Amen to that!!!!!!!

DfromSpencer

Now lets get Zimmerman arrested, like he should have been in the first place!

This should have been a no brainer: let the court decide. But only in FL you can shoot someone and get away with it.

Let's not live in a society where some psycho has the right the follow me while I'm walking because I "look funny," and then shoot me.

Now please, no comments about poor Zimmerman getting his head bashed in on the sidewalk because even if true (which I doubt), why doesn't Trayvon have the right to bash someone's head in self defense???? You people don't think he was scared for his life when some dude with a gun is following him????

Zimmeman had no respect for the authority (he got arrested for assaulting a cop) so he was not going to have any respect for some 17-year-old kid walking in "his" neighborhood.

By the way, didn't his attorney quit on him becuase he could not find Zimmerman? Is Zimmerman missing?

They forgot the part where NBC played a manipulated version of the 911 call that was later shown to be inaccurate. A version many still refer to as the 911 evidence proving GZ guilty.

The next entry on the time line will be : Date AQUITED

Fed-up with Crime

The next entry on the time line will be : Date AQUITED

it may not come to that because loser Zimmerman appears to be missing. Also, you might be right because assaulting a cop didn't get him in trouble so who gives a f**k about some 17-year-old.

why doesn't Trayvon have the right to bash someone's head in self defense???? You people don't think he was scared for his life when some dude with a gun is following him????

Oh yeah, Martin knew Zimmerman had a gun...right.

Zimmeman had no respect for the authority (he got arrested for assaulting a cop)

I guess you missed the part where those charges were dropped, but don't let that stop you.

This should have been a no brainer: let the court decide. But only in FL you can shoot someone and get away with it.

Yeah...and decapitating your ex-wife and a waiter is legal in California.

arguesforsport

Oh yeah, Martin knew Zimmerman had a gun...right.

Zimmerman's own father and brother said that Martin knew Zimmerman had a gun. They even claimed that Martin told Zimmerman he was going to die...hmmmm which one is it, argue...even you cannot keep track of the Zimmerman lies...

At least they arrested him and let a jury decide his fate.. That's all we are asking for here but arrest GZ for god sake!!!

Geez, the media are in an extended orgasm over this! It's announced that Zimmerman will be arrested, and within minutes there are 5 or 6 separate articles posted. Then again,this case does have a lot for them to frenzy-feed on.... race, guns, vigilantism,.....

Good luck finding an unbiased jury.

Zimmerman's own father and brother said that Martin knew Zimmerman had a gun.

I'de like to see your source as I just did a quick search and there is nothing even close to that that I could find. I didn't look at every entry, but the entire page of results were to the effect of "Martin didn't know Zimmerman was armed until he was already engaged with him", and I'm paraphrasing there to avoid any confusion or misquoting.

They even claimed that Martin told Zimmerman he was going to die..

So that part right there gives Zimmerman a reason to fear for his life and rightfully use self defense. That quote was quite easy to find.

argue...even you cannot keep track of the Zimmerman lies...

Both of the items you mention come from Zimmerman's relatives, not the man himself. So how does that make him (the accused) a liar?

arguesfor sport, don't ever try out for the debate olympics.

Oh yeah, Martin knew Zimmerman had a gun...right.

Because having a stranger follow you in the dark, in the rain, without knowing their intentions isn't frightening? Only the knowledge of the gun could possibly have made Zimmerman seem like a threat, yessir.

I guess you missed the part where those charges were dropped, but don't let that stop you.

It doesn't negate the fact that the charges were filed, though I will give you half a point on this one, since the connection between beating up a cop and not having any respect for authority is tenious logic at best without a full understanding of the circumstances of that particular case. Especially since we know Zimmerman was SO eager to be a hero that be made scores of non emergency 911 calls trying to catch a bad guy.

Yeah...and decapitating your ex-wife and a waiter is legal in California.

Apples and oranges, my friend. OJ never said he did it, he claimed to be innocent. Zimmerman has not for one instant denied actually pulling the trigger and taking Trayvon's life.

Now please, no comments about poor Zimmerman getting his head bashed in on the sidewalk because even if true (which I doubt), why doesn't Trayvon have the right to bash someone's head in self defense???? You people don't think he was scared for his life when some dude with a gun is following him????

So if you think someone is following you that means you have the right to bash his head against the sidewalk? Martin has the right to defend himself if attacked but following someone, with or without reason is not equal to assault.

I don't know all the details, but IF Martin started the fight, regardless of who was following who, then Martin is the aggressor and Zimmerman was defending himself. If Martin was scared for his life, perhaps HE should have called 911 to report a suspicious person following him, instead of his girlfriend.

redwizard - my understanding is that Trayvon was already on the phone with his girlfriend when Zimms started following him, though I don't know if that's fact or even mentioned in any of the press releases so far. Not really an important point, just wanted to comment.

Possibly. But it seems to me that the issue is who started the actual fight. At what point did we go from neighborhood watch commander with a wannabe cop complex following some kid in a hoodie to assault.

And if Martin was indeed frightened or "scared for his life" as one poster above put it and he "knew he had a gun" why wouldn't he hang up and call 911... I sure would, If I was walking through a neighborhood and though someone with a gun was following me. And in order to know he was following me and not just going the same direction I was going, it would stand to reason that he would need to be following me for a time.

Redwizard000....when that someone following you has a gun, yes you can defend yourself. Was the gun out and displayed ? I don't know, but that might have been what the screaming was about when the kid saw someone after him with a gun. I don't know exactly what went on, but I do know it bears a lot more investigating and a decision by a jury. They may not convict Zimmerman, ther may not be enough clear evidence, but at least there will be a trial and more facts will be examined. That is all you can ask for in our system. What really needs to be investigated are the actions of the Sanford PD.

arguesforsport

I'de like to see your source as I just did a quick search and there is nothing even close to that that I could find

How many would you like? Here is one:

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/state/trayvon-martin-threatened-to-kill-zimmerman-zimmermans-father-says-03282012

I cannot belive you are this incompetent that you cannot find ANYTHING.

Redwizard000

So if you think someone is following you that means you have the right to bash his head against the sidewalk?

No, but when you crying for help but no one comes to help you, I guess you could say that would be the right time. Neighbors called 911 and Martin's pleadining for help was recorded (verified by experts) so at what point do you think he started to be scared for his life?

That's the point though, Red. No one knows what happened, no one CAN ever know what exactly happened, because the only person who can tell us is Zimmerman, and his testimony is not to be trusted, since he has an obvious investment in its outcome. All this outrage was started because the police were just going to let this go without any further investigation. They were just going to take Zimms at his word, and the surface evidence without delving any deeper into it. That is the real issue here, that is the real outrage. All this talk of race and hate crimes, and Zimmerman is racist this, or Trayvon was a thug that, is all just static on the tv, but at least it held the authorities accountable to due process.

The details, like wether Trayvon knew Zimmerman had a gun, who threw the first punch, and what made Zimmerman think Trayvon was up to no good in the first place, will always be cast in a shadow of reasonable doubt. But it needed to be properly investigated, and because of the outcry, now it will be. Whether Zimmerman is convicted or not, at least Trayvon's life has not been cast aside like it was worthless, and its loss is finally being examined in a proper court.

Oh geeze MSNBC really?? Timeline?? Looks like you left quite a bit from the first day. This is not a timeline. Come on guys!

Redwizard000

And if Martin was indeed frightened or "scared for his life" as one poster above put it and he "knew he had a gun" why wouldn't he hang up and call 911... I sure would, If I was walking through a neighborhood and though someone with a gun was following me. And in order to know he was following me and not just going the same direction I was going, it would stand to reason that he would need to be following me for a time.

Basically what you are stating is while Zimmerman had every right to shoot (self defense), Martin was supposed to exaust ALL possible solutions before he started defending himself? Isn't that a double standard? Zimmerman shoot Marin but Martin REASON with Zimmerman???? Come on.

gotta love BSNBC...

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/newsnation/47019784/#47019784

listen to the words.. the announcer states the GEORGIA prosecutor is filing charges... oops right at the 8 second mark... ok they say Florida later on but still ooops.

I agree we don't know what happened, but don't let it stop the talk shows and media from framing this the way they want to support their agenda.

The phonecall Martin was having with his girlfriend in its duration might be very helpful. Eye witnesses would be helpful depending on the time period. So one minute Martin is on the bottom, the next he is on the top looking at a dead boy.

The arrest, regardless of evidence at this time, had to be made because of the pressure. What is sad is that most people aren't even up to date on what evidence there is thus far, but remember the edited tape, the supposed racial slur, the heavy breathing by Zimmerman that the media said was him pursuing Martin, and the 12 yr old picture of the teenager and mug shot of Zimmerman.

Every community has prejudice about who is doing the crimes. So where I live we have few blacks to blame the crime on. However, we have college students that are blamed for a lot of fights, window breaking, car thefts, etc. We also have an Asian population that gets blamed for crimes. We also have townies that many blame or at least disparage in their tone. Really, the list is long. Oh, I forgot the rednecks. If I put the news on at night it is almost always the blacks in the nearest city killing each other or others. Those are the facts.

Everybody is prejudiced based on their own personal experience. My experience with blacks in a couple really bad situations is extremely good. I have been that stupid person that got lost in an all black part of town coming off a freeway, only to be graciously helped and warned to take this road and get out quick. In one particular case, my car broke down in a really dangerous place during early morning hours off a freeway and was given aid by a black man that cautioned me to never take that road again in my life. Now if I had many bad experiences with a race, I am sure that would stay with me and make me bias at least to some degree. It is hard to not be influenced by our life experiences.

theboys

The arrest, regardless of evidence at this time, had to be made because of the pressure.

That could be an expensive mistake. Statute 776 is rather clear on wrongful charges. Lets see what comes out of this "announcement". Be a real kicker if they charge him with littering for not picking up his brass.

Martins Family will pay off the judge and any jury, the Black Panthers will terrorize the familys of any jurors, and all the blacks will threaten to riot in the streets. There is no way he will be acquitted. If he is i GUARANTEE a BLACK man will kill him, and get no jail time.

As a White man i can no longer trust any Black i see when i am out and about, they will attack me saying they are getting revenge for this kid.I can not trust a Cop that would respond because most people have shown that they Hate Whites now and are Racist against them.

The response to this issue has done more to set back race relations for 40 years than anything else could have. The Hatred ans Racism shown towards Whites in this issue is disgusting, abhorrent, and evil, yet i see every Black supporting it.

There is one thing I find disturbing about this innocent child Trayvon, NOT ONE CLASSMATE, not 1 friend has come forward talking about how much a peaceful helpful friendly student or buddy he is, nothing about community events or that he is a nice kid AT ALL from his peers; the only one is his GF who is hiding and a coach that remembered him from little league 7 years earlier. GZ's neighbors that voted Zim the community watch leader all have backed Zim on his integrity; many of them black themselves. I'm not making judgments, just an observation.

No good deed...

Job posting-Sanford Arms Condos: Neighborhood Watch Commander duties:You can look, but don't touch!Must be able to see through hoodies, psychoanalyze strangers and know their intentions in a split second. No retirement, no legal - plenty exposure and notoriety, must be multilingual emphasis on Ebonics, Gutterspank, Double negative, Cubano, and street-skype.

wonder if zimmerman was after his skittles...taste the rainbow...

bayllie -

Basically what you are stating is while Zimmerman had every right to shoot (self defense), Martin was supposed to exaust ALL possible solutions before he started defending himself? Isn't that a double standard? Zimmerman shoot Marin but Martin REASON with Zimmerman???? Come on.

Zimmerman had the right to shoot in self defense IF he was ATTACKED first by Martin. Martin wasn't being "attacked" he was being "followed" there is a difference...

I never said Martin needed to "reason" with anyone, I said he should have called the police if he though someone was following him. If Zimmerman approached and brandished a weapon at Martin, made a direct threat or put his hands on Martin, then Martin would have the right to use force to defend himself.

Basically what YOU are saying is that, Martin saw someone following him that frightened him and that gave him the right to break someones nose and bash their head against the sidewalk.

Zimmerman was having his head bashed against the sidewalk and had his nose broken but he didn't have the right to shoot his attacker.

To be clear, I am not necessarily saying I fully believe Zimmerman I am just trying to see the other side. I don't think there is enough evidence one way or another. I also seriously doubt race played a significant factor in the shooting.

Nambs -

The details, like wether Trayvon knew Zimmerman had a gun, who threw the first punch, and what made Zimmerman think Trayvon was up to no good in the first place, will always be cast in a shadow of reasonable doubt.

Exactly. But who threw the first punch is the difference between a murder charge and a self defense claim. That is more than a "shadow" of reasonable doubt.

That's the point though, Red. No one knows what happened, no one CAN ever know what exactly happened, because the only person who can tell us is Zimmerman, and his testimony is not to be trusted, since he has an obvious investment in its outcome.

Right again, so I am curious to see how the prosecution builds its case. There doesn't seem to be enough evidence to acquit or convict Zimmerman. Therefore he should be acquitted on the basis of reasonable doubt.

Whether Zimmerman is convicted or not, at least Trayvon's life has not been cast aside like it was worthless, and its loss is finally being examined in a proper court.

Also true, the question is: Is the so-called "court of public opinion", The new Black Panthers, Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson going to stop calling for Zimmerman's head if he is acquitted? Or are they all going to go on TV and claim that Zimmerman got away with murder?

arguesforsport

I'de like to see your source as I just did a quick search and there is nothing even close to that that I could find

How many would you like? Here is one:

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/state/trayvon-martin-threatened-to-kill-zimmerman-zimmermans-father-says-03282012

Learn to read. I said I found the quote about Zimmerman's life being threatened real easy. I'de like to see where it was said that Trayvon knew Zimmerman had a gun. The article you linked clearly states that the gun wasn't known until Trayvon was already on top of Zimmerman pummeling him. So you obviously didn't read my full post or the post I was referring to. I was responding to the fact that it was claimed that Martin approached Zimmerman knowing he had a gun.

You people don't think he was scared for his life when some dude with a gun is following him????

See that right there? That was what I was replying to. That Trayvon knew Zimmerman was armed and that was why he was scared. Not at all what your link said, thus the reason I couldn't find anything that said Trayvon knew Zimmerman had a gun.

I won't insult you though as you did me though. I asked for a source, you supplied one that states exactly what I was saying and supports my original response. Your attitude and inflammatory reply says more about you than I ever could.

redwizardoo

Zimmerman had the right to shoot in self defense IF he was ATTACKED first by Martin. Martin wasn't being "attacked" he was being "followed" there is a difference...

and you know this because you were there, you're psychic or that's what Zimmerman told you? I believe it's none of the above.

Self defense applies to BOTH parties and since there were no witnesses and only one party is alive this should have been decided by a judge and the jury.

Instead, the police decided Zimmerman was the victim and this is where the problem lies.

If you want psychos with guns following people in your neighborhood, good for you. I, on the other hand, would like to live in a community where people are allowed to walk even if in the darkness and with a hoodie on. If there is a suspicious activity, I will expect the police to take care of - that's what they get paid for.

Since Zimmerman had to park his truck, get out of it, run to catch up to him, call 911, then run some more....not exactly in immediate danger, was he?

arguesforsport

Learn to read. I said I found the quote about Zimmerman's life being threatened real easy. I'de like to see where it was said that Trayvon knew Zimmerman had a gun

Again, father and brother claimed that Martin knew about the gun and that is why he said Zimmerman was going to die. Now, why would a father and the brother lie that Zimmerman TOLD them that? Something to hide????

See that right there? That was what I was replying to. That Trayvon knew Zimmerman was armed and that was why he was scared.

Listen to the tapes recorded by 911 of a phone call placed by a neighbor. Zimmerman claimed it was him who was crying for help because he was SCARED FOR HIS LIFE. That was debunked by experts - they concluded it was NOT Zimmerman - so why another lie? Why is this guy lying so much? Innocent people don't lie - they tell it as it is.

By the way, since it was not Zimmerman yelling for help, it leaves the only other person involved -Martin.

BAYLLIE: that was debunked by experts -

Its the repeating of crap like you are doing, is just stirring the injustice. I'm not defending GZ, but I'm against the made up one sided crap that won't die. Voice recognition is to be used to MATCH VOICES, not UNMATCH voices, these guys opinions have already been debunked as opinion only! The voice match procedure to be accepted in a court must be done by matching the voice performing the same functions because voice characteristcs change with emotion, pitch, and can be obscured through devices like a telephone call! These expert's opinion IS NOT EVIDENCE, when it is obtained from legal counce and NOT a camera crew with an agenda only then it will be evidence, until then its just more BUNK! You are forgetting, Trayvon was seen using the pavement as a deadly weapon before any gun was brought out, have you considered that?

Ken Trout

Voice recognition is to be used to MATCH VOICES, not UNMATCH voices,

Your statment does not even make sense. You have 2 potential voices. They tested Zimmerman and determine it was not a match. what the hell does "unmatch" have to do with anyhting?

By the way, please show me proof that Tom Owen, of Owen Forensic Services LLC and chair emeritus for the American Board of Recorded Evidence was debunked as an expert.

Trayvon was seen using the pavement as a deadly weapon before any gun was brought out, have you considered that?

seen by whom? Your imaginary friend? By the way, Zimmerman would have had more damage done to the back of his head from a rug burn while having some sex than this alleged head banging on a cement sidewalk.

bayllie

Im telling you what legal experts have already spoken out about the voice recognition. By its definition its to match voice to it, and by matching it must be done under similar conditions; these guys took a taped recording from Zimmerman from at rest and compared it to someone screaming for their life, Is that so hard to understand for you that the voice characteristics change, especially with someone sitting on you trying to kill you. That so difficult to understand about that concept?

As for the witnesses yes, there are PHYSICAL ACTUAL WITNESSES that saw Trayvon beating Zimmerman, this is one of the very FEW FACTS about this case! In fact, other neighbors have corroborated that the voice on the tape belonged to Zimmerman, Again I'm not defending him, I'm just saying don't past judgement on him until the jury is done their job.

Ken Trout,

simple - provide sources to your claims.

Bayllie

Here is a FACT. The voice match was 48% GZ and 0%TM. THAT is the sort of "evidence" you and others are attempting to present.

trust_verify

voice match was 48% GZ and 0%TM

48% GZ means is 48% is close to 0% in the Zimmerman case. Owen said he would expect a match of higher than 90%, considering the quality of the audio if it was in fact Zimmerman. 48% is way too low - 60% would be better.

0% TM means that he did not compare Martin's voice because he had nothing to compare it with. It does not mean that there is a 0% chance that it's Martin.

So his claim was not debunked as you 2 claim.

Ed Primeau, a Michigan-based audio engineer and forensics expert, used audio enhancement and human analysis and came to the same conclusion.

There were 2 people involved, and since it was not Zimmerman, who was it?....follow the bread crumbs...

arguesforsport

Learn to read. I said I found the quote about Zimmerman's life being threatened real easy. I'de like to see where it was said that Trayvon knew Zimmerman had a gun

Again, father and brother claimed that Martin knew about the gun and that is why he said Zimmerman was going to die. Now, why would a father and the brother lie that Zimmerman TOLD them that? Something to hide????

Missed my point entirely yet again, but don't let that stop you from ranting on something I did not say. My original post, the one way near the top, was commenting on the fact that it was said by you that Martin knew Zimmerman was armed before they ever had contact, as in when Zimmerman was originally following him. I stated that I saw where it was said that Martin saw the gun after they were wrestling on the ground, but that is not what I commented on, as you would know if you paid attention instead of seeing what you wanted to see.

You people don't think he was scared for his life when some dude with a gun is following him????

See that right there? You wrote it. You state that Martin knew Zimmerman was armed when Martin was being followed, and that was why he was scared. Martin did not know Zimmerman was armed until they were already in physical combat.

Stop seeing what you want to see and look at what is actually being written....even your own writing.

argue,

You people don't think he was scared for his life when some dude with a gun is following him????

And can you show me proof that Martin didn't know that Zimmerman had a gun? The point is that some psycho with a gun followed a kid who was armed with what? His hands?

I replied to your statement:

I'de like to see where it was said that Trayvon knew Zimmerman had a gun

which you keep reposting. I am saying that his father is either lying or telling the truth (there is no option C). If he is telling the truth, then Martin knew about the gun. If he is lying, then he is blowing smoke up people's a$$es to create a cover up for his son. People don't lie unless they have a motive to lie - or they are pathological liars.

Which one of the two do you choose, argue? Knew about the gun or didn't know about the gun?

If you're going to change the reason we're having this discussion there is no point in continuing it. This whole thing started over something you said, that Martin knew Zimmerman was armed when he was being followed and that was why he was scared. There is no evidence of that. Someone would have to be a complete idiot or have a death wish to confront someone, while unarmed yourself, that you knew was armed. Yes. The father is either lying or telling the truth. But the father also stated that Martin's death threats to Zimmerman came after he saw the gun.

Which one of the two do you choose, argue? Knew about the gun or didn't know about the gun?

Sorry. Not going to be pigeonholed by irrelevance. Zimmerman's father and brother may be lying, may be telling the truth. Martin certainly knew about the gun, the question is when he knew there was a gun. You stated Martin was scared because he knew he was being followed by a man with a gun. The existence of the gun is not what started this discussion.

You stated Martin was scared because he knew he was being followed by a man with a gun. The existence of the gun is not what started this discussion.

dude, you are arguing semanticts. How long do you have to be followed - 5 minutes, 2 minutes, 5 seconds for you to accept the word "followed." My statemnt is broad and in no way that is state anything specific. The point was that people like you assume that Zimmerman was scared for his life (thus justified) but do not give the same benefit of the doubt to a 17-year old kid with hands only.

Now please, no comments about poor Zimmerman getting his head bashed in on the sidewalk because even if true (which I doubt), why doesn't Trayvon have the right to bash someone's head in self defense???? You people don't think he was scared for his life when some dude with a gun is following him????

If it makes you happy, take out the word "followed" and substitute is with "engaged" with a guy with a gun.

You people don't think he was scared for his life when he became engaged with him????

bayllie

And can you show me proof that Martin didn't know that Zimmerman had a gun? The point is that some psycho with a gun followed a kid who was armed with what? His hands?

Best implication that the gun was NOT visible until the physical altercation is what the girlfriend did NOT say. She stated that Trayvon was aware of someone following him but NEVER said a word about a gun. That is something that she would have very much repeated if Trayvon had said something about a gun. All she reported is Trayvon was concerned and an exchange of WORDS before what she described as shuffling.

If anyone would have been concerned about the other having a gun would be George.... He described the suspicious person as having something in his hand and reaching into his waistband. Yes we are TIRED of hearing it was candy and a drink... hindsight is 20/20.

trust_verify

Let's pretend the gun was not visible, although you don't know that because the only person who could confirm it or deny it is dead. So you are speculating. But for the sake of the argument let's say it wasn't.

You give the benefit of the doubt to Zimmerman that he acted in self defense in a fight with a 17-year-old person armed with hands. But you REFUSED to give the same benefit of the doubt to that 17-year old person. You REFUSE to admit that there was a possibility that Martin had as much right to defend himself as Zimmerman did. You put all the guilt on Martin because Zimmerman had some scratchs on the back of his head and maybe a broken nose but:

There are too many changed stories, to many discrepancies, too many inconsistencies.

The entire problem with this case is a law that allows someone to claim the self defense and get away with it.

So if I follow YOUR KID, shoot YOUR KID, claim self defense, you are ok with me getting away with it just because I claim self defense? I don't thinks so. I actually know that you would demand investigation.

We live in a country that allows us to walk freely in our communities. No person, even some so called community watch person, has the right to stop me and question me or my guests just because I am using a public side walk. PERIOD.

trust,

He described the suspicious person as having something in his hand and reaching into his waistband. Yes we are TIRED of hearing it was candy and a drink... hindsight is 20/20.

that is the most stupid statement I have read so far about this case. I'm describing you as someone who might have something in your waistband so now, I am going to shoot you. I don't care what's in you waistband, might be Snickers, I don't care: shot and dead. I did my duty to the community by protecting it from a supsicous guy with a candy bar. Holy crap, you are more ignorant than I thought.

bayllie

You give the benefit of the doubt to Zimmerman that he acted in self defense in a fight with a 17-year-old person armed with hands. But you REFUSED to give the same benefit of the doubt to that 17-year old person. You REFUSE to admit that there was a possibility that Martin had as much right to defend himself as Zimmerman did. You put all the guilt on Martin because Zimmerman had some scratchs on the back of his head and maybe a broken nose but:

Where exactly did I state that Trayvon did NOT have the right to claim self defense? I've never stated that. The reality is that once MUTUAL BATTERY was in progress they both had the right to claim self defense under FLORIDA STATUTE 776. We both agree that 776 is poorly written.

I am NOT placing GUILT on Trayvon. The only thing I am stating is that under 776 BOTH of those involved in mutual battery have the right to claim self defense. As part of that DEFENSE, someone reaching for their waist band COULD be reaching for a weapon and it is not uncommon for someone to "threaten" another person in that manner, whether they have a gun or not.

You and others keep bringing up the CANDY defense. At least get it right in that it was NOT a candy bar. Zimmerman screwed up in many ways up and until the physical altercation started. At THAT point specifically all prior activity leading to that altercation goes out the window in the narrow view of 776. So long as all they were doing was exchanging words neither party could JUSTIFIABLY do more than call the police. Once the physical exchange started then the REASONABLE BELIEF part comes into play. Was it a reasonable belief by one or both parties that they might be seriously injured or end up dead? YES or NO?

Quit with the personal attacks already. (holy crap comment) Jesus Christ did not @!$%# or otherwise annoint you.

As to speculation... We are all doing that based on what we believe to be evidence spewed forth by the various media outlets. I've done my best to review the unaltered parts that had been released by the authorities... The slightly redacted recordings of the 9-1-1 calls and the pdf instances of the police reports of that night.

I also suggest you either READ 776 or consult a lawyer on that suspicion of someone carrying a weapon vs you believing you should fear injury or death. UNTIL that threat is directed at you or another in an immediate fashion 776 does not apply. You could actually SEE someones concealed carry in their waistband and so long as they were not reaching for it or threatening verbally to do harm, you can't do a thing other than perhaps call 9-1-1. 776 REQUIRES an actual IMMINENT threat. Some guy at the pool in his swim suit telling you he is going to shoot you next week does not meet the requirement of IMMINENT reasonable belief. Quit with the overreaching drama.

Lets see if I get a suspension for disparaging MSNBC here. Via "dateline" and the BIAS reporting and alteration of recordings they and other media outlets have greatly slanted the story and fanned the flames. It does not help that Al Sharpton is THEIR paid consultant. It took FOREIGN media outlets to even begin to show the other side of this story. The MOMENT that started the shape of what had happened and those involved changed and the Martin camp started to cry foul. What is interesting is that a lot of what came out was called smearing the victim but not denied as factual. Even MSNBC and NBC back pedaled and attempted to change the "story" they were portraying. The "calls" to dispatch changed from 40 plus this year to 8 since August. The put it out there with minimal coverage, page 3 if you will. They have dropped ALL reference to George reporting in a biased manner. Their promotion of the racial slur has been shot down by the prosecution now with their official STATEMENT that he used the term "f---ing PUNK" so again they changed their story to make George being biased but without the stirring words but rather the "mindset"

dude, you are arguing semanticts. How long do you have to be followed - 5 minutes, 2 minutes, 5 seconds for you to accept the word "followed."

I never argued whether he was being followed or not, just the fact you said Martin knew Zimmerman was armed and that was why he was scared of the person following him. Something I have repeated several times now, but you keep ignoring.

My statemnt is broad and in no way that is state anything specific.

Pat attention now, I'm going to do it a third time now....this is your specific quote I made my original reply to:

You people don't think he was scared for his life when some dude with a gun is following him????

That is pretty specific...you stated as fact that Trayvon knew Zimmerman was armed and that is why he was scared. Since then, you have gone on about everything else except that line that started my replies.

The point was that people like you assume that Zimmerman was scared for his life (thus justified) but do not give the same benefit of the doubt to a 17-year old kid with hands only.

You're not giving the benefit of doubt to the teen, even though the only testimonies (Zimmerman's and a 13 year old neighbor) testimonies both state that Martin was on top of Zimmerman beating him?

Spin away...I'll look later when I'm bored enough to get another laugh.

arguesforsport

They even claimed that Martin told Zimmerman he was going to die..

It is highly unlikely that that statement is true, Why!? Because it has never been mentioned before,And the police had not even said that. I don't believe that to be true. If it were a true statement it would have made the police report and the news MUCH sooner Don't you think so??

You're not giving the benefit of doubt to the teen, even though the only testimonies (Zimmerman's and a 13 year old neighbor) testimonies both state that Martin was on top of Zimmerman beating him?

Sir If you should return to this I will post for you another POSSIBLE scenario That will tell you of things sometimes are NOT as they seem. back in a minute.

Growing up,I have had a boy throw a basketball (In gym class) at me from behind and hit me in the head,and was laughing about it.(the first act of a fight,that no one saw) And being like I was quick tempered went to after that person. As soon as I caught the guy he starts yelling ( to gain the attention of the teacher) They only see me going after this person,and not the initial act that set me off to going after him. So I was the one that was sent to the office. All the while they are laughing about what they did.(They got there's later though, busted doing it again )

So the point is no one saw the initial act that started all this.

It is very possible that after Trayvon ran Zimmerman lost him briefly and found him hidding then demands from him to know what is he doing there. He tries to run away again but Zimmerman is close enough to tackle him to the ground but with his weight and motion rolls on the ground with Trayvon and ends up on the bottom. Now he has Trayvon's arms and is trying to hold on to him and to gain control and a better position(to get Trayvon off him) Trayvon is trying to break free(and at some point may have hit Zimmermans nose) and is yelling for help. And NO ONE COMES. At this point the witness see this and see a man with a white shirt (but really it is a grey sweatshirt pullover((hoodie))on someone with a red shirt,(really his jacket) so he also does not really see what happened he comes into this situation after the start of all this. Now Zimmerman has a concealed weapon and now it is exposed for all to see(if anyone else were close enough to),and Trayvon does see it, he is still yelling for help and somewhere after all this trayvon ends up dead. This is just what COULD have happened So things are not always as they seem to be. This is going to be a tough one for a jury to sift through. I do have confidence that they will be fair and impartial in their findings

Remember this is not what I am saying happened ,but it is possible.

All this time I have said that he had other choices to make,but he made bad choices and is responsible for the taking of a life, when he really didn't have to. Now I bet he wishs he had stayed in his truck

trust,

Zimmerman's and a 13 year old neighbor) testimonies both state that Martin was on top of Zimmerman beating him?

you are making s*it up. The 13-yr old boy, who was walking the dog, did not SEE who was on top and who was on the bottom. He stated he sisn't pay attention because his dog run away...

That is pretty specific...you stated as fact that Trayvon knew Zimmerman was armed and that is why he was scared. Since then, you have gone on about everything else except that line that started my replies.

you are making more S*it up. where did I state that I knew for a fact anithing? The point is that if you say that Zimmerman had the righ to be scared for his life, but you will not assume the same for Martin. How do you know Zimmerman did not show his weapon? You know that for a fact? And I told you to, let's assume he didn't know about the gun and let's pretend it was 2 people fighting. At that point both are in self defense mode and that should have been left to a judge and jury to decide.

Spin away...I'll look later when I'm bored enough to get another laugh.

you got nothing, so you keep hanging on to my NOT SPECIFIC but very broad statement: "You people don't think he was scared for his life when some dude with a gun is following him???? and claim it to be specific and that I claim it's a fact. Yet you wrote that it's a fact that a 13-yr old saw Martin beat up Zimmerman. IT DID NOT HAPPEN!!!! The kid and his mother made it clear from the very begiining that the kid saw nothing other than dark figures.

so you spin away with your fake stories....

I will still claim that no civilian has the right to follow me, stalk me, question me, just becuase I am walking down the my neighborhood while dark and while wearing a hoodie. Zimmerman had ZERO right to do that. I live in the United States, I don't know where you live where you feel it's ok to harass people.

"At a protest in Florida, leader of the New Black Panther Party Mikhail Muhammad announces a $10,000 bounty for the capture of Zimmerman, who is in hiding."

Actually, I think the words 'dead or alive' were used, so what would have happened if one of the crazy followers actually did murder Zimmerman and claim the reward?

Shouldn't 'hate crimes' go both ways?

bayllie "I will still claim that no civilian has the right to follow me, stalk me, question me, just becuase I am walking down the my neighborhood while dark and while wearing a hoodie. Zimmerman had ZERO right to do that. I live in the United States, I don't know where you live where you feel it's ok to harass people."

So what's the source for your claim that Zimmerman was 'stalking and questioning' Martin? There is no such indication in the '911' transcript. In fact, after the police dispatcher told Zimmerman to stop following Martin, he apparently did stop and headed back to meet a police officer at the 'mailboxes'.

We don't know who started the 'confrontation', but the injuries to Zimmerman (broken nose, black eyes and a cut to the back of his head as well as his forehead) are consistent with Martin attacking Zimmerman.

By the way, a 'neighborhood watch commander' has every right to follow someone acting suspiciously and call the police - which is exactly what Zimmerman did - in fact, that's what they are SUPPOSED to do.

PLus when you live in a gated community you might not have all theses rights, you think you do!!! This is one reason folks live in them is for the security.

Mr Zimmerman might have the full authority of the property owners or the HOA to STOP and QUESTION anyone on the property!

trust verify your name does not suit your slanted and delusional posts...zimmerman was TOLD BY THE POLICE TO NOT FOLLOW MARTIN....ZIMMERMAN DISOBEYED THE LAW.. and killed an unarmed kid...it appears to me as premediated... I pray that Zimmerman and his schemming wife WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE

SEE HOW HIS roommates follow the rules in prison...zimmerman's character or lack of it is becoming more and more visable...

Rest in Peace Martin

tony zimmerman may have the authority to stop and question someone in the community of the hoa

however he does not have the right to disobey police orders and kill an unarmed kid! i say premediated murder all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

redshoes4

trust verify your name does not suit your slanted and delusional posts

Perhaps you should understand the monicker before you spout off... I trust most of what people say but then verify it with at least a LITTLE research.. for example YOUR claim.

zimmerman was TOLD BY THE POLICE TO NOT FOLLOW MARTIN.

Provide a link or citation to where George was TOLD to do anything. The ADVICE given by the dispatcher that night was "We don't need you to do that" in reference to George acknowledging he was following the suspicious person. The term ADVICE is even backed by what the state put in their information filing/charges.

ZIMMERMAN DISOBEYED THE LAW.

Please cite the specific LAW that you feel George violated in reference to following the suspicious person in the first place and provide evidence that he continued once advised they did not need him to follow.

If you mean that the dispatcher was law enforcement good luck there. Dispatchers do not have police authority/powers. That has been taken all the way to SCOTUS. In addition the specific words were chosen so as to continue to prevent liability being attached to the dispatcher or the entity they work for.

and killed an unarmed kid.

Unarmed does not mean defenseless nor does it mean trayvon was not a danger. Even a 9th grade girl can kill someone with their bare hands.

tony zimmerman may have the authority to stop and question someone in the community of the hoa

Just who is tony and what does he have to do with this case? Define "stop".

however he does not have the right to disobey police orders and kill an unarmed kid! i say premediated murder all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again show what police order George disobeyed.

Back your statement with factual links/citations not speculation or blogs. Just to assist you here is a link to the 2011 Florida statutes... the latest available. Do you know the meaning of premeditated? Show us how George premeditated the murder of Trayvon. Someone who to the best of our knowledge George had never met prior to that night.

redshoes4

trust verify your name does not suit your slanted and delusional posts...zimmerman was TOLD BY THE POLICE TO NOT FOLLOW MARTIN....ZIMMERMAN DISOBEYED THE LAW.. and killed an unarmed kid...it appears to me as premediated... I pray that Zimmerman and his schemming wife WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE

Where or when do you hear the police ORDER George Z to do anything??? You're so full of Trayvon PROPAGANDA spread by his parents.

I'll bet you still think Trayvon was wearing a Boy Scout uniform and was walking an elderly woman across the street when 10 foot tall Zimmerman yelled racial slurs at the poor boy demanding that he punch him.

Trayvon's parents destroyed evidence: They removed the Facebook page showing what a gang banger Trayvon was.

Trayvon's parents misled the public: With pictures of Trayvon in harmless school and family poses.

Agree....

if it were a white boy walking back from the store with skittles and an ice tea and a black man shot him-- can you imagine how fast he would have been arrested ??

How about the fact that Zimmermans father is a retired judge ? Dont you think some phone calls were made within the "good ol boy" network ? Asking local police to spin the story any way they can to make Zimmerman look like he had some type of reason for shooting Martin ?

The only reason why hes charged now, is because theres national attention. Otherwise, poor Tryvon would be dead and forgotten.

I dont care if Zimmerman is a racist or not., HE SHOULD BE IN JAIL.

1 ) he disobeyed police orders not to follow.

2) he followed and engaged Travon

3) he shot him.

your wrong dude...you know how many white dudes die at the hands of blacks all the time? i will tell you one difference is as we don't kill eachother over b.s in record numbers

kmak928

your wrong dude...you know how many white dudes die at the hands of blacks all the time? i will tell you one difference is as we don't kill eachother over b.s in record numbers

FAIL

http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/homicide/race.cfm

From 1976 to 2005 --

• 86% of white victims were killed by whites
• 94% of black victims were killed by blacks

we might not have the chance to because Zimmerman appears to be a fugitive from justice (or soon to be when the warrant goes out)

What a racist you are. Zimmerman cannot be a fugitive from justice untill he is wanted for a crime. I was rasied in a race neutral part of the country. I was raised to beleve it was wrong to use the word @!$%# and never would have said it. Then i worked around a large number of black people. I was introduced to racist like i have never known. Where is the rage when the Black KKK(Panther Piss Party) goes into action as a private army with there own rules and places a bounty on inncent people heads. That is right Inncent people heads, Sharpton will have us being a third world country if they have there ways. Just drag them( Any one accused by the lord Jackson) out in fron of the King so they can convicted without a hearing. It sould like a lot of people wish the still lived in Africa. If you dont like My country leave. I dont want to live in a country where the mob rules. I thank god that we have a few laws to protect us from people like Jackson , Sharpton and so many who has posted here. The real crime is being convicted by a mob. From a non white guy who was beaten by the mob of black kids. I now have a gun to protect my self

What a racist you are. Zimmerman cannot be a fugitive from justice untill he is wanted for a crime.

Do you even know the definition of racism? Bayllie said absolutely nothing remotely related to a racist comment.

The rest of your post indicates you do, as you have clearly shown your brand of it. But your first two sentences make zero sense.

NYMike,

Bayllie said absolutely nothing remotely related to a racist comment.

Thanks because I was myself wondering what I said that was racist. I kept looking and looking....

"I was raised in a race neutral part of the country."

...To make such a statement shows you don't have a grasp on reality....or you use REALLY good drugs.

bill-2793413

What a racist you are. Zimmerman cannot be a fugitive from justice untill he is wanted for a crime.

hence "soon to be" bill.

If you dont like My country leave.

YOUR country???? When did you buy it?

I dont want to live in a country where the mob rules. I thank god that we have a few laws to protect us from people like Jackson , Sharpton and so many who has posted here.

If you don't like what the Constitution stands for, you leave.

From a non white guy who was beaten by the mob of black kids. I now have a gun to protect my self

I know because mobs of black kids are lurking everywhere...I think someone forgot to take his medication...

Actually that is the definition of "fugitive." He's stopped communicating with his lawyers and is in hiding, and once a warrant is issued, he will be a fugitive from the law.

I can't even respond to the rest of your post because I can't even understand it...

@bill, yea, I get your point. I got beat up every day by low class white kids when I was in school. Funny thing, though, I don't blame the entire white race for the actions of these low class kids.

And, I don't blame you for packing, buddy. I'm a well-dressed citizen, too. By the way, I saw that video, too. Disgusting. I hope that pack of animals is caught and sent to jail for a long time.

If you dont like My country leave.

Yea, I heard that repeatedly, when I was in school. It's so funny -- when you can't get away with this kind of crap, that is the first thing that falls out of a thug's mouth. Well, I can see that this upsets you, so why don't you leave?

This is not going to be a country where you can shoot and kill someone just because you don't like they way they look. Zimmerman may very well be acquitted, and coming from Florida, that wouldn't surprise me. All we asked is that the case be investigated because something's not right --- not dimissed as if this kid's life didn't matter.

In spite of what I feel or think about Zimmerman, I hope he's okay. There are an awful lot of black thugs out there who would love to get a piece of this guy - not because they care about justice -- but because they like violence and don't give a rat's azz about anybody.

I sincerely hope nothing has happened to him because hurting him won't help anyting. I want to legal system to run its course, which should have happened in the first place.

You can stop communicating with your lawyers all you want. The 'authorities' such as they are, know and have known where he is/was all along. At no point did the 'authorities' indicate that his wherabouts were unknown.

By the way, if I were Zimmerman, I would be SCREAMING for the autopsy report. Would that not prove he acted in self-defense?

Makes one wonder why it hasn't been released. It would certainly clear up a lot of things and answer a lot of questions.

kat-1015719

By the way, if I were Zimmerman, I would be SCREAMING for the autopsy report. Would that not prove he acted in self-defense?

Makes one wonder why it hasn't been released. It would certainly clear up a lot of things and answer a lot of questions.

George and defense will get that once/IF things line up for a trial. It won't PROVE self defense but will be a corner stone of it.

It has not been released because it is an ON GOING INVESTIGATION. But it will answer a lot of questions agreed.

We know a bit already by the actions so far. He was shot from the front not the back. He was shot at close range not a distance. Had either of those facts not been present this would have been over weeks ago.

It's NOT self defense when you ignore the police dispatcher, follow someone knowing YOU are armed, scare, intimidate and insult the person causing the person to fight for his life then shoot. Zimmerman is guilty guilty guilty. How would you feel if you followed some teen with your gun, "called him out", did NOT explain yourself and then shot him when he defended himself???? If I did something like that, I would be one worried man.... How many people pick up teens against there will and assault them??? Tryavon was totally right to defend himself.

@msjanadmine... The only issue of RACE in this case is against the police department for treating Trayvon like he was a piece of spoiled meat and not a human being....They should have charges brought against them as well!...lets get an arrest and let the courts decide...

tiasam02

@msjanadmine... The only issue of RACE in this case is against the police department for treating Trayvon like he was a piece of spoiled meat and not a human being

what's sad is that the police ran the background check on Martin but not on Zimmerman....that speaks volumes!

actually bayllie you don't know WHAT background checks the police ran. If you recall the Martins asked and were told that neither had a record... Reality is neither one does... expunged means no record.

trust_verify take advice from your moniker before you speak because:

Police did not administer a drug and alcohol test or an immediate background
check on Zimmerman, although they did both on Martin.

tiasam02

@msjanadmine... The only issue of RACE in this case is against the police department for treating Trayvon like he was a piece of spoiled meat and not a human being....

I Agree with you that this is not about race, but i disagree with you on the police, they wanted to charge him with manslaughter but there higher ups made them back off.

and dont forget the cruelest part of all on part of police dept., he was in morgue for 3 days with toe tag as johndoe and they knew who he was and didnt contact anyone. his family only found out after reporting him missing for 2 days, and the police then come to father's girlfriends; and show father picture of trayvon in BODYBAG

Black Panthers put out a bounty on Zimmerman and now he's missing? Looks like he may not make it to trial....

AmericaFirst-500386

A few things here, if Zimmerman listened to 911 and did not follow or Stalk this boy/teen, we would not be reading about it, and it would be peaceful in Sanford.

actually if the judge did not lower his fellony to misdemeanor in the cop/assault case, Zimmerman would not have had a gun permit so probably no gun.

EXCELLENT point, bayllie.

The moment Zimmerman reported a stranger in the neighborhood, that's when he should have backed down and gone home. From that point, it is NOT your citizen's duty to follow someone. That IS stalking a person from that point and, indeed, both men were guilty for trespassing on their neighbor's property at that point. Whether the police respond or not, that's their business. You've done what you intended to do; any further interaction IS asking for trouble.

AT NO TIME should Zimmerman have been in verbal or physical contact with Trayvon Martin. AT NOT TIME should these two have been close enough for Martin to "rush him" (if that's what happened) or for Zimmerman to be seen as a threat by following Martin. Plain and simple.

StandUpJokeOff

only in FL you are allowed to be the aggressor - even if the police told you to stop - possibly get you ass whooped by a scared kid who was crying for help (heartbreaking), shoot the kid, and the act like THE VICTIM.

bayllie, thanks for pointing that out! Great point and so true! It is scary what people get away with, especially if they have family and friends in high places.

AmericaFirst-500386

It is scary what people get away with, especially if they have family and friends in high places.

after a domestic assault charge, cop assault charge, deadly shooting, people are still making excuses for this guy. If this did not hit the media, Zimmerman would be out there right now with the same gun doing the same "policing." He was sent home by the police with the GUN!! that is scary!

@Americafirst....I totally agree that people would be going around shooting each other if there was no arrest... because of this law...I will be at wal-mart to purchase a gun and when my son turn 18 he will be getting a gun, also.....I want my child and myself to defend ourselves from people who might view us as being "suspicious". It is a shame to say, but after reading about this case, I am scared to even look at someone....

"...I will be at wal-mart to purchase a gun and when my son turn 18 he will be getting a gun,...."

Oh, good! More guns always address the problem in a constructive manner.

Geez....

AmericaFirst-500386: Ican't believe the stupidity of your comment! A community watch person has the right to follow a suspicious person in the neighborhood. That's what they're there for, to protect the community. He wasn't chasing Martin, he was following him and watching him, because he didn't recognize him. He lost him and was going back to his car when Martin approached him and started the confrontation. He wasn't any little innocent boy, he was a 17 year old thug looking for trouble. And punching Zimmerman and jumping on top of him and pounding his head on the ground, got what he deserved. He could of just asked Zimmerman what was going on and identified himself and told Zimmerman where he was going and who's house he was staying at, but he didn't he started a fight that Zimmerman finished. It's self defense when somebody starts a fight, and if you are in fear of your life, which Zimmerman was, you have the right to do anything necessary to get control of the situation. Zimmerman was getting the crap beat out of him and on the verge of unconsciousness, he did the only thing he could do to stop the assault. If you were in his shoes and some punk jumped you and started beating the heck out of you, what you do? Let him kill you without defending yourself if you had a means to do it? Some of the people on this comment section are real idiots !

it's about time !

AmericaFirst-500386: Ican't believe the stupidity of your comment! A community watch person has the right to follow a suspicious person in the neighborhood.

walking down a sidewalk is not a suspicious activity! If that's the case, 100% of people walking in every neighborhood should be stopped and questioned.

Zimmerman, as a civilian, did what he could when he called 911. He should have left the rest to the police. PERIOD!

Well how else would you protect yourself if there was a guy like Zimmerman after you mcb????? He has a gun and what, you will splash ice tea on him???? Or maybe use your skittles???

Come on reality is, you can not win a fight, or very rarely when you are up against a gun and a crazy guy with a gun. It is the people that kill! Not guns.

its about time: You have no clue do you. Neighborhood watch are supposed to be the eyes for the police and watch! Not follow, chase or provoke. They see something, and in no way are they to confront anyone! Just call 911, 311 or crime stoppers. How do I know this and yes, my comment is 100% ACCURATE, I am a Neighborhood Watch Captain, in my community, elected! Not self proclaimed, and yes, I have gone through training with and meetings with my local police dept.

So sorry you are all wrong.

A community watch person has the right to follow a suspicious person in the neighborhood.

Not true. Even if it was, he was not allowed to be armed, per the guidelines of the neighborhood watch.

He wasn't any little innocent boy, he was a 17 year old thug looking for trouble.

This is nothing but 100% speculation on your part. I don't know many thugs that arm themselves with Skittles and tea.

He could of just asked Zimmerman what was going on..

Why was it Trayvons responsibility to ask what he was doing? Why didn't Zimmerman announce himself as neighborhood watch and that he was on patrol? It shouldn't be incumbent on Trayvon to inquire to being followed when any police officer worth anything would have made it quite clear to Trayvon of their presence.

He could of just asked Zimmerman what was going on and identified himself and told Zimmerman where he was going and who's house he was staying at..

At no point should Trayvon be obligated to tell a total stranger where he was going or where he lived. Especially since Zimmerman never announced that he was neighborhood watch. With that logic, why don't we just make little kids tell strangers where they live.

I, myself, never saw this as a question of race but legality and am rather disgusted how everyone has sought "justice" while jumping on the race bandwagon without truly being in pursuit of the facts. I can understand that because a law is in place, albeit a stupid SYG one, there was no apparent need to arrest Zimmerman that very night... but now is the time for scrutiny and action.

Amen Nellie Macon!!! I agree the courts should do their jobs, and the obvious biased comments I have read here definitely show the side that the posters of said comments are landing on. I find it incredibly interesting that some of the posters here are arguing that GZ had no right to follow him...blah blah blah. Then a response pretty much saying GZ is a total liar and on the Lam. Uhmmm if a well known politically connected TV figure was tossing out dead or alive I would hide too. In fact that if it is indeed true...sounds like a crime...sort of like hiring a hit man only inviting people to do it to prove GZ deserves to die in their (Sharpton, Jackson) often completely racially skewed opinions. Obviously there has been talk of what could happen if this man GZ is not charged/aquitted for the killing of Martin....I guess the riots in LA probably scared a few folks. Freedoms granted by our Constitution should not be made to form to the interpretations of a group of people because they feel they are right on an issue... wonder if it felt right to the people who rioted after they saw it was their own neighborHOODs that were made to suffer because of their impetuous, and misguided attempt to be heard and understood. I am not a racist but I do know some ....living in Iowa there are all kinds of people and some who sadly are still stuck by color of skin....I also know many blacks who are equally racist against whites. A feeling of justification by these white haters who are constantly reminding everyone how their race was enslaved by ours. It's been 200 years since slavery was abolished. Bitterness and hate only lead to despair. I also know multiple white people who are racist against whites, simply because they are in an interracial relationship. This is all a sad mess and I seriously doubt that Martin was shaking in his shoes....or that GZ wsn't following him with a preconceived notion that he was indeed a THUG! The way this has played out in the media is not surprising. Even Obullma is in love with the boy. If he had a son huh....WHich also makes it not surprising that the lynch mob has formed ranks and is using hate and bitterness to wage this part of the 'race war' that continues...On both sides mind you. I find it funny that their are many more races other than black or white but thats always the divider it seems. No other human being deserves to be treated as less...man, woman, or child. Color is completely irrelevant. Until it's not. :) One thing about the race card being played, it usually comes when no other valid argument can be made. Just an observation.

GZ ... a man who MAY have been in fear for his life the night of this shooting is DEFINITELY in fear now. He gets attacked by the public because he is hiding. Uhmmmm yeah. Hide man. A life should never be wasted, but none of us really knew what kind of life Martin led. I did read that somewhere in the abyss above the character of this young man was not really being proclaimed ... I thought I saw also that GZ has several character witnesses from the neighborhood...some even black? The girlfriend is hiding now too? I think the public outcry of this case is sad....only because there are so many senseless deaths perpetrated by senseless people and many young men that die in and on our United States of American streets. WHy aren't we holding hands across America for them?

Obviously the facts in this case are not abundant. I am quite sure that no one who is posting here was there that night or knows either of the people involved. I should really say men involved. People here are screaming racist this and factual that. The fact is no one knows what happened

he's not Mexican u retard...he's white/peruvian and resides in Florida. Wouldn't it be safe to say it would be smarter to go to Cuba or Canada even?

do you honestly think he got that much money already? IF he gets sent to trial he might get some money but I don't think people are all that ready to send money to someone who has not been charged.

Flash mobs are not new. How many white people do you see performing this type of crime?

Idahodemocrat:

No, moron, the innocent man is dead.

I wear hoodies especially when rains, does that make me a criminal or give you the right to shoot me?

So if it's cold outside, as it tends to get in NY, we shouldn't wear anything that may be deemed as thuggish?

Maybe you should stop trying to tie crime to apparel.

Your world view is sad.

That's like saying if you wear a cowboy hat you're automatically a cowboy, or if you wear tye-dye you're clearly a hippie. Frankly, I don't like cowboy hats or tye-dye, but I'm not going to judge/profile a person who likes and wears them.

Alot of those types of clothes are real cheap. They work, i wear hoodies because i dont like big heavy coats. I also got stopped this weekend while using my laptop while walking. It was a white guy asking me questions and to see my id. Wasnt a cop but i wasnt going to take the chance for what happened to him to happen to me. He let me go on my way after words, but i also learned not to go back in that area.

Fashion advise coming from someone who goes by Mullet. Priceless!

Uh, my 85 year old Aunt lives in San Francisco and wears a hoodie while on her morning walks. Should she be shot too?

not a damn thing wrong with a hoodie but if i'm attacked i WILL return the favor

When the 6 foot 3 inch KID jumped Zimmerman I am sure he did not think the old fat man had a gun( if only criminals have guns the world would be safe for criminals). I am sure the only thing the KID would have done was beat him and robed him.... right. That is no reason to shot the 6 foot 3 inch KID on top of Zimmerman who was fighting for his life in his gated privite property neighborhood. The rest of us are tired or crime being committed on our person. If each one of you keep the trash you raised at home so we know that the kid in the hoodie is ok the the street will be safe for us all.

Wow bill, you big bad gun totin' men sure are a bunch of melodramatic pansies.

Does anyone even realize if he shot this boy while the boy was on top of him. Why wasn't the boys blood all over his clothes.

im not a forensics expert but i believe the blood spatter would be at the exit of the round buddy...not like they engaged in a hug afterwards

Not likely to be an exit wound with a 9mm. The entry wound would be the size of a dime and generally cauterized from the powder burn so minimal blowback and most likely absorbed by the hoodie... so minimal visible blood. The heart probably stopped near instantly. Little blood drain in the seconds it would take to get out from under the body. Most likely place to find splatter would be on the hand(s) holding the gun.

I don't think so. This Special Prosecutor seems to have a good head on her shoulders and since this is a very high profile case, she probably will not leave a stone unturned or cut corners to pacify any particular group.

At last! Someone who actually thinks! I appreciate your post.

How about the "Justice" meted out to a young man, walking down a public street, minding his own business and not involved in any criminal activity. His "justice" (summary execution) was swift. At least Zimmerman will get a trial and the truth will come out. If he is innocent (which I do not believe), he will be acquitted.

I've got your facts right here, dude.

FACT: An innocent 17 year old boy, armed only with Skittles and a bottle of tea is dead...

FACT:...by means of homicide.

FACT: Zimmerman pulled the trigger.

FACT: Zimmerman had only marginal, if any, authority.

FACT: The real authority told Zimmerman not to pursue this boy.

FACT: Zimmerman has had two prior brushes with the law as a result of his inability to control his aggression.

FACT: It was clearly Trayvon, not Zimmerman, who was forced to defend himself against an un-uniformed, armed man.

FACT: Trayvon knew what every young black man knows: The mere act of walking in a gated community can get you killed.

FACT: Trayvon had every right to be there.

FACT: Trayvon gave Zimmerman NO reason to stop him.

These are not facts.

You assume too much.

You cannot possibly know why the aggressor was, and witnesses stated that Trayvon attacked Zimmerman. Somehow that Fact escaped you.

Self defense all the way baby. We are have the right to defend ourselves against thugs. Eve if they look like Obama's fictitious son.

thats the biggest crock of @!$%# ever heard gbinokc....im a white dude that has lived in a nice hood and a few really bad ones, several possibly. If you sit here and tell me a black dude is gonna get shot in a gated community quicker than a white boy in the ghetto then u are sorely mistaken

Everyone is turning this into a race issue!!...I live in New Orleans, where Black on Black crime is RAMPANT!! where there was some self-defense killings involving both whites and blacks. The Media has destroyed this guy George and his family and dont forget how NBC's producer was FIRED for his editing of the 911 tape! the only mistake George made was getting out of his car. This stand your ground law is throughout the southern states, and i have a concealed carry permit. And if i was attacked, GOD forbid, from following to see this black man through my neighborhood, I would shoot him too! there is one story! as sad as it is, the media and this Prosecutor are both wrong and know it!! the prosecutor is trying to make up for the Casey Athoney debockle that took place last summer! Where a white girl drowned her daughter then buried her and is set free, but a half mexican defends himself in an attack in his own neighborhood from a 17yr old who was suspended from school for marijuana. Florida needs to step back and take a look at its own laws on the books!! the media needs to show CURRENT pictures of Mr. Zimmerman AND Trayvon. The media has painted a picture of Trayvon as an innocent boy walking through a neighborhood and that may be the case, But we have one story and thats the only evidence! The Reverend Al Sharpton makes me sick! You call your self a reverend and Judge people the way you do, is a descrace to christian faith!!

You're a racist pig. Black civil rights leaders will have no bearing on the charges brought, and will have no voice in the courtroom. Zimmerman will now have to answer for his actions. You need to experience a little more life before you make such ridiculous assertions. Did you ever consider the possibility that the black leaders would not be so angry if they had an answer for the families of thousands of dead black children?

I'm SO sick of people talking about race. It's not a matter of race. It's a matter of a young man being murdered for walking around in his father's neighborhood.

Zimmerman's job was to alert the authority, not follow people around. If he were actually concerned with his and his neighborhood's safety, he would have stayed in his house after calling 911, he wouldn't have wanted to follow this "notorious, hooded thug."

I find it comical that all the big bad gun toters are the ones screaming like little girls.

Why do you %$#!Vq keep calling this young boy a thug? Never have I heard of a "thug" carrying a can of iced tea and a bag of candy while up to no good. This young man was walking a public street, minding his own business and not involved in any criminal activity. The only reason you would call him a thug is because of his skin color.