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.

**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!

**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!

**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.

**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.

**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!

**Hypestyles** · July-14-13, 07:34 PM

I don't expect that the jurors [[nor the defense, nor the prosecutors) will bat an eyelash for the rest of their lives. In due time, at least several of them [[also mr. zimmerman) will write a book[[s) and/or go on the paid lecture circuit talking about their "ordeal", considering all of the conservative-culture money that's there for the taking and people who see them all as superheroes now.

**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.

**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?

**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

**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

**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.

**Hermod** · July-14-13, 08:33 AM

News media inspired hysteria

Attachment 20829

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.

**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.

SPIRITED · July-14-13, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by canuck

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.

Banging George Zimmerman's head against the concrete and breaking his nose is considered lethal force. If Zimmerman didn't shoot Travon it might have been his last day alive. This is tragic, but justice is served. Blame the prosecution for doing a dismal job of convincing the jury.

**rb336** · July-14-13, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by SPIRITED

Banging George Zimmerman's head against the concrete and breaking his nose is considered lethal force. If Zimmerman didn't shoot Travon it might have been his last day alive. This is tragic, but justice is served. Blame the prosecution for doing a dismal job of convincing the jury.

Too bad Martin didn't have a gun. he could have just shot Zimmerman and claimed "stand your ground"

**Downriviera** · July-14-13, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by rb336

Too bad Martin didn't have a gun. he could have just shot Zimmerman and claimed "stand your ground"

Good point. But he could only have legally used a gun if Zimmerman attacked him. Since Martin did not have a gun, maybe he should have continued walking, or maybe running home. Maybe he should have called 911 and reported a suspicious stranger following him instead of talking to his girlfriend on his cell phone. He chose to confront and attack a suspicious stranger who was armed. These days many people are armed. To confront someone that is following you, or confront someone in a road rage incident, or confront someone who ran over your toe with a shopping cart is dangerous. More so if you attack them, break their nose and slam their head on the pavement. I don't like Zimmerman at all, he never should have left his car. But the bottom line is he did not break any law by doing so. Zimmerman didn't get prison, but his life is now hell. Where can he work? Where can he live?

**canuck** · July-14-13, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by SPIRITED

Banging George Zimmerman's head against the concrete and breaking his nose is considered lethal force. If Zimmerman didn't shoot Travon it might have been his last day alive. This is tragic, but justice is served. Blame the prosecution for doing a dismal job of convincing the jury.

Zimmerman really couldnt help going after the guy in spite of the police call to stay put. He had a gun, was a wannabe cop at the wrong time wrong place; at least in Trayvon Martin's case.

Zimmerman's ordeal is not finished, it is only the beginning. The NAACP will make sure a civil case goes forward.