Zimmerman Attorneys Whining About a Fair Trial

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I guess his neighbors are lying, or you have some inside scoop. Every media outlet I know of has conceded that Zimmerman was injured. Even CNN, when reviewing the enhanced video said there were injuries to his head. See George Zimmerman video enhanced, left side of screen at CNN link.

Neighbors attest to Zimmermans injuries

CNN video

When it comes to assessment of injuries, a medical report by a hospital who treated Zimmerman is what matters. Any detective will tell you that eye-witnesses testimony is far less reliable than actual evidence. There have been many people who were falsely accused of a crime based on eye-witness testimony, only to later be exonerated from DNA evidence.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

This stand your ground law is the best thing since sliced bread imo. Now the criminals know that there's a good chance they are going to end up dead if their sh*t up. I see life getting better for those who don't won't to be robbed, raped, beaten, etc... by the criminal element.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If folks read some of the precedent under the Florida, "stand your ground" law, you will learn you have great leeway. Linked here is a case where a guy saw someone trying to steal the radio from his truck. He chased the suspect for over a block and then stabbed him to death. The judge threw the case out citing the stand you ground law. The dead guy had an unopened pocket knife for a weapon.

Garcia case

Second case. A guy killed two people on a yacht because he thought they might be armed, and felt he was in imminent danger. Prosecutors were going for a first degree murder, death penalty case, until the judge threw the case out.

Monihan case

Wow, and you think that's good? Killing someone for trying to steal a car radio?

[DaveE 178]

Wow, and you think that's good? Killing someone for trying to steal a car radio?

Where did I say I thought it was good? I said it is precedent in law - period!!! If Floridians don't like the law, they should change it.

Many folks here seem to think because Zimmerman was indicted, it will be a slam dunk guilty verdict. Not the case in Florida, if it even goes to trial.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Where did I say I thought it was good? I said it is precedent in law - period!!! If Floridians don't like the law, they should change it.

Many folks here seem to think because Zimmerman was indicted, it will be a slam dunk guilty verdict. Not the case in Florida, if it even goes to trial.

It will depend on the jurors, but I agree, there's a distinct possibility that Zimmerman doesn't get jail time. That doesn't mean he wasn't guilty of instigating the incident, which is why a lot of people are upset over this. Perhaps Florida should change the law to prevent wannabe cops from harassing citizens. I'm all in favor of laws that protect victim's rights, including using self defense, but I don't think such leeway in using lethal force should extend to anyone who is assuming the role of law enforcement, and Zimmerman clearly was pretending to the be local lawman when he pursued Martin while carrying a gun.

[B_J 2,752]

It will depend on the jurors, but I agree, there's a distinct possibility that Zimmerman doesn't get jail time. That doesn't mean he wasn't guilty of instigating the incident, which is why a lot of people are upset over this. Perhaps Florida should change the law to prevent wannabe cops from harassing citizens. I'm all in favor of laws that protect victim's rights, including using self defense, but I don't think such leeway in using lethal force should extend to anyone who is assuming the role of law enforcement, and Zimmerman clearly was pretending to the be local lawman when he pursued Martin while carrying a gun.

Part of the problem is what is meant by "instigating the incident". Did it start because Zimmerman made first physical contact? Or did Zimmerman just talk to Martin? There is really a lot we don't know about this case.

Unless the police have more evidence than what we've heard about, I don't see any proof that Zimmerman physically caused the altercation. I also don't see how any realistic change in the law could have made a difference in this situation. Unless there were witnesses to the whole situation, it looks like Zimmerman can easily claim self-defense.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Part of the problem is what is meant by "instigating the incident". Did it start because Zimmerman made first physical contact? Or did Zimmerman just talk to Martin? There is really a lot we don't know about this case.

Unless the police have more evidence than what we've heard about, I don't see any proof that Zimmerman physically caused the altercation. I also don't see how any realistic change in the law could have made a difference in this situation. Unless there were witnesses to the whole situation, it looks like Zimmerman can easily claim self-defense.

I say Zimmerman instigated the incident by pursuing Martin, which he had no business doing. Maybe some people like the idea of citizens acting like law enforcement, but not me. We've got enough problems to deal with keeping real law enforcement from encroaching on our civil liberties, we don't need ordinary citizens patrolling the streets, armed and ready to be judge and jury to anyone that looks suspicious to them. That's what upsets me the most about this incident. I think of my 11 year old son and what if in a few years he's walking home at night and one of my neighbors wants to play cop and follow my son because he looks suspicious? I can't imagine what kind of fear and adrenaline would go through him if he saw someone acting odd, watching him and then confronting him. The instinct for survival is strong and people do incredible things when they feel their lives are threatened. Zimmerman may very well have felt his life threatened, but so did Martin, so that's why it goes back to who instigated the whole thing? Who was being followed? Zimmerman claims Martin approached him as he got out of his SUV, but I've seen a diagram of the neighborhood that showed where Martin's body was and where Zimmerman's SUV was parked. But even assuming that Martin did turn around (he was going away even according to Zimmerman's 911 call), why the hell did Zimmerman get out of his SUV and pursue Martin? What was hoping to do? Outrun him? Corner him? Read him his rights? He was pretending to be a cop and now an unarmed teenager is dead. A totally preventable tragedy had Zimmerman just stayed in his SUV, drove home and let the real cops do their job.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It will depend on the jurors, but I agree, there's a distinct possibility that Zimmerman doesn't get jail time. That doesn't mean he wasn't guilty of instigating the incident, which is why a lot of people are upset over this. Perhaps Florida should change the law to prevent wannabe cops from harassing citizens. I'm all in favor of laws that protect victim's rights, including using self defense, but I don't think such leeway in using lethal force should extend to anyone who is assuming the role of law enforcement, and Zimmerman clearly was pretending to the be local lawman when he pursued Martin while carrying a gun.

The jury won't rule on a motion to dismiss under Florida's Stand Your Ground Law, the Judge will, before the case is presented to the jury. That is what makes Florida's self-defense law differ from other states' self-defense laws.

[웃 910]

Part of the problem is what is meant by "instigating the incident". Did it start because Zimmerman made first physical contact? Or did Zimmerman just talk to Martin? There is really a lot we don't know about this case.

Zimmerman not only followed him in an SUV but called for the 100th time to the police (the super cop had a long history of phoning the police)...He was told by police not to get out of the car and chase him.

But that is exactly what he did. He got out, and started sprinting after Martin.

I hope the Super Cop gets life without parole.

Just the words of Zimmerman saying "these people always get away" is all the evidence I need to know he was not in the right frame of mind to be handling a gun.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I wonder if Zimmerman has one of these patches:

[B_J 2,752]

I say Zimmerman instigated the incident by pursuing Martin, which he had no business doing. Maybe some people like the idea of citizens acting like law enforcement, but not me. We've got enough problems to deal with keeping real law enforcement from encroaching on our civil liberties, we don't need ordinary citizens patrolling the streets, armed and ready to be judge and jury to anyone that looks suspicious to them. That's what upsets me the most about this incident. I think of my 11 year old son and what if in a few years he's walking home at night and one of my neighbors wants to play cop and follow my son because he looks suspicious? I can't imagine what kind of fear and adrenaline would go through him if he saw someone acting odd, watching him and then confronting him. The instinct for survival is strong and people do incredible things when they feel their lives are threatened. Zimmerman may very well have felt his life threatened, but so did Martin, so that's why it goes back to who instigated the whole thing? Who was being followed? Zimmerman claims Martin approached him as he got out of his SUV, but I've seen a diagram of the neighborhood that showed where Martin's body was and where Zimmerman's SUV was parked. But even assuming that Martin did turn around (he was going away even according to Zimmerman's 911 call), why the hell did Zimmerman get out of his SUV and pursue Martin? What was hoping to do? Outrun him? Corner him? Read him his rights? He was pretending to be a cop and now an unarmed teenager is dead. A totally preventable tragedy had Zimmerman just stayed in his SUV, drove home and let the real cops do their job.

I'm not saying that Zimmerman didn't do a lot to create the problem. But I would think the only time there was a criminal issue is when there was a physical altercation. Without knowing how that started, if Zimmerman claims self-defense, I don't see any way to prove he's lying.

How could the law be changed to prevent the problem? Everybody was within their rights until the fighting started. Walking in a neighborhood, talking to people in the neighborhood; these are legal.

I really don't see how changing the law could have prevented this.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I say Zimmerman instigated the incident by pursuing Martin, which he had no business doing. Maybe some people like the idea of citizens acting like law enforcement, but not me. We've got enough problems to deal with keeping real law enforcement from encroaching on our civil liberties, we don't need ordinary citizens patrolling the streets, armed and ready to be judge and jury to anyone that looks suspicious to them. That's what upsets me the most about this incident. I think of my 11 year old son and what if in a few years he's walking home at night and one of my neighbors wants to play cop and follow my son because he looks suspicious? I can't imagine what kind of fear and adrenaline would go through him if he saw someone acting odd, watching him and then confronting him. The instinct for survival is strong and people do incredible things when they feel their lives are threatened. Zimmerman may very well have felt his life threatened, but so did Martin, so that's why it goes back to who instigated the whole thing? Who was being followed? Zimmerman claims Martin approached him as he got out of his SUV, but I've seen a diagram of the neighborhood that showed where Martin's body was and where Zimmerman's SUV was parked. But even assuming that Martin did turn around (he was going away even according to Zimmerman's 911 call), why the hell did Zimmerman get out of his SUV and pursue Martin? What was hoping to do? Outrun him? Corner him? Read him his rights? He was pretending to be a cop and now an unarmed teenager is dead. A totally preventable tragedy had Zimmerman just stayed in his SUV, drove home and let the real cops do their job.

Hey Steven,

You know I think your view is generally reasonable, and while I don't agree with your view I understand it.

I think given the scenario you've given I'd advice my child to run, scream, yell "someone is after me" etc until they can either get to a public place or the house as well as call 911 if they have a cell phone. Now if they are cornered thats another situation, and I think if Zimmerman physically cornered Martin then my view falls in line with yours.

[mawilson 2,133]

Maybe this is just me, but I'd rather die a quick death than have my life ruined through trial by media.

It's just you.

[웃 910]

Maybe this is just me, but I'd rather die a quick death than have my life ruined through trial by media.

It's just you.

Edited April 17, 2012 by ☠

[sandinista! 1,816]

Hey Steven,

You know I think your view is generally reasonable, and while I don't agree with your view I understand it.

I think given the scenario you've given I'd advice my child to run, scream, yell "someone is after me" etc until they can either get to a public place or the house as well as call 911 if they have a cell phone. Now if they are cornered thats another situation, and I think if Zimmerman physically cornered Martin then my view falls in line with yours.

part of the problem i guess is that trayvon martin was a kid. a 17 year old kid. they're impulsive, and behave like kids. at 17, he was probably just young and impulsive enough to approach the creep following him, and would attempt to "stand his ground" as a young almost adult. he probably thought of himself as too old to run away screaming and yelling like you could train a 10 yr old to do . trayvon martin gets a lot of leeway-he was a kid. it's upsetting that so many people seem to forget that, but want to give an almost 30 yr old man a pass. as an adult, with a gun, pursuing a stranger, it seems like he took no consideration whatsoever for how his actions could be perceived by the person he was pursuing, or if he even considered at all whether trayvon martin could have a legitimate reason to be in the neighborhood walking down the street. so many of his adult responsibilities seemed to just fly out the window when you look at zimmerman's actions, and i just don't understand the free pass so many want to give him for that. it doesn't matter if zimmerman had no idea trayvon martin was a kid. it doesn't change the fact that martin still was.