George zimmerman.....not guilty!

**Danny** · July-13-13, 09:04 PM

George Zimmerman, that guy who killed Trayvon Martin in self defense. Is found not guilty manslaughter. This would cause a huge disturbance in Black community.

**Pam** · July-13-13, 09:14 PM

Lame. I thought it would be manslaughter at least.

**Johnnny5** · July-13-13, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by Danny

George Zimmerman, that guy who killed Trayvon Martin in self defense. Is found not guilty manslaughter. This would cause a huge disturbance in Black community.

I think they made the right decision, but I can not believe the judge allowed this verdict to be read this evening! A hot summer weekend evening and now the police are going to have to deal with the backlash at the worst time possible.

**Danny** · July-13-13, 09:22 PM

George Zimmerman is also found not guilty of Second Degree Murder, too. PITIFUL!

**Crumbled_pavement** · July-13-13, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by Pam

Lame. I thought it would be manslaughter at least.

Why? In this country, you catch more grief for killing a dog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRhIeahL2-A

**Danny** · July-13-13, 09:44 PM

In Florida where the NRA is the new KKK. "Their stand your ground law" literally means kill blacks and minorities who walk by middle class communities.

It's open season for black folks and minorities!

**JBMcB** · July-13-13, 09:49 PM

The prosecution did a terrible job. Their "star witness," one of Martin's friends who was one of the last to talk to him on his cell phone, was barely understandable and didn't seem to want to testify. A couple of their own detectives offered damaging testimony to their case. The defending attorney, while pretty awful at opening and closing remarks, was pretty good at taking apart witnesses on the stand. They should have adjusted their strategy accordingly and didn't.

**Ray1936** · July-13-13, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by Danny

This would cause a huge disturbance in Black community.

Gosh, it didn't cause a 'huge disturbance' in the White community when O.J. beat the rap. Can't figure that out.

**Bobl** · July-13-13, 10:40 PM

Dudley Do Right with a gun walked. Disgusting, but not at all surprising. In Florida, one is allowed to go hunting without a license for anyone they feel does not belong in their neighborhood.
Now, the jackass gets the movie rights.
This is the same State that gave an African American woman 20 years for firing warning shots into her ceiling when attacked in her own home.

**Bobl** · July-13-13, 11:15 PM

http://www.wtsp.com/news/national/ar...-warning-shots

**Cincinnati_Kid** · July-14-13, 02:31 AM

We'll never know what TRULY happened, because Trayvon isn't here to defend himself. Zimmerman was told to leave the kid alone by local police, and he pursued him anyway. That alone is grounds for something. So, now it's ok to pull out a gun and shoot somebody, then claim it was self-defense after getting your ass kicked by a un-armed 17 year old. He was profiled, plain and simple. Happens everyday to African-Americans, especially by law enforcement

**gnome** · July-14-13, 05:54 AM

Prosecutors did a poor job on this case. Seemed a slam dunk.

**coracle** · July-14-13, 06:16 AM

I didn't expect an Acquittal; but whether one agrees with the decision or not justice has been served based on the prevailing law. The case is still being tried in the Media [[CNN) this morning and they haven't yet given up on the possibility of creating racist strife. They just showed about 200 people chanting that racism is not dead to support their position and ignore the irony in the chant.

**Zacha341** · July-14-13, 08:18 AM

Good points CK. This whole tragedy became politicized [[both sides) from the beginning.

I was thinking manslaughter would be the verdict as that would speak to Zimmerman pursuing Martin on his own after he was told to wait for the police to investigate the call. And his subsequent use of lethal force questions his training to respond in such a situation otherwise. Did he have the gun drawn, in his pocket, or holstered as claimed.

It will be interesting to see what the response will be here in Detroit? Protests?

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

We'll never know what TRULY happened, because Trayvon isn't here to defend himself. Zimmerman was told to leave the kid alone by local police, and he pursued him anyway. That alone is grounds for something. So, now it's ok to pull out a gun and shoot somebody, then claim it was self-defense after getting your ass kicked by a un-armed 17 year old. He was profiled, plain and simple. Happens everyday to African-Americans, especially by law enforcement

**Zacha341** · July-14-13, 08:32 AM

I hear what you are saying but please DON'T throw the baby out with the bath water over this Danny. I'd hate to see our remaining self-defense laws demonized by the 'their' questionable use as some will ascribe.

Withstanding this case, the Stand Your Ground also known as the Castle Doctrine can and has been a effective response to violence, such a for a home owner or renter etc. People [[black, white and purple) living in high crime areas need not forget that. Lest we loose our options to defend ourselves should we need to.

Zimmerman's innocence will remain in question for decades but let's revisit the Stand your ground law in the broader spectrum. See below definition in brief:

Stand-your-ground law

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the United States of America, stand-your-ground law states that a person may justifiably use force in self-defense when there is reasonable belief of an unlawful threat, without an obligation to retreat first. The concept sometimes exists in statutory law and sometimes through common law precedents. One key distinction is whether the concept only applies to defending a home or vehicle, or whether it applies to all lawfully occupied locations.

Under these legal concepts, a person is justified in using deadly force in certain situations and the "stand your ground" law would be a defense or immunity to criminal charges and civil suit. The difference between immunity and a defense is that an immunity bars suit, charges, detention and arrest. A defense, such as an affirmative defense, permits a plaintiff or the state to seek civil damages or a criminal conviction but may offer mitigating circumstances that justify the accused's conduct.

More than half of the states in the United States have adopted the Castle doctrine, stating that a person has no duty to retreat when their home is attacked. Some states go a step further, removing the duty of retreat from other locations. "Stand Your Ground", "Line In The Sand" or "No Duty To Retreat" laws thus state that a person has no duty or other requirement to abandon a place in which he has a right to be, or to give up ground to an assailant. Under such laws, there is no duty to retreat from anywhere the defender may legally be.[1] Other restrictions may still exist; such as when in public, a person must be carrying firearms in a legal manner, whether concealed or openly.

See more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand-your-ground_law

Originally Posted by Danny

In Florida where the NRA is the new KKK. "Their stand your ground law" literally means kill blacks and minorities who walk by middle class communities.

It's open season for black folks and minorities!

**Hermod** · July-14-13, 08:33 AM

News media inspired hysteria

Attachment 20829

**JBMcB** · July-14-13, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Withstanding this case, the Stand Your Ground also known as the Castle Doctrine can and has been a effective response to violence, such a for a home owner or renter etc.

The Zimmerman case had nothing to do with the stand your ground law. The defense didn't use it as legal cover for what he did.

SPIRITED · July-14-13, 08:44 AM

It is the right decision. Here's why. The prosecution didn't convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman wasn't defending himself. Main points were George Zimmerman's injuries. Only one bullet fired at close range confirming the struggle. The neighborhood watch was formed because of local crime problems some of which Travon matched the description. Zimmerman could have stood down, and he was told to. For that he is wrong. But it doesn't prove the he wasn't in fear of his life once confronted by Martin at which he has the right to defend himself.

**Zacha341** · July-14-13, 08:49 AM

I agree. But this case and the law are being linked together out of emotion, for various agendas or from lack of knowledge per what I'm seeing/ reading.

The law and distinction therein where applicable needs to at least be understood IMO.

Originally Posted by JBMcB

The Zimmerman case had nothing to do with the stand your ground law. The defense didn't use it as legal cover for what he did.

**Meddle** · July-14-13, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by Bobl

In Florida, one is allowed to go hunting without a license for anyone they feel does not belong in their neighborhood.

Have you forgotten about the guy in Detroit a few months back that chased a guy down for several blocks and shot him in the back because he thought he broke into his house?

And why is there a separate thread on this?

**rb336** · July-14-13, 09:39 AM

And yet, in the same state, Marissa Alexander was given 20 years for firing two warning shots

**canuck** · July-14-13, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by SPIRITED

It is the right decision. Here's why. The prosecution didn't convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman wasn't defending himself. Main points were George Zimmerman's injuries. Only one bullet fired at close range confirming the struggle. The neighborhood watch was formed because of local crime problems some of which Travon matched the description. Zimmerman could have stood down, and he was told to. For that he is wrong. But it doesn't prove the he wasn't in fear of his life once confronted by Martin at which he has the right to defend himself.

Gunz vs tootsie rolls.

Sure, the struggle happened, the gun shot was from up close, but what about reasonable force on the part of Trayvon? What about his self defence?

And again the convenient "matched the description" bit.

Thsi may end in massive demonstrations, it may also lead to riots. I hope not.

**gazhekwe** · July-14-13, 10:29 AM

That guy in Detroit [[Tigh Croff), did not walk, he was convicted of manslaughter, served the mandatory two year sentence, and is now on extended probation.

**Zacha341** · July-14-13, 10:36 AM

The responses are all over the place, depending on state, depending on race, depending on the agenda; a message being sent.

Thus, like with many case that get multiple legs agenda and politically-wise you best examine what corners of protest you are going around before reacting too suddenly.

For certain many will use this case to further their agenda and then there is the truth and reality.

Originally Posted by rb336

And yet, in the same state, Marissa Alexander was given 20 years for firing two warning shots

**Zacha341** · July-14-13, 10:40 AM

Does anyone recall this case? Interesting...

Man Convicted for Shooting Teenager

Gordon M. Grant for The New York Times

A Suffolk County jury on Saturday night found a black man guilty of manslaughter for shooting of an unarmed white teenager outside the man’s house last year, ending a racially charged trial.

John White after he was convicted on Saturday night.

The jury began deliberating on Wednesday, and on Friday indicated that it was deadlocked and racked with discord. But late Saturday night, it delivered its verdict: The man, John H. White, 54, was guilty of the second-degree manslaughter charge that prosecutors had sought, and of criminal possession of a weapon. Mr. White was allowed to remain free until sentencing, when he will face a maximum term of 5 to 15 years in prison.

Mr. White was convicted of shooting Daniel Cicciaro, 17, point-blank in the face on Aug. 9, 2006.

See full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/23/ny...ial.html?_r=3&