Trayvon Martin: Amazed no one has posted this....

[Johnnny5]

When the NRA began pushing these shoot first laws across the country the concept appealed to peoples sense of vigilantism. The NRA gave money to the politicans, and wrote the laws for many of the states involved with this law. In fact you had dems vote for the law in Fl. What people didn't realize then and are only realizing it now is that the law of unintended consequences is kicking in, especially in cases where there are very few if any witnesses.

Because of the way the law is written the burden on the prosecution is much more difficult to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt when that law is used as a defense, especially if its one of those "he said, she said" cases.

If Zimmerman's account of the events is truthful the "Stand your ground law" is really not even an issue in this case. According to Mr. Zimmerman he was attacked by Trayvon and knocked to the ground while he was walking back to his vehicle. If this is true then retreat was not an option and the shooting would be considered self defense even if a legal requirement to retreat first still existed.

[Detroit Stylin]

If Zimmerman's account of the events is truthful the "Stand your ground law" is really not even an issue in this case. According to Mr. Zimmerman he was attacked by Trayvon and knocked to the ground while he was walking back to his vehicle. If this is true then retreat was not an option and the shooting would be considered self defense even if a legal requirement to retreat first still existed.

So in essence you are saying that Even though he did not identify himself and even IF Trayvon 'attacked' Zimmerman that Trayvon did not have those very same rights to stand his ground and defend himself against what he couldk have possibly felt to be a threat to his own safety since this strange man kept following him and accosted him without identifying himself? Some of you are pretty dang hypocritical...

[Roq]

So in essence you are saying that Even though he did not identify himself and even IF Trayvon 'attacked' Zimmerman that Trayvon did not have those very same rights to stand his ground and defend himself against what he couldk have possibly felt to be a threat to his own safety since this strange man kept following him and accosted him without identifying himself? Some of you are pretty dang hypocritical...

Here is a pic of the area [[lifted from Websleuths). If GZ was in his vehicle, I don't see how he came in contact with Trayvon without approaching him -- since it's a sidewalk behind buildings and all.

[Meddle]

I don't see how he came in contact with Trayvon without approaching him --

Have you even bothered to read any of the factual accounts? Or are you only focused on rumor and innuendo?

One more time, for anyone interested in fact over fiction......

The reports state GZ lost sight of TM and left his vehicle on foot to try and locate him. When he was unable to, he began to return to his vehicle. Sometime after that, GZ states he was attacked. Whether that's true or not, we'll never know since there is no other first hand account.

Following is NOT approaching.

If you can't locate someone, you can't approach them.

There is no factual statement that GZ approached TM.

Until some other factual account is provided, anyone assuming that GZ approached TM is doing so based on fantasy and what they would LIKE to think happened.

We simply don't know any more that what has been posted publicly in the media and on the official police report.

We may never know 100% what happened in those critical 2 minutes or so, but there's no reason to make things up either.

[rb336]

If someone you didn't know was following you on your way home, how would you feel? TM would have been FAR more justified in shooting Zimmerman

[Johnnny5]

If someone you didn't know was following you on your way home, how would you feel? TM would have been FAR more justified in shooting Zimmerman

You seriously see more justification in shooting someone because they are following you in broad daylight, than to shoot someone that physically attacks you and knocks you to the ground?

[rb336]

You seriously see more justification in shooting someone because they are following you in broad daylight, than to shoot someone that physically attacks you and knocks you to the ground?

I see far more justification in shooting an armed man who IS stalking you, and no matter how the nutjobs try to twist Zimmerman's actions, he WAS stalking the kid

[Johnnny5]

So in essence you are saying that Even though he did not identify himself and even IF Trayvon 'attacked' Zimmerman that Trayvon did not have those very same rights to stand his ground and defend himself against what he couldk have possibly felt to be a threat to his own safety since this strange man kept following him and accosted him without identifying himself? Some of you are pretty dang hypocritical...

Of course Trayvon had the right to defend himself, and if Mr Zimmerman is shown to be the one who escalated this altercation into something physical then he should be held responsible for what resulted. On the other hand, I don't think that being questioned and followed should be considered a justifiable reason to double back and assault someone. I'm not saying that's what happened, but no one else was there to see it so we really don't know.