Trayvon Martin: Where do we go from here?

Philip Sears / Reuters

Participants holds up signs and wear name tags during a march organized by the National Christian League of Councils for slain teen Trayvon Martin in Tallahassee, Florida on Wednesday.

News Analysis

SANFORD, Fla. – For the past few weeks, while everyone has been listening to 911 tapes, watching police surveillance video, and hearing both sides in the Trayvon Martin case turn up the intensity of their arguments, there's  been a lot of speculation about how all of this might end.

Some will never be satisfied unless George Zimmerman, the 28-year-old man who shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, is arrested, charged, convicted and jailed for a long time.

Others insist fairness demands an innocent man, wrongly accused in the court of public opinion, be allowed to get on with his life.

The outcome, of course, will more likely land somewhere in the middle.


Next legal steps
Angela Corey, the special prosecutor who was appointed by Florida's Gov. Rick Scott to investigate the case, has many options.

Corey can decide whether to file charges in the case herself or send the case to a grand jury. She has the latitude to convene that closed-door process here in Seminole County or someplace else. And, of course, she can decide that the Sanford police decision not to arrest Zimmerman, based on his claim of self-defense, is justified.

Trayvon Martin's family and their advocates are demanding an arrest – nothing less.

Their lawyer, Ben Crump, also would prefer that the state attorney issue a warrant for Zimmerman’s arrest herself. Crump has expressed skepticism about the grand jury process, saying he believes they're put in place, "when the police and the government really don't want to charge and arrest somebody." He added, that "private proceedings have never boded well for people from Trayvon's community."

Zimmerman's camp now includes two lawyers. Craig Sooner, Zimmerman’s original lawyer, has been joined by Hal Uhrig of Maitland, Fla., who has extensive experience with police matters, according to the bio on his website.

Sonner has said repeatedly that Zimmerman has been cooperating with authorities, and will surrender himself if charged with a crime. Sonner also said Zimmerman "has not been judged fairly" in the court of public opinion.

And if the case ever goes to court, Sonner said, "It’s going to be tough to find a neutral and detached jury to hear the facts. Because ultimately in a court case, you have a judge that rules on the law, but in the end it’s the jury that determines the facts."

Facts vs. perception
With the video and audio out there in the public square, along with media interviews of "witnesses," and so much other reporting,  so many people are sure about what they think happened. And many have their own understanding of what they think the law is, or how it should be applied. 

From the start, for many people, all of this has been a reminder of the Rodney King case in Los Angeles back in the early 1990s. Even that familiar chant, "No justice, No peace," echoes here in Sanford. I covered that incident and most of what followed.

Yes, there are huge differences. King was being arrested by several police officers. The Martin-Zimmerman incident is between two private citizens.

But the common denominator is that the public has seen and heard what many believe to be crucial moments in the confrontation. King and the officers were videotaped by a passerby, secretly. Remember, in the King case in state court, a jury found three officers not guilty, and did not reach a verdict on the fourth officer charged.  Later, two officers were found guilty of civil rights charges in federal court, and two were acquitted.

Sanford is certainly not Los Angeles. The anger and outrage there exploded into days of violence and destruction. Here, activists are threatening to escalate their marches and rallies to acts of civil disobedience like sit-ins and "pray-ins.” Another possibility they are discussing is an economic boycott of businesses or organizations that support Florida's so-called “Stand Your Ground Law,” which Zimmerman's lawyers argue is the basis of his claim of self-defense. 
 
Either way, a ‘tough road ahead’
The protesters face the challenge of keeping up the momentum. Two recent rallies in Miami and here in Sanford fell well short of the tens of thousands organizers had predicted.

Sonner, Zimmerman's lawyer, also has said he finds it hard to see how Zimmerman will ever get past all of this unless there's an open public resolution. 

"No matter how things turn out in this case, he's got a tough road ahead," Sonner said in a recent interview.  That's certainly not to say he thinks there should be a trial. He said he does not.
 
As the days pass, the case gets more complicated. It’s unlikely to end without more outrage, and without more pain for the two families at the center of this.  

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Where do we go from here?

Trial, hung jury, riots, burning, free flat screen TVs and heavy gun sales.

  • 7 votes
Reply#26 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 5:45 PM EDT

I can just see the parents on Easter......

This was Trayvon's first hit of crack,

here's his Freshman year report "Kill All White People"!

here's his Sophomore year thesis "Why White Girls Love Black D,,k!

he mellowed in his Junior year thesis "I Think Someone Is Following Me!!!"

  • 2 votes
Reply#27 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 5:50 PM EDT

28 deleted, Renee Har smearing 'fags'. Banned, rereg of multiple accounter valspully.

...

here's his Freshman year report "Kill All White People"!

Wow, this is baseless.

  • 5 votes
#27.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 7:46 PM EDT
Reply
Renee HarDeleted

Now the media has gone full circle and is saying "poor Zimmy"?

He's an admitted murderer, but how will he ever get over this?

It sounds like the BP CEO whining to the press "I just want my life back."

  • 1 vote
Reply#29 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 5:53 PM EDT

Folks there is a witness saying that the kid had ZSimmerman down pouding the crap out of him, guess maybe that is why Zimmerman is not charged as of yet and if he is it will go to court and he will go free. The story I got was the kid left and then came back and jumped on Zimmerman?????

  • 1 vote
Reply#30 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 5:53 PM EDT

Get with it. There are multiple conflicting accounts. He will be charged.

The state prosecutor already indicated that there will be discovery in this matter.

  • 2 votes
#30.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 5:55 PM EDT

There was also the most recent witness that said he saw the larger man getting up from the top position while the other person was just laying on the ground and appeared to dead.

With the general unreliability of the eye witness testimony, this is going come down to forensic evidence.

  • 3 votes
#30.2 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:01 PM EDT

Wow, was that even English Teach? The boy was just walking home...which is legal...and he is dead. Only George and the people with hate in their heart would find comfort with that.

    #30.4 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 8:54 PM EDT

    CR selfdefense does not allow a pre-emptive attack. If he did attack Zimmerman no matter what his reason he became the aggressor. This is all what the investigation is for. To find out what happened that night that can be proved. Not the emotional conjecture of people who were not there. As for witnesses I've heard that there is one who has not talked to the media and will not even answer his/her door. We won't hear that witness until the trial if the grand jury indicts.

      #30.5 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 9:56 PM EDT

      Teach A. Lesson,

      With your insightful political analysis of this whole event, it's a shock that you haven't gone into journalism.

        #30.6 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 10:33 AM EDT

        Butch,

        What an astute observation.

        Zimmerman was getting up because he won the battle. This thug brought fists to a gunfight and he lost!

          #30.7 - Sat Apr 7, 2012 6:22 PM EDT
          Reply

          Here's why Zimmerman should be arrested: He called the police to report a suspicious looking person walking in his neighborhood, he was told BY THE POLICE to stay in his vehicle and NOT to pursue the person. He of his own volition did it anyway. To be honest, I want to know what the HECK a SELF-APPOINTED neighborhood watch captain is anyway! I am the neighborhood watch captain of my neighborhood and was VOTED in by the NEIGHBORHOOD and the POLICE knows that because they helped to START the neighborhood watch.

          In my opinion, he purposefully set out to provoke this person, and he went looking for trouble because he drew a weapon. He didn't obey police orders, I thought that was obstruction of justice or something, but I guess not when you live in Florida and you KILL someone for what you believe is a good thing. There is no media sensationalism there, the FACT is, he was TOLD NOT TO PURSUE the person, and he did. If he had not been trying to be Charles Bronson, then that CHILD would still be alive today...and jackass wouldn't be in hiding...and if they don't convict him, you can bet your LIFE- the streets will!

          • 5 votes
          Reply#31 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 5:55 PM EDT

          I agree. As I mentioned before. Trayvon was dealing with Stranger Danger. Zimmerass chose not to identify himself correctly. He initiated the confrontation and did not do it well. It resulted in a scuffle and ultimately and the use of deadly force upon a child. We teach our kids to avoid strangers. Period. Trayvon was not equipped to deal with Zimmerass and his aggressive inquiry. A simple inquiry that leads to the shooting of an innocent 17 year old child is inexcusable. Zimmerass was supposedly the adult in the situation and should have never let the situation escalate to the point that it did. If Zimmerass was man enough to carry a gun and use it, Zimmerass should be man enough to turn himself in and face the consequences of his actions LIKE A MAN!

          • 3 votes
          #31.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:06 PM EDT

          sick. You don't know jack only what the libturd media and oDUMBo provides you.

          • 3 votes
          #31.2 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:08 PM EDT
          Davillus Hynzerellivia FacebookDeleted

          Sick---your street justice works both ways.

            #31.4 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:24 PM EDT

            But if Trayvon acted aggressivly out of the stranger danger theory. That is not allowed under selfdefense. An attack is an attack from the perspective of the person being attacked. If the following was broken off then it is a new attack. The racialization of this case brings the memories of previous incidents back. Thats not bigotry that is survival instinct. All anyone has to make decisions on is their past history. If my past history includes living in a city that had a race riot then racial tension is going to make me nervous and that is not bigotry or prejudice that is my learned experience.

              #31.6 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 10:18 PM EDT

              It is a crime to stalk another person--period!!! Now, you go out and learn something and come from under your mommie's skirt tale!! And do us a favor--little boy and take off you pink undies with the daisies!!!

                #31.7 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 1:12 AM EDT

                Charles-1820634

                It is a crime to stalk another person--period!!! Now, you go out and learn something and come from under your mommie's skirt tale!! And do us a favor--little boy and take off you pink undies with the daisies!!!

                So you are a pedophile Charles? How else would you know what undies are under their dress? Do you want a better look since you are asking them to remove the undies?

                Stalking as defined in Florida:

                (3) Any person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows, harasses, or cyberstalks another person, and makes a credible threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear of death or bodily injury of the person,

                http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0784/Sections/0784.048.html

                Missing that whole repeatedly thing at the least. malicious would even be a stretch.

                • 1 vote
                #31.8 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 8:33 AM EDT

                Would you please go and get enough, you are making me sick.

                  #31.9 - Tue Apr 10, 2012 12:56 PM EDT
                  Reply

                  What I would like to see is the lead pictures of a story show Martin with his gold teeth giving the camera the finger, and Zimmerman in his suit, I think that's more representative of the people the night of the confrontation.

                  Qyestion, when Zimmerman walks, what cities will burn?

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#32 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:00 PM EDT

                  If you've been watching any of the news, you'd know that they've been showing recent pictures of them both. And what about the gold teeth and flipping the bird? I guess that makes you a cold blooded killer. Imagine that - a teenager flipping the bird. What's this world coming too?

                  • 3 votes
                  #32.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:04 PM EDT

                  Most of the major news outlets show martin at 12, and Zimmerman in orange. You can find the other pictures, but not side by side on CNN, MSNBC, ABC, or CBS. To me it shows the character of the people and effects perception.

                  • 2 votes
                  #32.2 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:08 PM EDT

                  Why do you think that what you originally posted is more representative of what went on that night? Are you one those people that say "innocent before proven guilty" when it comes to Zimmerman, but won't grant that same courtesy to Martin? I'm not asking about the media; I'm asking about you.

                  • 2 votes
                  #32.3 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:14 PM EDT

                  A gold tooth did not MURDER Treyvon!! A Gold tooth did not MURDER Treyvon!!!

                    #32.6 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 1:14 AM EDT

                    Trayvon was not murdered.

                      #32.7 - Tue Apr 10, 2012 12:58 PM EDT
                      Reply

                      On March 27th, a 50 yr old white male just outside Sanford was dragged out of his car, beaten in the head with hammers by two black teens and left for dead in retaliation. Race baiting by the Liberal Press, Al Sharpton, and Jessie Jackson is responsible for this Hate Crime and of course the Press is silent. Al Sharpton should be fired from MSNBC for instigating this violence against innocent citizens that had nothing to do with any of this! Al Sharpton and MSNBC are responsible for this innocent 50yr old man being beaten to within an inch of life and is now in intensive care! I hope they sue the pants off you for your responsibility in this!

                      People need to stop listening to the half truths and lies being pushed by the press and others, and let the independent task force investigate what actually happened that night, what ever that may be. We all want justice to be served, but we need to stop listening to rumors and gossip and stop jumping to unfounded conclusions about what happened that night! And stop the race baiting before more innocent people are hurt or killed down here! I am from the Sanford area and hurting the Town of Sanford, its businesses and economy will only hurt all the innocent people who live and work there: Black, Hispanic, Oriental, and White

                      • 4 votes
                      Reply#33 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:02 PM EDT

                      I tend to agree to the race issue rest a bit. It's a little over done. But are you going to equally denounce all of the racists comments from the other side or are you just against people that might feel this incident might be racially motivated?

                      • 1 vote
                      #33.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:08 PM EDT

                      Dean the 50 year old should have had some heat and he would still be here to tell it. Wake up people, the police cannot protect you so you better purchase a weapon and learn how to use it. This is not going to get better in this country.

                      • 1 vote
                      #33.2 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:28 PM EDT

                      Dean do not hold your breath. The Attorney General of the United States has declared that discrimination can not happen to a white. He has declared that he will not file any case in which the victim is white. So when you get killed nobody will march for you. Nobody will boycott stores for you. And the president wil not go on TV and say you could be his son.

                        #33.3 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 10:26 PM EDT

                        Al Sharpton did not MURDER Treyvon Martin!! Al Sharpton did not MURDER Treyvon Martin!!!

                          #33.4 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 1:16 AM EDT

                          Nobody murdered Trayvon.

                            #33.5 - Tue Apr 10, 2012 1:01 PM EDT
                            Reply

                            GO HOME and chill out. Let his family capitalize on makeing money off him.

                              Reply#34 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:02 PM EDT

                              Nowhere! Leave it to the law authorities! They know their responsibilities and they will do whatever, if anything, has to be done! LEAVE IT ALONE!

                              • 1 vote
                              Reply#35 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:03 PM EDT

                              $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

                              Find the $ in this message.

                              • 1 vote
                              Reply#36 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:06 PM EDT

                              My question is why when Natalie Holloway was murdered in another country; American media pundits, citizens, and representatives called for the arrest of her so called murderer with no more than a word of mouth that he was the last one seen with Natalie? However, now when a wannabe cop murder a 17 year old male child in cold blood.........the media talking heads and law enforcement agents need an investigation to see if Trayvon Martin needed to be murdered by Zimmerman to save Zimmerman life? Well I will tell you why again!! Because "we the people" and law enforcement do not value American African Black life!! Law enforcement agents of every color have and will always see the American African Black Citizen as 3/5 of a human being, which makes it easier for them to justify murdering them!! Remember there are no innocent citizens on the planet. The Lord Jesus Christ was the first and last innocent man to ever live on this earth and the criminal justice system of his day murdered him too!! Hate will always lead to murder when the citizen is black; whether they are known or unknown to the murderers!! There are only two reason for anybody to be incarcerated.......One for there protection and two for the community protection. I guess Zimmerman needs neither. Just my thoughts!!

                              • 2 votes
                              Reply#37 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:12 PM EDT

                              This is true. Also, where were all these people before and during the Casey Anthony trial? They weren't saying @!$%# then. I didn't hear anybody saying, "Let the courts decide. Innocent before proven guilty."

                              • 2 votes
                              #37.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:19 PM EDT

                              And when the trial was over and she was found not guilty, they went out and rioted!!! Hummmmm!!!

                                #37.2 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 1:20 AM EDT

                                Dude, you got me on that one. Not!

                                  #37.3 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 10:37 AM EDT
                                  Reply

                                  Mike: All your info is only partial so I would not strictly go by what you have provided.There were also two other witnesses that say Zimmerman was on top,and two others that could not tell who was on top.As for Zimmerman refusing to go to the hospital,that just can't be.I spoke to an EMT and when there is a head injury on top of a broken nose you always transport them even if they don't want to go.Once at the hospital they can refuse treatment.Also you do not mention where Trayvon's body was found,which was NOT close to where Zimmerman's SUV was parked.Also if he had a broken nose and severe head injuries it would be in a PCR (Patient Care Report),so we shall see.

                                  • 3 votes
                                  Reply#38 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:14 PM EDT

                                  EMT don't have the authority to insist anyone do anything.

                                  • 1 vote
                                  #38.1 - Tue Apr 10, 2012 1:03 PM EDT
                                  Reply

                                  It's always a tragedy when somebody dies. What really disturbs me is why fall on your swords over this one death? Thousands of young blacks die every year in gang violence or due to drug abuse. One of the greatest voices of our time, literally the voice of an angel, just died due to a drug addiction. Where is the outrage over that? Why aren't the Three Stooges known as Sharpton, Jackson and Farrakon raising hell about gangs and drug abuse?

                                  • 6 votes
                                  Reply#39 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:15 PM EDT

                                  Here is the difference: While all deaths of children and youths are tragic, this one in particular is a travesty because they feel that the law didn't do what it was supposed to initially. There were some critical missteps and many of the police just took Zimmerman's story at face value. Whenever there is a killing of a unarmed person, there should always be drug and alcohol testing of the shooter, clothes taken into evidence and the weapon seized. None of these things were done and those are very crucial pieces of evidence.

                                  • 3 votes
                                  #39.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:24 PM EDT

                                  Thousands of young blacks die every year in gang violence

                                  Three weeks ago in Chicago on a Friday through Sunday 49 people were shot (I believe all or most were black) 10 of them died and one was a 6 year old black girl............why do their lives mean nothing...........no outrage, no marches, no pleas for justice from the Sharptons , Jacksons etc. It's not who is killed that is important but apparently who does the shooting. I would think that a 6 year old girl is probably about as innocent as you can get and only her family grieves for her.

                                  • 6 votes
                                  #39.2 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:26 PM EDT

                                  As far as black on black killing - police actively seek the suspects out and if they find them, charge them, convict them and put them in prison. Ever seen The First 48?

                                    #39.3 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:27 PM EDT

                                    In that instance, I'm pretty there hasn't been any serious accusations of the police not doing their job properly.

                                      #39.4 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:44 PM EDT

                                      Hey gtouch, I live by Chicago, and we here would really like people like you to stop trotting out our tragedies to further your own agenda.

                                        #39.5 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 7:25 PM EDT

                                        They are and have been for a long while, but your antipathy toward him keeps you from either hearing or reading about it. Most of the comments on here so far have been from the bigots who would far rather comfort themselves with cartoon stereotypes and rally around their common fears and hatreds than reflect anything even remotely real.

                                        For all the whining they do about media distortion and prejudging of Zimmerman they are ones doing most of the prejudging either against Martin or for Zimmerman and they are adamant that no trial should take place. The bigotry from them is so obvious it's become a given.

                                        The rest of us are simply asking for a real investigation and, if warranted, arrest and trial of a man who initiated an a needless encounter and killed a 17 year old.

                                        • 1 vote
                                        #39.6 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 8:39 PM EDT

                                        Gang violence did not MURDER Treyvon Martin!! Gang violence did not MURDER Treyvon Martin!!!

                                          #39.7 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 1:23 AM EDT

                                          Butch, I'm just curious, are you an attorney, or a law enforcement officer in the State of Florida?

                                            #39.8 - Tue Apr 10, 2012 1:06 PM EDT

                                            Charles, Nobody murdered Trayvon.

                                              #39.9 - Tue Apr 10, 2012 1:07 PM EDT
                                              Reply

                                              Marco: The family is making NO money from this at all-Stupid and false comment !!

                                              • 2 votes
                                              Reply#40 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:17 PM EDT

                                              The money is going to help other families and causes such as this.

                                              • 2 votes
                                              #40.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:20 PM EDT
                                              Reply

                                              Cops just need to hand out some free malt liquor and BBQ ribs to calm down the natives.

                                              • 4 votes
                                              Reply#41 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:20 PM EDT

                                              The blacks and whites seem to get along together pretty well until you throw Sharpton or/and Jackson into the mix. Now what was an accidental death has become a racial issue. Why? Because MSNBC and Al and Jessy thought Zimmerman was white. Zimmerman is as white as Obama.

                                              Actually, I think a race riot over this unfortunate indecent might be just the thing to galvanize public opinion against the liberal establishment in the fall elections.

                                              • 6 votes
                                              Reply#42 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:21 PM EDT

                                              The blacks and whites seem to get along together pretty well until you throw Sharpton or/and Jackson into the mix.

                                              That's exactly what was said by southerners to the MLK and the other civil rights workers. "Our Negroes were getting along just fine until you trouble makers started stirring things up!"

                                              I hope you can detect the asinine implications of that and worse in the remainder of in your comment.

                                              • 1 vote
                                              #42.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 8:44 PM EDT

                                              @culhealth This is not a civil rights issue. You can be sure MLK would not be be a part of the racial bigotry practiced by Sharpton and Jackson in today's society.

                                                #42.2 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 9:05 PM EDT

                                                @culhealth This is not a civil rights issue.

                                                So YOU say. Many people of all colors disagree with you and the insistence that Blacks can only be rallied to injustice by Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton just further indicates the bigotry involved.

                                                small point: it's "heath" not "health"

                                                • 1 vote
                                                #42.3 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 9:24 PM EDT

                                                Jackson and Sharpton did not MURDER Treyvon Martin!! Jackson and Sharpton did not MURDER Treyvon Martin!!!

                                                • 1 vote
                                                #42.4 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 1:25 AM EDT

                                                Nobody murdered Trayvon.

                                                  #42.5 - Tue Apr 10, 2012 1:09 PM EDT
                                                  Reply

                                                  Zimmerman is going free,get used to it

                                                  • 7 votes
                                                  Reply#43 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:23 PM EDT

                                                  Who cares!

                                                  It was a non story from the start, that was taken over by the biggest bigots in America and they in turn, manilutaed the dunb masses!

                                                  A thug bit off more than he could chew, and now is worm bait!

                                                  • 6 votes
                                                  Reply#44 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:25 PM EDT

                                                  Gee, that really shows the impartiality that you'd wish the rest of us have had.

                                                  • 1 vote
                                                  #44.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:28 PM EDT

                                                  Hey, I am not impartial!

                                                  I think any thug that brings fists to a gunfight, should taste a bullet!

                                                  • 3 votes
                                                  #44.2 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:29 PM EDT

                                                  You talk pretty big. I seriously doubt you can fight at all. With a gun or not.

                                                  • 2 votes
                                                  #44.3 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:34 PM EDT

                                                  How would you know!

                                                  Your wife or, probably more likely, your boyfriend, can kick your azz!

                                                  lmao at you, fat azz!

                                                  • 1 vote
                                                  #44.4 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:39 PM EDT

                                                  Actually I'm 6'3'', 230 and at 9% body fat. I run, swim, box and all sort of other activities.

                                                  I also own a glock 23 and know how to use it. Try again.

                                                  • 2 votes
                                                  #44.5 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:46 PM EDT

                                                  @butch, why do you need a glock? concealed carry or sport shooting?

                                                    #44.6 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 8:02 PM EDT

                                                    Butch

                                                    And he wears pink undies!!!

                                                    • 1 vote
                                                    #44.7 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 1:27 AM EDT

                                                    Nah, I go commando!

                                                    And please bring your Glock to a real gunfight. Knowing the Glock, it will jamb quickly and then the clip will grind

                                                    And, after watching your fat azz try to outrun a Colt.45 slug, you might run enough to get your fat content down below 80%!

                                                    LMAO at you, fat azz!

                                                      #44.8 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 7:49 AM EDT

                                                      SDskydiver71,

                                                      I use it for home defense.

                                                        #44.9 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 10:41 AM EDT

                                                        Crashy,

                                                        Apparently, you know little about firearms. Glocks are known for being reliable. Due to their reliability, they're become a staple for law enforcement all across U.S. and other countries.

                                                          #44.10 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 10:46 AM EDT

                                                          butch, 10-4 not a thing wrong with that.

                                                            #44.11 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 12:02 PM EDT
                                                            Reply

                                                            He was advised by a 911 operator. 911 operators have No authority. They are trained in CPR phone instruction, medical instruction by phone. They have no Legal authority to tell you anything. They are there to answer the 911 calls and send out the Authorities: police,fire and EMS only. I somehow think you did not score too high on the Comprehension part of your SAT Testing. Trying to change the facts to fit your agenda isn't working.

                                                            • 5 votes
                                                            Reply#45 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:26 PM EDT

                                                            Neither do neighborhood watchmen.

                                                            • 1 vote
                                                            #45.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:31 PM EDT

                                                            rjw007

                                                            He was advised by a 911 operator. 911 operators have No authority. They are trained in CPR phone instruction, medical instruction by phone. They have no Legal authority to tell you anything.

                                                            That's a pretty pathetic rationalization. The 911 dispatchers are quite aware of police policy and this one was advising Zimmerman according to what a cop would have told him. "We don't need you to do that." Who do you suppose the 911 operator was referring to when using the word "we"? It was meant to be speaking on the behalf of the police themselves.

                                                            What do you think the police would have said? "Go for it."

                                                            The technical legality is moot.

                                                            The essential point is that Zimmerman initiated and is responsible for the entire sequence of events that led to Martin's death. He literally interrupted Martin's life for no good reason and THAT is where the cries for justice originate from.

                                                            • 2 votes
                                                            #45.2 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 8:51 PM EDT

                                                            They are emergency specialists. They work for emergency agencies, i.e. Police. When they give instruction, they are legal!!!!

                                                            • 1 vote
                                                            #45.3 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 1:30 AM EDT
                                                            Reply

                                                            One thing the thugs need to remember when they sucker punch someone and beat their head on the side walk that it is legal in some states to carry a concealed weapon.

                                                            • 5 votes
                                                            Reply#46 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:29 PM EDT

                                                            I'm sure you'll be the one to show them what's up, tough guy.

                                                            • 2 votes
                                                            #46.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:32 PM EDT

                                                            We don't know if any of that occurred, it's just Zimmerman's account. But you won't let that stop you, will you, Mr Big?

                                                            • 1 vote
                                                            #46.2 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 8:56 PM EDT

                                                            Culheath, It is going to be the only live account we get though isn't it?

                                                              #46.3 - Tue Apr 10, 2012 1:13 PM EDT
                                                              Reply

                                                              So how is it that some of you seem to know that it wasn't Trayvon who was the aggressor, initiating the fight by throwing the first punch, and then getting on top of Zimmerman and banging the back of his head on the pavement?

                                                              So if this is true and the 6'3" "kid" did initiate the fight, that kinda changes things doesn't it. Some can falsely state that Martin was "gunned down" and/or "hunted, tracked down and "murdered". The fact is Zimmerman had a permit to carry a handgun, and a legal right to defend himself with it if attacked, so where's the case for arresting him? And where's the case for most black on black homicides that are over 10 times more prevailant, oh wait I know, it's only a "crime" and/or makes headlines around the world if a "white" person is suspected of doing it.

                                                              • 2 votes
                                                              Reply#47 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:40 PM EDT

                                                              Mars-ax

                                                              So how is it that some of you seem to know that it wasn't Trayvon who was the aggressor, initiating the fight by throwing the first punch, and then getting on top of Zimmerman and banging the back of his head on the pavement?

                                                              No one knows ...yet. Why are you assuming your angle to be any more likely than any other set of circumstances?

                                                              The fact is Zimmerman had a permit to carry a handgun, and a legal right to defend himself with it if attacked,

                                                              Zimmerman was breaking with standard neighborhood watchman protocol which dictates that the role is to observe and report and to absolutely not do watch duty while armed.

                                                              And where's the case for most black on black homicides that are over 10 times more prevailant, oh wait I know, it's only a "crime" and/or makes headlines around the world if a "white" person is suspected of doing it.

                                                              Bigoted and based on false assumptions and totally irrelevant to the case at hand.

                                                              • 1 vote
                                                              #47.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 9:01 PM EDT

                                                              Actually it is relevant, if Trayvon had been killed by a by a black male, this would have barely made the local News in Sanford.

                                                              So who's being the real bigot in this case.

                                                                #47.2 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 11:08 PM EDT

                                                                Mars-ax

                                                                Actually it is relevant, if Trayvon had been killed by a by a black male, this would have barely made the local News in Sanford.

                                                                You assume that without reason.

                                                                So who's being the real bigot in this case.

                                                                You, because you are asserting things without basis.

                                                                • 1 vote
                                                                #47.3 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 12:07 AM EDT

                                                                cullheath

                                                                You assume that without reason.

                                                                REASON:

                                                                http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-04-02/news/os-two-arrested-seminole-beating-20120402_1_victim-arrest-affidavits-crimeline

                                                                made the local news. The local news can't even use the description Black for fear of being labeled racist. Still not made it to MSNBC. It is an interracial crime. When it first appeared the story gave a physical description of the suspects but omitted race.

                                                                  #47.4 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 8:39 AM EDT

                                                                  That article has zero to do with this situation. And it was a local crime, not a national one...this case has gone national only over time.

                                                                    #47.5 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 9:47 PM EDT

                                                                    BOTH were local and both were interracial. Yet the media and Reverends only made an issue of the white on black incident. But of course the Black on White doesn't fit anyones agenda.

                                                                      #47.6 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 10:27 PM EDT
                                                                      Reply

                                                                      this is one of the clearest examples of how racist most black americans are. if he had shot a punk white kid who assaulted him they wouldn't care less. so georgie will go free. all the evidence that has come out indicates gz was assaulted. i'm sure the throngs of justice seakers don't care. they probably believe gz rolled around on the grass and beat his own head on the sidewalk.

                                                                      trayvon got what his violent punk ass deserved. assault someone-get shot and die. i call that justice in the purest sense. it is a sweet thing when someone comits a violent crime, and their victim kills them right there.

                                                                      beautiful, heartwarming, and why i love being an american with guns. we can make a difference. one violent criminal and one well placed round at a time. by the way since no else has done it let me be the first to say "good shot georgie".

                                                                        Reply#48 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:41 PM EDT

                                                                        You have no idea what someone thinks. You are just trying to make your bigoted reasoning seem relevant!!

                                                                        • 1 vote
                                                                        #48.1 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 1:34 AM EDT

                                                                        Charles-1820634

                                                                        You have no idea what someone thinks. You are just trying to make your bigoted reasoning seem relevant!!

                                                                        Yet your side in this case KNOWS what George was thinking.

                                                                          #48.2 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 8:41 AM EDT

                                                                          trust_verify

                                                                          Charles-1820634

                                                                          You have no idea what someone thinks. You are just trying to make your bigoted reasoning seem relevant!!

                                                                          Yet your side in this case KNOWS what George was thinking.

                                                                          Yes, but just what was revealed on the tapes what evidence from the police has been released.

                                                                          The point of all of this keeps getting deflected so I will repeat it.

                                                                          This is what we know to be fact:

                                                                          1) Zimmerman initiated the entire sequence of events, not Martin.

                                                                          2) Zimmerman profiled Martin

                                                                          3) Martin had a right to be where he was

                                                                          4) Zimmerman broke neighborhood watch protocol by a) confronting Martin, b) carrying a gun to the confrontation
                                                                            #48.3 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 9:51 PM EDT

                                                                            Yes but BULL. It doesn't fit your bias unless Zimmerman had some agenda. You don't like profiling? Guess what, Martin FIT the ongoing crimes being committed in the area. Persons from outside the community were robbing residents and doing property damage. Those persons that had been apprehended were Black males. Just like the TERRORISTS who hijacked the plane on 9/11 were Arabs and we as a nation now suspect Arabs. Drunk drivers tend to be Male. Is it right? Morally no. But it is human nature.

                                                                            So lets review your points

                                                                            1. Zimmerman saw a stranger in the area who was acting in what he considered a suspicious manner... Giving George the stare down didn't help matters. Per the latest leak from police, evidence indicates that Trayvon did start the fight. don't debate me, take it up with the police.

                                                                            2. Yep he probably did. He is a citizen and has the right to think what likes, whether anyone else agrees with him or not. If the neighborhood drug dealers are consistently little green men and a callers repeatedly call in little green men it isn't racist it is reporting FACT.

                                                                            3. No dispute on that. So did George

                                                                            4. George was NOT acting as neighborhood watch the night of the incident. He was returning from a shopping trip is the latest information we have. He was an armed concerned citizen who saw suspicious activity. What happened after he hung up the phone with dispatch is in question. There is NO question that they both were involved in a physical altercation.

                                                                            5.... go read Florida statute 776. Like it or not it is the LAW. As far as the law is concerned they could have been dancing one moment and throwing fists the next. The only concern under that statute is the surviving party had reasonable belief to fear death or serious injury from the other. The poorly written law does not CARE who started it. Only that the survivor had reasonable belief........ had Trayvon gotten control of the gun he would be protected by 776 as well and the Hispanic community would be up in arms most likely.

                                                                              #48.4 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 10:52 PM EDT

                                                                              Hey, profiling works

                                                                              And if the white trash, blacks, hispanics, etc... that fit it are caught, damned good for the ones doing the profiling

                                                                              And if you have a chip on your bigoted shoulder, so fukking what!

                                                                                #48.5 - Sat Apr 7, 2012 10:07 AM EDT

                                                                                Culheath, Your wrong on only 2 of your 4 points.

                                                                                1) There is no indication that he profiled Trayvon.

                                                                                2) He has a legal concealed weapons permit- he can carry anywhere(almost) that he wants.
                                                                                2b) No indication that it was George that did the confronting.

                                                                                Generally I find your comments very thoughtful but have to disagree on these couple of points.

                                                                                  #48.6 - Tue Apr 10, 2012 1:23 PM EDT
                                                                                  Reply

                                                                                  Gee, people, we let the justice system do its job and get the Jesse Jackson's and Al Sharpton's away from creating yet another movement. These two are like the bad pennies but instead of reminding us of what's wrong, they incite, they inflame, and they proselytize to the point of absurdity. For more on this rather obvious take see Shelby Steele's article today in the WSJ. He says it all in his very appropriate column.

                                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                                  Reply#49 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:43 PM EDT

                                                                                  You are so terribly wrong. Without Sharpton we wouldn't know about this. There would be no special prosecutor, no FBI and Justice Department investigation of the events, no review of the Sanford Police. They'd just be a dead kid and no investigation. And that is always something to rally against.

                                                                                  • 4 votes
                                                                                  #49.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 7:17 PM EDT

                                                                                  Yeah Lets!! BUt Jackson and Sharpton did not MURDER Treyvon Martin!!!

                                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                                  #49.2 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 1:36 AM EDT

                                                                                  Nobody murdered Trayvon.

                                                                                    #49.3 - Tue Apr 10, 2012 1:24 PM EDT
                                                                                    Reply

                                                                                    Al: That is pure wishful thinking,period.It's more like he should be practicing puckering his cheeks for the other inmates-Lol !!

                                                                                    Commonman: There is NO proof whatsoever that Trayvon punched him and slammed his head,only Zimmerman saying it.We are,however 100% sure he followed Trayvon and shot him,everything else is speculation.

                                                                                    Armed: Exactly what proof is that ???? Only Zimmerman and maybe some self inflicted wounds.

                                                                                    • 1 vote
                                                                                    Reply#50 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:44 PM EDT

                                                                                    "There is NO proof whatsoever that Trayvon punched him and slammed his head"

                                                                                    Overlooking something Maria? What about the witnesses who say they saw Trayvon on top of Zimmerman and the bruises on the back of his head? Self infilcted? You're an imbecille.

                                                                                    • 1 vote
                                                                                    #50.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 7:11 PM EDT

                                                                                    No YOU are an imbecile.

                                                                                    Actually of the two witness who claim to have SEEN the incident, both have stated they could not be sure WHO was on top. IMO the Sanford Police did a terrible job, a purposely terrible job. They failed to take the most basic steps in securing what could have been valuable evidence and what little they DID collect is incomplete and of questionable authenticity. Having been thru cases like this before I feel there is a good chance the Judge will dismiss all material evidence from the case, and will proceed based on the evidence the FBI has gathered and the 911 calls that Zimmerman made and the calls that Trayvon Martin made. Personally that is MORE than enough to put the guy away. Zimmerman was a wannabe cop and thought he could just go wild west. He is obviously guilty to anyone who impartially evaluates those calls. The rest of the evidence is is in serious doubt .....

                                                                                    • 2 votes
                                                                                    #50.2 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 7:22 PM EDT

                                                                                    "The Sanford Police did a terrible job, a purposely terrible job."

                                                                                    Of course, the Sanford Police are part of a huge "racist" conspiracy, and furthermore, the police report doesn't support the distorded view of events you and others like you have in regards to this case.

                                                                                      #50.3 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 11:22 PM EDT

                                                                                      Of course, the Sanford Police are part of a huge "racist" conspiracy,

                                                                                      The Sanford police have a history (like much of central Florida) of operating on a good ol boy basis that has many racist elements to it. You obviously do not live here or you would know that...it is a given here.

                                                                                      Next you'll be asking us to naively believe that a majority of the comments posted here are not racially or right wing biased.

                                                                                      • 1 vote
                                                                                      #50.4 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 12:10 AM EDT

                                                                                      Zimmerman did not murder anyone!

                                                                                      He thankfully removed a thug from the gene pool!

                                                                                      Kudos to him!

                                                                                        #50.5 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 12:39 PM EDT
                                                                                        Reply

                                                                                        If a black man killed any body in cold blood he would be in jail. Yes, it was a cold blooded murder, no justice no peace! We should march in mass numbers from every state to see justice done!

                                                                                        • 4 votes
                                                                                        Reply#51 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 6:55 PM EDT

                                                                                        Wrong ! Remember OJ and Rodney King.

                                                                                        • 4 votes
                                                                                        #51.1 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 7:22 PM EDT

                                                                                        Remember all those white people that were burned in that cult church in Waco Texas and those hermits that were shot on Ruby Ridge.

                                                                                        • 3 votes
                                                                                        #51.2 - Thu Apr 5, 2012 7:27 PM EDT

                                                                                        Right!!!! Remember James Byrd, whose body was tied behind a pickup truck, by white youths, and dragged over half of Texass, until his body exploded?? Remember the hooded yellow spined KKK thugs that murdered 13 year Emit Till, Remember???? Remember the jack boot racist white thug that killed Dr. Martin Luther King-- let's REMEMBER!!! You crusty piece of dung!!!!!!!

                                                                                        • 1 vote
                                                                                        #51.4 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 1:47 AM EDT

                                                                                        Hey Charles,

                                                                                        Go get laid. Sounds like you need it. I am sure your boyfriend would be excited by your strong manhood!

                                                                                        LOL, you idiot!

                                                                                          #51.5 - Fri Apr 6, 2012 4:12 PM EDT
                                                                                          Reply
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