I live 4 miles from Sanford and some years ago I heard an interview of a local author on the radio and he was asked how he'd describe Florida. He said, I'm paraphrasing, "It's as if someone took the US and tilted it down towards Florida and all the sludge and dirt from the rest of the country poured in here."

What he was trying to say is that you have people moving here, many after their retirement, who don't really have any stakes in the well being of the state. They don't seem to care to do their part in the betterment of the state.

Look at who they voted for governor, a freaking felon. I can't wait to move the hell out of here!

Amazing how everyone even remotely involved seems to have an agenda. Even the lead cop, who should know better, is expressing an extreme bias, doubtless which will be brought up by the defense attorney, should it go that far....

Ah, let us continue to speculate. Interesting that it was on Sharpton's tv program (probably the best ratings the show has seen in awhile) that the witness stated that a cop told her what he thought. Generally cops don't tell witnesses squat, that would be a bit of a problem if a case ever went to court and the witness stated that the police investigator mentioned that in his opinion a defendant was guilty. Good grounds for a dismissal. Perhaps that is why the prosecutor didn't want to take it to court?

the movie "neighborhood watch" is coming out, if u were making movie, would u not find a similar cause online and promote? People will go to the movie and eat Skittles.

Sounds like Marketing 501 to me.

The original lead investigator attending the scene the night of the shooting signed an affidavit declaring that he did not believe Zimmerman's account and that Zimmerman should be charged with manslaughter.

That opinion was overridden by the then presiding DA who has since been replaced by a Florida State attorney because he assumed there was not enough evidence to prosecute even though no evidence was available because no real investigation had taken place and no evidence had been gathered.

That is circular reasoning and untenable in terms of appropriate any reasonable professional investigation technique.

The fact that the Sanford police dept has a history of allegations of cover up and the fact that Zimmerman's father is a retired Supreme Court magistrate and his mother worked for the court system as a clerk and that Central Florida is famous for good ol buy justice in general demands investigation and oversight by outside agencies.

All over other media outlets is surveillance footage from the night of the shooting that show no blood on Zimmerman's shirt. I happened to see it on CNN. Also, in the footage I saw, Zimmerman's weight was not as high as initially claimed. He looked 180-190 tops.

@Sean

Thanks for the link to the clip.

Incredible - not a mark on him. My, my!

Yea come on that boy weighed a 100 pounds soak and wet, your saying he beat up that big mexican? I can't help but wonder what would of happened to the shooter if he was black and shot a mex or white boy.

Just watched the arrest vid.

Zimmerman is a flat out liar about his supposed injuries. There is no way you get a broken nose, show no facial swelling and zero blood on your shirt. The supposed wound from head bashing on the ground if there at all is so tiny as to be nearly invisible and again there is no blood on the back of his clothing. Head wounds are notorious for causing copious bleeding. This guy is total BS and he's definitely not some pudgy lardo as his supporters would have us believe who was overwhelmed by a skinny 17 yr old either.

And here I was, all set to remark about how this kind of investigative incompetence usually only happens in Colorado. Sounds as if they didn't do anything in the near realm of what could be called police work. I mean seriously--they don't even take the guy down to the station to make a formal statement? They don't knock on doors and ask if anybody saw or heard anything? A person is dead, and they don't make anymore effort than they would've made for a fender bender.

Zimmerman is a flat out liar about his supposed injuries. There is no way you get a broken nose, show no facial swelling and zero blood on your shirt.

Having had my nose broken before in an accident, I'm inclined to think that blood should have been gushing out of his nose. If he was injured at all it's just not apparent from the video we have.

Why is it there are no pictures or video of George Zimmerman's wounds? It is SOP to document any and all wounds on the victim and the aggressor through pictures or video. Especially in the case of someone claiming battery. Granted the police may have such documentation and are keeping mum about it. But since no one on either side of this case has said a single word about documentation existing I have a feeling it doesn't.

I watched the video of Zimmerman's brief detention by the police and saw no evidence of a dangerous and life threatening altercation. No torn clothes and no blood on his clothes. He also did not appear disheveled. If he suffered a broken nose where are his black eyes? Additionally when a nose gets boken there is blood all over the front of the body as well as the scene itself, hence the black eyes. According to this video Zimmerman is a liar and a murderer.

I heard the story about what the officer said to this witnesses mom when this story first broke 2 wks? ago. read it in some mainstream place online.

So this is not at all new. At that time, the witness's mom speculated that the officer was trying to make them comfortable (playing "good cop") in saying he didn't believe the self defense story. Didn' hear the other part at that time though.

SO, she isn't making up new news...she did tell about this when the story became national.

I think the cop said he wanted to prove it wasn't self-defense because the idiotic "Stand Your Ground" law seems to have a presumption of self-defense written into it. All that nutjob Zimmerman had to say was that he was afraid, and it was okay to shoot Trayvon.

If Zimmerman isn't arrested and convicted, it's pretty likely he'll be sentenced to "street justice". The Black Panthers have put a $10k bounty on his head. Imagine that'll go up if he gets off in court.

This could end up the Florida version of Rodney King.

"Advocates of Zimmerman" ?? You mean "Unashamed Racists" ??

I had a broken nose once and there was not one drop of blood, to my surprise. No black eyes, no blood: just a visibly crooked nose.

I think Zimmerman had been looking for trouble (as opposed to keeping an eye on the neighborhood) and I hope he rots in jail for what he did, but all broken noses do not bleed.

I had a broken nose once and there was not one drop of blood, to my surprise. No black eyes, no blood: just a visibly crooked nose.

I think Zimmerman had been looking for trouble (as opposed to keeping an eye on the neighborhood) and I hope he rots in jail for what he did, but all broken noses do not bleed.

Maybe they don't all bleed, but gunshot wounds certainly do. If Martin really was on top of Zimmerman when he fired how come Zimmerman's shirt is nearly pristine?

Right you are, lolfattynerdswhoknew, and I hope just such discrepancies in his story help to put that thug in jail. In fact, while I'm hoping, I'll add this: I hope young Trayvon did get in a nose-breaking punch. But I doubt it.

My nose was broken 6 times in various ways. Being punched, falling face first after slipping on ice, playing sports, etc. Never once did I bleed, nor did I have a black eye. There are people that you can tap, and they will bleed. Normal people with normal tissue strength don't bleed that easily.

Look at the video again. It's not high definition, so you have to look closely. At 1:07 you can clearly see a cut of about 2 inches on his head.

I've punched people before and never bled. He was cleaned up before he went to the precinct. It clearly states the video was from between the night of the incident and the next day. Why would he have the same clothes the next day? You know who the racists are? The Trayvon supporters. You deal in assumptions. I deal in reality. Most of you never leave your house and listen to what the media tells you. I've been in situations like having my nose proken and speak form experience. Most of you don't.

Sean-336944

Few 17 year-olds weigh 100 lbs, but relative size doesn't matter. Otherwise, point taken.

Excuse me but unless you're an expert fighter, relative size does matter. In fact why do you think they have wt divisions in boxing or wrestling cause size matters.

Cops do not tell witnesses parents what this woman is claiming. It's totally against everythingthey are trained to do. IF this officer really said those things he's going to be in a whole hell of a lot of trouble and it'll be one more reason why Zimmerman will not see any prison time. The defense attorney ae going to print out hundreds of pages of these judge, jury, and executioner posts as proof that there is no wa in hell this man will ever get any sembelence of a fair trial. All you kangaroo court arm chairs judges, biggots. racists and don right liars will be the reason why. IF most of you truly wanted ustice for trayvon you would've kept your fat traps shut. I can't beleive some of the hateful slime you alledged adults are spewing out on these pages. Do you people let your children see the pure hatred for somebody you don't know, and never witnessed this alledged crime you so want to see him guilty of? Do you want your kids to grow up believing that justice is wat the media tells you it is and the courts be damned? Maybe some of your kids partcipated in mobbing the Walgreens store and causing property damage and instilling fear into the shoppers and staff in the store?? How many of you would've run as fast as you could to the WRONG address tweeted by Spike Lee and harmed or killed these innocent elderly peope??? Some of you are disgusting enough to damn and convct Zimmermans step father as a racisit liar based on the fact that some judges are corupt? This is what you want your children to see as responsible adult behavior??? Some POS start this BS hoodie crap and all you idiots jump right on that band wagon. That takes so much intellgence!!! IF an elected official shows up in his official capcity in DC wth dark glasses and a hoodie and makes a complete ass of himself you applaude it????? The black panthers put a hit out on this man and it's okey dokey with you twisted individuals??? I could go on and on about the ridiculessness of you ignorant, biased haters. God help the chidren you POS's are in charge of raising into adults that can think for temselves instead of being brainwashed by the media and thinking your just so intelligent for the BS things your saying. You must have no lives if all you have to do is talk a bunch of smack an try to get this county into a racial war.TEll me this kid is an athlete and a football player and only weighs a 100lbs.My 17 year old is shorter and smaller and weighs 165lbs. I guess morons use any excuse to show the world what morons they are.

I just saw the police video of Zimmerman's "arrest" on ABC. If he was beaten, he sure in the hell got cleaned up well by the SFD. Broken nose and battered head? Not. Pictures don't lie, but GZ does. Let justice for Trayvon prevail!

There is some evidence that he had injuries.

!. The video is a best grainy. I do see some marks on his head.

2. The Police noted his bleeding.

3. The SFD rendered aid

4. The Police never said his nose was broken. But they did state it was bleeding on scene.

Why does this prove that he was not injured?

In reply to CRinCali,

The original police report said first aid was administered at the scene.

I saw that video to. As far as I can tell he didnt look like someone who had been beaten the way he claims. True the video was not close up but even still you can see enough to know his wounds if any were not as serious as his attorney is claiming they were. I didnt even see any stains on his shirt and I am not sure because I have never had a broken nose but I would think there would be some spots of blood on his shirt if indeed it was broken.

The point is that Zimmerman is allowed to use deadly self defense before he is severely injured, He is not required to wait untill it is too late.

Yes, and everyone is saying his "head was bashed in", and he had a "broken nose" as proof he was attacked. Get your stories straight, please. He looks perfectly fine to me except the clueless look on his face. Is he drunk?

Sure, why wait for facts? Why not lynch Zimmerman now? Yeah, kill.. kill.. kill. Thats the mindset Bayllie.

Ballie - in most states you are only supposed to use only what force is necessary to fend off someone. Breaking someones nose and bouncing their head off the pavement like a basket ball probably would be considered excessive. Force to the back of the head would probably be considered life threatening.

CRinCali

Read the report.

No official account states his head was bashed in.

This is from media and other people. It only states officially that he was injured and bleeding from nose and head. If you allow it to go further than the reports then you can imagine anything you want but have no real facts to base it on....Then your opinion is basically a waste of air as everyone has an opinion but few are based in facts available..

If it wasn't for Trayvon's parents suing the SPD for the 911 tapes, this whole thing would have been swept under the rug. That Jeff, is a FACT!!

X321, I read the report and I concur. It's all the yahoo's here like DK Akron still peddling that baloney about his head being bashed in without looking or reading the facts that have me in a tizzy. GZ looks dazed at the police station but other than that he looks good.

CRinCali

I think he "looks good" is completely based on peoples expectations. If you think his head is "bashed in" will look different say if you are looking only for bleeding.

In the end we tend to see what we want to believe. The facts are coming out slowly and I think we need to just stay steady to get the facts as we can. Try not to listen to all the emotions that are putting in "inflammatory words" in support of either side at this point.

Prayers for all involved here.

Well. you're correct, the video does not in any way support the claims about him having been attacked and injured. If anything it appears to contradict that. There is just too much that seems fishy about this story. I haven't seen statements from the medics who arrived on the scene. That would be interesting. Too many things wrong about this and clearly the police didn't handle this well at all. As more info comes out, it sounds like some police officers wanted to do this properly while it appears others may have been engaged in efforts to sweep it under the rug. This article stating that the eyewitness wasn't even interviewed until days later is simply inexcusable.

I suspect that Zimmerman simply screwed up and he knows it and very likely the police know it too. The trouble is that his screw up killed a young man. We may never know exactly what happened here but I think we know that it shouldn't have happened. At a minimum, some charges should have been filed against Zimmerman even if later they were dropped because of a lack of evidence.

I believe that some may be blowing Zimmerman's role here somewhat out of proportion and it's unlikely he was hunting down Martin. He may very well have been motivated by some racial stereotyping and maybe even hatred and prejudice. We don't really know. But he clearly went too far from being a suspicious resident. Zimmerman put himself in this position after he was told not to and took action which wasn't very smart either. Had Martin actually been a criminal and was armed, he very easily could have shot and killed Zimmerman before he even knew what happened. Simply a dumb move on his part to exit his vehicle and follow Martin. That move could have easily cost him his life but instead it cost the life of an innocent young man.

hs321

Zimmerman does not look like he's in very good physical condition. I'm thinking any healthy 17 year-old could easily outrun him.

I'm a woman and I have gotten in the face of someone who could beat the crap out of me. So the smart thing for me would be to not get involved. But when someone harrasses you, at some point you fight back. Instead of running, you confront him.If I sand up for myself, I deserve to be shot because that is exactly what you are saying!

Again, at what point is it ok for anyone to follow someone when that someone did not do anything wrong??? Had Zimmerman minded his own damn business or listened to the dispatcher, this would have never happened.

Zimmerman caused this - he targeted the kid (whether it was because he was black, white or green or wearing a hoodie) for no reason.

What country do we live in: USA or Russia?

People are forgetting the phone call when Trayvon's girlfriend advises him to run, and he says, "I'm not going to run (because black parents teach their children not to run as it then gives whoever an excuse to shoot you dead on the premise that you were running away), I'm just going to walk fast". That would give fat Zim a good chance to catch up to him, and initiate the encounter.

There not any bruises on Zimmerman on that video. He walked in there, for crying out loud, for someone who supposedly had his head slammed, REPEATEDLY, against the ground.

His shirt is clean. He doesn't even look like he was in a fight. He had a jacket on. People's clothes get torn and ripped in serious fights, definitely come out of jackets.

The camera was on the front of his head and the back - nothing stands out. If his nose was broken or bruised, that would show; nothing stands out. He didn't walk as if he felt any pain.

More than that, there were two police reports. On the first one, nothing about injuries was mentioned. On the second report, they inserted "injuries." By that report, it must have been decided they were releasing him and citing "self-defense."

This video explains why the police didn't take pictures of his "injuries."

This is what I'm wondering, though. Who shot the footage of this clip, and WHY?

If your nose is broken in a fight it usually bleeds excessively, if your head is bashed against concrete repeatably, you can't walk, can't talk, and especially if, from CRinCali, "I just saw the police video of Zimmerman's "arrest" on ABC. If he was beaten, he sure in the hell got cleaned up well by the SFD. Broken nose and battered head? Not. Pictures don't lie, but GZ does. Let justice for Trayvon prevail!"

Tortcots, it was a surveillance video from on a building.

Bayllie...you can get in some one's face and stand up for yourself right up to the point you start punching the person in the nose. If you physically assault someone and you end up on the losing end of the stick, whose fault is it? Reverse the roles. Would you feel justified defending yourself if someone hit you hard enough to knock you to the ground? Or, should you just lay there and take it?

I played basketball for 30 years. No good on offense but, not having white-man's disease, crashed the boards with a vengeance. Consequently, I've had my nose busted by elbows and forearms several times, including two broken noses that required surgery to repair. Most of the time my nose bleed profusely, but on some of the hardest shots I took, to my surprise, my nose bled little and once none at all. The medics were on the scene so you know they got the bleeding, if any, under control and cleaned the guy up and possibly treated the guy with ice to stop the bleeding.

As I eluded to in the previous comment, fat chance we will ever know the whole truth. None of us were there and consequently none of us know all the facts. All we can do is speculate.

But our laws state someone is innocent until proven guilty. From what I know of District Attorneys, there is nothing they love more than adding a conviction to their list. Do you seriously think for one second that if there was enough evidence to bring Zimmerman in front of a grand jury, that it wouldn't already be in the works? Use your heads people.

It's unbelievably sad that black children in America have to be taught how to survive the police encounter as a standard part of their upbringing. I have seen professional people this week ( who are black) talking about being stopped by police not only in their youth but well into manhood. Life in America is truly different for them.

The date/time signature is missing from the video, and I thought that I previously read that Zimmerman was wearing a white shirt on the night he killed Trayvon Martin? Also, I thought that Zimmerman was not arrested on the night of Trayvon's killing?

Zimmerman had previously been arrested, so maybe this video is from then?

Duh, let's say Martin turned on Zimmerman. Are black people not allowed to "stand their ground?" Zimmerman stalked Martin, an unarmed person about half his weight, with a GUN. Had he not done so, Martin would not be dead and Zimmerman would not be making up lies to try to avoid the scorn of justice seeking people everywhere!

I saw the vid as well and Zimmerman absolutely did not look as though he had been in a life or death struggle for HIS life. In fact, he looked pretty calm for having just killed someone. Additionally, it has been reported that Zimmerman DID NOT go to any hospital ED that night, there is nothing in the police report that states he went on his own or was transported by the police to any medical facility and that would have had to be written up in the report if the police had done so. My fear is that because the Keystone Kops effed up and did not do their jobs, too much time has been lost. Evidence that could have been utilized may be gone with the wind. My hope is that this case will be the impetus for a long overdue conversation on race relations in these United States. This is an opportunity to get justice for a murdered 17 year old and also an opportunity to move forward in terms of race relations. It would be a painful conversation but how long can something be swept under the rug? I mean, look at the state this nation is in, across the board, by many metrics. Too many are circling the drain. Sink or swim America? Can we step up and or if not, can we stop lying about the "ideals" this country espouses?

Would you feel justified defending yourself if someone hit you hard enough to knock you to the ground? Or, should you just lay there and take it?

Defend myself? Yes. Shoot them? Probably not, but I don't walk around with a handgun pretending I'm a local rent-a-cop either.

hs321

Bayllie...you can get in some one's face and stand up for yourself right up to the point you start punching the person in the nose.

why is this even an issue????Why is it an issue that Trayvon may have or my have not punched Zimmerman???

Again, why aren't you concentrating on the fact that this guy followed this kid for no apparent reason. Continued to follow him after the police told him not to. He stalked the kid. Period. You can not be the agressor and then claim self defense.

To go back to your "punching in the nose." If this indeed happened, why is it ok for Zimmerman to claim self defense but you don't have the same standard for a 17-yr-old kid, who was minding his own business, walking home while talking on the phone to his girlfriend while this psychopath followed him,kept following him, and shot him.

I guess according to you it's ok to stock someone but it's not ok for that someone to protect themselves. I hope you don't have teenage boys who walk home while wearing hoodies because according to your reasoning anyone has the right to stock, them and when they fight back, they can shoot them.

I disagree, "S". Almost all of the protestors in this matter are seeking a full investigation and a judiciary system that will do its job the way that it is supposed to.

I hope you don't have children already. Further to the point, I hope you never reproduce. You and your comments represent everything that is wrong with not just America but the entire human population. You are a blight on humanity and a waste of all vital resources needed for sustaining human life.

Learned hatred is the key - on both sides. One side taking aim at the otherside for percieved wrongs only will cause the hatred to be buried deeper in the soul and the possibility for peace and harmony only a flicker.

Sloppyjoe's comments are far to racist to allow him to remain on Newsvine.

@SCarey

Why would a race war get started between Blacks and Hispanics?

The Sanford Police Department is responsible for not arresting Zimmerman. He didn't let himself go. The police let him go. This isn't about Hispanics. It probably would be about Zimmerman's father's connections. I understand his father is a retired judge. And, his father isn't Hispanic.

His biological father is hispanic. Mr. Zimmeman is his step dad.

If he's guilty he will.

Lets get the facts and try him if the facts show that he's a criminal.

zimmerman is somebody's son, soooo what you are saying is irrevelant!

Does that include all your "sons" by other black males too? Or just whites? Are you protesting in Chicago about the 10 "sons" that were killed over St. Patrick's day, which also included a 6 year old girl and an infant? You, like the rest of the black community, doesn't care about your "sons" except when a white person is involved. Are you going to Detroit next and protest the war-zone there? No, you're not. You are just out looking for some example of racism anywhere you can. That way you have someone to blame.

CHILD killers should get the chair, independent of their race. Period.

Sloppy, I am somebody's son, and so are you, and so is Martin. What you are saying is irrelevant.

This is a horrible tragedy that is being tried by the public. Here in my home town we have had several "children' playing a game called the knock out game. One victim even died. Not saying this young man did or did not play a part in this tragedy, I will leave that to the justice system. Just saying teenagers can cause physical harm to adults.

@Achillies, we here in and around Chicago are very tired of people like you trotting out our tragedies to further your own agendas.

And what do you say to the parents of the white kid that was beaten, had gasoline poured all over him and then got set on fire to roast alive?? What do you say to the family when they know the last words their child ever heard on this earth was not I love you form his mom but "you got what you deserved whitey"?? The black boys who commited that atrocity deserve the death penalty. But adwana cowerd says no one kills our sons even though they enjoyed their handy wok watching this white boy burning alive smelling the stench of his own roasting flesh and agonizing in pain until he lost consiousness. They gave this child absolutely no mercy and for what?? Sooner or later those spawn of satan will spend eternity roasting in hell for what they did. At least Trayvon didn't have to endure this fiery torture for absolutely no reason. Yeah Adwana cowerd you just go straight to those parents and tell them exactly why those kids lives should be spared because their black.

The conversation is nothing more than hearsay.

No Ron190 you are soooooooooooooooo wrong. It is exactly the thing that will convict Zimmerman. Do you want to know why or would you like to remain stupid and or a stupid wrong person or just a lair.

Ron , if that conversation is nothing but hearsay, then all those tapes of people who called 911 who only heard things, not saw them, are also hearsay.

Hearsay evidence is different from eye-witness testimony. Hearsay evidence is second hand evidence with which the person has no immediate experience.

The girlfriend got a phone call--that is not hearsay. The young man said something--that is not hearsay. What the young man reported to her, and her recounting of what he said is in a sense hearsay evidence. She might or might not be reporting what he said correctly--but then, an eyewitness might or might not report what s/he saw correctly.

If Trayvon had lived, and later said to his girlfriend "this guy was stalking me"--that would be true hear-say evidence. The second person would have no immediate knowledge of the event. A jailhouse confession is hear-say evidence, as the person in the jailhouse cell has no immediate knowledge of the event, but such confessions are admitted as evidence all the time.

Some hearsay evidence is inadmissable in some jurisdictions. Other evidence that is in a sense "hear-say" is admissible. It depends on the degree to which the second person has immediate knowledge of an event. The jailhouse confession is considered first-hand knowledge of the confession, for example, though not of the actual crime.

I still think that Zimmerman will go free. I did not know that it may be the case that his father has "connections." If that's true, it's even more certain that he will go free as dad knows how to work the system. The person who is dead does not get to give his side of the story--and in the case that there is no or little evidence to tell his side of the story, and in the presence of a law which requires the police to already have a preponderance of evidence before they can even arrest someone, I don't know that Zimmerman can be charged.

The attorney keeps saying that his nose was broken--he isn't walking like someone with a broken nose. If he was in close proximity to Trayvon when shooting him, he should be covered in blood. Unless the police allowed him to go and change clothes (and took the clothes into custody), then he really should be covered in blood, especially his light-colored shirt.

It's clear that Zimmerman isn't telling the entire truth--from what I've heard of the tapes, it sounds like he followed the kid in his truck, then got out and pursued on foot (scaring him), and then he might have started using racial epithets, which would explain why the scared and provoked Martin may well have attacked Zimmerman in order to make a point that Zimmerman should leave him alone. Zimmerman probably was on the ground briefly--then his size and gun gave him the upper hand. I wouldn't be surprised if he told Martin "not to move," Martin moved, and then was shot.

That's my hypothesis. If this is true, then Zimmerman is at fault--but Zimmerman will get off unless someone has video or still photos showing the event, or unless the dead body was at such a distance from the vehicle to make Zimmerman's version an obvious lie, or unless Zimmerman's claim to have had a broken nose and so forth is proven false (and, even then, it's probably only going to be something like fibbing). It doesn't appear that the police took adequate measures to get the evidence they would need (if they cleaned Zimmerman up without taking photographs and blood samples--then they, themselves, tampered with evidence). Remember that Zimmerman could have blood on his nose and head, and it could have been Trayvon's. No--I think that the police had no intention of doing a good job. They had Zimmerman in handcuffs while in the car (that's probably procedure), but he's clearly being treated pretty gently. If they helped him clean up, well, there you go.

I think Zimmerman will get off. The only real hope is that there is a security camera somewhere near the site of the shooting. Without that, the family can only get a civil suit because the law prevents a criminal charge. Seriously, they can't even arrest this guy without more evidence. I'm virtually certain he'll get off--and I doubt he'll even go to trial. It's a bad law.

Yep, he was quick to jump on "right wing hate rhetoric" when Loughner shot Giffords after Palin "targeted" a congressional district.

The Black Panthers and Farrakhan have specifically targeted an American citizen.... hello Obama... hello crickets.

Hugh, exactly how does the president have that power? please enlighten us with your infinite wisdom.

heynow

Agreed. But the police need to do their job first - a full investigation and then a prosecutor or grand jury determination about what charges, if any, should be filed. We are on our way to getting proper justice only after the protestors have demanded that justice.

Hugh Zass

Your remarks are unfair and totally uncalled for. The President was only relating his sympathy to the parents by relating to them as a parent. Your accusation that this was "hate" only reveals your own.

heynow

Actually, the protestors are acting in a civil and rational manner. Your ranting about "deep breath" and "madness" suggest there is rioting in the streets. There is not. Perhaps it is you that should be taking a deep breath, counting to 10, and taking a nap.

don, radicals calling for a lynching isn't madness?

Or, is is madness only after a lynching?

heynow-3910432

In America people are innocent until proven guilty. If a crime was committed the criminal will be arrested and tried.

No one is innocent, guilty or not guilty, till a jury or judge decides. That is why u are arrested and locked up...till the mess can be sorted out. U are actually presumed guilty on suspicion and locked up as a precaution and may be released if there is bail and pending if u can afford it otherwise u stay in jail. I think bail is a personal travesty of the justice system. Basically u have a system that keeps poor locked up and the rich free, but that's a different story.

Wasn't anything learned in the OJ trial about police procedure ?

Ron, if that's true, I'm sure he will be tried for violating the kids rights by the Fed. Mississippi Burning ring any bells. It's 2012, but yokels killing innocents and not being tried by local officials, should be tried by the Feds.

He is covered for that as well.

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).

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:

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.

http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2011/Chapter776/All

(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.

What was lawful about Zimmerman pursuing an unarmed teen?

what was unlawful about Zimmerman following the kid?

When it became physical Zimmerman is covered by the law,

Do you not think they would arrest him if they could?

Back in January, Garcia, 25, saw Pedro Roteta, 26, trying to steal the radio from his truck, which was parked outside Garcia's Miami apartment. Garcia grabbed a large knife, ran downstairs and chased Roteta for at least a block. The incident was caught on tape and showed that Garcia stabbed Roteta to death. At the time Roteta was carrying a bag with stolen radios "but no weapon other than a pocketknife, which was unopened in his pocket and which police said he never brandished."

The Herald reports that a judge threw out the charges against Garcia, citing the state's "stand your ground" law. As we reported earlier this week, the law did away with "the English Law concept of 'duty to retreat' from a situation that is dangerous outside your home." The Florida Supreme Court also decided that it should be a judge, not a jury, who decides whether to grant a suspect immunity based on the law.

Exactly Ron. Continuing to follow Martin would add support to any additional evidence that may exist that Zimmerman might have initiated the aggression. However, following Trayvon, in itself, is not a crime.

Exactly Ron. Continuing to follow Martin would add support to any additional evidence that may exist that Zimmerman might have initiated the aggression.

Zimmerman is still covered even if he hit the kid first under Florida section,776.041 Use of force by aggressor

You would have to be able to prove that the kid was never on top of Zimmerman regardless of who started it and be able to prove that Zimmerman was never in fear of great bodily harm(even in his own mind).

ron, if that was true, there would be nobody left in Florida at this time.

ron, if that was true. There would be nobody left in Florida at this time.

look it up, it is true and Florida is still full of people.

I'm pretty sure I'm still in Florida. It hasn't broken off from the rest of the Country has it?

ron, if Zimmerman goes free, everybody is going to start shoot in Florida and 20 other states. Might be good for tourism.

Regardless of how all of this turns out for Zimmerman, he is having a very bad time right now and I'm pretty sure that if he had to do it all over again, he would have acted differently. In similar situations, folks like Zimmerman subsequently disavow firearms.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshihiro_Hattori

Hand guns have brought George Zimmerman nothing but trouble. If George did not have a hand gun on that night last month, he would be alive today (I'm guessing that his hand gun gave GZ the confidence to confront Trayvon) and so would Trayvon. GZ should never have confronted Trayvon. GZ should never have been carrying a hand gun on his watch.

ron-1902603,

Then that judge grossly misinterpreted the law. How was he standing his ground if he was chasing the other guy the entire time? This law needs to be taken off the books or seriously amended, which is what will probably happen after all of the attention that this case will receive from the media, politicians and the public. The NRA better be willing to dig deep into their pockets to keep this one on the books.

davey-526272,

I agree with you. I believe that gun emboldened Zimmerman to get out of his truck and confront Martin. Zimmerman wasn't actually on duty at the time. His statement reflects that he was going to the grocery at the time when he saw Martin.

If Zimmerman gets off with a slap on the wrist, he's still going to have a hard time. Everyone now knows his face. He will never work in security in any form again or ever become a policeman. He may even have a hard time finding a good job. Most likely there will just be a lot of people wanting to kick his ass. If I were him, I'd move out the country or live in strictly all white, redneck neighborhoods.

Ron -

From your own post:

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

(2) 

Initially provokes the use of force against himself or herself,

As far as I can tell Zimmerman DID provoke the use of force against himself. He chased this boy who was walking down the street. Even after the dispatcher told him to stop. He had already called the police and they were on their way. There was NO reason for him to get out of his car and chase this kid. None.

DebbieKat

you left out the main part on purpose.

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.

.

Sean-336944

Ron, you might want to know what the Florida state representative who actually wrote the "Stand Your Ground" law you pretend to understand thinks about this case:

You may wish to know that what he thinks does not matter one bit, the way the law is written is the way the law stands.

ron-1902603,

Then that judge grossly misinterpreted the law. How was he standing his ground if he was chasing the other guy the entire time? This law needs to be taken off the books or seriously amended, which is what will probably happen after all of the attention that this case will receive from the media, politicians and the public

That may happen, but even if they change it for the future,Zimmerman is still covered under the law as it is now.

Zimmerman is using,

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.

And,

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).

And he could use this if they decide he was the aggressor.

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 law is on Zimmermans side of this.

Notice section 776.032 at the top and bottom,

(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

As used in this subsection, the term “criminal prosecution” includes arresting, detaining in custody, and charging or prosecuting the defendant.

According to the law, Zimmerman could have hit the kid first then the kid hit him back but once Zimmerman was pinned to the ground and he was in fear (even just in his own mind) of great bodily harm. It was legal for him to shoot the kid.

Tell me how you arrest Zimmerman and then convict him under this law,

If you can.

All I keep hearing is how this is not right or name calling.

Show me how your side is right and how you can legally convict Zimmerman?

Zimmy may or may not get convicted under Florida law. But I wonder if he could be charged with violating Travy's civil rights, either in a state or federal court?

Zimmy is in for a very rough time. You may have the right to carry a gun, but when you use it, you better be dead to rights. And if something don't smell right, and there are lots of questions about Zimmy, then the system can come down hard on you. Zimmy is currently in hiding and is not talking. He is not having fun right now.

Do you think the NRA will pay for his legal bills?

776.032 Immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action for justifiable use of force.—

interesting. Wonder if that is constitutional. Still could be charged with a civil rights violation in federal court.

Of course, after the investigation, Zimmy may not be found to have use force justifiably.

You're missing a lot. Police enforce laws, they don't make them.

Random

I think that the maximum charge considered here is manslaughter so the "chair" is probably not a possibility ..... and god has nothing to do with it.

One thing is for certain..... if he's tried and walks, expect Rodney King riots II.

There will be no trial,

They can not charge Zimmerman.

If they did a judge would toss the case out.

If he is tried and walks, no one in Florida should be charged with murder. Many already convicted people should be set free.

You forgot to give us the media, Jackson, Farrakhan or Sharpton as options..........

Hell, I'll take the attorney too.

That's what they do when justice does not prevail!

Jack, CR

Your statement is unfair and extremely prejudiced. The protestors thus far have been largely African American and the rallies have been conducted with absolutely no problems. They have gone through legal channels to petition the federal, state and local officials to do their jobs. Really, that is all they have asked - for people to do the jobs they are paid to do.

People with disgusting, biased, un-American attitudes like yours stokes the fires of racial tension in this country and you would do us all a great favor by keeping your venomous thoughts to yourselves.

Don,

Guilty as charged but my sarcasm does not come across well on these keyboards. I'm for Trayvon's justice not riots.

Don, past performance indicates future results.

You mean like the small black town in Arizona, that during the great depression ( because whites would not trade with them) they did all of their trading amongst themselves and prospered because of it. The white people in the next town were jealous and made up an excuse and came in and rioted and burned and looted did you ever wonder where other Races learned this. Take a good long look in the mirror, THAT'S WHERE!!! The town was called little wall street and it was one of the only times in this country's history that the government BOMBED it;s own citizens.

I am SICK to death of people that spout and espouse the nonsense that you do. As for black on black crime, what are you doing about white on white crime? Because they are just as bad. Oh and did those three get arrested? Probably since you know ALL about that story. You make me sick!!!

tired, are you trying to say that whites riot too? Yeah they do. This thread wasn't about whites rioting.

Actually, this thread is only about rioting because in your obviously prejudiced mind you accuse African Americans of future rioting. I guess I could accuse some people of future racism, based on "past performance". You should be ashamed of your statements and your attitude.

Tired Voter:

You're referring to the Tulsa race riot in 1921 that burned the Greenwood district known as the Black Wall Street. The riot got it's start when Dick Rowland, a black male, was arrested for allegedly attacking a white female in an elevator, not over trading.

The Arizona incident during the 'Red Summer' riots in 1919 was an attack on the tenth cavalry by Bisbee, Arizona police.

If you can't be troubled to read the book, the Wikipedia page isn't bad.

It's the media and the public, (people like you) who brought up race not Zimmerman. Where do you come up with this crap?

We were surprised and angry but were there any riots? I don't remember hearing of any.

There weren't any riots over the Mcveigh case.

Tha family called him RambleBee2470...

@Paradoxx- you certainly have a right to feel the way you do. But I ask a question? Why are you on this message board responding when there are tons of other things to read and respond to. If you are tired of hearing about it, simply turn to another channel or web page. There are television channels that don't even carry the news. There are web sites that cater to fashion, international news, etc. I never understand it when someone takes the time to respond to something they say they are either not interested in or are sick of?? I for one do care and although I don't know the facts, I hope by putting the spotlight on this case the facts will come out. It's obvious that without public pressure, this family would not get any justice. As it stands now Zimmerman has still not been arrested. Of course you say you're sick of hearing about it - that's because it wasn't your son/brother,nephew, cousin, that was killed. I bet you'd feel differently if it was.

Why would you want to confuse this story with facts? The people passing judgement, on both sides, don't need facts. Who needs facts when you can just yell out your opinion?

It is not important what happened. If you are pro-Trayvon, you just want Zimmerman to be guilty of a hate crime, regardless of any "facts"

If you are pro-Zimmerman, you just want Trayvon to be a thug that attacked Zimmerman and Zimmerman acted in self defense.

If you are pro-Zimmerman, you are a racist. If you are pro-Trayvon, you are a liberal extremist race-baiter.

Why would anyone want facts when we can use this whole episode to further divide Americans?

To the very few of us who will actually admit that we don't know all of the facts, don't know what really happened, and aren't "rooting" for either side, be patient and hope the complete truth comes out and justice is served appropriately.

I am pro-Trayvon and I do NOT want him guilty for a hate crime. I want him guilty for murdering a teen that was minding his own business, just chatting with his girl friend. Why? Because I don't want to fear my child being in Trayvon's shoes one day, ever.

@AngieS247 - Whilst i appreciate the fact that you respect my right i will answer your questions. While yes i am tired of hearing it, The reason i am tired is because of all of the "SELF DRIVING" Hatred that alot of people are spewing. Is it neccessary? No. I take my time like everyone else and to be honest this is the first article i've ever responded too that i felt was worth something being said. While i respect everyones opinions and thoughts. Yes Zimmerman hasnt been arrested but what " FACTUAL " evidence is there to enforce his arrest? Nothing has come forward that's why he hasnt been arrested. What annoys me the most is that people assume i'd feel differently... My brother got a DUI, didnt have insurance, hit someone Do i feel he should be in jail? Damn right i do. So i'd feel the same way. Now if i had a kid and he was killed would i want to know what happened? Damn right I would. I serve in the Military, people die every day and i sit here and read about it. Yet my favorite thing to read is alot of the time someone dies i see comments regarding how its obama's fault, or how its a situation of racism. Has anyone actually taken the time to consider that maybe this entire situation was one of those... holy crap this was entirely an accident? How many parents out there deny that their kid would ever do anything bad and yet there kid has been arrested before? MANY. While i do feel sorry for the Martin's and their loss, Im not going to be the one in uproar over it because Too many other children have died this year, ones MUCH younger than Trayvon.

Im not telling anyone that they shouldnt feel the way they should, I'm merely saying is to take a little bit of time and just wait and watch. Zimmerman could've killed this young man. If he did my thoughts are he should be shot himself. That's my opinion i fully support the death penalty. However if he didnt then people need to back off. Once again there are no facts to prove either side of this. So i intend to watch and learn.

I want the best outcome available. I want the facts just as much as everyone else. But i refuse to pass judgement until the facts have been presented and they clearly indicate something. I dont have a degree in forensics... So i couldn't tell you anything about what happened.

@concerned-memphian - I absolutely agree with you. Well put.

I agree with you CRinCali. I want kids of any color to feel safe wherever they are, whatever they are wearing, without fear of harassment by cop wannabes.

The real truth probably won't be satisfactory for anyone.

Zimmerman probably isn't a racist teenage killing raving maniac, nor is he an upstanding citizen doing his best to protect and to serve, viciously attacked unprovoked by a thug in a hoodie.

Trayvon probably isn't a serial robber scouring gated communities for something to steal, assaulting anyone who looks at him the wrong way, nor is he the perfect example of an upstanding young man who was run down and shot in cold blood without provocation.

Both will be portrayed by those with agendas as the angel or villain of their choosing, and the Great American Divide will widen.

Parad0xx

Your words. "I am tired of hearing about this". Then why are you here voicing your opinion? Leave,go home and hide your head under your pillow. For someone who is tired of this,, your post and I mean long posts go against that statement, don't you think? Your as blind as your post. Go home and you won't have to hear about it anymore. Yours are the actions that bring you here, nobody invited you, so leave. We are tired of hearing how tired you are.

They will be irrelevant in court...unlike Trayvon's possible drug use and any prior incidents of violence.

Did you even bother to get the facts about his "past crimes"? People are making out Zimmermans past interactions with the law into a whole lot more than they were. Yet nobody wants to hear the facts about TRayvons issues.