Shooting death of Trayvon Martin

[Monty_Cristo]

i'll give the neighborhood watch guy the benefit of the doubt and exclude respective race from the equation. but, even if he thought this kid was behaving suspiciously, what gave him the right to use lethal force? and why is neighborhood watch packing anyways? seems a tad overkill in a gated community.

p.s. i'd also be really interested to know (w/o looking at the article) the size of the community. how did he not recognize this kid?

[Iangould]

The facts that are apparently not in dispute are that Zimmerman was in his car following Martin.

It's difficult to see how at that point, Zimmerman could believe Martin presented a threat to him unless he believed Martin was armed.

If he did think Martin was aremd he should have doen what the police had already told him to do and driven away.

Instead he chose to park his car, get out and accost Martin - exactly what the police had told him not to do. And think abotu that for a second - you think theye guy of the footpath has a gun and may be dangerous so you take the time to park your car and get out and confront him. During the whole time you're doing that you're putting yourself in more danger than if you simply drove off.

Slam can correct me if I'm wrong here but it sounds very much like there's a case for manslaughter at the very least.

[Monty_Cristo]

he's going to have a difficult time explaining why he did not notify police prior to his "citizen's execution."

[Matt Algren]

he's going to have a difficult time explaining why he did not notify police prior to his "citizen's execution."

He... He did.

Did you not read the story?

[Monty_Cristo]

He... He did.

Did you not read the story?

no i didn't (see: first post on this page). i'm at work and the site is blocked for some reason.

[Michael P]

If I were the family, I would totally be filing a wrongful death lawsuit right now.

[Guapo Méndez]

Right, but Zimmerman is white, and what's suspicious about that?

I'm suspicious of all you gringos.

[Darrell D.]

More info:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/neighborhoo...6#.T2EwReSxJQk

Two days later during a meeting with Trayvon's father Tracy Martin, an officer told the father that Zimmerman's record was "squeaky clean."

Yet public records showed that Zimmerman was charged with battery against on officer and resisting arrest in 2005, a charge which was later expunged.

Zimmerman has not responded to requests for a comment.

"I asked [the police] well did you check out my son's record?" Tracy Martin told ABC News in an interview Sunday. "What about his?...Trayvon was innocent."

I guess walking while black in that neighborhood is illegal in that neighborhood.

[mikekerrIII]

The facts that are apparently not in dispute are that Zimmerman was in his car following Martin.

It's difficult to see how at that point, Zimmerman could believe Martin presented a threat to him unless he believed Martin was armed.

If he did think Martin was aremd he should have doen what the police had already told him to do and driven away.

Instead he chose to park his car, get out and accost Martin - exactly what the police had told him not to do. And think abotu that for a second - you think theye guy of the footpath has a gun and may be dangerous so you take the time to park your car and get out and confront him. During the whole time you're doing that you're putting yourself in more danger than if you simply drove off.

Slam can correct me if I'm wrong here but it sounds very much like there's a case for manslaughter at the very least.

I think Manslaughter is the most likely charge also, unless they can somehow PROVE intent

[mikekerrIII]

he's going to have a difficult time explaining why he did not notify police prior to his "citizen's execution."

Why would he have to explain that? The only thing that he needs to explain is why he had to shoot him in self defense.

He would have to explain what you mentioned in a wrongful death lawsuit though

[The Black Guardian]

Not only should he be jailed for life, but some of those cops should be joining him.

And then the family of the deceased should be the new owners of his land.

[Spike-X]

i'll give the neighborhood watch guy the benefit of the doubt and exclude respective race from the equation. but, even if he thought this kid was behaving suspiciously, what gave him the right to use lethal force? and why is neighborhood watch packing anyways? seems a tad overkill in a gated community.

Spoken like somebody who's never had his letterbox vandalised. Goddamn bleeding-heart liberals!

[Darrell D.]

Why would he have to explain that? The only thing that he needs to explain is why he had to shoot him in self defense.

He would have to explain what you mentioned in a wrongful death lawsuit though

Especially after the 911 dispatcher told him to STAY in his car.
If he had did as he was told, this never would have happened.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

Honestly, I see this as a much lesser scale Penn State issue: I bet money that some of the cops and citizens in the area can, are, and will vouch for this guy, and protect him from whatever he really deserves.

This man is protected, and justice won't be served. Cynical I know.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

Honestly, I see this as a much lesser scale Penn State issue: I bet money that some of the cops and citizens in the area can, are, and will vouch for this guy, and protect him from whatever he really deserves.

This man is protected, and justice won't be served. Cynical I know.

others have said the same thing, they believe the police is protecting him. something is not right in Florida. a witness said she heard trayvon scream help, but a officer corrected her and said she heard Zimmerman scream for help.