Judge Sets Bail at $150,000 for Shooter in Trayvon Martin Case

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

So, per the timeline thread, he ran at the point of the car door opening. Had it been me, I would have stayed in my car and circled round to the rear gate...which means we never would have met. Buts thats just me. If I had gotten out of my car, thats not breaking the law of course, nor is following someone.

Do you really think Zimmerman was merely following Martin home based on the 911 tapes? He was in pursuit of Martin. Merely following someone may not be illegal, but stalking or harassing them is. The 911 tapes demonstrate the reasonable likelihood that Zimmerman got out of his vehicle to chase, intercept, and confront Martin.

BTW, Zimmerman at his bond hearing, apologized to the family that he thought Martin was older, but in the 911 call when the dispatcher asked him to estimate how old he thought Martin was and Zimmerman said late teens. He's made a lot of other conflicting statements, just as he said, "Ok," to the dispatcher when he was basically told not to follow Martin. I think the prosecution has enough evidence to show that at the very least, Zimmerman is not truthful and has a history of being physically aggressive when he gets angry.

[sandinista! 1,816]

It sounds like you were a rebel without a cause. I'm surprised you didn't end up in the jail after those escapades.

We can't all be the shining, pristine model of citizenry that you represent sunshine.

Per reports from one of Trayvon's teachers, at least one of his suspensions was for tardiness and skipping school, which at least one poster here seems to think is a pattern of behavior deserving of being shot down in the street.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Do you really think Zimmerman was merely following Martin home based on the 911 tapes? He was in pursuit of Martin. Merely following someone may not be illegal, but stalking or harassing them is. The 911 tapes demonstrate the reasonable likelihood that Zimmerman got out of his vehicle to chase, intercept, and confront Martin.

BTW, Zimmerman at his bond hearing, apologized to the family that he thought Martin was older, but in the 911 call when the dispatcher asked him to estimate how old he thought Martin was and Zimmerman said late teens. He's made a lot of other conflicting statements, just as he said, "Ok," to the dispatcher when he was basically told not to follow Martin. I think the prosecution has enough evidence to show that at the very least, Zimmerman is not truthful and has a history of being physically aggressive when he gets angry.

Based on the map, its reasonable to assume he was going to lose sight of Trayvon had he not run, so no I don't see any evidence that he intended to confront Martin. Regarding the police dispatch call I believe in his testamony he said something more along the lines of he was about my age or younger...i'll need to double check that.

Anyway, I don't think i've said anything negative about Martin, and I do think Zimmerman deserves a fair shake. To be honest, I feel like i'm back in an Amanda Knox type thread. Her case had a ton of negative media bias (mostly Italian and UK) and people were really not giving her her fair due.

Edited April 24, 2012 by Sousuke

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

Based on the map, its reasonable to assume he was going to lose sight of Trayvon had he not run, so no I don't see any evidence that he intended to confront Martin. Regarding the police dispatch call I believe in his testamony he said something more along the lines of he was about my age or younger...i'll need to double check that.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but running after someone after they noticed you following them and started to run away from you is stalking them.

Anyway, I don't think i've said anything negative about Martin, and I do think Zimmerman deserves a fair shake. To be honest, I feel like i'm back in an Amanda Knox type thread. Her case had a ton of negative media bias (mostly Italian and UK) and people were really not giving her her fair due.

I can respect that. I try to above the fray and just focus on what matters to the case. All I hope is that justice is served.

Edited April 24, 2012 by Mister Fancypants

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but running after someone after they noticed you following them and started to run away from you is stalking them.

Is a neighborhood watch really stalking anyone though or is he keeping an eye on a suspect?

We put too much faith in cops these days and less faith in our own instincts.

As I've said before, I'd have no problem following a suspicious person in my neighborhood who I had not seen before. Especially when crime in the area has gone up recently. I'd call the cops, but I'd make sure I knew where that person who I saw went. I wouldn't leave it to chance for them to break into someone's house/car, etc.. and then not get caught that time because I was "told" by some dimwit with a protocol book over the phone to stop.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Is a neighborhood watch really stalking anyone though or is he keeping an eye on a suspect?

We put too much faith in cops these days and less faith in our own instincts.

As I've said before, I'd have no problem following a suspicious person in my neighborhood who I had not seen before. Especially when crime in the area has gone up recently. I'd call the cops, but I'd make sure I knew where that person who I saw went. I wouldn't leave it to chance for them to break into someone's house/car, etc.. and then not get caught that time because I was "told" by some dimwit with a protocol book over the phone to stop.

Great! Let's bring back citizens' committees, vigilantes, and public lynching!

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

Based on the map, its reasonable to assume he was going to lose sight of Trayvon had he not run, so no I don't see any evidence that he intended to confront Martin.

If Zimmerman had to been 'following' your sister, wife, daughter, for example, in the same way, would you still think of it as legal and nonthreatening?

[sandinista! 1,816]

If Zimmerman had to been 'following' your sister, wife, daughter, for example, in the same way, would you still think of it as legal and nonthreatening?

Even teenage boys are abducted. Even teenage boys are raped and sex trafficked.

[lostinblue 1,989]

If Zimmerman had to been 'following' your sister, wife, daughter, for example, in the same way, would you still think of it as legal and nonthreatening?

If a neighborhood watchman kept an eye on my mother while she was walking home on a dark rainy night I would be very happy.

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

If a neighborhood watchman kept an eye on my mother while she was walking home on a dark rainy night I would be very happy.

But Zimmerman wasn't recognized by the neighborhood as a watchman. He was just some creepy guy in the neighborhood who appointed himself a 'watchman'. You know the type. You might like to think that wouldn't bother you, but I'm sure if it was your wife, mother or daughter walking home at night alone, she'd be freaked. And then when she started running home, he got out of his car, he continued pursuing her on foot. Lets say she outran him and made it home, slams the door shut and tells you she was being followed by that creepy neighbor, Zimmerman. Are you gonna tell her not to worry about it, he was just trying to keep her safe? Yeah right.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

We can't all be the shining, pristine model of citizenry that you represent sunshine.

Per reports from one of Trayvon's teachers, at least one of his suspensions was for tardiness and skipping school, which at least one poster here seems to think is a pattern of behavior deserving of being shot down in the street.

They don't suspend kids for tardiness or skipping school... You can get ISS/ACP for a day or two, but they aren't going to reward you by giving you more days off for skipping already. That's the most absurd school district I've heard of if that were actually the case.

I wonder what a toxicology would have said on this punk who's a know possible drug dealer.

[MyLittlePony 340]

I call the police if i felt stalked by Zimmerman.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

I call the police if i felt stalked by Zimmerman.

you wouldn't turn around, follow him back to his car and then punch him to the ground?

[MyLittlePony 340]

you wouldn't turn around, follow him back to his car and then punch him to the ground?

No he might have a gun and use it on me.

[DaveE 178]

But Zimmerman wasn't recognized by the neighborhood as a watchman. He was just some creepy guy in the neighborhood who appointed himself a 'watchman'. You know the type. You might like to think that wouldn't bother you, but I'm sure if it was your wife, mother or daughter walking home at night alone, she'd be freaked. And then when she started running home, he got out of his car, he continued pursuing her on foot. Lets say she outran him and made it home, slams the door shut and tells you she was being followed by that creepy neighbor, Zimmerman. Are you gonna tell her not to worry about it, he was just trying to keep her safe? Yeah right.

So the homeowners association newsletter identifying Zimmerman as the Captain of the Neighborhood watch, means he is a creepy guy who appointed himself?

Plus, lawyers say, Exhibit A would be a newsletter sent by the association to residents in February, the same month as the shooting. It said Zimmerman was the go-to person for residents who had been the victims of a crime.

Under the heading "Neighborhood Watch," the newsletter's message recommended that residents first call police and then "please contact our Captain, George Zimmerman ... so he can be aware and help address the issue with other residents."

Homeowners told by HOA to contact Zimmerman

Edited April 24, 2012 by DaveE