrest and cite the stand your ground law as the reason. Trayvon Martin will not obtain justice in a system which applies the law unequally.

DB Akron

Hispanic is not a race....it is an ethenticity. You don't go around saying he's Irish not white, do you?

From the census website

"For the 2010 Census, the questions onrace and Hispanic origin were asked of individuals living in the United States(see Figure 1). An individual’s responses to the race question and to the Hispanic origin question were based upon self-identification. The U.S. Census Bureau collects race and Hispanic origin information following the guidance of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) 1997 Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity.2 These federal standards mandate that race and Hispanic origin (ethnicity) are separate and distinct concepts and that when collecting these data via self-identification, two different questions must be used."

ok then... I guess the facebook cleanup is not that complete.... Here is something special

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=280295365373525&set=a.280295358706859.63532.100001791912868&type=3&theater

It's public. It's what Trayvon posted of himself. It is how he wanted PEOPLE to see him. If nothing else maybe people will learn to take care of what they post in the public areas of FB.

MSNBC ... stop feeding the frenzy with the constant coverage. Those who want to know can go to their local angry, raging, 'church' to get updates.

And, please update Trayvon's picture to reflect the large man he was. Truth in media ... where is it, anymore

Where are your facts on Trayvon's age or build?

Or did you just make that up?

The mainstream media has tried and convicted Zimmerman. It seems that there is a good chance that it was self-defense but it wont matter. Zimmerman will never be able to live in that area or anywhere near a predominately black neighborhood. Hopefully, if he is acquitted, he will file a defamation of character lawsuit against MSNBC, CNN, et al..

The fact remains that there is NO excuse as to why this shooting was never investigated. They drug tested the victim, but not the angry cry-wolf racist with a smoking gun. I have no idea how any member of the NRA or the Florida state legislature can look themselves in the mirror after this. I can't imagine how anyone could vote in a "Shoot First" law and then sleep at night.

Zimmerman is screwed one way or another. If or if he doesn't get charged legally ... he's looking at a civil suit ... which he will lose. The rules of the complex were to "call the police ... do not confront"! He had a permit to carry a gun ... not to act like an official policeman!

The entire complex is at fault, and most likely will be named in the civil suit, for having an armed person who was not authorized to use force!!!

He had better start the process of writing a book ... he will need the money. A we all know ... there or enough shyster lawyer whores around who will pounce on his case!!!!

Stand Your Ground
law in Florida. Residents can use lethal force against an attacker if they
believe their life is threatened,
regardless of the location.

Martin weighed
nearly 100 pounds less than Zimmerman and was found carrying only a bag of
Skittles candy and a can of iced tea. I’m 73 years old and weight 137 pounds,
and I be dam if a child that weighs 100 pounds less than me is going to make me
feel threatened with a bag of Skittles and a can of ice tea.

According to what
I have read, Zimmerman negated his ability to claim immunity under the law by
chasing Martin. "Anyone who is out pursuing and confronting people is not
protected by this statute."

I think we're all getting wrapped up in the endgame, without looking at how to get there. Mabye what we really want is accountability - from the shooter, from the police, and from the legislature as it pertains to the law. Trayvon didn't get that from any entity, and he, and his family deserve it based on basic human rights. Perhaps they will never get a conviction - for an endless variety of reasons. But there is no good reason that they should not get a thorough, robust and lengthy INVESTIGATION and charges if warranted, then the facts can be judged in a court of law. Seems that's the minimum that's due when the victim cannot speak for themselves.

Ironic, don't you think that Zimmerman is in hiding because he feels so persecuted and threatened. Under stand your ground, he could just go shoot everyone. Sarcasm, but food for thought nonetheless.

Bob of 1.18 fame

So you admit that when Republicans call President Obama a Kenyan Socialist they are LYING because they are "...altering the public image..." to evoke an emotion, any emotion, right?

Okay, I've got you on record, thanks!

Bob, my point was that it doesn't matter if he was a thug or not, or if he ever commited a crime. It wasn't for Zimmerman to decide his fate.

Zimmerman should have stayed in his car as told. End of discussion.

Officers Identify Victim In Palm Bay Shooting...

Minor Shot, Rushed To ORMC Bullet Strikes Young Victim In Lower Back...

These are two shootings that occurred over this weekend in the central Florida area. They are black on black violent crimes that are going on all over this country...thousands of blacks are being killed and maimed by other blacks. Yet not a word is heard from the black leaders ready to try and convict this Zimmerman guy. This attack on this young black man is horrendous and Zimmerman should suffer the consequences of his actions if tried and convicted by a jury of his peers as provided by law. However, serious problems exist in the black community and the leaders in the black community need to address it. Everyone knows it and noone has the political courage to confront it. And that's why gun sales are skyrocketing in America...not because they're afraid a black president if reelected will impose stricter gun controls... they're afraid their government will not or can not protect them. And that's also why Zimmerman was on the street in the first place. The failure of black leaders was just as responsible for this young man's death...only you won't see them taking responsibility...only leading a crowd so their names can make it into the news and inflame racial tensions between blacks and whites...only this guy wasn't white...he was hispanic. Which by the way is the real source of racial tension in Florida...hispanics and blacks shooting at each other is a much more serious problem in Florida.

Don in Minnesota55490

I found this on Daily Kos http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/03/25/1077684/-Racist-False-Travon-Facebook-picture-being-circulated.

Trayvon's currect picture I believe has been taken off FaceBook. I do not get Facebook.

The mainstream media has a duty to at least correct errors when they become apparent, rather than leave info to rile the bases. That a low standard by anyones estimation. How do you trust a MSM that keeps to the low and constantly tries to rile the base for ratings?

Another great reason to stay the hell out of Florida.

Just because Zimmerman is Hispanic does not mean he is not racist. Really? I know of many hispanics that cannot stand blacks--they are racist! It is more common than some of you realize. In addition, Zimmerman was told by 911 that they did not want him following the kid. He admitted he was following the kid and it is recorded. I have looked on the internet and not seen the 'thug' photos, unless you can put your money where your mouth is, just stop. It sounds silly.

The kid was entitled to walk home without having to explain why he had Skittles and iced tea. Wearing a hoodie is not a crime and is actually quite fashionable. Many kids try to act tough but in reality are not when confronted. That does not give Zimmerman the go ahead to kill this child. If Zimmerman was not carrying a weapon and stopped following the child as instructed, this thread would not exist and the country would not be outraged. That simple.

Ron, I think you are missing the point. I don't know anything about the two cases you referenced but I am pretty sure that the cops in those cases didn't release the admitted killers because they claimed self-defense. The furor in the Martin/Zimmerman case is that Zimmerman, the confessed killer, is walking the streets without a trial and fitting punishment.

DB Akron - Trayvon is 6'-4" and 200 Lbs. The picture you see with the articles is from when he was much younger and smaller.

Not that it matters from the standpoint of hunting an innocent person down and murdering him, but here's what ABC news says:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/trayvon-martin-killing-lead-prosecutor-george-zimmerman-walk/story?id=16000239#.T3CY9tUf5uY

While in life Trayvon Martin was barely 17, when it comes to justifiable homicide his size -- about 6-foot-3 and 150 pounds -- makes him an adult in death.

Zimmerman, 28, is 5-foot-9 and weighs well over 200 pounds.

Zimmerman didn't stalk him. He tried to follow him so that he could tell the police where he was when they arrived. The 6'3" Martin jumped out of a bush and hit Zimmerman from behind. Don't let the pictures fool you, Martin's pictures in the media are from 7th grade. He is now a 6'3" football player that dressed like a thug. His friends on facebook have been seen asking him where he's at and saying they're in need of "plant" -- so one would assume he's also a known drug dealer.

Quite a different picture than that which the media portrays. Just search his current photos and you'll see, he really looks like a thug and is QUITE capable of attacking a 5'8" overweight Zimmerman.

It would appear that the law in this case is not sure of itself. Is not sure of its own laws. It seems that following anyone gives you the right to shoot whoever you are following if they turn around. Of course, in this case..this boy was calling for help...not the other way around..he was even heard over the 911 call in..It seems as though killing an innocent boy is ok if you are on the neighbor hood watch...even though you have no powers at all. What is it really that made this boy worthy of being labled as a possible trouble maker..? What did he do other than walk past this fool called zimmerman ? Who is really at fault ? who went after whom ? That is the one item being left out in these discussions..that item alone does not bode well for zimmerman, unless the law, our so called protectors...side with the killing of a boy just becaUSE HE WAS IN THIS GUY ZIMMERMANS AREA ? Does this mean using this misunderstood law by our own police and lawyers..we can confront anyone and shoot them just because. I surely hope that is not the case. But, count on this..if this had been a white boy that was killed..zimmerman would be behind bars today.

Reasonable...I understand your point...and I acknowledged it...I'm not trying to justify Zimmerman's actions...it was stupid and unjustifiable. But I also don't believe this needs to be turned into a racist, white on black attack to inflame hatred, sell advertising for the news media, help pols get votes, and give certain black leaders a forum for their own self-serving purposes. I grew up in the segegated south...I marched with King in Alabama and Georgia...I doubt he would approve of the black-on-black violence in the black community. My point is that the problems in the black community are not being addressed...the broken family...the black gangs...the high school graduation rate of black males...and when they are addressed like Bill Cosby did...the messenger gets skewered.

mom of four

Hispanic is considered a non-white minority. The color of their skin can be anywhere from apparently white to apparently african american.

The only time I ever pay attention to one's color or race is when someone else brings it up. To me, people are people, the only reason I piped up about the matter, was I was being deluged with hate crime and racism - and decided to get to the bottom of it be informed.

No having gotten to the bottom of it, I see the situation as it is. People being used as tools to gain some political advantage, whether now, or in the future.

@relly:

you dont know any of that. he was following him, not chasing. if you were suspicious of somebody you may follow as well. we as just dont know what transpired. as more info trickles in maybe you should keep your mind open so as to make an informed decision about how you feell about this.

Perhaps you haven't heard Zimmerman's 911 call to get the police. He was clearly chasing him. You can hear him begin running and becoming out of breath. Following becomes chasing by definition when you begin running, sorry. Listen to the 911 call yourself, it is going to be Zimmerman's Achilles heel and will be what puts him in jail. It is the only bit of evidence that cannot be hidden as Zimmerman wasn't even photographed at the scene or at the PD after this tragic event (I can't believe that, what a blunder by police!). He calls Trayvon an effing coon which proves racism, does not follow the advice given by the dispatcher to back off and let law enforcement take care of it, and again, you can clearly hear him begin running, becoming out of breath while talking, or giving chase after Trayvon.

Great! Now give us the bad news about prosecuting Zimmerman effectively, or not, after he stalked a young teen and murdered him. The tally thus far for petitioners signing @ change.org petition today is 2,018,462 out of 2,100,000 million, and counting.

Continued blessings for this young teen and his family. Justice must prevail!

incredulous-3994130 - you're spot on!

6) Trayvon is 6'-4" and 200 Lbs. The picture you see with the articles is from when he was much younger and smaller.

Really DB Akron?!? That's surprising, considering the POLICE REPORT has him at 6'0", 160 lbs.

http://cnninsession.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/martinpolicreport.pdf

Zimmerman is listed as 5'9" with no weight filled out.

Any other lies you care to spread?

@GA Girl-718836 He's Hispanic, not white. Now move along spreading your bigotry and hatred.

Dave-3537810 - Quite a different picture than that which the media portrays. Just search his current photos and you'll see, he really looks like a thug and is QUITE capable of attacking a 5'8" overweight Zimmerman.

The difference of course is that a hoodie is an article of clothing while a loaded gun is a weapon. The other difference is that Martin was minding his own business and had done nothing wrong, whereas Zimmerman followed Martin for no apparent reason and then killed him.

How did this murder (sadly) of Trayvon Martin get so blown out of proportion, compared to all the thousands of murders of young children in other parts of the country--black or white? It was personalized by our own President in a Speech to Americans, and Geraldo making the stupid statement re: Hoodies. The trial will be a Circus.

It is another murder; not one that should be "Picked" out---there are plenty of racially motivated murders, and I feel sorry for their families as well. This country is out of control with Murders of young children.

It has become more complicated since the Government has picked out this case and talked about it publicly. This definitely will harm the Prosecutors case against Zimmerman, and real justice for the murder of Trayvon.

It is astounding.

I am reminded of the Duke Lacrosse team case, in which a black stripper falsely accused team members of rape at a party. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson were very active before the truth was known, convicting the team in the media, stoking a lynch mob mentality, only to be silent once the truth came out.

Now Sharpton and Jackson are again leading the new lynch mob, without letting the judicial system work. Shame on them both.

Hawaii2 - How did this murder (sadly) of Trayvon Martin get so blown out of proportion, compared to all the thousands of murders of young children in other parts of the country--black or white?

Because the cops failed to do their job, that's why.

Some people argue between "Hispanic and White?"

Possibly as STUPID a discussion as anyone could possibly have.

Earth has (3) basic races:

(1) Mongoloid/Asian (2) Caucasian (3) Negroid/Black

All others are "sub-races or sub-categories" of those three.

#1. Hispanic cannot EVER be considered a race.

#2. Hispanic includes ALL RACES from virtually every continent on Earth.

Even if you only consider "people from Spain"... Spain was completely defeated,, over-run and ruled by Black Semitic Arabs for hundreds of years, so "mostly all so called Spaniards" are "partly Black" and "partly Semitic Arab" and "partly White"... even those "who attempt to claim that they are "supposedly White". If you trace ANY Spaniards Geneology, you will find some ancestors who mixed with either "Blacks" or "Semitic Arabs" or both?

So, if any Spanish person "appears White" that is "only the appearance" not the "genetics".

When the "mixed race Spaniards" arrived in the New World, they encountered the "primarily Asian-raced, Native Americans". So, along with the "Black slaves they brought with them", the "multi-racial Spaniards" proceeded to "inter-mingle" with the Asian-raced natives for the next few hundred years and , now, today, we have the "completely, multi-racial Latinos... often referred to as "Hispanics" here in the "racially sensitive USA".

So, to ask if a person is "White or Hispanic" or "Black of Hispanic" as if "Hispanic was supposed to be one certain thing, or one type of race" truly shows how IGNORANT and MISINFORMED and UNEDUCATED the person "asking or making such a statement" truly, truly is.

People: Here's the big News Flash!" There is NO such thing as a "Hispanic Race!"

bencas

Blacks are the biggest racist in the world..Where have you been.

Jeff-2879620--it really gets old saying this. Hispanic is an ethnic group, not a racial group. That is why there is a category of "White, not Hispanic."

The government first asks if a person is Hispanic--as that is an ethnic group. Then they ask the race--white, black or African American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American . . . Hispanic is not a race.

One can be both white and Hispanic--and yes, this matters. Many Hispanics are anti-black. Heck, many Jews, Asians, and Native Americans are anti-black. Many Native American nations held black people as slaves. Over 1000 black people walked the Trail of Tears as the slaves of their Cherokee masters.

Move along with your silly categorizations--a person does not have to be white to racially discriminate. Anyone can do it. Okay?

The article does not state this but it may be important in this case...

Zimmerman had a broken nose and a gash on the back of his head. How did he get those? When did he get those? Did he get those when he was calling for help (as is heard on the 911 call)? Did Trayvon have any physical injuries besides the gunshot wound from which he died? Was there a prolonged altercation because the injuries had to come from somewhere?

I do not know what happened nor do I want to speculate. But I will pose the question, if you are in an altercation and your nose is broken and head is cut, at what point do you begin to feel threatened so that the law would apply that definition in court?

I would hope that the courts will get all the evidence on both sides so that the truth of what occurred is out there rather than rely on media reports which seem to change. Only in this way can the community move forward and work to understand this so that things like this could be prevented in the future.

If we don't let our justice system take its course, why do we have a justice system then?

Let's just say for arguments sake, that Zimmerman was simply observing Trayvon while on a leisurely stroll through the complex. Trayvon jumps out of a bush (as stated in the above thread) starts kicking Zimmermans behind; Trayvon hits him in the back of the head creating a gash, then punches him in the face and breaks his nose, as far as Trayvon is concerned this man is following him with unknown intensions. Okay, then Zimmerman calls 911 and reports that there's a suspicious person in his development because we know what happened on the 911 tape and the girlfriend says Zimmerman was asking "What are you doing here?" (after he got his butt handed to him and felt his life was seriously in danger", Trayvon starts screaming "HELP ME" for no reason because he's the aggressor and Zimmerman shoots him. Sounds plausable to me! NOT!!!!

Trayvon's murder was unfortunate and necessary. It must serve, once again to shed light over a society that has a history of violence against minorities. And the prevailing attitudes that allow it to happen. To suggest that a hooded sweatshirt is cause for alarm or a justification for killing an unarmed person is as sad as the event itself. I now know how Zimmerman thinks, who he finds to be a threat. So now he has a legitimate reason to fear young black men in hoodies. Because based on this story all young black men in hoodies should be fearful of Zimmerman and according to Florida that fear of Zimmerman makes it okay to shoot him.. I think that how it goes. Not sure, you better look up the law yourself. Ask your local law enforcement, exactly who you can kill.

So far I think young blacks are okay to kill, not sure who else is on the shoot first list.

Sincerely young black and strapped in GA.

The case has been blown all out of proportion by the professional race baiters. First, they thought Zimmerman was white, oops. Then they thought that Zimmerman was a racist until his African American friend speaks out in his defense, oops. Then the New Black Panthers, seeing a great opportunity to push their racist agenda, throw their faces in front of a camera and place a bounty on Zimmerman. Then, the pic of Trayvon as a twelve year old is circulated rather than a contemporary photo, further stirring the pot.

Then it becomes a political football with the president and the republicans all throwing their faces into the mix, and the outcry for Zimmerman's head commences along with the armchair investigators and lawyers tossing their two cents into the pot. Lost in all of this furor is the fact that the facts aren't in, the original police reports state that Zimmerman was indeed injured, he did indeed tell witnesses to call the cops, and he did indeed receive treatment for his injuries.

Now, no one knows the facts, and, it is becoming apparent that the prosecutors and the investigators are having a hard time pulling together the hate crime charges, they are also having a hard time pulling together a case strong enough to convict, but hey. let us not think about that.

I don't condone Zimmerman in any fashion, he did indeed kill a young black man. He did indeed follow when directed not to, however, the availbale information gets rather fuzzy after that first intial phone call to the dispatcher. There are conflicting eyewitness stories and too much conjecture is being made prior to a complete investigation.

JRS-619990 ... he surely didn't get his broken nose from following the complex rules that state "do not confront ... call police"!

There was no breaking and entering ... no rape ... nothing ...

thought we had it figured out that white and hispanic are not mutually exclusive.

I thinik Zimmerman not being a racist brings up an important issue. most racism is not overt and may not even be intended--yet its ramifications can be inescapable. this is not about people interpreting social statistics with reasonable accuracy--since humans are notoriously BAD when it comes to assessing risk.

This is an incredibly bad law, and we as citizens have a responsibility to protect ourselves from bad legislators passing bad laws--instead of encouraging them.

Let's say the boy did confront Zimmerman. Seems to me he would have been "protected" under Fla law for thinking he was in danger. With laws like this, all we have is the law man standing. He may well be a good person who has wept many tears--or not. What I do know is that Tayshon should not have had to be helpless to protect himself against every single voter in the state--which is a pretty darned big part of what has happened here.

You guys are retarded. That "thug" pic is not the Trayvon that was shot! That is not his facebook page! This is... https://www.facebook.com/people/Trayvon-Slimm-Martin/1353307542.

There's always two sides to every story and then there's the truth. Unfortunately we will never know what really happened.

Ron-975213

Officers Identify Victim In Palm Bay Shooting...

Minor Shot, Rushed To ORMC Bullet Strikes Young Victim In Lower Back...

These are two shootings that occurred over this weekend in the central Florida area. They are black on black violent crimes that are going on all over this country...thousands of blacks are being killed and maimed by other blacks. Yet not a word is heard from the black leaders ready to try and convict this Zimmerman guy. This attack on this young black man is horrendous and Zimmerman should suffer the consequences of his actions if tried and convicted by a jury of his peers as provided by law. However, serious problems exist in the black community and the leaders in the black community need to address it. Everyone knows it and noone has the political courage to confront it. And that's why gun sales are skyrocketing in America...not because they're afraid a black president if reelected will impose stricter gun controls... they're afraid their government will not or can not protect them. And that's also why Zimmerman was on the street in the first place. The failure of black leaders was just as responsible for this young man's death...only you won't see them taking responsibility...only leading a crowd so their names can make it into the news and inflame racial tensions between blacks and whites...only this guy wasn't white...he was hispanic. Which by the way is the real source of racial tension in Florida...hispanics and blacks shooting at each other is a much more serious problem in Florida.

Are u serious ron ??? Failure of blk leaders because of a serious problem in the blk community. Sometimes i wonder if people ever think to themselves before they open their mouth or in this case, type.

Serious problems exist in all communities not in any particular racial grp. If blk leaders have failed so have white ones, asian ones, hispanic ones et al. We are one nation. We have all failed.

Because based on this story all gangbangers in hoodies should be fearful of Zimmerman and according to Florida that fear of Zimmerman makes it okay to shoot him

FYP

BTW, it happens all the time...not only in Florida and not only to people with the same skin shade as Zimmerman. It's called a drive-by.

A few points:

I don't think this is a race crime, I think it is more about the hoodie and the sub-culture perception of young men wearing them. Could have easily been a white or hispanic male dressed that way with the same result. Pretty much a generational difference rather than age. Would Zimmerman have thought twice if Martin were female?

The purported Facebook photo of Trayvon Martin making a gesture has been shown to be fake (or at least of another Trayvon) - and its use in arguments is pretty sick.

The police failed miserably in handling the crime scene and witnesses including Zimmerman himself. All they have now is anecdotal evidence on Zimmerman's injuries, they don't even know if the blood on him was his or Martin's.

I don't know the weight of those involved but it's clear Zimmerman was significantly heavier than Martin. Given that difference, if Martin were female or dressed in a jacket and tie would the police have arrested Zimmerman?

Would it have been better for Zimmerman not to follow Trayvon? Yes. Did he have a legal right to follow him? Yes (it's a public street)..... Did he have a right to shoot him? If he was not defending himself, then no he did not. However, if he was attacked and was defending himself, then yes he has that right. This case is a LOT more complicated that a black young man in a hoodie getting shot.

OK....where is the "outrage" from the "posters" and the White House comments for the following:

• http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/teenagers-poured-gasoline-boy-walking-home-school-set-fire-cops-article-1.1033062#ixzz1oFAMAdux

For you folks who "pre-judge", the law enforcement officals will complete their investigation and the COURT's jury will make a decision.

Just think, YOU could be a member of the court if you live within this district.

This murder has taken on a life of it's own.

So many thousands of child murders everyday in the US; whether racial or personal. My condolences to all families who lose their children to senseless crimes.

This case will be much like Casey Anthony's. What is the real truth. No one was there to actually see it happen.

It will also be a difficult case to try, since the President of the United States has mentioned it in a speech re: other matters.

There will no place to try the Case, because everyone knows all the details; Zimmerman? I don't think he will live to see the day he is in Court finding Justice for Trayvon---.

@Phil

Zimmerman was not present because of any "semi-official" business. In another article, Zimmerman told police he was going to the store when he spotted Trayvon walking through the neighborhood. He then called 911 and reported that Trayvon looked "suspicious."

In addition, the National Sheriffs' Association, which runs the Neighborhood Watch Program claims it has no record that the so-called Neighbor Watch association in that community is even registered with the NSA.

Moreover the executor director of NSA, Aaron D. Kennard issued this statement: "Whether or not Zimmerman was an official neighborhood watchman or a self-appointed one is now a matter of dispute." [Quote is from the Daily Beast, March 21, 2012]

One thing is certain, Zimmerman certainly wasn't acting in any "official" capacity that evening. He was on a "personal" errand.

I don't see how Florida's 'Stand your ground' law will make it more difficult to charge and try Mr. Zimmerman, or any other homicide.

The only thing I can see that it does is makes it more difficult for the prosecuting attorney to have a heyday with someone who had to fall back on the use of lethal force to survive a deadly encounter.

Sure, someone can claim 'I felt threatened'. Guess what? If someone is trying to kill you, it's a given that you felt threatened and it's up to a jury to decide whether a reasonable man or woman in the same situation would feel that way. Say whatever you want, it carries very little weight until a jury of your peers reviews it and validates it at your trial, if there is one. Anyone who is competent to carry a weapon is painfully aware of what a can of worms they'll be opening if they ever have to shoot someone. I liken having to shoot someone to smoke detectors saving your life in a house fire or your seatbelts and airbags saving you in a car wreck. Neither one makes it 'okay' for your house to catch fire or your car to crash, and even though you've been saved, you're going to have one helluva' mess to deal with on top of years of financial and mental distress. We do everything we can to avoid house fires and car crashes. Anyone who carries a gun who deserves their license or permit to do so is naturally going to avoid the catastrophe that will result from their having to use it...unless there really is no other choice other than to be killed or left for dead. The 'duty to retreat' as a legal requirement on top of that largely serves to further torture a person who was probably unable to reasonably do so, because otherwise, they would have instead of becoming known to the world for shooting someone and facing loss of most everything they hold near and dear in the aftermath.

Anyone who does not understand or appreciate this has no business possessing a weapon, and it would seem from what we've heard that Mr. Zimmerman may well be one of these people.

And now the other shoe drops and we find that the victim may indeed according to witnesses be the attacker. We discover that according to multiple sources, Zimmerman was attacked from behind when he was walking back to his car.

This certainly doesn't take away from the fact that the poor kid didn't deserve to die, but all those who jumped on Zimmerman and basically called for his head on a pike need to learn that letting all the details come out is important. An angry mob puts the innocent to death if it suits their needs. Once all the facts of this case are out, then we can truly determine if Zimmerman is a murderer, or a guy who stood his ground. Like I said, either way, this is all still a tragedy. But why ruin a life any more than it is already harmed if it isn't necessary.

My bet on the situation is somebody in the federal government is going to find some way to charge Zimmerman with a hate crime no matter if it is the right thing to do or not. People seem to want blood, and the justice department is more than willing to give it to them. My only hope is justice is served. I don't personally know what that justice is because I don't know all the details.

Wet willy sez:

It also seems that his facebook account and various photos have been now scrubbed but many of them have already been leaked beforehand, especially the ones of him holding AK's and other weapons.

I went to his facebook page last week and didn't see anything of the sort

Here's the photo they are claiming is Trayvon Martin...what a sick frigging joke:

http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message1819600/pg1

As to the above post claiming:

And now the other shoe drops and we find that the victim may indeed according to witnesses be the attacker. We discover that according to multiple sources, Zimmerman was attacked from behind when he was walking back to his car.

That contradicts the article which says:

The two exchanged words, and Martin decked him with a punch to the nose and began beating him.

You don't punch someone in the nose by attacking them from behind.

Talk about pure BS.

I hope it's obvious to most people with eyes that the "gangsta"-looking kid on that fake facebook page isn't Trayvon Martin. The kid looks nothing like him.

Ron, black on black crime? This makes no connection to the discussion. In those crimes the killers are being prosecuted.

Phil, "Z was following at a distance?" Then why did he get out of his car and confront the boy AFTER being told by the dispatcher NOT TO FOLLOW. She told him "we don't need you to do that." But he ignored her. Also, neighborhood watch has rules. He broke them.

relly, Z was "following not chasing". How do you know he didn't chase the boy? The boy was walking home, talking on his cell phone and trying to get out of the rain. Plus he knew he was being followed and he walked even faster to get home and away from Z. There was a witness to this, the friend he was talking to as ahe was being pursued.

DB Akron,

2) 50/50 white to minority neighborhood. This has been widely reported. What's the point?

3) Trayvon's parents have NOT said the voice heard screaming for help was Zimmermans. They have said it was their son's voice screaming for help.

4) I've been following the news reports. This is new. Please give links or at least sources when you post these things.

5) 5 day school suspension is irrelivant. He wasn't in school. He was visiting his father. What about Zs police records and the woman he assaulted?

6' 4" and 200lbs??? Link and source please. This is an exageration.

And to everyone else who keeps saying we've been seeing old pictures of the boy. We are not stupid. The boy died at the age of 17 howeverd, which is very young.

What do the photos he posted on facebook have to do with this? He is not committing any crime in the photos and, more importantly, Zimmerman had not seen the photos-so they would in no way impact his decision to follow and shoot Treyvone.

Nothing else matters but what happened that night. Not what Treyvone did in school or his facebook page. The only thing that matters is if what Zimmerman did was self defense.

It seems reasonable to say that there should at least be a trial. Let all the facts come out and allow a jury to decide. A young man has died, and there is enough reason to doubt that it was self defense enough for a trial.

Where is a police report of the incident? Where are the medical records and pictures of Zimmerman's injuries?

How can a person eleven years older than this teenager and one hundred pounds heavier, with a gun, justify pursuing, stalking and eventually killing a seventeen y/o boy...

The florida police in this case are crooked and need to be held reponsable...

@Risha

Care to explain why I get this message when I click on the link you gave 'The page you requested was not found'

Would it perhaps have been closed by the family or others to stop pics and messages that may cast the 'poor defenceless child' in a rather non-flattering way? Maybe show his 'gansta' ways or bring up messages of his alleged drug dealing? I'm pretty sure the courts could force FB to hand over all relevant info to his FB account so as to shed some new light on Trayvon's on-line dealings and pics. even though the family or others have deleted the account FB still has everything ever posted on the account in their records....FB never ever destroys or deletes records even if given a written request. Once you post it on FB it's there forever, even if you think you've deleted think again. So it will not be too hard for the court to issue a writ for FB to turn over everything pertaining to his FB if and when this case ever goes to trial. I'm sure there may be some things in his FB that cast doubt on the 'poor defenceless child' aspect of the family's case.

Interesting the very people that CLAIM to want "justice" and the "truth" (Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, et al) are the VERY people who did not BOTHER to look at the evidence or hear both sides of the story? Granted we do not know exactly what took place or whether Zimmerman broke any laws but for that very reason shouldn't there be a lowering of the divisive language until we DID find out what took place?

What separates the United States from some of the other barbaric countries is that we DO have a court system and a person is innocent until proven guilty. And yet without the evidence we find that 75% believe Zimmerman is guilty and should be charged? Maybe that WILL be the ultimate determination but shouldn't we let law enforcement make that decision?

The lie of Trayvon "attacking Zimmerman" is another lie aimed at preventing the arrest of Zimmerman.

The more the public demands justice for Trayvon, the more sudden obvious fabrications we hear.

In this case, there have been new "evidence," "new police versions of what happened" and quick pop-up "witnesses." The case of Trayvon's killing has become a case of 3rd world "legal justice."

What Zimmerman is calling "an attack" at the very least was "self defense."

Zimmerman should be arrested, prosecuted and sent to prison!

Interesting. I read here a lot of conjecture, and information relayed to the public, from the media. There is a lot of hatred here over what none of us know but bits and pieces about. Only what has been reported (i.e. fed to us by a ratings hungry media). When the actual trial, if there is one, occurs we will be much more informed. Until then, don't hang either one of these people, because frankly none one knows enough to do so. Before you disagree we me, and post something of me being an idiot, first check your sources. If you got it from the internet, you were likely lied to. If a media source reported it, they likely got it from the internet.

To the coward who emailed me calling me a ngr lvr.

What a coward. To hide behind a blog name, no different than the cowards who hide behind their white masks and bed sheets.

So Florida's *stand your ground* law applies to a gun carrying, White-Hispanic, adult male who has been told by 911 to NOT follow the suspicious individual but it does NOT apply to a bag of skittles carrying, minor Black male who is being stalked in the night?

WOW......Florida sucks.

No matter how you slice it, Zimmermen was WRONG. I don't care if Martin was 6" 5 240, with gold chains, rings, and all the other sterotypical "Black" stimuli, Martin did nothing wrong other then being around Zimmermen. Some whites are minimizing his life, and his right to walk down the sreet he was on. No surprise. It was the police that turned this case into a farce.

Fulton is seeking marks for the phrases "I Am Trayvon" and "Justice for Trayvon," according to filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In both instances, Fulton is seeking the trademarks for use on "Digital materials, namely, CDs and DVDs featuring Trayvon Martin," and other products.

trayvon's mom:

"I AM - gonna make a fortune off of my kid getting shot".

Well I learned something new today, I can talk all kinds defamation against Mexicans and not be called racist, because after all they're white (although I think when I enrolled in college it asked my race and there was a "Hispanic non-white" option but I must be misremembering or the option was added in error by the school, it was a state university so expectations should be curbed). I digress, so what this means is that previously tabled jokes about Mexicans and beans and their habit of jumping borders are now fair game, for white folks at least.

Well, I know one thing if this was my son who was shot and killed Zimmerman would be sleeping with the Goddamn Mother@!$%#ing fishes, I can guarantee that.

"Second, It seems that Trayvon Martin was a gangbanger complete with tattoos, gold teeth, etc.."

@ Wet Willy...

Even if what you said above is true, we're talking about the moment in time when Trayvon was approached by Zimmerman. There are no reports he was committing ANY crime at that particular moment. What are you trying to blame Trayvon on hearsay? Zimmerman went against the police orders and went after Trayvon. So don't try to make up stories to deflect from the real issue...what happened the night Trayvon was killed.

Treyvon was on a 5-day suspension from school - the reason why is not being released.

This as absolutely no significance to anything at all. As far as Martin was concerned some big guy was stalking him. I'm sure he felt that he was in danger. Something I posted earlier.

Zimmerman was instructed not to pursue Martin. It is also stated in the Neighborhood watch manual which is on the city of Sanford's website.

Remember always that your responsibility is to report crime. Do not take any risks to prevent a crime or try to make an arrest. The responsibility for Apprehending criminals belongs to the police department.

The above is copied and pasted directly from the online manual. The two sentences in bold are also in bold in the Manual. To emphasize the importance of not pursuing a suspect.

So how did Martin see this. A big guy is following him. Stalking him as far as he's concerned. His conversation with his girlfriend confirms this. Since Zimmerman was playing cop against directives, did he identify himself? Did he explain why he was following Martin ? Martin did ask him why he was being followed? Cops do that, they identify who they are. That is why Zimmerman had been told to stand down, and that is why it is written in bold letters in the handbook. And that is why Martin was sure this guy was stalking him, and Martin himself felt that he was in danger.

So if Trayvon Martin felt he was in danger would he have been within his rights under the Florida Stand Your Ground law to shoot and kill Zimmerman if he had a CCW permit and a gun? And would he have had the right under the Florida Stand Your Ground law to punch Martin considering the fact that Zimmerman who was stalking Martin failed to give any identification or his intentions? Did Martin have the right to feel he was in danger? From ABC's article they say concerning Florida's Stand Your Ground Law:

The laws expand on the so-called Castle Doctrine, which allow a person to defend himself with deadly force inside his own home (or castle) without first having to retreat. Stand Your Ground eliminates the need to retreat, even outside your own home, so long as you reasonably believe you are in danger.

In which case Martin was within his right to defend himself. And if Zimmerman had enough sense to follow the rules this situation could have been avoided. But for those who believe that Zimmerman was within his rights under the Stand Your Ground Law. Then we can clearly see the problem. The Florida "Stand Your Ground" law had justified both people to possibly use deadly force against each other without either party breaking the law

The court of public opinion has convened and adjourned, verdict:guilty! Let the evidence stand for itself in a real court, the kneejerk reactions of the public aren't always right.

if the above posts are based on correct accounts; then this case has just taken on a whole new aspect; if Zimmerman was on the ground and being beaten, then the self defense exception kicks into play; if there are reliable witness to this encounter, and this is factually correct, then Zimmerman will not face a criminal charge; it is beginning to appear that this was stupid encounter , which got out of hand; PEOPLE DO NOT PLAY POLICEMAN, UNLESS YOU HAVE THE TRAINING FOR IT !

Are the people calling for Zimmerman's arrest, imprisonment, death....whatever, the same ones who loudly demand due process for muslim terrorists?

If this kid had a gun he could have shot Zimmerman out of fear but once he attacked Zimmerman the tables were turned and he lost. End of story.

Jak I like your reasoning to a point. This will take a couple more months before we end up on an inpass for the guy.

Now I wonder why his parents would take down his twitter and facebook accounts? Now his friends cant post anymore....

Good thing someone thought to screen shot save them first...

http://teapartywire.com/blog/2012/03/25/was-trayvon-martin-a-drug-dealer/

Even if he was attacked the "stand your ground" law should still not apply in this case because the whole incident never would have happened if Zimmerman had not confronted the subject. Neighborhood watch volunteers are NOT police and they don’t have the right to confront people just because they don’t like the way they look. If someone appears to be breaking into a house or engaging in some other criminal activity then they should call the police. That’s why its called neighborhood "watch", not neighborhood busybody or neighborhood police. I think its unlikely that Zimerman is a racist or even a bad person but someone died due to his stupidity and I believe this level of stupidity and irresponsibility amounts to criminally negligent homicide. As for the victim I don’t know if he’s a saint or a juvenile delinquent but either way he has the right to walk down the street in any neighborhood he wants without being hassled because of the way he is dressed. And he also has the right to get angry and defensive if someone does confront him about why he is there. Anyway if Zimmerman thought this kid looked suspicious he just should have kept an eye on him from a distance and done nothing to provoke a confrontation – end of story.

If Zimmerman had been smart and feared for his safety he could have went to a place that doesn't have an extradition law with the US therefore he wouldn't need worry if there was a case or not and if they choose not to go forward with a trial he could come back home...but I fear that some Black Panther or some other whack-job would want to exact his own justice and if they did I would hope that they too would be hounded and given the full punishment the law requires.

To be rather honest I must say if anyone should have been killed in self defense tat day as pertains to evidence and circumstance it was Mr. Zimmerman. I hope that Travon did defend himself to the best of his ability even though in the end his best was not good enough. Instead he is dead. This young boy in the prime of his life is dead because of a profiling stalker. An abuser of women and police who made FALSE report to 911 and broke the laws and rules that he claims he was trying to uphold. The "man" has zero credibility whatsoever. From disobeying direct orders from dispatch to doing the opposite of what the association patrol he joined told him specifically. He followed this boy stalking him until death. Travon had EVERY right under the stand your ground law to defend himself from this eminent threat of a grown man who for all Travon knew was a child molester. ; ]

A child molesting rapist of young boys for all Travon knew is completely plausible because Mr. Zimmerman was acting outside the law and ANY authority he perceived himself to have under community watch guidelines. He is legally culpable according the the associations guidelines as well. A scared boy breaking NO laws in a familiar neighborhood had EVERY right to defend himself indeed.

For a "man" to be an aggressor stalk and kill a BOY a youthful boy to then claim "oh poor me I'm a victim" is laughable. Absolutely laughable if this murder crime was not as tragic as it is. ; ] An aggressor with a propensity for violence an arrest record of MULTIPLE arrests for assaults on men and women so to assault a BOY a CHILD is no stretch to reach a conclusion at all. I KNOW this "man" is not ashamed of himself so SHAME on HIM. ; ]

Cheers

Post Script.

All this mans lawyer is doing by making this "poor me I'm a victim who murdered and Travon is a thug" case is furthering the hatred and disdain for his client. And truly making him out to be the lying grouse he truly is. ; ]

Thanks.

Cheers

For those of you harping about the Facebook page, Try this link:

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2012/03/trayvon_martin_no_thats_not_hi.php

It's the newspaper article that reports that the "gangsta" Facebook page is obviously NOT the deceased Travon, but more likely a kid with the same name from Savannah, GA.

Seems a "white power" group has been circulating the bogus photo to those naieve enough to take it as gospel.

guesswhat...this one is his real site

http://teapartywire.com/blog/2012/03/25/was-trayvon-martin-a-drug-dealer/

@ron975213

you said there are thousands of blacks being killed and maimed by other blacks. what isn't anyone upset basically.

why Would we all get upset. if they want to kill each other, let them. when all is said and done, or at the end of the day. we'll deal with whose is left. they have been killing each other for hundred of years over woman, drugs, cars, etc, you name it. that is their Solution to everything. I get tired of post like yours wondering why the rest of won't or don't do something about it. If they want to run around with guns killing each other. after a while you give up.

lets talk about the real problem. what the real problem is. if blacks want to kill blacks over whatever, we, or the rest of us Still have to pay for it! they live in free government housing, drive fancy cars with fancy rims, but have no job. they drive them fancy rims to the grocery store to use their food stamps, girlfriends are having their 5th baby, because you get extra for each additional child. When you can't or won't get a job, and hold it too, you have plenty of time to run around killing each other. and guess who is paying for that government housing project, food stamps, etc.

The biggest laugh about it all. the government housing to live in, food stamps, tanif, Still isn't enough. They have to fill our prisons, and rob the convenience store on the way to the grocery store to use their food stamps. and you want the rest of to get upset and stop them from killing each other why?

No, i'm not racist, i'm tired of all this black crap, and no matter what they do, someone will find some way to justify it. come full circle, thousands of blacks are being killed by other blacks. Yeah, go tell jesse jackson or al sharpton, see how much they care about it either.

Maybe they could hire Mr. Zimmerman to execute all the people who have ever experimented with pot in their lifetime. Mr. Zimmerman has a record of assaulting a police officer and citation for domestic abuse and many people are defending his character. His word is gospel to many even though he pursued and killed an unarmed teen even when the dispatcher told him not to.

A poster earlier stated that "if you saw a man with a gun, you'd do everything you could to defend yourself. Including beating his head into sidewalk and breaking his nose."

Uhhhhh.........No. If I see someone with a gun walking towards me, my initial reaction would be to get as far away from them as possible.

In this case though, Trayvon was probably unaware that Zimmerman had a gun.

People making such simplistic arguments that "blacks" as they say all live in government housing and drive on rims is as ignorant as one may get. Truly. Folks with such beliefs have absolutely NO idea of society and its responsibility nor the laws that govern this society. This kill em all and let God sort em out attitude PROVES beyond doubt that those individuals making that argument do not worship that God in the least. Not at all for that matter. ; ]

It is more then obvious to us all who the folks on here are who stereo type in the SAME way as Mr. Zimmerman. The same folks who assume too much. The same folks unable to process logic science or math and have zero aptitude for forward thinking. Because they are stuck so far behind the times it leaves them lacking wishing to move backwards because the intelligence they posses will not allow room for them to EVER catch up. So in there eyes the only way to level the playing field is to move the field backward in time to a backward time.; ] It would be the ONLY way those so simplistic in nature and thought can comprehend or compete. But alas it will NEVER happen. Because GOD himself made time move forward. Tide in and tide out day in day out time moves in the forward direction. Not backwards. And to think otherwise is to question GOD's creation and plan.

Cheers

Hmm... the mother of Trayvon stated, "THEY'VE killed my son, and now THEY are trying to kill his reputation".

I understand that she is grieving, but she needs to back off blaming those that had nothing to do with her son's death. Stop blowing this situation out of proportion which will certainly be turned by the left to be racist even though the only racist comments are those made by the minorities themselves.

Seriously, let the law officials handle this. Wait until ALL of the evidence is in before pointing blame, otherwise, you might be made the fool by your own comments.

Neighborhood Watch Groups have guidelines.

• They are supposed to walk in groups of two or more, never alone. Zimmerman broke this rule.
• They are never supposed to carry a gun even if they have a permit to carry a gun. Zimmerman broke this rule.
• They are only supposed to have mace if they have attended a two hour lecture which instructs them in the proper use of mace.
• They are only supposed to use the mace if they are attacked. They are supposed to disarm their attacker with the mace and run while their attacker is disabled.
• They are never supposed to follow anyone for any reason. Zimmerman followed this young man for no reason other than he was black and wearing a hoodie.
• If they see something suspicious they are supposed to dial 911.
• When they dial 911 they are supposed to follow the instructions of the operator. Zimmerman did not do this. He directly ignored the instructions of the 911 operator.
• Nothing that Zimmerman says matches the 911 recording.

Zimmerman followed and attacked an innocent person in hopes that the person would attack back in self defense. Zimmerman knew he had a gun and he did not think that the boy had a gun. He attacked that boy just so he would get a reaction allowing him to kill the boy.

What separates the United States from some of the other barbaric countries is that we DO have a court system and a person is innocent until proven guilty. And yet without the evidence we find that 75% believe Zimmerman is guilty and should be charged? Maybe that WILL be the ultimate determination but shouldn't we let law enforcement make that decision?

There is evidence. A dead body and 3 eyewitnesses. And this guy hasn't been arrested AND he still has his gun permit. There hasn't been any lynch mob, just folks calling for his arrest.

At the risk of upsetting people, I have to say "IF" what the news and the police said are true. Well then I'd have to say it was justified. However, If rules were broken he needs to be held accountable for the rules he broke. Im sorry but If I was in the same situation I may have done the same. Wth that said, I wouldnt be going out and looking for it. I guess there isnt enough evidence either way at this point. I wish sharpton would back off and give the police a chance to investigate it. Im tired of him and his antics. I am in no way a racist Ive always given blacks hispanics as much respect as I would if they were white. Now for the reverse. If it was a white boy that was shot what chances it would receive this kinda coverage huh. Would revern sharpton be out there protesting for him.....No he wouldnt. To me thats a basis of racism as well. The 60s are over Revern Sharpton. Violence brings on Violence in which it will most likely esculate. To me we must teach our children not to initiate violence or else our children could be in the next article. WHITE, BLACK or HISPANIC

What disturbes me almost as much as the shooting itself is the distraught mom trying to cash in on his death by copywriting "Treyvon"

One report says Mom applied for a trademark on Travon's name and the slogan Justice for Trayvon. Are we going to sell T-shirt or what? Sure isn't the first thing I'd think to do if it were my son. Maybe it was on advise from Sharpton and Jackson.

Here's a novel thought. Everyone who is speculating, inferring, and basically trying to get the story to fit a particular agenda should shut up and let the investigation play out. Nobody in this forum, none of the activists, celebrities, or any others were there that night. No one knows anything, yet we have a bounty on a man who could very possibly be innocent, or....guilty. WE DON'T KNOW!!!! Leave it to the professionals. NOT the professional race-baiting, poverty pimps who would like everything to be about race so they can perpetuate their victim status. If Zimmerman is guilty I would gladly pull the switch on his execution myself. But I believe in innocent until proven guilty.

Ace-312731....what bothers me is a bit more reasonable...than this kids mom making a buck off this ..why not...this boy was shot for nothing..other than this zimmerman feeling he had more rights than this kid did. Who gave zimmeriman or anyone else the right to follow someone just because he or she "thinks" some one looks ..what...guilty..guilty of what ? What did this boy do..other than walk down the street ?If this is what a neighbor hood watch is about then we had all keep our kids in the house from now on ...or some fool might kill them and walk away from it...and it seems, the law has no problem in helping this guy zimmerman do just that.

Troy F...if you have someone in a car or whatever following you,,then get out of said car or whatever and follow you..what would you do ? Who is at fault...the boy for walking home..or zimmerman for following him ? According to you and others...this boy was guilty..so..it was cool to kill him . Who is the aggressor here...zimmerman, for following this boy for no reason...or this boy...who was being followed ...for no reason..other than zimmermans ideas of what ?

Interesting that the "Gated Community" is not posted as a "Neighborhood Watch" participating community. In all of the photographs andvideos of the community, there are no postings stating that it is a neighborhood watch community. These signs, window signs are postings to warn potential thieves of the prospect that they may be watched, observed, etc. Zimmerman's role in question is what is going on trial in the Civil case against the HOA. The criminal case...that's another story. If Zimmerman's head was pounded into the sidewalk causing a potential serious subdural hematoma as well as a bleeding "gash" type wound, why wouldn't the Sanford PD want him to have a complete neurological exam immediately? A broken nose can cause an airway blockage if the septum is deviated. Why didn't the police escort Zimmerman or call EMT's to transport him to the ED? If anything to absolve THEM from liability. It is apparent that the State of Florida is pretty incompetent if they have to rely on the DOJ and special investigators to investigate this case.

Whitefeather.

The FACT is they never were associated with Neighborhood Watch officially. A community can have a neighborhood watch and not be part of the national organization. Even if they were there is no legal requirement to post signs and technically no requirement to remove the signs if at some point they were members and no longer are.

As to zimmermans medical condition. He was treated at the scene per the police reports filed when the officers returned to the station. The ambulance crew that responded to attempt rescue of Trayvon treated Zimmerman as well. Zimmerman seemed alert and responsive so no drug/alcohol testing was done to him and he was taken back to the station for an interview....

They are relying on DOJ because of all the media attention. Trayvons parents demanded outside review. The state put in a special investigation team to further rule out bias again because of the parents and media for call to action.

@SIESTASIS

Stand your ground does not authorize you to chase someone down, attack them without idetifying yourself then shooting them when they try to protect themsevles from an attacking stranger that had been stalking them. Zimmerman should be arrested asap.

This is true. What is also true, is that the above is not what happened, not even close. Education is the key.

Jeff-2879620 said, "He's Hispanic, not white. Now move along spreading your bigotry and hatred."

Hispanic isn't a race, it's an ethnic group. A person can be white, black, brown, tan, red, any other color on this planet & also be "Hispanic". One can also be born in either of the Americas, the blackest country in Africa, the whitest country in Europe, anywhere in Asia, within Australia, New Zealand, or any of the islands in the South Pacific, any island in the world as far as that goes, the middle of Antarctica, or inside an igloo in far-north Canada .... and still be "Hispanic".

Now move along spreading your ignorance & single-digit IQ ....... no, on second thought, DON'T try to spread your complete lack of intellect ANYWHERE. The average IQ of the planet's population has already been dropping over the last 15 years or so. We don't need your stupid-genes being passed on to others.

So just pick a completely uninhabited island somewhere just a little north of Antarctica & STAY there. That way you'll never be guilty of convincing some gullible kid that dropping out of grade-school is a great decision.

It seems like there are a lot of things missing from this case such as a current picture of Trayvon, the picture of a 10 yr old boy to gain public sympathy is working great and I am sure it has no bearing on why his mother has gone after trademarks on her son’s name. If Zimmerman just shot Trayvon in cold blood why would he then bash his own head into the curb and mangle himself? At the time I am sure Zimmerman was on an adrenaline high and did not realize how much he was in need of medical attention and an office cannot force anyone to go to the hospital or seek medical attention if they are coherent, that would be against their rights, so if the officer asks Zimmerman if he needs medical attention and Zimmerman can answer with a logical coherent response than the only thing left for the officer to do is write it in a report. It seems more and more like people want this to be an issue about race than what it really is. For the longest time all you would read on these blogs is kill whitey for shooting Trayvon well oops looks like whitey is actually of Mexican decent and now they want to go after the gated community, if you don’t live in the gated community and have no legitimate business being there then you are trespassing and hell yea if you are trespassing you are considered suspicious and why wouldn’t you follow someone who is suspicious? Apparently Trayvon did not appreciate the local security and wanted to take care of it himself. If he approaches Zimmerman who was not being hostile at the time and then attacks him why wouldn’t Zimmerman have the right to defend himself? If the situation was reversed and Zimmerman was the one who did the attacking on Trayvon and then was subsequently killed then the argument would be what? Zimmerman was still in the wrong? Everyone who is on the Martins side absolutely has the right to be upset and contest the law and how they investigate this tragedy and once the facts have been revealed they should learn how to accept the findings of the investigation so they can move on with their healing. Black, white, Cuban, Mexican, Asian, Irish, German or in Al Sharptons case Jews or whatever the hell you want to call yourself need to realize no one race is better than another and the sooner people come to grips with that reality the easier it will be to get along in the society you live in. I will agree it is a tragic situation that no parent or sibling should have to go through at such a young age but we need to move past the anger and get to the healing. For all you haters, which I know there will be a plethora, be sure to at least accept both sides of the situation on not just Trayvons side and the side that his parents and lawyers would have you believe. There is obviously more to Trayvon than what is being released and probably the same with Zimmerman.

What we do know -

I know this for sure, the rest is conjecture at this point, Zimmerman was in violation of numerous laws and guidelines for a neighborhood watch entity. He was basically a self appointed vigilante out on his own, armed with a deadly weapon, dis-obeyed what amounted to orders from the police dispatcher "do not pursue" and back off and other actions under the false color or authority, I believe the jargon is of "color" of authority, what was his authority? I would assume Zimmerman had no license to carry a concealed weapon? Even if so his actions, not the dead persons actions, Mr. Zimmerman's deeds his first actions, unlawful, are at the root of this, everything starts there.

What transpired I still am trying to piece together but that Mr. Zimmerman was the catalyst the spark that lit this fire is unquestionable Mr. Zimmerman is at least guilty of a high felony, possibly some degree of manslaughter? He had no right in the least to stalk to seek out a confrontation all the while secretly armed with a 9mm come on...it all starts there for Mr. Zimmerman and his crazy mixed up world of "gotcha"!!!

Persevere, it sounds like you have it all figured out why haven’t you talked to the police yet? If Zimmerman is the head of the community watch in his neighborhood and you say that if he sees something or someone suspicious is he supposed to ignore it? There you go assuming again without any facts, do you know what happens when you assume? It makes an ass-of-U, reports have shown that he does have a concealed weapons permit and if he is patrolling by himself why wouldn’t he carry his gun? I know I would and I do not have to tell anyone that I am carrying a gun unless they have legal authority such as a police officer. You use the word “stalk” like Zimmerman went waaay out of his way to follow Trayvon and in fact wasn’t Trayvon trespassing? Did he live in the gated community? Did he know someone there who gave him permission to be there? Why was Trayvon on private property? If you are on private property without permission you would be…….TRESSPASSING!!!! You keep piecing together your Nancy Drew mystery and get out your “Handy Dandy Notebook” and solve this case. No one seems to have it all figured out like you. I would go out on a ledge an say if you have a license to carry a concealed weapon (not saying that you do or don’t) and you were minding your own business and walking somewhere and someone confronted you in a intimidating or physical manner you may react the same as Zimmerman and pull your gun without telling your assailant you have a gun because let’s face it where is the element of surprise at that point? He now knows you have a gun and will go from beating you down to using your gun to gun you down.

The real catalyst for this tragedy is the professional race baiters trying to turn this into a money-making, political football. Sheila Jackson Lee, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Corine Brown...all professional race baiters. They never miss an opportunity to get their faces on TV, they never miss an opportunity to stir racial strife and hatred, that's how they make their living.

A kid died, a tragic thing all the way around but does it give the Black Panthers the right to have a 'hit' on the guy who shot him? Notice that not too much righteous indignation directed at that little tidbit. Where is the president in this? Why isn't he calling for calm and having arrest warrants for the NBP? Placing hits on people is against the law and, if Zimmerman is killed as a result of their 'righteous and indignant vigilantism' will they suddenly say, oh my goodness, we caused an innocent man to die or will the response be to shrug it off? They are as bad as the man they are accusing of murder. Worse because they make money off of this tragedy.

So, let us make money from tragedy is the real thing driving this. It happened over a month ago, there were eyewitnesses and the police took interviews and their investigation didn't turn up enough to arrest Zimmerman so now he's going to be tried in the court of public opinion, an easily riled court that doesn't need no stinking facts apparently, they want his blood and they demand his blood, not so much because of righteous indignation but because they can stir hatred, strife and make lots of money and play to their voter base. That is the real tragedy.

Zimmerman followed and attacked an innocent person in hopes that the person would attack back in self defense. Zimmerman knew he had a gun and he did not think that the boy had a gun. He attacked that boy just so he would get a reaction allowing him to kill the boy.

I doubt he would have called the police if that were the case. Absent that call, no one would know he was the shooter.

mygirl1 is right on with her analysis. if the race baiters and professional revenge guard can't get a conviction with BO as POTUS, then they might as well pack it in...and they know it. BO stirs the pot again and, if re-elected, will lwhip this country into a frenzy along racial lines. Who are the racists really? Maybe he will invite some of the principles over to his house for a beer since that's about all he can muster. We know what this community organizer's agenda really is despite a cadre of "handlers" and teleprompters.

These people are not interested in justice and truth, they only want a lynching.

I'm curious to know how the turn out would have been had the shooter been black.

Wow.....some really outrageous comments above and below.

I tell you how to handle this problem:

Mr. Obama sign an Executive Order stating ALL STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS will come under the jurisdiction of the FBI, with FBI agents running rampart through your neighborhood, and managed by the DOJ and the DHS.

Results:

1. Increase employment opportunities.
2. The DOJ has done such a good job at protecting Mr. Obama and his administration, and targeting those who go against their agenda.
3. The DHS has done such a good job at "securing our borders".

Want a police state....there you have it.

Again, my question.....Where is the outrage from Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, and the thousand marchers for the following:

• http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/teenagers-poured-gasoline-boy-walking-home-school-set-fire-cops-article-1.1033062#ixzz1oFAMAdux

Yep, complete and total SILENCE.

P.S. Notice the sign on MSNDC's front page with the kids picture.

Sure looks a lot like Mr. Obama's campaign sign from his 2008 Hope and Change theme.

Sheeeesh, a kid is dead and folks are trying to obtain something from this tragedy.

mistakes were made, its happened before it will happen again, lets not allow this to tear our nation apart. lets learn from this. this is not a matter of hate or race. do not make it so. its a situation that turned out bad, as you all will learn in time they both made bad judgement calls, and nether one is guilty but unfortunately one is gone. or you could say both are equally responsible.

A truly sad time that sooo many of YOU all are blind to racism stereo typing and pre disposition. I would venture ONLY a guess that it is because so many of you are of the same ilk. As per so many comments to that fact on these posts. The MANY double digit calls to 911 are fact and some have been released and are about suspicious black folks including a 7 to 9 year old. Suspicious for minding there own business. NONE of which were committing crimes or had been arrested due to Mr. Zimmermans overtly antiquated actions. ; ]

To those supposing that enjoying freedom and rights is suspicious you know what you may do with yourselves. If not your ignorance becomes you. Use your imagination. But I must also reiterate how FIXATED on black folks Mr. Zimmerman has been and extremely fixated on Travon a black child. A minor by legal standards. ; ] Travon committed NO crime. Again NO crime was committed by the youth. Mr.. Zimmerman murdered a boy. Stalked him made a FALSE report to 911 an abused a child by striking him period.

Multiple arrests for assault of a woman and an officer of the law PROVE his violent nature. Not at all a stretch to KNOW he also showed the same violent behavior towards a CHILD. Period. [.].... In fact Besides the racist remark besides the eagerness to identify him as black and on drugs for STANDING there his fixation was uncontrollable. That's why he couldn't control himself and disobeyed a lawful order by the dispatch and by the association. Everyone has the right to speculate. Bravo for it. But what is FACT is this isn't a white victim and a black shooter. It is a black boy and a white hispanic shooter. They can be racist to. It is what it is and NOT what you wish it to be to fit your argument. It will NEVER be that. ; ]

Now then the police have two choices. They are either willful in there cover up or THAT stupid. It cannot be both by logical default. They either do NOT know how to do there job and they should ALL be fired or it was willful and done on purpose. What is more likely? What is it? Ignorance or willful actions to cover up and BOTCH the job they supposedly do everyday. ; ] Which is it? Again it cant be both and AGAIN ignorance of the law is NEVER an excuse. Just ask any cop if you can use the defence of "I didn't know it was a law"..

Ignorance of the law is NO excuse. All officers involved including the "Chief" should be pursued criminally as well as civilly. Let them taste legal vengeance. What it is to be HELD accountable for your actions or in this case... IN actions. ; ]

Funny alot of folks find a conspiracy EVERY where but where there is one. Paranoia has spread to the masses and is in YOUR midst. Mr. Zimmerman has proven as such.

Cheers

Funny how everyone thinks they know what really happened and nobody else does. The facts we all know are:

Zimmerman had a busted nose, a gash on his head and grass stains on his clothes and he shot and killed Martin.

The media would have you believe the angelic Erkel like Trevon was out innocently enjoying a beautiful day when the evil racist latino Zimmerman, fresh from a lynching down the street decided to kill another black kid to meet his racist quota for the day and the evil white Sanford police department decided to cover it up for him.

Common sense says Zimmerman was getting his ass kicked by Martin so he shot him. It happens in cities across this country every day. Those in the media is playing this story up for ratings and their egos and care less about the facts of the case which have not even been released yet.

u follow me, I will hide and jump out a bush an F u up. Enough about perps rights to defende ground what about mine?

No Brad-2690388 you've got the facts wrong. According to the 911 call Zimmerman made he called to report a "suspicious balck male" then he chased and pursued the teenager.

"This guy looks like he's up to no good or he's on drugs or something," Zimmerman told the dispatcher. "It's raining, and he's just walking around looking about." The man tried to explain where he was. "Now he's coming towards me. He's got his hand in his waistband. And he's a black male...Something's wrong with him. Yup, he's coming to check me out. He's got something in his hands. I don't know what his deal is...These @!$%#ing *^@%$, they always get away."

After discussing his location with the dispatcher, Zimmerman exclaimed, "@!$%# he's running," and the following sounds suggest he left his vehicle to run after Martin.

"Are you following him?" the dispatcher asked. Zimmerman replied: "Yep."

"Okay, we don't need you to do that," the dispatcher warned.

Several minutes later, according to other callers to 911 in the neighborhood, Zimmerman and Martin got into a wrestling match on the ground.

Furthermore the record states that Trayvon did belong in the neighborhood as he was visiting his father's fiance with his father. So how did you arrive at your assumption that he didn't belong there?

Martin, a Miami native, was visiting his father in Sanford and watching the NBA All-Star game at a house in a gated Sanford community, the Retreat at Twin Lakes. At halftime, Martin walked out to the nearby 7-Eleven to get some Skittles and Arizona Iced Tea. On his return trip, he drew the attention of Zimmerman, who was patrolling the neighborhood in a sport-utility vehicle and called 911 to report "a real suspicious guy."

So you see Brad you shouldn't go out on the limb when you don't have the facts.

I would go out on a ledge an say if you have a license to carry a concealed weapon (not saying that you do or don’t) and you were minding your own business and walking somewhere and someone confronted you in a intimidating or physical manner you may react the same as Zimmerman and pull your gun

Zimmerman was not minding his own business he was stalking a teenager because the kid was black and that made him suspicious to Zimmerman. You've also not researched that Zimmerman was a police wannabe on a power trip as a self appointed neighborhood watchman who had several run ins with his neighbors. Zimmerman had also been arrested and charged with battery to a law enforcement officer and obstructing justice in 2005. Then in 2007 he was involved in a domestic dispute with his ex-fiance who said he was following her, when things escalated into a pushing match and the police were called, Zimmerman claimed the ex-fiance was the aggressor. He stuck to that story when a restraining order was filed that the woman was the aggressor. Zimmerman has a history of blaming the other person when he's the instigator and the perpetrator, he's doing the same thing now.

Multiple arrests for assault of a woman and an officer of the law PROVE his violent nature.

Well, no, arrests don't prove anything. The police could simply have had it in for him. How many convictions were there? None? Well, if they hold him too many times when they can't show he did anything wrong, it's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Now then the police have two choices. They are either willful in there cover up or THAT stupid. It cannot be both by logical default. They either do NOT know how to do there job and they should ALL be fired or it was willful and done on purpose. What is more likely? What is it?

You already said that he had already been arrested multiple times with no convictions. So, what's more likely is that they didn't dare arrest him unless they had allll their little ducks in a row. He claimed self-defense. Ordinarily, a defendant must prove self-defense. But the Florida law keeps the burden of proof on the prosecutor to prove that it was not self-defense; and he had sustained injuries. They didn't dare touch him. They were looking at another acquittal and a guy with a valid complaint that he kept getting arrested on spurious charges.

@Persevere and others: The 911 operator did not issue a "do not pursue" order. When the operator asked Z if he was following Trayvon and Z said yes, the operator said "We don't need you to do that". Big difference.

We clearly don't have all of the facts yet, but let's at least get the facts that we do know correct. There is also nothing illegal about carrying a firearm in FL if you possess a CCW permit, which Z did.

Even if Z pursued Trayvon and caused the encounter, he still may be found not guilty if he beleived that his life was in danger during the fight, based on Florida's "Stand your Ground" law, which states:

Fl Statute
776-013

(3) A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.

776.041 Use of force by aggressor.—The justification described in the preceding sections of this chapter is not available to a person who:

(1) Is attempting to commit, committing, or escaping after the commission of, a
forcible felony; or

(2) Initially provokes the use of force against himself or herself, unless:

(a) Such force is so great that the person reasonably believes that he or she is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm and that he or she has exhausted every reasonable means to escape such danger other than the use of force which is likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the assailant; or

(b) In good faith, the person withdraws from physical contact with the assailant and indicates clearly to the assailant that he or she desires to withdraw and terminate the use of force, but the assailant continues or resumes the use of force..

Still laughable those on this comment board acting as though the multi arrested "man" Mr. Zimmerman is a hero or not at all to blame or even culpable. Here is what WE know to be the facts. A FALSE report to 911 was called in. Travon committed NO crimes at all whatsoever as per the 911 records or reports of crimes in the area at the time this happened before or even after. Because there were none. So Mr. Zimmerman partakes in the stealing of life and civil rights and freedom. Freedom to be free from tyranny. Mr. Zimmerman WAS that tyranny.

Usurping the American citizens rights to walk down ANY and EVERY street he so wishes. We know this multiple arrest having man does not follow the law nor rules and he stalked a boy who was doing NOTHING wrong. Travon is not culpable for a thing. NOTHING in fact. He did what every child his age should be doing at that time. Participating in capitalism by buying tea and skittles and talking on the phone to his girlfriend. Because he had one which many of you probably do not. ; ]

But that aside it is clear who the CRIMINAL is. The guy with multiple arrests. The guy who murdered stalked and filed a false report on 911. Thee guy who had a restrianing order filed and upheld agaisnt him for domestic violence of his fiance'. Hmm. Indeed .;]

Travon made NO bad judgement call. He was USING the stand your ground law against a multi arrest having stalker who thought he was a cop. After filing a false report to 911 mind you. Travon did what he was supposed to do which was stand his ground and defend himself from an assailant. Mr. Zimmerman being that assailant. The perpetrator. The TRUE and only perpetrator. He caused the entire situation. The entire situation was cause by Mr. Zimmerman from beginning to end. And those of you acting as though political motives are more important then freedom SHAME on you. For you know NOT the first thing of freedom or American rights. ; ]

Cheers

It is almost like this is turning into a lynch mob. Soon they will be carrying torches in the street.

As for pursuing him, he was well within his rights to follow someone that he thought might be up to no good. I once was following a drunk driver down the freeway while on the phone with 911. I had my flashers on to warn people. The operator said that I should not follow him, that it might be dangerous. I continued to follow him and gave the operator directions on where he was until the police arrived. That appears to be what this guy was doing. Called the police and continuing to follow him until the police arrive.

He says that the kid punched him, and witnesses have stated that the kid was on top of him and hitting him.

Unless he hit the kid first, or tried to detain him, it looks like self defense to me. Problem is that he is the only witness to how the physical altercation started. So we will only have his side of the story.

Drowning - 200 lbs was reported by NBC - go figure. BTW 140 lbs is the family version, the police version is that Zimmerman outweighed Martin by nearly 80 lbs. Zimmerman's weight is put at 240 - 250 meaning Martin would be a little higher than 160 - 170 lbs. 140 lbs doesn't fit that is a BMi of 17.5 - too low for sports and not going to be able to level a 240 lbs man with a punch, but a 160+ lb weight trained football player could.

Lynch mob? They? To the streets? Really? Seems more like a gathering for REDRESSING grievance. From the police of this lackluster town of injustice. ; ] In fact who took to the streets would be?.. That's correct. Mr. Zimmerman and HIS socialist lynch mob of one. That's right folks. Hes a socialist. Driving around the neighborhood over and over again trying to take away YOUR rights to be free and walk around or talk on the phone or wear what you wish, such as hoodies. ; ]

Mr. Zimmerman is a ONE man socialist lynch mob. Exactly. A socialist. By looking to file false reports 47 sense the first of the year is it? Frivolous as they are described allows the room to call him what he is. A socialist. Because it is not as thought EVEN ONE of his 911 calls led to an arrest. They did not. But it led to him murdering a boy because of his frustration from his calls NOT leading to arrests that he perceived as valid. Him alone. A socialist one man lynch mob. Remember the 911 call Mr. Zimmerman was angred that " these A%^$&*($ always get away". ; ]

Socialist Mr. Zimmerman. Trying to take YOUR rights away from YOU.. ; ]

Because let us be real. Was the neiborhood watch valid or not? Hmm.

Cheers

Let's pretend for a minute that Martin was some criminal up to no good. So the neighborhood watch person sees someone that looks suspicious. He follows them. The criminal confronts Zimmerman, punches him, wrestles with him, is on top of him, punching him and then Zimmerman uses his gun. Would anyone say that Zimmerman did not have the right to use his gun?

For all we know, this could be the case, minus Martin being up to no good.

On the other side, imagine you are walking along, minding your own business. Some guy starts following you in a car, then gets out and follows you some more. You get nervous and wonder what the guy is up to. He comes up to you and you see he has a gun, so you struggle with him, thinking he is going to shoot you.

For all we know, this could be the case.

We will probably never know. Probably bad assumptions on both their parts and if one of them had just talked without having an ego or attitude, it would never have happened.

It would have been much better if it had gone like this. A guys sees someone that he thinks is suspicious. He follows him. The guy catches up with him and asks him what he is up to. The other guy says, just getting back from the store, here visiting my fathers girl friend. Oh, ok, just checking, we have had some break ins lately. If either one had not had an attitude, it would have turned out much differently. If Martin did not like some guy following him and Zimmerman was polite and said that he was just with the neighborhood watch, then it would have calmed the situation. If Zimmerman came up and was in his face about what he was up to, and Martin just said that he was there visiting his father's girlfriend, that would have also defused the situation.

Another MSNBC Obama Press Diversion! MSNBC try reporting the facts! Zimmerman was not the stalker nor the attacker, that is why he is not arrested and charged = not guilty under Florida Law.

I apologize. For nothing. But irrelevant though that statement may be it is not as irrelevant as the argument that "The Socialist Mr. Zimmerman " could have approached Travon in a mild manner of decency and respect. The neighborhood watch rules prohibit such a thing. If stereo typing and racial bias and false reporting to 911 was legal then "The Socialist Mr. Zimmerman" should have called 911 and backed off. ; ] But he was soooo angered on tape of the 911 call that quote" these A$$%^&*$ always get away" that he could not bring himself to allow decency or the LAW to prevail.

Besides we have laws in this country. We have freedom that is the ENVY of the world and civil rights and we are bound religiously in Christianity to NO law that conflicts with the laws of God. Otherwise we are bound to the law of the land. So we the people MUST see this Socialist Mr. Zimmerman punished to the fullest extent of the law. For trying to take away an innocent child's freedom civil rights and LIFE away from him. For NO crime at all. None. Not one. Not one crime did Travon commit. Let us never forget that. ITS important to remember. ; ]

Cheers.

Mowdy, were you there? You have all the facts, know exactly what happened and how the whole thing went down?

The people who are complaining about the mob mentality that is stirring racial discord are not really deciding guilt or innocence here, unlike the mob that is screaming for Zimmerman's head.

These actions are typical of Sharpton, Waters, Jackson, et al. They don't want justice, they want to stir up a riot. Sharpton, mouth running full tilt was braying away about the La Crosse injustices, then when it turned out the accused were innocent and had been set up did Al apologise? Nope. Did he care that he had ruined innocent men's lives to push an agenda? If you don't think there isn't an agenda here, guess again.

One piece of debate that is clear to many people on these blogs and others like it are how many folks are inundated by bias from there views of key figures in this case. Such as Al Sharpton or now Jessee Jackson or the "elite media".. It is quite interesting psychologically the comparison of men to animals and riot starters and violent beings by nature as well as wrong because they are simply exercising there rights to REDRESS grievance.

Some folks it would seem to have gone so far as to now attack leaders of the community vying for the justice that most people would have received for the family of Travon. Bias against certain figures of "fame" for lack of a better word automatically press there view to the opposite direction of that key figure that is for sure.

Projecting that disdain dislike and perhaps or perhaps not hate for those figure on to Travon is disingenuous to say the least. To say the MOST it is a good reason for jury selection. ; ] Every American may speak there peace but as MY readers know I am almost always right. I am not GOD mind you but he is always in MY corner.

So to those on here writing whatever Bravo.!

But it does not and will not change the facts outcome or what is truly right. Corruption is corrupt and those who support evil and corruption find themselves on the WRONG side of right and what is good and just. If that does not take you back and give you reason for pause and reflection.. Whoa be unto you all my friends. ; ]

post script;

What this "FAMILY" of Travon is asking for is justice. An arrest of "The Socialist Mr. Zimmerman" and to see him prosecuted as any other citizen would be in a similar case to this one. A day in court. Also to see the police force held accountable for their dereliction of duty if that is in fact not stupidity or willful obstruction of the case. I have heard NO ONE asking for a death of or mob justice"The Socialist Mr. Zimmerman". Nor has there been ANY riots. Hmmm. Indeed.

Cheers

mowdy5gs

A truly sad time that sooo many of YOU all are blind to racism stereo typing and pre disposition. I would venture ONLY a guess that it is because so many of you are of the same ilk. As per so many comments to that fact on these posts. The MANY double digit calls to 911 are fact and some have been released and are about suspicious black folks including a 7 to 9 year old. Suspicious for minding there own business. NONE of which were committing crimes or had been arrested due to Mr. Zimmermans overtly antiquated actions. ; ]

That BLIND racism is being promoted by your apparent HEROS and the family of Trayvon. You are perpetuating the misinformation on Zimmerman. As a watchman it would come with the territory to contact authorities for suspicious activity or do you suggest he should have taken matters into his own hands? Do you promote children playing IN THE STREET. Do you suggest your children go play in traffic?

I've read through your later comments to this point. Wrapping yourself in that comfortable blanket of neutrality as if you don't have an agenda then attacking only ONE side but claiming to be an observer makes you worse than those who admit espousing their agenda. They are at least being honest about their position.

Unlike others who you say are blind to racism and stereotyping you are blind to your own prejudices.

DB Akron: How dare you come here with facts!

776.012 Use of force in defense of person.—A person is justified in using force, except deadly force, against another when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another against the other’s imminent use of unlawful force. However, a person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if:
(1) He or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony; or
(2) Under those circumstances permitted pursuant to s. 776.013.

History.—s. 13, ch. 74-383; s. 1188, ch. 97-102; s. 2, ch. 2005-27.

776.032 Immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action for justifiable use of force.—
(1) A person who uses force as permitted in s. 776.012, s. 776.013, or s. 776.031 is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force, unless the person against whom force was used is a law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 943.10(14), who was acting in the performance of his or her official duties and the officer identified himself or herself in accordance with any applicable law or the person using force knew or reasonably should have known that the person was a law enforcement officer. As used in this subsection, the term “criminal prosecution” includes arresting, detaining in custody, and charging or prosecuting the defendant.
(2) A law enforcement agency may use standard procedures for investigating the use of force as described in subsection (1), but the agency may not arrest the person for using force unless it determines that there is probable cause that the force that was used was unlawful.
(3) The court shall award reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs, compensation for loss of income, and all expenses incurred by the defendant in defense of any civil action brought by a plaintiff if the court finds that the defendant is immune from prosecution as provided in subsection (1).

History.—s. 4, ch. 2005-27.

776.041 Use of force by aggressor.—The justification described in the preceding sections of this chapter is not available to a person who:
(1) Is attempting to commit, committing, or escaping after the commission of, a forcible felony; or
(2) Initially provokes the use of force against himself or herself, unless:
(a) Such force is so great that the person reasonably believes that he or she is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm and that he or she has exhausted every reasonable means to escape such danger other than the use of force which is likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the assailant; or
(b) In good faith, the person withdraws from physical contact with the assailant and indicates clearly to the assailant that he or she desires to withdraw and terminate the use of force, but the assailant continues or resumes the use of force.

You tell me,how you could possibly get around that?

Zimmerman is covered.

SurroundedByFools

Good post.

Same thing I have been posting for days,

I do not think the people want to know.

@Persevere and others: The 911 operator did not issue a "do not pursue" order. When the operator asked Z if he was following Trayvon and Z said yes, the operator said "We don't need you to do that". Big difference.

We clearly don't have all of the facts yet, but let's at least get the facts that we do know correct. There is also nothing illegal about carrying a firearm in FL if you possess a CCW permit, which Z did.

Even if Z pursued Trayvon and caused the encounter, he still may be found not guilty if he beleived that his life was in danger during the fight, based on Florida's "Stand your Ground" law, which states:

Fl Statute
776-013

(3) A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.

776.041 Use of force by aggressor.—The justification described in the preceding sections of this chapter is not available to a person who:

(1) Is attempting to commit, committing, or escaping after the commission of, a
forcible felony; or

(2) Initially provokes the use of force against himself or herself, unless:

(a) Such force is so great that the person reasonably believes that he or she is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm and that he or she has exhausted every reasonable means to escape such danger other than the use of force which is likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the assailant; or

(b) In good faith, the person withdraws from physical contact with the assailant and indicates clearly to the assailant that he or she desires to withdraw and terminate the use of force, but the assailant continues or resumes the use of force..

An enigma continues to remain on blogs such as these. Enigmas of hypothetical and perceived rule breakers. By that I charge those who back up Mr. Zimmermans rule breaking. I have read more then a few posts at the beginning of this thread asserting that Mr. Zimmerman as a watchman in that capacity or ANYONE in that capacity for that matter reporting suspicious behavior. As purely hypothetical it must be because we KNOW in this case there was NOTHING criminal or suspicious about Travon in the least. NOTHING. Yet these continued assertions that Mr. Zimmerman had ANY right to do so is truly disturbing. Ignorance is truly bliss I gather from so many posters on this blog.

In fact for Mr. Zimmerman to have actually taken matters into his own hands is clear as fact as a young innocent boy lies dead. A young boy who committed NO crime. A young boy who should have killed this stalker Mr. Zimmerman using the stand your ground law defending his YOUNG self.

Perhaps he should have even been armed. That's right. I believe it MAY be time to arm our youth community to prevent such trigger happy overzealous actions by frivolous folks [adults] such as Mr. Zimmerman. ; ] Because we KNOW that out of 47 some odd 911 calls JUST sense the beginning of this year not one arrest occurred. Again leading to the absolute last straw frustration by Mr. Zimmerman leading to the stalking and killing of Travon. This is played out by Mr. Zimmerman himself saying on tape of the 911 call "These @$^&*(%$ always get away". Then minutes later we have a dead innocent boy.

But in the end as you can clearly see is soooo many posters then turning on other posters whom they have a disagreement. Then attacking the posters after they have no one else to attack. ; ] PROVING those posters propensity for attacking people. Weather it be Travon, Sharpton, Jackson it does not matter whom. ; ]

It i s an inherent NEED to consistently be on the attack. Calling into question even facts when those facts do not bare out an argument in ones own favor. What is this deep seeded hatred or need to consistently attack anyone or everyone who they perceive as a self appointed enemy? Hmmm. Indeed

It would seem that along with Mr. Zimmerman they have more then a few issues that should be addressed the least of which should be addressed on a chat board. ; ] Kind of like Mr. Zimmermans lawyer decided not to address his clients issues on Lawrence O'Donnel last evening by running out in the last minute on the interview he PROMISED to give. Why do you think that would be? It couldn't be because of the numerous times his clients story has changed... Could it? Hmmm.

Cheers

Ron, you just answered yourself. Zimmerman is NOT allowed to try and apprehend Martin. He did follow Martin, as he admits on the 911 call. The question is did he eventually catch up to him and try to restrain him, or even question him, which he is NOT allowed to do. If he did, then he is guilty of murder. I don't see how you so easily find him clear of charges. You have to take his word that he attempted to retreat. Unless you fully believe that without evidence, I don't understand how you find him clear of possible charges.

post script. ;] again ;

An aggressor is not able to turn around as the victim. An aggressor is who the stand your ground law is used against. Travon is the victim remembering HE the boy committed no crime. I would also go so far as to invoke willful intent on the part of Mr. Z\immerman as a preponderance of evidence bares out. Furthermore It is a situation of Mr. Zimmermans making and his alone. Period. He asserted contact he FILED a FALSE 911 report he stalked his prey and if he was hit, when he got hit asserts the "poor me I'm a little girl victim" defence? Really?

"Covered" some posters throughout this thread have said. But folks who assume they know the law NEVER know the first thing about its application. There is NO precedence for an aggressor in the middle of an act of aggression he initiated to then become the victim justified by homicide in the middle of that act of aggression HE started. ; ]

Travon seems to have a prepondernece of evidence on his side. Mr. Zimmerman has his lackluster word. The word that keeps changing and is on tape and not backed up by ANY witnesses.. ; ]

Cheers

Drowning - 200 lbs was reported by NBC - go figure.

I don't give a @!$%# what NBC reported his weight as, THE POLICE REPORT has him listed as 6'0", 160lbs.

DB Akron: How dare you come here with facts!

They're not facts, they are his own assertions. I've linked to the police report twice in this thread, go read it.

mowdy5gs, the script thing seems to be an IE script on this page. Doesn't happen in Firefox.

I will wait and see how it turns out but anyone that can read the law should be able to figure out that Zimmerman will not be charged.

I have an idea, lets inject this with racist comments, hoards of civil rights leaders, irresponsible reporting, and then bring in the black panthers to place a bounty on the shooters head. Lets go for some more public opinion and outrage justice. There is no reason to wait for the facts or wait for a court to decide what is all too obvious. Even if everyone who did the same thing in the Duke lacrosse case was wrong, maybe this time they will be right. Maybe.

Mowdy seems to have decided that trying to beat someone to death is no crime. Or, considering that he regards Sharpton as a "key player" in the case, maybe he just thinks "killing whitey" is no crime. (Yes, I've read the dispute of white vs. hispanic. But here I am talking about Mowdy's presentation.)

Just curious when they will post a CURRENT picture of Trayvon with his gold teeth and did his mother bury him with them or did she cash in on them too?

This hinges to a degree on the interpretation

"Initially provokes the use of force against himself or herself, unless:" Zimmerman could not fight back? Really? That is what you are asserting? I have had an assailant on top swing for the fences you merely thrust your hips up and roll catching your assailants leg and now you are on top swing for the fences - a history of violence on Zimmerman's part he is violence prone. No had no authority and was he in such a situation he big bad Zimmerman could not fight? It seems he was looking for an opportunity to use deadly force. He was given an injunction tantamount to an order by a officer of the law, the dispatcher, and ignored that directive and thus set in motion due to his further acts the ensuing use of deadly force when Zimmerman willingly initiated the contact with Martin the rest is pure speculation on your part. Now a witness comes forward Ms. Cluther (spelling might be off) and says it was Martin crying for help and the cry stopped after the shoots, kind of shoots holes in your wild speculations....stick to the facts. Zimmerman a history of violence and whatever you may think Martin as far the revealed to the public has no police record of gross violence and restraining orders as Zimmerman has on his record even assaulting the police a pest and deadly nuisance to the police and deadly to the public. What now you say?

@Emanuel-0684

So, you would assault someone without legal provocation? Someone following you is no more of a reason to assault someone than looking "suspicious" is to shoot someone. Maybe it is that mentality that got Trayvon killed. If Zimmerman confronted him ("Hey! What are you doing here!") and Trayvon countered ("Why are you following me?"), Zimmerman replies with something obscene ("I f***king asked you first!"), then Trayvon begins beating him down, Zimmerman then has every right to defend himself. Obviously we dont know how it exactly went down, but having an angry exchange of words with someone is no reason to attack them, and if someone where to attack me, you bet I would defend myself. Furthermore, reports are suggesting that Zimmerman was relatively beat up. If Trayvon simply wanted to escape why did he not knock Zimmerman to the ground then flee. Why did he proceed to stay on top of him beating him? Why is it unreasonable for Zimmerman, who is getting his face beat in, to reach for his pistol and end the situation before he was beat into a bloody pulp and left for dead? Clearly there were bad decisions on both ends, but that does not change the facts.

Seems strange to this old white guy in Oklahoma. Why had Zimmerman evidently disconnected from 911 before the alleged "attack" from Martin? As I have followed all comments on this no one but Zimmerman witnessed the alleged "was returning to my vehicle...." incident. For all I and anyone else knows he himself could have grabbed the young man and started the physical altercation. Then when Martin was able to defend himself to the extent that Zimmerman was "losing the fight" Zimmerman shot him. At no time has there been any indication as to what distance the youth was shot from, if they were wrestling on the ground as alleged there would ,to my limited knowledge, have been evidence of contact burns from the firearm discharge on Martin, and most likely blood from Martin on the front of Zimmermans clothes. Yet no indication disclosed as yet that any attempt was made to preserve the clothes Zimmerman was wearing. Just my questions and observations. Personally I'd not able to be impartial at this time with whats been disclosed so far. To much points to Zimmerman being guilty of stalking and murdering an unarmed individual due to either his color and attire one or both.

This is a classic case of why we do not try people in the court of public opinion.

First, the media is lazy and only reported half of the story initially - the half that involved the deceased teenager and portrayed him as a victim.

Second, the media repeatedly prints and displays photos of Trayvon at age 13-14, not his current age of 17, thereby prejudicing people against the adult that shot him.

Third, by highlighting the races of both the teen and the neighborhood watch person that shot him, the media intentionally created a racial incident.

Fourth, by neglecting to provide ALL the facts, people were intentionally misled into drawing the conclusion that the teen was 100% innocent.

Fifth, in a lame attempt to discredit the teen, information about minor school offenses was reported as "leaked"

Lastly, we have stories of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Pres. Obama weighing in on a subject they did not have sufficient information about to make informed comment.

If this does not teach people to pay less and less attention to what the media is telling you to think and pay more and more attention to the FACTS, I do not know what will. Wake up people, the media is playing you for stupid fools. Prove them wrong, again!

What is stand your ground law? Is it meant to be used ONLY with a pistol to kill? Hmm. Or are you able to debilitate someone instead of killing them through beating them senseless? Indeed. What if you do not have a gun but your attacker does? And you then disarm him and put a good "whippin" on him as it were. Did you stand your ground? Or do bad @$# fighters get arrested for standing there ground while killers with guns get aways with standing there's? Hmmm. ; ]

It seems sooooo many folks on these blogs and around the country are far to confused by there own personal bias to understand who gets to claim self defence. ; ]

And to those folks obsessed with how Travon is portrayed.. He is the victim. Many of you seem to not like him because hes black. Or because hes a youth. Or because you assume to much and that he is what he is not. Many reasons I am sure. But what is ALSO clear is that no matter what the police corrupted the investigation. Willful? Or ignorance? That is the question for them .

But for the rest of you it seems you are so easily confused by semantics. Unable to comprehend why many pics of Travon are shown. Not wanting to believe it is because they are showing who he was through out his life. A CHILD to a mother and father. Yet you see it as a "media conspiracy" while seeing no conspiracy by this lackluster police department. Hmm. Indeed!

Cheers

Can you claim self defense in a fight that you started?

Regardless of who threw the first punch and why, the first act of aggression was by Zimmerman. He was following Treyvon for no reason against the instructions of the dispatcher.

If someone were following me, and they came close to me-self defense 101...you do not wait for them to grab or hit you. You strike first in defense. Someone who is chasing after you has no good intent (Treyvon had no way to know that he was neighborhood watch, and being so did not give Zimmerman a licence to do anything.) You do not wait for them to start the fight-them chasing you already started the fight. Unless they identify themself clearly as law enforcement and display a badge-you come out swinging.

So, let's say Treyvon did swing first. Zimmerman still started it by following him! You can't pick a fight with someone then claim self defense when it gets too much for you! That is absurd! Perhaps not enough for a conviction-but at least enough for a trial where all the facts come out and a jury decides.

mowdy5gs

What is stand your ground law? Is it meant to be used ONLY with a pistol to kill? Hmm. Or are you able to debilitate someone instead of killing them through beating them senseless? Indeed. What if you do not have a gun but your attacker does? And you then disarm him and put a good "whippin" on him as it were. Did you stand your ground? Or do bad @$# fighters get arrested for standing there ground while killers with guns get aways with standing there's? Hmmm. ; ]

YOU have struck the NAIL ON THE HEAD. Let me attempt to disect the law in the current situation. Understand I think the statute is one fouled up piece of shiit er legislation.

The INTENT was to protect victims of crime from being sued by criminals who were injured or worse by their intended victim or a third party observing the crime IN PROGRESS. Basically you break into my house, I hit you over the head and oops take off your ear or an eye. Prior to the statute you could sue me because I injured you. With SYG that was no longer possible because the LAW explicitly shields me.

The statute as WRITTEN leaves out a few things that other states build in. It also ENCOURAGES taking a deadly force encounter to a fatal force encounter. Other states use Rules of Deadly force which in short are using equal force for force with the victim to take it only to the level necessary to stop the situation. Lethal force is a LAST resort in most other states. Florida however goes from zero to lethal. They may have INTENDED force for force but they forgot???? to put it in the language.

From the state website @ http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/self_defense.html

Q. What if someone uses threatening language to me so that I am afraid for my life or safety?

A. Verbal threats are not enough to justify the use of deadly force. There must be an overt act by the person which indicates that he immediately intends to carry out the threat. The person threatened must reasonably believe that he will be killed or suffer serious bodily harm if he does not immediately take the life of his adversary.

That last line is literally a KILLER. Something along the lines of immediately use deadly force or the force necessary to stop the adversary would have been a much better choice of words. Especially to persons who have not had any sort of training in regards to deadly force.

The same website does later go on to describe the use of less than lethal force.

Q. What if I see a crime being committed?

A. A license to carry a concealed weapon does not make you a free-lance policeman. But, as stated earlier, deadly force is justified if you are trying to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony. The use of deadly force must be absolutely necessary to prevent the crime. Also, if the criminal runs away, you cannot use deadly force to stop him, because you would no longer be "preventing" a crime. If use of deadly force is not necessary, or you use deadly force after the crime has stopped, you could be convicted of manslaughter.

Which by that would imply that at worse Zimmerman or someone else incorrectly using deadly force could only be charged with manslaughter not murder.

That is pretty much the CRUX of issue with charging Zimmerman.

The other part is the whole was this racially motivated???? I think the feds are saying not likely. So the other part is were the Sanford police racist for not charging Zimmerman with ANYTHING. that question is still out there. My take (OPINION) is the police would have liked to charge him but the law prevents it the day of the incident so they referred it up the chain,,, passed the buck. The wheels of justice are rarely fast. The parents weren't happy with the progress and became upset that their sons killer was known but still on the streets. When they weren't getting the answers they WANTED they turned the media loose. The quickest way to do that was make it about race. It was either racially motivated or the police had no interest in a black male being killed by a non black. The quickest assured way was to make it about White vs Black.

And now here we are. A month later. The investigation starting from scratch for the 3rd time. People on both sides ready to do battle and still no solid answers other than one dead person, another in fear for his life and tensions running high. Oh and lest we forget politicians running around trying to put their best face forward by taking a stance but refusing to take responsibility for what they signed into law. The author of the legislation and the governor who signed it are tripping over themselves saying the law was not intended to apply in this sort of situation yet the current governor has formed a committee (typical response when something need solved now) that will get back to us in a while.

IMHO they need to borrow the language from just about any other state that has SYG laws, slap the FL numbers and references on it and make it a priority bill. At the very least strike down this law so no one else can hide behind the flaws.

Uchusky:

Following somebody is actually not a crime. And we have no idea how close he got. As the information is unfolding, it is looking more and more like Trayvon was the one who moved close enough to land a hit. But perhaps you think Zimmerman started it by being where Trayvon could see him.

Can you claim self defense in a fight that you started?

The answer is yes,

Read the law.

776.041 Use of force by aggressor.—The justification described in the preceding sections of this chapter is not available to a person who:

(1) Is attempting to commit, committing, or escaping after the commission of, a
forcible felony; or

(2) Initially provokes the use of force against himself or herself,unless:

(a) Such force is so great that the person reasonably believes that he or she is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm and that he or she has exhausted every reasonable means to escape such danger other than the use of force which is likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the assailant; or

(b) In good faith, the person withdraws from physical contact with the assailant and indicates clearly to the assailant that he or she desires to withdraw and terminate the use of force, but the assailant continues or resumes the use of force..

The way I understand that, is that you can start the fight and if it gets out of control and you can not escape what you think is going to be great bodily harm to yourself, you can legally use deadly force.

Tell me how you read it?

@Ido

Do you even listen to yourself talk or do you try to act smart? Either way it would be nice if you didn't blame obama since he had nothing to do with the murder and he did more then bush ever did with our troops. And besides Zimmerman didn't attack trayvon. It was vice versa people. I would have shot trayvon too but not to kill. Just pop one in his leg so he'd be easy to track. But the fact is Zimmerman will try to fight his case till the end...Which is to soon for the bastard.

Ron

Tell me how you read it?

While I do NOT agree with the concept that is the choice of words they put out. The rules of Deadly Force EVERY PLACE I have heard them, has been escalation of force. Florida says it goes from a friendly chat to body bag with no steps between.

Go back to the very beginning of all of this and look at one key part of the first 911 call.

Now he's coming towards me. He's got his hand in his waistband.

This in it's self is provocative, and a classic gangsta move on Trayvon's part, you all know this to be true, its "I'm armed back off", when that failed to intimidate Zimmerman Trayvon took off. If Trayvon was so worried about being checked out by Zimmerman then he should have called 911 him self.

I know some will say but wait Trayvon wasn't gangsta, he is a sweet baby face little boy who's picture is everywhere now, he was never in any trouble, he was pure as the driven snow, he would not be a drug dealing, thieving thug. OOPS

http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2012/03/27/trayvon-martin-was-apparently-a-17-year-old-undisciplined-punk-thug-drug-dealing-thief-and-wannabe-gangsta/

http://www.wagist.com/2012/dan-linehan/was-trayvon-martin-a-drug-dealer

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-26/news/os-trayvon-martin-zimmerman-account-20120326_1_miami-schools-punch-unarmed-black-teenager

http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2012/03/24/deconstructing-huffpos-insufferable-propaganda-reporting-on-trayvon-martin/

http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/26/the-daily-caller-obtains-trayvon-martins-tweets/

Oh no not facts that show Trayvon's family, their lawyers, the "civil rights leaders" and certain politicians are all knowingly lying through their teeth repeatedly over and over publicly. This is Duke Lacrosse case all over again and just like that case I bet Al & Jessie will cut and run when for the hills and Odumba won't even want Trayvon Martin's name uttered anywhere near him. Hopefully his parents and their lawyers will end up in jail for creating such an up roar based on a bunch of lies.

They waited three weeks to come forward, that's 3 weeks well spent trying to remove any of the references of Trayvon's life past the age of 13, to bad some people managed to get copies of this tweeter account, facebook and school records before the family finished their cover up.

Now their all upset that the truth is coming out and how dare anyone tell the truth and spoil all of their hard work to profit from their son's death, sorry forgot they already have done that.

@ SurroundedByFools and ron:

The Florida law creates an insane situation. Before the enactment of this law, Florida caselaw was that you can not start a confrontation and then use self-defense when it turns against you. And this includes "starting a confrontation" by following someone. Period. End of story.

Now you can start a confrontation -- even one that gives the Trayvon Martin the same right under the law to use deadly force against you -- and when it turns against you, you have the right to use deadly force to defend yourself.

Absolutely insane. It creates situations where armed man A chases unarmed man B, giving B the right to turn and stand his ground. And when he does, A also gets the right to stand his ground. Both A and B have the legal right to kill the other.

Absolutely insane. It must be changed.

I don't disagree that it defies logic, Ron. But for the case at hand, that is the law.

You are all sorts of confused and not up to date on the story. Take it easy there Sarah

Why does it upset you that Jesse and Al would march for someone? Let me ask the question, are you going to organize a march for John Sanderson? "Ask not what your country can do for you but, what you can do for your country." I also noticed that the murder of this innocent (John Sanderson) was being investigated. The killing of Trayvon Martin was not. To the Sanford police it was a closed case. Obama was asked a question that he spoke on because the situation moved him, just as you are moved by the case you brought up. So why dislike people for speaking up when they feel an injustice has been done? I don't even care if Mr Zimmerman hates black people. He's allowed but, shooting an unarmed person! I feel this should be investigated more. Trayvon is dead, he cannot speak for himself. It's up to Mr. Zimmerman to prove to his peers his innocents in the shooting. I don't know much about this "Stand your ground" law but, If I understand it correctly Trayvon had more right to "Stand his ground" than did Mr. Zimmerman. Trayvon wasn't following George Zimmerman with a loaded gun. That's the only reason I feel Mr. Zimmerman should Prove his innocents. It's also why a lot of people are marching and speaking up for Trayvon Martin.

Tcolors,

The reverand Al has inspired arson, riots and death with a few of his marches, of course that wonderful mayor Dinkins went and watched the US Tennis Opens and let blacks vent on the Jewish people of Crown heights for 3 days. Whites should recognize that this Justice Department will assume that whites are guilty of hate crimes when a crime between a white and a minority happens, but when the minority against white crime happens (which is actually way mor prevalent) then it is only a hate crime if 10 witnesses hear and see and testify to the fact.

The "so called Reverend Al" never attended "any type of Theological School, College or Seminary" but was "awarded his title and fabricated license by a single minister operating out of ONE church.

Considering the fact that Al Sharpton is consistently unable to "complete any sentences in grammatically correct English" also suggest that he could have never received ANY decent grades in Elementary or Middle School English either. If and when he actually received a "diploma", his "class ranking" would have had to place him at the very bottom of any academic ranking.

Sadly, this illiterate, stuttering fool receives "face time" and attention, particularly among African-american households. Most unfortunate of all, is that 'some people" may ever lend any credence to his "misused and mispronounced words". He does far more damage every time he opens his mouth that anything else.

His "inability to complete any sentences in grammatically correct English", including his "brutally horrific misuse and mispronunciation of so many common words" also suggests that Al may be "unable to read past the 1st or 2nd grade level, otherwise he would never "misuse and mispronounce so many words today?"

The social issues he has taken part in, gotten involved with or protested about PROVE that Al Sharpton has been 100% WRONG on every single one of them, which only highlights his staggeringly, high level of ignorance. In the end, he has always been seen as the "misinformed fool".

The fact that "any group" even "allows" such an "illiterate, attention grabbing, poverty pimp like Sharpton" to represent them "for any reason" is beyond sad.

Since he rarely makes any intelligent statements, or is able to utter any coherent thoughts and always come across as an uneducated fool... it remains a "glaring fact" that the only possible reason PMSNBC would have EVER even hired Sharpton is for his "carnival-freak, sideshow appearance".

It is disgraceful to America that anyone, anywhere ever allows this man to appear in public.

Obama lies.... The history of the whites speaks for itself. Which race of people that they encountered, was not mistreated because of their race? Every race can make a claim to the racial mistreatment issued towards them. The guilt is your history and nothing more. Face it, the world you will now have to deal with, are "minorities", do not kid yourself, the rest of this world is more aware of your history, than you think. Hey history repeats itself, some will say, it is what the people before you left for you.. Accept your American roots.

Of course this causes outrage that all the left wing liberals that jumped the gun and did not wait for an investigation to be complete. My oh my how embarrassing this could be. Hopefully Mr. President you kids don't act like this one? A lot of people will need to take their feet out of their mouths.

What in God's name are you incoherently babbling about? White guilt? What are you talking about?

To the racists, the police weren't even going to do an investigation. They were taking the word of the whitest person in their field of vision. Zimmerman decided to become a vigilante for no good reason and shot a 17 year old who was in possession of Skittles and Ice Tea.

They need to do an investigation but it will be thwarted and hampered by all the racist cops and neighbors they won't tell the truth anymore than Zimmerman did. I'd like Zimmerman who was in possession of a gun tell me how this kid managed to get the upper hand and beat Zimmerman? I don't believe it.

The racists will defend Zimmerman because they've decided it's open season on anyone who is dark skinned then as they do with rape victims, they blame it on the victime.

Zimmerman is a liar and should be in jail and subsequently on trial. I saw the photos, Zimmerman didn't looks as though he took one hit.

@repeating - every race on the face of the earth has treated every race, including their own, poorly. It was other African's that sold the slaves to the evil white men. Slavery and mistreatment of others has existed in every country, by every race since the beginning of time.

You can bet on it. The problem is the black community wants a pound of flesh for retribution. The entire answer is somewhere between him running away and when he attacked the individual. Anyone who defends Zimmerman will be called a racist, and even if he did attack Zimmerman no one will listen. They want blood. An Eye for and Eye. A good Exampleis Dave Bronx above. He is not interested in the truth, just killing someone. He is calling you and anyone else who questions what happened a racist. I wonder why that is. He is about as racist as they come which is why the lawyers will have to see who they put on the Jury.This whole issue gets expanded because of individuals like Jackson and other black leaders that are more interested in starting a race war than solving the issue. This will continue as long as we allow the media to control the outcome instead of finding the truth.

"Obama Lies"---Guess you hate 'em all--Obama, Holder, Sharpton, and Jackson. Not hard to figure out what kind of idiot you are. I suppose you never thought Bush/Cheney lied about anything like, hmmm. I don't know, maybe Iraq having WMDs and supporting the Taliban??

Murder is murder. Racism is racism. Santorum is a disgusting individual, Gingrich hasn't had two coherent thoughts to rub together, and Mitt the twit Romney is the pinnacle of honesty and integrity. You, ma'am, are either a racist, an idiot, or both. Have a wonderful life in your own private Idaho.

To all the racist that have and are slamming Obama for being Black-Colored etc. are you saying that his father's genetics are dominate and superior to his mother's genetics? Just wondering, that attitude seems somewhat of an oxymoron position.

What a cretin! Everything Pres. Obama does is, in your opinion, connected to racial politics?

This ain't about "white", and this ain't about "black" -- this is about MONEY. Look at the "gated community" where this happened: Ain't no day-laborers, part-time temporary workers, or even "lower middle-class" living there.

The kid was wearing a hoodie, and "we all know" that "only gang-bangers wear hoodies" in an "UPPER MIDDLE-CLASS" GATED NEIGHBORHOOD...............

All you anti-Obama freaks out there, would y'all be so convinced that Zimmerman was the victim if HE had been "black" and wearing a hoodie -- and Martin had been "WHITE"?

Considering the fact that Al Sharpton is consistently unable to "complete any sentences in grammatically correct English" also suggest that he could have never received ANY decent grades in Elementary or Middle School English either. If and when he actually received a "diploma", his "class ranking" would have had to place him at the very bottom of any academic ranking.

that al sharpton sounds just like rush limbaugh.(another illiterate fool that idiots love to parrot). in fact both of them inspire their illiterate followers to commit acts of violence and retaliation against those they don't agree with

I guess they didn't use his facebook pix from a month ago because it would not get as much sympathy:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.280295358706859.63532.100001791912868&type=3&__adt=3#!/profile.php?id=100001791912868

This 220 pound Man with a gun start a fight whit a 155 pound Child' then kill the Child before the Police could get their, He know what He was doing, His Mom and Dad work for the City and the Police was His friend, that is why Zimmerman was able to slap a Police Officer around and still able to carry a gun, this Zman is know to always in a rage against Black and Mexican this was something waiting to happen!!

The police reports from the officers at the scene depict professional and thorough actions at the crime scene. A number of eye witnesses corroborated Zimmermans testimony as did the physical evidence. The police had him in custody, secured the scene, recorded evidence, and interrogated the suspect. They were in a position to ascertain all the facts on which to base their conclusions, not the bozos on this blog.

Sally : Apparently it is offensive to suggest a racist would feel at home in a religious cult that is nationally know for discriminating not only against blacks but also homosexuals, and any other persons that don't fit into their fabricated realities made up by a delusional polygamist in the mid 19th century, but all the hate filled racist remarks flooding these comments are ok and not offensive. Obviously you are only violating the CODE OF HONOR if you make foul remarks about white Christians. I wonder if you would have suspended some ones account for making a knock at Scientology, or Paganism, my guess is not. We get to read all the hate and bigotry in the world, but if we accuse an organization that is know for spreading bigotry it is unacceptable. You are as confused and diluted as the Officers that failed in Sanford and the racist bigots you so conveniently fail "suspend the accounts" of.

Let see!! Zimmermans best friend is black yet he is a racist. He is of Hispanic descent (white father, Mexican mother). Okay now, what I have a problem with, is Black Panthers can put a 10,000 reward on him and that is okay for Eric Holder, Obama, and the rest of the criminal element!!! Bullsh*&t!! If Zimmerman did kill this kid because he was getting his azz kicked so be it, the Panthers are no better than the KKK or any other racist group. I have a feeling more problems will erupt if the Panthers get their way. This is only the beginning of a major problem. I can see it now the Mexican drug cartel will put out a hit on Black Panthers. The war is on.

I wonder how much the Gated community is paying the Police, I might as well throw unfunded ideas out as well as others are.

Both Al and Jesse marched for Tawana Brawley, screaming for justice, injecting both race and hatred into the case. But they were wrong. Apparently they learned nothing from their rush to judgment then, or the Duke lacrosse case, as here we go again. I guess they care more about the publicity they garner by inciting the masses rather then the leadership they could demonstrate by calling upon everyone to remain calm until all the facts are known.

I was reading somewhere about Eric Holder starting a second "Fast and Furious Program" Fast and Furious 2 is where Eric Holder would supply American guns and ammo to Black Panthers members to help "find" George Zimmerman.

Cheap talk....

Good thing you've got a keyboard to keep you company in the meantime.

James,

Please go back to the south. Here in the PNW, we follow the constitution, which says someone is innocent until proven guilty, and don't go stringing people up in a tree vigilante style! We let the LAW figure it out and take care of the problem. It always amazes me that the people seem to think they know all and can determine a guilt and punishment just from what they read on the internet. How many people STILL think Casey Anthony is guilty "even though she was found not guilty by a jury of her peers"? How many people tried and convicted OJ, even though a jury of his peers determined he was "Not Guilty"? I think I will await further news (after the trial, if there is one), before I figure out if he is guilty or not. I mean, that is how the system works, after all.

Concerned,

A "not guilty" verdict is not the same as "innocent." It means that the prosecution has not proven it's case. Frankly, I THINK (note, I did not say "feel") both of your examples cited were cases of poorly handled investigations and/or prosecution. That being said, were I on either jury, I'd have found for a "not guilty" verdict as well. It is better for a thousand guilty persons to go free than for a single innocent person to be wrongly convicted; THAT is the reasoning behind our justice system.

What I find particularly disturbing about this case is the complete lack of any investigation, at the time of the incident, regarding the details of what happened. I don't think this is an instance of a hate crime, per se, but definitely a case of murder in the course of pursuing vigilante justice.

Concerned Citizen-1877749,

Wow, Concerned Citizen! Just like determining one's guilt based upon appearance, e.g., race, tattoos, piercing and clothing. It's quite simple. It doesn't matter what that kid looked like, even if he was doing something suspicious. Zimmerman crossed the line and made this kid fearful of him because he was being followed by a strange man who didn't identify himself and wasn't operating in any official capacity since he was not registered with any neighborhood watch program. Even if Zimmerman was, he violated operating procedure plain and simple. If Zimmerman just simply reported what was going on, Trayvon would still be alive. What's not clear about this?

IF you nay sayers had been actually following what information was being released by the POLICE, you would have known that there was a witness that was the one who called 911, who stated that Martin attacked Zimmerman and had him on the ground before he was shot. Then today, they released a considerable amount of corroborated evidence that shows that Zimmerman was in fact, attacked. What I love about this investigation, as opposed to so many other botched ones, is that they didn't release a lot of info (which had everyone trying and convicting Zimmerman) until now. The two other trials that I mentioned were media circuses and had prosecutor and defense attorneys posing for the camera the whole time. This is exactly why I say wait until all the evidence is presented before convicting anyone of a crime.

diatribe

I know that not guilty doesn't mean innocent, and in both cases the prosecutor blew it, but they were tried and found not guilty and can't be tried again. Simple. It doesn't matter what all the armchair attorny's rule, it is the end of the criminal story!

Also, it seems that there was actually an investigation going on, THEY JUST WEREN'T BEING MEDIA WHORES, even under the pressure from people who had no business sticking their nose into it.

.

Nice stereotyping concerned citizen. You're smart!

Well, the fact are not on you side, I suppect you be dead to, as this dude can shoot.

This is really amazing to me. The day of the shooting, a witness (who called 911) said it was Martin who attacked and beat Zimmerman.

Martin's girlfriend says that she talked to him and said someone was following him

Evidence at the scene shows that Zimmerman was walking back to his SUV and was attacked.

The Family says Zimmerman stalked Martin for blocks before confronting him.

Evidence and witness accounts show that the shooting took place after MARTIN ATTACKED ZIMMERMAN at his SUV.

We are going to charge him based on Martin's family's account, rather then eye witnesses and evidence? Really? Where does that fit into the Constitution again?

@James in Portland, so if your daughter attacks a young woman and that woman protects herself (because she fears for her life and already has injuries) with a gun she is allowed to carry, and kills your daughter in self defense, your going to kill her in retaliation? WOW!!!

Gee - kinda looks like a different portrayal of Trayvon than what the media wants you to believe. In every picture that I see he looks sweet and innocent....

Too little too late. The media did a great job of pushing their racial agenda down EVERYONES throat and now the masses will NEVER back down. Too much ego and pride at stake for people to actually admit they were duped.

The police could find VIDEO evidence that supports the eye witness and investigation and it STILL wouldn't suffice the many ignorant people in this country.

I hope people learned a lesson here. The news of today is corrupt and no editor/reporter is interested in FACTS or verifying ANYTHING anymore.

Concerned Citizen-1877749- what you are stating is only a part of the story! Amazingly, everything you are saying is against the young teen, rather than taking in all of the facts of the 6 released 911 calls that are online that offer a different story of varying degrees.

For God's sake keep an open mind and one that is not slanted in favor of Zimmerman who was asked to stop his actions by the 911 Police Operator. furthermore, 'Watch Captains' are not supposed to be 'packing!' That is expressingly why residents of that gated community have asked him to leave his home.

If, that is a huge IF, self-proclaimed 'Watch Captain' Zimmerman does have a busted nose due to a 'fight,' so be it. There is no evidence that he earned them in a fight with Trayvon Martin. That being the least of his injuries since he walked away after murdering that young man.

Coward Zimmerman, show yourself and cease having someone else spread fallacies and rumors about Trayvon Martin in your absence and as you hide. What a disgraceful man.

Allow me to get this thread back on track. :-)

The original comment by James said that if he were the parent, he would have killed the man who shot his son. That doesn't have a ton to do with "innocent" or "not guilty," as it is a statement about what he would do as a parent to a person who unquestionably shot and killed his son - regardless of the circumstances of who did what.

That said, I believe Zimmerman either needs to present a ironclad piece of evidence for proving he was in the right, or he would be better off biting the bullet (sorry) and serving time for this. Innocent, guilty, somewhere in between, the public outcry against him won't let him live a normal life until justice, in one form or another, is served.

Also....a lot of people commenting on here seem to be pretty quick to denounce the media's "spin," yet you are doing the same thing without knowing much of the evidence yourselves.

If, that is a huge IF, self-proclaimed 'Watch Captain' Zimmerman does have a busted nose due to a 'fight,' so be it. There is no evidence that he earned them in a fight with Trayvon Martin. That being the least of his injuries since he walked away after murdering that young man.

@Noelle....why don't YOU read the police report for yourself. They arrived less then 2 minutes after gunshot, FACT. They confirmed Zimmerman's bloody nose and lacerations to back of head with THEIR OWN eyes, FACT. Eye witness also confirmed seeing Trayvon beating Zimmerman, while Zimmerman was on his BACK. A fact confirmed by wet grass stains on Zimmermans back.

YOU ARE IN DENIAL. But hey, you have much company.

and yet trayvon's gunshot wound was in the back...

Sad to say but Zimmerman and those cops have had a month after that child was shot to concoct this story. I wouldn't believe any of them. they have voice analysis tape that would confirm if that is him crying for help. He is not a cop and had no right to kill this child. That police force needs to be disbanded and reconstituted like they do failing schools. Even cops get suspended after a shooting.

Oh yes and noone saw Zimmerman after the killing. The police evidently didn't think enough of the killing to take any evidence or to even mark the crime scene. Some of you may think that's great police work. i wonder how you'd feel if that were your child?

Raider, Trayvon was "standing his ground". That was his right, correct? Zimmerman, if he really and truly is a grown man who got a beating from a kid, deserved to get his nose bloodied for stalking and threatening him. I'm just so sorry (sarcasm, obviously) to have to point out that little piece of information and destroy that whole fantasy thing you got going.

Danwill,

Please post a reliable link of that. That information has not been released yet (where he was shot)that I have seen of.

Danwill - Where did U pull that bit of info from. Must have come out your azz likle most of the post in here. No facts what so ever. You can say what you want but no one will believe you no matter what the hell you say. No one really knows what happened except what has been stated as fact.

Zimmerman shouldn't have followed the kid. If he believed Trayvon was or had committed a crime, the police needed to be called. I was a member of a Neighborhood Watch group and no one in this group carried a gun while following anyone - and we had a lot of crime in my neighborhood. I wish people would quit bringing out an African American friend to prove they are not prejudiced. That proves nothing.

Berkeley Suncookies

Zimmerman shouldn't have followed the kid. If he believed Trayvon was or had committed a crime, the police needed to be called

you haven't followed the story HAVE you? Zimmerman was on the phone with police dispatch until just prior to the physical altercation. I guess you missed that or just chose to ignore that detail to further stir the pot.

You are right that trotting out Black friends does not prove anything. But then again Trayvon and his family don't seem to have any NON Black friends to trot out... does that make them racists? Zimmerman was active and involved in his community. That is being overlooked while the panthers and company trample his reputation in their rush to exact revenge. The ONLY community activity we hear from the Martin side is Unite with us our fellow Blacks. No other connections other than color of skin which I find rather hypocritical.

Jack colton

That said, I believe Zimmerman either needs to present a ironclad piece of evidence for proving he was in the right, or he would be better off biting the bullet (sorry) and serving time for this. Innocent, guilty, somewhere in between, the public outcry against him won't let him live a normal life until justice, in one form or another, is served.

Under FL Law he does not need to prove he was in the right. Only that he was acting in self defense with "reasonable belief" his life or well being were in danger. Sorry that is the law in FL.

Under the US Constitution all persons are innocent until PROVEN guilty. Again the burden of proof is on the Government to prove guilt. It does not matter what the court of Public Opinion or Trial by Media THINKS. Strange you choose the words "some form of Justice being served" when used in the context of revenge. Unfortunately the Florida SYG statute precludes charges when someone invokes it provided they meet the minimum requirement of "reasonable belief". That requirement was met the moment Zimmerman was getting his face beat in. Not a single commentator on here can deny that having their face beat in would not "reasonably believe" their life or well being was in danger, unless they are liars. Sad as it is it is the LAW. Suggesting that justice demands breaking the law is a bit of an oxymoron at best and an invitation of anarchy or worse.

and yet trayvon's gunshot wound was in the back...

@Danwill....your comment above is exactly the problem. YOU ARE either making it up or just guessing. As others have pointed out THAT info has not been made public. You people who suggest Trayvon was shot in the back are FOOLS. That would change this case completely and Zimmerman would be locked up. You don't think the parents would have made that "fact" public by now? Get a grip and QUIT stirring up controversy.

PEOPLE....getting shot in the back makes "self defense" almost an impossible argument.

Raider, Trayvon was "standing his ground". That was his right, correct? Zimmerman, if he really and truly is a grown man who got a beating from a kid, deserved to get his nose bloodied for stalking and threatening him. I'm just so sorry (sarcasm, obviously) to have to point out that little piece of information and destroy that whole fantasy thing you got going.

@Finally proud...what are you talking about? My only guess is your referring to my post #3.18 above, where I stated 3-4 FACTS from the POLICE REPORT. I never mentioned "stand his ground", as I'm not a lawyer and OBVIOUSLY NEITHER are you.

So, what's your problem? Don't like FACTS getting in the way of your agenda? And you have the audacity to call my comment a "fantasy".

I already know your answer bc other fools have already started saying it; it's all a police cover-up. Yup, that's right folks. The local police, FBI, & DOJ (probably over 100 investigators/lawyers have all conspired to change the facts so as to not allow black ppl justice. GIVE ME A BREAK.

Sad to say but Zimmerman and those cops have had a month after that child was shot to concoct this story. I wouldn't believe any of them. they have voice analysis tape that would confirm if that is him crying for help.

I feel like I'm on a mission to straighten out these INCORRECT points ppl make.

@Dreeves.....the police report HAS BEEN available for WEEKS. And don't forget the FBI/DOJ who are obviously part of the cover up (sarcasm). Also....re the voice analysis. Trayvon's OWN FATHER told police that was NOT his son crying out for help. Witness confirmed that it was Zimmerman yelling for help. Why would you need voice analysis given ALL THE FACTS.

Oh yes and noone saw Zimmerman after the killing. The police evidently didn't think enough of the killing to take any evidence or to even mark the crime scene.

@Dreeves....Zimmerman was TAKEN into POLICE custody for interviews. Another simple fact in the police report.

Lastly....real life police work is not like on TV. The police did their job...interviewed NUMEROUS eye witness, and guess what? They concluded this was a justified self defense.

You people are mad bc you've been duped into thinking something different. Next time wait for some facts.

getting a conviction might be easier than the prosecutor thinks.

and it would have been even easier had Sanford PD done their job and performed a thorough investigation from the get-go, not nearly a month later...

Amen to the police negligence early in the situation. Now that there is to be convened a grand jury, and the police chief and prosecutor standing down, I believe we'll get better evidence and possibly justice.

So we are to find Zimmerman guilty, regardless of the facts and findings of the FBI and DOJ as well as any other agency investigating this becuase of the 'threat' of Black rioting if anything other than a guilty verdict is reached. To me this is tantamount to being a Terrorist act, if and when this 'rioting' happens. If something like that does happen everyone involved that is caught should be arrested and tried under the Patriot Act as domestic Terrorists....tell me I'm wrong with that definition. Although I thoroughly despise the Patriot Act and Patriot II as well as all other aspects of this 'Terrorist Mindset' the Government has, since we have these laws (for now...hopefully to be overturned sometime in the future) why not put them to use if something like rioting happens in the future because of a verdict the populace does not agree with. Also if rioting/looting happens not just here but anywhere there is a civil disruption I believe police (although I have problems with them as well) should have the authorization to use deadly force if rioters/looters do not folow the directions to get off the streets and go to their homes...if need be a curfew should be imposed in the affected areas and a shoot to kill action enforced for those not following the curfew imposed.

wow ... so just because of INTIMIDATION the jury should find a certain way?

@Mario

I believe we'll get better evidence and possibly justice.

really? What further evidence do you thing they can manufacture? The police report won't change. Zimmermans statement won't change. Was there someone filming the event that has not come forward by NOW?

Can we all agree on these facts:

Zimmerman admits shooting Martin?

Zimmerman was bloodied and injured when police arrived

Zimmerman claims self defense and fear of death or sever injury at the hands of Martin.

Florida Statute 776.013 is the law at the time of the incident.

Florida State web side under CCW licensing reads in part

Q. What if someone uses threatening language to me so that I am afraid for my life or safety?

A. Verbal threats are not enough to justify the use of deadly force. There must be an overt act by the person which indicates that he immediately intends to carry out the threat. The person threatened must reasonably believe that he will be killed or suffer serious bodily harm if he does not immediately take the life of his adversary.

Does not imply but explicitly STATES take the life to prevent injury or death from the adversary.

Your comments imply you feel the injustice of Travis losing his life should be met with doing injustice to George by ignoring the law.

Fmr FL Gov: “This law does not apply to this particular circumstance,” Jeb Bush said after an
education panel discussion at the University of Texas at Arlington. “Stand your ground means stand your ground. It doesn’t mean chase after somebody who’s turned their back.”

What i means is "I believe we'll get better evidence and possibly justice." Not what you said.

Zimmerman will get a fair trail. Treyvon was not given a fair trial, was judged and executed. Zimmerman violated Treyvon's civil rights.

commonsense.. please provide a link... FBI, CDC, DOJ would be great. I am not saying you are wrong but I question the interracial numbers. Saying 4% of all crime is greater than 2% of all crime by a 2 to one ratio could be considered less than honest.

actually its over 12% of the population. And your claiming that because 0.1% of them are committing crimes its ok to stereotype all black kids as thief's and thugs? Not to mention your accusation is flawed and your claims are biased.

Black, White, purple, green.......I don't care what color you are......if you were attacking me and I had a gun, I would use it!!!!! Truth is coming out more and more. I guess Trayvon isn't as innocent as we thought! Why do people always turn it in to a racial issue? Leave Zimmerman alone.

The fact of the matter is Trayvon did nothing to warrant being stopped or confronted. I now know exactly why he is becoming the villian. Sadly, it is becoming more obvious each day. Race is definitely an issue.

If you cannot fight do not stop people while playing Cops.

As I have been asking, how could fat zimmerman have caught fit martin? Isn't the answer obvious from looking at the pictures of them?

How does Zimmerman get to use the STAND YOUR GROUND defense when he is the one who initially followed Martin?

If Martin had been the one following Zimmerman, and then attacked Zimmerman, I could absolutely see that as a defense.

Zimmerman, however, is the one who called 911 to report he was following Martin, and then refused to follow the 911 operators orders to cease and desist.

END OF STORY - if Stand your Ground is legit, Trayvon Martin was defending himself from some creepo who was following him.

Trayvon - IF HE HAD ACTUALLY FOLLOWED ZIMMERMAN BACK TO HIS TRUCK

is just as stupid as Zimmerman was to follow Trayvon in the first place.

Zimmerman needs to go to jail, he's the one who killed someone else.

and I struggle to believe how Zimmerman couldnt "handle himself" amongst a kid...

oh but he had that gun, who needs muscle when you got guns and bullets.

So what? What does one do when being stalked as Trayvon was, and unable to get out of a situation or run from Zimmerman, who had a weapon? You either retreat even further, if able to, or stand your ground and fight!

They can say whatever they want to at this point. It makes no difference, Trayvon was within 7 yards of his door when Zimmerman shot him to death. Facts are facts!

No one said this would be easy--the witnesses have told the truth and while this needs to be all sorted out, they all bore witness to Trayvon's demise and death. Blessings to the family.

We all forget investigation can't be done in an hour, this isn't T.V. Good thing his mother is going to get all this money from the use of his name on Cd's and DVDs and probably Shirts, don't look like they will get from wrong full death.

Once again the media is trying someone in the court of public opinion. I heard this information on ABC last week and wondered if any other news outlet would pick it up. We have once again turned it into a racial thing because Mr Zimmermen is white and Treyvon is Black. Even our President said"If I had a son he would look like Treyvon". Much of the pertinent information that hasn't come out on this. Let the police, FBI, and Justice dept do their work. Only then can we have an intelligent discussion on this matter.

Now that there is evidence showing Zimmerman was attacked by Martin and, therefore, was acting in self-defense, what are the idiots like Sharpton and Obama going to say? Will obama apologize to Zimmerman like he should?

What a surprise, Zimmerman tried and convicted in the court of public opinion before all the facts were out, a situation compounded by the usual parade of self-serving race-baiters like Al Sharpton.

Maybe you all should remember that Zimmerman is innocent until proven otherwise. That's the way our system works. Period. This latest information makes it sound as if perhaps he WAS defending himself. . .but then again, that's for a jury to decide, not a rabble of guttersnipes with only PART of the story.

Just curious...The photo that is always shown of Zimmerman wearing an orange shirt, was that taken by police after Trayvon was shot? Zimmerman does not look injured in that photo.

Zimmerman's friend Joe Oliver does not seem to know much about Zimmerman. He does not live in the same neighborhood as Zimmerman and he was not aware that Zimmerman had a gun. There are countless incidences of character witnesses who couldn't believe that their friend/family member was guilty, even when the evidence was overwhelming.

To whomever posted the supposed pic of Trayvon Martin flipping the bird, that is not The Trayvon Martin that was murdered. Try again. Do some fact checking before you post propaganda.

I believe Al "Racist" Sharpton and Jesse Jackson fanned the flames on this story before getting all the facts. Now because of their stupidity and the stupid people who listen to these fools there are racist t-shirts being produced & worn. Why doesn't the media cover this?

Now to read that the guy's mother has copyrighted part of her son's name is a disgrace. Making money off a dead son. It doesn't get sicker than this folks. Shameful.

Why should he? Zimmerman went against the 911 operators' orders and pursued Martin, instigating the incident. Stand your ground doesn't mean start a fight and then kill the person because you "feel threatened". Zimmerman is 100% at fault for the entire avoidable situation, if he didn't decide he wanted to play vigilante racist wanna-be cop Martin's brother would have his candy, his tea, and still have his brother alive.

So, let me get this straight. Zimmerman follows a young man that he has already told the 911 operator that he believes is leaving the area, and that the 911 operator tells him to stop following. We also know (for anyone who has bothered to watch MSNBC) the only way Zimmerman could have followed Trayvon wher Trayvon was found, was on foot, because there is not a road in that area. Trayvon has to see this man (who is not in uniform, and is therefore dressed just like him) and is somehow wrong for going after the guy? And are you people seriously believeing that Zimmerman was attacked for no reason, when you already know he was following a young man he did not know? Zimmerman confronted a young man he did not know. It does not become self defense when he gets the raw end of the deal in a one on one fight. I'm sorry. Zimmerman shot Trayvon because he was losing the fight, and for no other reason. That is not self defense, and I don't care how you slice it!

Yep...typical rush to judgement.

Sad that the POTUS would, again, comment on a social issue before knowing all the facts...remember the "beer summit" anyone?

There is zero evidence presented that Martin "attacked" anyone. The story, as told by Zimmerman, is that an armed Zimmerman got in his vehicle and tracked Martin. Any reasonable human would be prepared to DEFEND themselves against an armed stranger who is tracking them for no acceptable reason. One cannot INITIATE a conflict as Zimmerman did, in his own account, by tracking Martin after being instructed by the 911 operator to stay INSIDE his house where he was SAFE and then claim "self defense" when the true story is that Zimmerman was the aggressor and Martin was the endangered innocent. By Zimmerman's own accounting.

why haven't anybody address the fact that none of this would have happened if Zimmerman would have listen to the dispatcher....and not gotten out of the car!!!! he's a neighborhood watchman, key word "watch"...I've talked to many officers and they said the best thing would have been to just follow or "watch" him untill the police arrived.....BUT WE KNOW THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN!!.....so who's fault is this again?

If I am being chased, I am going to defend myself. 911 tapes prove that Zimmerman chased the young man. Secondly, Zimmerman is much bigger than Martin was, since when is shooting someone who is unarmed, whom you were just chasing, and is smaller and much younger considered self defense? 'People' didnt turn this to a racial issue, the f*king coons comment by Zimmerman on the 911 tape did!

travon got close enough to zimmerman to cause injury? My apologies folks but if an angry kid gets within 25ft of me while i possess a gun, i will hobble the kid. I don't see the need of deadly force here. Zimmerman will face consequences for his lack of judgement with a weapon. Of this i have no doubt. Whether or not blacks in general riot because of a not guilty verdict handed down by a jury is of no relevance. I don't care if we have a black president or not, blacks in general have no excuse for the haughty behavior they have been displaying. It's childish at base value. I blame parents everywhere for not teaching their children how to progress to adulthood, this of course by acknowledging that this economy pushes both parents to work schedules that inhibit this responsibility. Still some effort must be made. Senseless violence is a direct result of parents modeling violent behavior as ok. Further still the behavior being "ok" gets carried into a viral location in the public school system, already being stunted in financial resources by the local governments. As forrest says "that's all i got to say bout that!"

Robert Smith...

There is zero evidence presented that Martin "attacked" anyone...

hmmmmm....

One witness told police he saw Martin pounding Zimmerman on the ground. This witness was certain it was Zimmerman who was crying for help, the Sentinel reported.

or

When police arrived less than two minutes later, Zimmerman was bleeding from the nose, and he had a swollen lip and bloody lacerations to the back of his head

Nah, no evidence at all...

"It does not become self defense when he gets the raw end of the deal in a one on one fight"

Uh, yeah it does, for the person who was attacked. There's no law against following someone, until a restraining order is filed.

Type 2 thinking would keep many people from making emotional mistakes but as the fellow said, it is too much work for many people to use. I often ask questions in effort to cause people to consider the facts, seldom works. :)

As I suggested as being possible, when this event was first reported on msnbc, could fat zimmerman have caught fit martin or was it the other way around? Takes a lot of mental work to use your brain.

For all those who think that a prejudiced jury afraid of a riot is a must remember something jury trial is the right of the defendent. If a jury can not be convened unprejudiced there is an option of a bench trial. In that instance the judge tries the case based on the rule of law. The choice belongs to the defendent not the internet.

Duane it will not matter how much work the police, FBI and Justice does for this case. The majority of citizens out there (or so it seems) have already "convicted" Mr. zimmerman and will also convince themselves that any proof or witness material that becomes available, it will be a cover up or a lie. I myself have felt very sad about the situation from day one. Any time there is a shooting, killing or violent issue, it's a terrible circumstance no matter what the cause. It's terrible this young man is dead. But just because he was black, the issue has gotten out of hand for Mr. Zimmerman. I would think it will be fairly easy to acquire the school records or it will come out, that it is true that this young man had been suspended from school. Now 2 weeks ago, all I saw on the news was his picture of himself in his high school uniform and that he was an exceptional student etc. Now today the comments on this blog are saying, and his attorney is saying, that the fact that he has past issues with smoking pot, has nothing to do with this crime and that he became very physical and violent with Mr. Zimmerman. There is a reason, or probably several reasons why there has not been an arrest yet. I believe Mr. Zimmerman is going to be more of the victim here before this is over with, because he is white?

It is no longer possible for the man to get a fair trial. That is how protesters work. They ignore facts, nor wait to hear what really happened. They just start screaming.

Trademarking the kids name? What an attention seeking bit of trash the mom is.

1. Zimmerman was responsible for the fact that there was a loaded gun at the scene of the altercation with Martin.

2. Zimmerman got out of his vehicle creating the situation where control of the gun could be compromised.

3. Zimmerman in some way, regardless of how, provoked the attack by Martin, even if it was simply his presence.

4. Zimmerman had no right to approach Martin in the first place and had been told to be the 911 operator to stop following him, well before he left the safety of his vehicle.

5. There would be no discussion of guilt if Zimmerman had respected the rights of Martin in the first place.

6. Police have to have 'probable cause', Zimmerman did not even have that, he created the situation that resulted in the death, end of story.

Truly amazing. After a whole month, the Sanford police broke the case wide open with Zimmerman said he was attacked by Martin. Why a month? So the night of the shooting did Zimmerman say it was self defense, the police said OK, let's go home, and that was it ?

Trayvon's parants need to get over this bad thing, but, it certainly isn't good to be the center of attention because their precious boy never did a wrong thing in his life. Its just a bunch of wild accusations from people with a grudge and the media is fueling the feeding frenzy. Particularly HLN and their rag tabloid sensationalism and their out of their minds reporters!

the mother copywriting her own son's name? And why doesn't the media (HLN) cover this bomb shell tonight news??? There simply is no rating for them by sticking to the facts and telling the truth!

Well bored, she's "movin' on up", isn't she and he was a juvenal? She gonna' get in that 1%, maybe even become a republican. Who says crime don't pay?

By the way, voice analysts can discover who was calling for help?

All of you are a prime example of exactly why this country is in BIG trouble. Rather than wait for the facts to be released following investigations by various law enforcement departments, you jump to conclusions based solely on statements filtered and published by a media whose only goal is to sell papers and magazines or get as many clicks as possible on-line. None of you were there. None of you know exactly what happened. You aren't qualified by any stretch of the imagination to pass judgement on anyone.

This is the same way you vote. Rather than researching the facts and forming your own opinions base on facts, you select the candidates for whom you vote based solely on statements published by the media created to produce sensational headlines, regardless of accuracy, that are intended to sell a product.

You should be ashamed of yourselves for allowing the media to think for you and for being so ignorant as to believe anything they publish.

gillanator

Truly amazing. After a whole month, the Sanford police broke the case wide open with Zimmerman said he was attacked by Martin. Why a month? So the night of the shooting did Zimmerman say it was self defense, the police said OK, let's go home, and that was it ?

Why don't you go read and decide for yourself:

http://www.sanfordfl.gov/investigation/docs/Twin%20Lakes%20Shooting%20Initial%20Report.pdf

Plenty of other unbiased official items there too:

http://sanfordfl.gov/investigation/trayvon_martin.html

#1 Zimmerman was told to stop following this young man. At the point he bacame the aggressor.

#2 A 17 year old walking home with some huge creapy stalker type following him he may very well have hit him and rightfully so.

#3 Neighborhood watch people do not carry guns and he has disgraced all the good neighborhood watchers out there. Everyone will be afraid of them now.

#4 Nobody should have to be worried about what type clothing they are wearing. It use to be a free country.

So, let me get this straight, a young kid, armed with a bag of Skittles and a can of ice tea, get's stalked and confronted by a white guy with a gun, and the kid fights (as everyone has told him to do if he is accosted by a stranger) and the white guy shots him...so that makes it all okay (by the way, he was a "neighborhood watch" of one).

What do we know yet? Probably not much.

Zimmerman had a legal right to carry a concealed weapon. This has nothing to do with his position as community watch person. We can argue the merits of concealing a weapon.

The 12 pic of Martin has been used by the media to incite racial tension. He was 17 and was not a little boy as implied by the WH and media.

The 911 operator told Zimmerman to not follow. It is now being reported he want back to his truck and was attacked by Martin from the rear. Truth? We don't know yet.

It seems that injuries to Zimmerman indicate he was struggling with Martin at some point and Martin was not a little boy as the media likes to suggest.

The trademark issue is strange. If I lost my son the very last thing I am going to worry about is making some money off my son's name and thus death. Perhaps bad advice, or by lawyers wanted to make some money in the future off this terrible event.

The reason for the suspension is relevant in that we need to know more about Martin. So was he high on drugs that evening making a bad judgement to tangle with Zimmerman? Did he know about the gun? What is Martin had wrestled the gun away from Zimmerman and shot him? This is why having guns on the scene usually results in the gun being fired. The gun may have been used by Zimmerman for fear of having the gun used on him first.

Zimmerman is a Hispanic, not a white Hispanic as the media is reporting now. This would be like calling Obama a white black man. Ridiculous. Halle B has a daughter that is 1/4 black, but would consider her daughter black even though her daddy is white and Halle's mother is white. Really, this is getting silly and frankly stupid.

How about we just let those in charge get to the bottom of the event before convicting anybody. Jeb was out of line to comment on this issue not knowing the facts either. Why do politicians do such things so early in an investigation?

The media and MSNBC is to blame for the report of the attack by Trayvon Martin not coming out for a month. Martin's attack on George Zimmerman has been available since day one. That is why the police did not arrest Zimmerman that night.

No...it makes better news and sells more papers to play Martin up as a nice, respectable, slight teenager shot by a big, rough looking adult.

Trayvon's parents--particularly his mother--are showing their true colors now by getting a patent on their late son's name. Shame on them.

Trayvon Martin has already got his justice--DEAD. That is what happens when you pick a fight with a man who could be armed. No one wil ever know for sure what was in Martin's head, but I would suggest that Martin did not know Zimmerman was armed. Had Trayvon thought about the fact that Zimmerman could be armed, Martin would never have punched Zimmerman.

Let this serve as an example to all who would go to throwing punches...the other person could have a gun and you will get shot for your trouble of punching someone else.

If Trayvon was pounding on Zimmerman when he shot, how come Zimmerman wasn't covered in Trayvon's blood? If he shot after Trayvon stopped beating him and was in the middle of fleeing, stand your ground might not be so relevant.

Being followed is not an acceptable reason to attack someone. Being attacked is.

What do you have to say now?

VERY good lolfatty..... I also want to know why Zimmerman was not covered in blood! If he shot Trayvon while Trayvon was on top, punching him, there would be blood ALL over Zimmerman. AND, if Zimmerman was under Trayvon when he shot him, Why was he then able to get out from under him without flipping him over?

The only thing we have is Zimmerman's account of what truly happened.

IWonder-932455 - If you're going to act superior, use spell check. It's juvenile.

Hold on just a second!!

Fulton is seeking marks for the phrases "I Am Trayvon" and "Justice for Trayvon," according to filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In both instances, Fulton is seeking the trademarks for use on "Digital materials, namely, CDs and DVDs featuring Trayvon Martin," and other products

I am devastated, but not so much that I will miss an opportunity to get rich from it!!!???

What the Heck is that?????

Why should we believe anything from this police department?

I hate this article, it's eating up the profits I'd like to make selling "Justice for Trayvon" t-shirts!!

lets just say a man is following your wife on a dark rainy night... he catches up with her and grabs her arm and she hits and kicks him... and then he shoots her. Who is at fault?

You people do realize there are appropriate reasons for his parents to protect his name other than financial. Let's see what happens first. There are an abundance of right wing nut-jobs who would seek to do the same in order to slander the deceased in the court of public opinion. Remember Bush and Cheney slandering John Kerry? You know the guy who actually risked his life for the country.

Same paradigm going on here I'll bet which is why the parents were advised to do it.

Voter-in-LA

I have read most of the stuff on the Sanford site. That is where I got this from the Neighborhood Watch Manual. Which tells me that Zimmerman was never supposed to leave his vehicle.

Remember always that your responsibility is to report crime. Do not take any risks to prevent a crime or try to make an arrest. The responsibility for Apprehending criminals belongs to the police department.

What is weird is that looking at the Police report from the link you posted

http://www.sanfordfl.gov/investigation/docs/Twin%20Lakes%20Shooting%20Initial%20Report.pdf

It was filled out by officer Ayala, and he reports that the reported time, the dispatched time, and his arrival time was exactly the same time, at 7:17 PM. Since this wasn't a routine traffic stop I would think that accurate reporting would be important. And from the report I don't see anything that stated that Martin had attacked Zimmerman. From everything that is available it appears that Zimmerman was the aggressor. Maybe he started something with Martin and got his ass kicked and then shot Martin. But in the report you linked Ayala states at no point did he question Zimmerman. So did anyone question Zimmerman ?

black on white violence by far outnumbers white on black violence

Not pertinent. Doesn't matter whether it's true or not.

The only GOOD thing that MIGHT come out of all of this are lessons on how to avoid such a tragedy in the future.

A kid walking home at night should not die for crimes committed by some other person or persons at some other time or times.

Neighborhood watch volunteers should not be armed. They should probably not confront people who may or may not be 'suspicious' or new to the neighborhood. If they do confront someone, they should at least be polite about it.

Walking in the rain might be unusual, but it is certainly not 'suspicious activity' in and of itself.

If you're a teenager and a neighborhood watch volunteer asks why you're walking through the neighborhood, it might be wise to resist any urges and politely point out that you live there.

Then again, the odds that anybody will learn anything useful from this are not all that good. It just looks like a horrible, easily avoidable, tragedy.

Other witnesse3s have said other things. Hard to believe that slight young man could knock down that fat pig and put him in fear of his life..

I bet the kid knew who the guy was.. The neighborhood watch was not a new thing.. This guy had been doing this for a long time.. If he was 7 yards from his door why did he not go home?? It also appears junior showed aggression instead of simply identifying himself and defusing the situation.. Some will say the neighborhood watch guy was to suspicious but that's what makes them good at it.. Some might say the kids rights were violated because the he was followed.. Sorry but no law against following just stalking and that is defined as repeated instances that include threats or lurid acts.. So what it boils down to is who attacked who first..

@ what_the_81

As it would appear justice has already been served. The outcome is sad but if you attack someone who is armed with a gun you just may not live to attack again. People like you make me puke. Just the thought of profiting from a tragedy like this lables you as the worst form of bottom feeder on earth. I hope you don't reproduce.

@ Noelle

...Trayvon was within 7 yards of his door when Zimmerman shot him to death. Facts are facts!

Then why was Trayvon entered into the system as a 'John Doe'? His father reported him as missing the next morning. He wasn't home? Didn't know of the shooting? Didn't expect Trayvon home that night? If Trayvon was that close to home...why didn't he just go inside?

Don't get me wrong...I am not defending the actions of Zimmerman. I am also not presuming that Trayvon was completely innocent and minding his own business. There are still too many questions unanswered. It would be great if ALL of the facts were presented before everyone jumped to their favorite conclusion.

Mom looking to trademark her son's name seems macabre.

http://www.examiner.com/unsolved-cases-in-national/trayvon-martin-morgue-3-days-as-john-doe-after-mom-reported-him-missing

As it would appear justice has already been served. The outcome is sad but if you attack someone who is armed with a gun you just may not live to attack again. People like you make me puke. Just the thought of profiting from a tragedy like this lables you as the worst form of bottom feeder on earth. I hope you don't reproduce.

Another more pertinent lesson? If you can't defend yourself without a gun you probably shouldn't be trying to stop everyone that looks suspicious, because they might take it the wrong way and attack you.

According to this article, there is no eye witness who saw Trayvon follow Zimmerman back to his vehicle.

There is no proof he didnt also, which means this is what happened in a court of law, until the prosecutor proves otherwise. This isnt a 3rd world country, where a suspect as to prove his innocence after all but it seems our president wants it to be..

@cms5

Mom looking to trademark her son's name seems macabre.

Not really, when you think all of the good the money raised could do to help others in her and her family's situation.....

Picture something like this... "The Trayvon Martin nonprofit fund for victims of violence and their families"

Macabre??

First of all we do not know anything but what the "media" wants us to hear and see.

This Trayvon is NOT the "Angel" as they claim. I saw one picture of him in a hooded sweat shirt standing angry faced in front of gang symbols. That is NO ANGEL to me, it's a typical militant black male.

As long as the "media" & the Government encourages races seperation and race relations we will have continued problems.

BTW: Before "you" say I am a racist white person, I am not white. I've faced racism since I was in first grade. That was over 35 years ago now. I was called a @!$%# by a white student. I live in a northern state, I had no idea what that was, I had to ask.

I don't know, Unbelievable-895817...one would think that money could be raised without the need of a trademark.

Azlan Lewis

Since Zimmerman was detained briefly, interrogated and let go, wonder where that "County Orange" jump suit came from in the picture so widely seen??

See how that works both ways??

Trademarking the kids name? What an attention seeking bit of trash the mom is.

OR... perhaps the mother is just trying to gain control of the situation now, to protect her son's name from being exploited by others.

If I were in her position, I would do whatever I could to block any and all efforts to exploit my loved one's name and likeness... even if those efforts exposed me to the judgement of those who are totally ignorant about copyright laws and the like.

@ Unbelievable

You sound like a racist pig.

If he had tried to defuse the situation he would still be alive today period. If you think just because you are a person (and I use that word with reservation) of color, that all bad things to happen to people of color are spurred by the racism that you yourself posses, then this world will never be freed from the hatred that is in you and others like you.

It's not Zimmerman that was the Racist, the people that try to defend his actions are the Racist, he was wrong from the moment he approached Trayvon but these Racist can't get this through their numb skulls, this would never have happened if he did not approach Trayvon, that is the point, how can someone that caused it walk away free .... The problem is that Stand Your Ground law it should be abolished ....

First of all that grown man shouldn't have been following that little kid in the first place.Obviously when he left to follow trayvon with that gun he had a plan,and he carried out that plan.I know for a fact that zimmerman provoked that kid so he could use his weapon.you mean to tell me that over grown 250lbs man felt threatend by that boney kid give me a break.He shoved that little kid to provoke him so he could justify killing that kid.And if the dont give that family justice they should take riot and anything that gives them justice.It was someone calling for help and i would bet anything it was trayvon.Zimmerman deserves the death penalty for killing that little boy.And shame on that police department, They need to replace every one in that department.

trust_verify; his name is Trayvon not Travis

YES!! Finally the truth came out and it hurts doesnt it! Justice will prevail! Take that "Black Panthers!!!!!

@TXhorseman and others regarding trademarking Trevon's name. Trevon's mother did that to keep OTHERS from getting rich off his name (selling T shirts, etc.) or using his name without her permission. It also happened with "Patrick the Miracle Dog" when people started selling T shirts and started up "causes" while asking for "donations" for Patrick's vet bills, which were fraudulent. These days media moves very quickly and scams are created almost instantly. The trademarking is to protect against the FRAUDULENT use of Trevon's name, without the family's knowledge or consent.

PDRWLSN,

I am going to respond to that like I did in another post on a different subject:

My point is, If there is no reason for us to feel we have to do things differently, there is no need to "self-protect" no need to "segregate ourselves" Unfortunately it is not us who can change that scenario. Want to get rid of the NAACP, CBC and all other "racist organizations" make yourself and those like you, give us no cause, no reason to have them. Force us to join by treating us as equal citizens. Only those enforcing the stereotypes have the ability to do that, not the disenfranchised.

If my response makes me racist, so be it. I would ask you to join in with the rest of us trying to make The USA a better, less divisive place. I will pray for you on Sunday....Bless your heart....

Yashmak-

Yes, it should be for a jury to decide. That's the point; he should at least FACE a jury, and have to assert his "stand your ground" defense in court. If that was the way things had gone from the beginning, this would not have been a national story.

Since I am not your master and there has been no slavery in the U.S. for a very long time your comment is quite ignorant.. In fact you seem to be quit raciest and I bet you see white bigots under every rock.. There is a difference between being friendly/neighborly and having a racial quasi police state.. Maybe where you live people are all antisocial but where I live people still wave and say hello.. And all I was suggesting was if he had done the neighborly thing instead of the preprogrammed hate he had towards others he would most likely be alive.. I feel sad for you that you have been preprogrammed to see things through the racial filter provided by leaders like Sharpton and Jackson who only hang onto power as long as they can keep you angry at whitey.. So regardless of the facts you have prejudged.. Since our President seems to have done the same the verdict has been handed down before the trial.. And yes this $itch is profiteering off her child's death, how low can we go??

I hate to see any young person dead. I would like to see the facts, all the facts. Like the Pic on this page of the young man. Is that what this kid looked like the night of the shooting. That makes a difference. It makes a difference what kind of a kid he was. We don't know this. Maybe Zimmerman made some mistake, I am sure he did. But these people felt the need to have a watch in their community. They didn't feel that the Police were doing there job, so they were looking out for each other. When I was in my mid 20 we had to do the same thing where I lived. These kids were waiting for parents to leave for work in the morning and then break in. Well when they found a young girl still sleeping one morning and tied her up, well that was it. We took matters into our hands. We found the little bastards 2 nights later in someones home at 5:30 am. We held them there until the cops got there some 45 min. later. Once we stood up to these thugs the problems stopped. One of the kids lived in the Sub. His mother stood up and said we were wrong to hold the kids until the cops got there and her kid didn't do anything wrong. I guess we took the kids and put them in someones home. White, Black, Red or yellow. For all I have learned, for now I stand With Zimmerman. Although I feel bad for the young man's death.

@Rick

The people defending Zimm are not all using race as a factor. I do agree that many do use race as a factor, but there are many afro- americans that defend his actions also. The FACT is there wouldn't be any issue of race at all had Trayvons parents and followers not started the race game to begin with.

Take that "Black Panthers!!!!!

You OK?

The truth according to whom?

This police department has already turned a blind eye to a homeless man being attacked. Now it appears since they did a crap initial investigation, they are going to let this one slide as well.

If it was Zimmerman crying, why did the crying stop the instant you heard the shot? People can not stop crying for fear of their life on cue.

None of us know what really happened and most likely never will. One person is no longer alive to tell their side, so now all we will ever have is half the story. Too many questions with not nearly enough answers.

Yes, race was a factor. Zimmerman racially profiled this kid. There were previous break ins with African Americans listed as the suspects. Not to mention he called this kid a coon. He didn't even bother to look past the color of his skin. You don't have to be a racist to profile. Just ignorant.

People should get all the facts, before they make a knee jerk reaction according to what National Media says.

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Trayvon Martin decked George Zimmerman with one punch and then repeatedly slammed his head into the sidewalk, according to a newly released version of the events that led up to the 17-year-old’s death.

The neighborhood watch captain was left “bloody and battered,” according to the version Zimmerman told investigators. Witnesses have corroborated his version, authorities told The Orlando Sentinel. And ABC News reports that Zimmerman told police that Martin knocked him down and attempted to take his gun.

@ Unbelievable

Don't bother praying for me because there is no such thing as GOD.

If there were a god, with the foul mouth and racial prejudice that occupies your mind, no amount of praying is going to help you.

Suppose two gang members got into a fight. One was losing the fight, pulled out a gun and shot the other. Now, how is this different? Zimmerman was following Trayvon. Let's suppose his story is even correct that he turned around, Trayvon decked him and they were fighting. He did shoot Trayvon. That at the least deserves some investigation.

The problem I have had with this case from the first time I heard it was that the public had tried and convicted this man in public chat rooms and blogs and now are calling for a conviction without ever hearing the facts behind the case.

For you that do not think a slight 17 could attack a larger man, I have known over the years some men of slight build and they would willingly take anyone on. So before you start judging look into the facts.

With the race card thrown out, I have stated for the past three years the problem we have today is that with people calling people racist because they do not agree with a certain political view they did not realize that by so doing they have set back racial equality by 50 years. Today we hear so many people called a racist that sadly it has lost the stigma it used to carry. I personally as a person of Hebrew linage find this fact sad and disturbing. It kind of reminds me of the story of the boy that cried wolf.

I will end this with the hope that prosecutors do not get swayed by public opinion, but will rather stand their ground and give both the victim and the attacker (who ever was who) their due justice, rather then railroad a person just to keep the public happy. In the end both a innocent person will pay, and if he imprisoned falsely then the state will have to pay too to compensate him for false imprisonment.

So before we judge, lets let the facts play out and then we might be presented with a account that is totally different then what we are hearing today.

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Trayvon Martin decked George Zimmerman with one punch and then repeatedly slammed his head into the sidewalk, according to a newly released version of the events that led up to the 17-year-old’s death.

The neighborhood watch captain was left “bloody and battered,” according to the version Zimmerman told investigators. Witnesses have corroborated his version, authorities told The Orlando Sentinel. And ABC News reports that Zimmerman told police that Martin knocked him down and attempted to take his gun.

That sounds like a load of BS. If Zimmerman's head was repeatedly slammed into the sidewalk his injuries would have been a lot more severe than stated in the police report.

Hey Unbelievable895817;

Why are you still talking about White folks and what you have to remember when your around them? Zimmerman is Hispanic,(of Spanish decent) not white. Ask one and see for yourself, They even have their own little box in the diversity section of a job application. Read one those lately. What is it about this that you can't comprehend? Whitey this, Whitey that, whitey, whitey whitey. If I used black and put an ie on the end of it your folks would flip out. So how is Whitey any different.

Why is the 13 year old white kid, that was doused with gasoline and set of fire in Kansas City, MO March 5, 2012, by two black guys not national news? Why is the black community silent on this hate crime? I suppose that is alright with you then? It goes both ways. Why is it, statistically, the majority of black folks are killed by other black folks, why aren't the "New" black panthers marching and calling for the death of all blacks folks about that? As they have done in this case. Why are there no calls for all the black shooters to be strung up? Why aren't YOU outraged at this? Why so upset about a HISPANIC,not white guy, shooting this kid, when hundreds of blacks die every year are the hands of their own folks?

Try looking at the with open eyes, instead of viewing it through the hate tinted glasses you have on.

Good lord. This is disgusting. Some of you are lying, speculating, spewing hate and racist remarks, making up stuff, looking for the least little thing you can find to boost your racist feelings, posting photos of someone who isn't even the correct Trayvon Martin. (I almost - almost - lol'd seeing a photo of a middle school kid posing like a gangsta, and people getting all bent out of shape. Jeez, my little granddaughter's schoolmates pose like that in the middle of white MT.)

It seems that these comments should be shut down when things get so out of control. It's like a lynch mob.

If some whack job came after me in a truck with a gun, you can bet I'd try to clean his clock too. I sure hope Zimmeran had some injuries--he deserves far worse. Whether race was a motivating factor or not, this flabby, wanna-be vigilante pig is a child-murderer. He had NO excuse to tail someone who was just walking down the street.

Now, what if it turns out that he has been the one burglarizing the neighborhood? They could check fingerprints or dna? Do you suppose they have?