Quote:
Originally Posted by ZenGum
Well, what I've learned, is that a private citizen can follow and confront another citizen, scare him so much as to start a fight, then fatally shoot him, and legally, all is okay.
Martin did NOTHING at all illegal or threatening until Zimmerman initiated the confrontation.
If that is legal, your laws are messed up.
|
Zimmerman didn't "confront" Martin. Martin saw Zimmerman following him, (this is inside a private gated community, so there aren't many people out and about). Anyway, Martin tells his gf he's going to "take care of this guy" following him, and doubles back to Z's position.
Now Zimmerman starts questioning Martin. Zimmerman has already called 911 for backup, and was advised to not confront M, and he's also been advised to not bring his firearm while in a community watchman role. Zimmerman disregards that advise. He knows his rights, and he knows he has no partner, and no fast backup is available. The gated community has no police department, so the response time for the sheriff is rather long.
Shortly afterward, the taller guy has the shorter guy on his back, astride his chest, and is pounding shorty's face with his fists.
Someone is yelling for help. It attracts a witness, but the witness can't say for sure who is yelling for help, because he has a bad angle, and is too far away.
The taller guy continues to pound on the shorter guy, who can't get up. Other calls to 911 are made. Then a shot is heard. Treyvan has been mortally wounded, by Zimmerman.
Zimmerman is taken in for questioning. He has a gashed and reportedly broken nose, a swollen face, and a scalp laceration where Treyvan had bounced Zimmerman's head against the ground several times, while beating on him.
The newmedia get the picture of Zimmerman getting out of the cruiser at the station. They photoshop the picture so Zimmerman has no injuries at all, and publish it as factual.
Zimmerman's Mom and relatives claimed in court that it was Treyvan yelling for help - after first saying it was not Treyvan yelling for help, when interviewed by detectives.
Like fun! Guys who are winning fights, don't scream for help from anyone nearby.
Treyvan was 4 inches taller than Zimmerman, and at 17 years old, was on his high school football team. Zimmerman was no match for Treyvan in a fight. He's heavier, but not an athlete, and decidedly "well nourished" as they say.
Zimmerman could not have retreated to safety at any time after the fight broke out, even if he wanted to, because Treyvan quickly took him down, and sat on Zimmerman, while repeatedly punching him in the face, bouncing Zimmerman's head against the concrete beneath him.
I don't believe Treyvan intended to kill Zimmerman, but he might have killed him anyway. He certainly wasn't stopping, even after Zimmerman started screaming for help. He kept on pounding away.
It's a huge loss of life, for something as trivial as being questioned by the community watchman. Treyvan's real shortfall, was failing to stay civil, when talking with Zimmerman. There was no need for a fight to ever start. Maybe a heated argument or lively discussion, but not a fight.
The fight was Treyvan's idea, and Zimmerman had every right to defend himself, in that situation.