Opinion
Disagree with your neighbor? Don't just stew over it; write about it. Flag as Inappropriate
Posts awaiting your approval 0
Stephanie May 17, 2013 at 04:58 pm
I have studied the case too. Anything that happened after Zimmerman hung up with 911 is his story.…Read More No one saw the start of the confrontation. Zimmerman could have busted his face falling down in the fight. Nothing that Zimmerman said about the fight makes sense. What is a "mixed martial arts position"? Is that when Martin was on top of him? Was the gun in Zimmerman's waistband? Wouldn't Martin have to get off of him to get it? Or even know it was there? Martin is beating Zimmerman up and suddenly says to himself, "Yea, I'm gonna kill this guy." Really? More likely Zimmerman was losing the fight however it started and pulled his gun. It's all whatever Zimmerman says. You know Zimmerman had his bail revoked because he AND HIS WIFE were caught lying to the court, right? You know he lied about having a second passport, right? Zimmerman had a concealed carry permit, but you know he has 3 arrests on his record, right? He has felony assault on a police officer in 2005 and 2 domestic assault charges on his record. Well, I guess that background check didn't matter, did it? Yup, that's the person with a concealed carry permit. But hey, let's take his word for what happened that night. The only other person who knows what happened is dead. I hope Zimmerman doesn't end up watching your neighborhood. And bravado doesn't exist?
James Gordon May 16, 2013 at 10:17 pm
Stephanie:
Where in the world did you get your information about what occurred between Zimmerman and…Read More Martin? I've read the witness statements, I've read Zimmerman's statements, I've looked at the crime scene photos and read the transcript of Zimmerman's telephone call to the police.
Taking it from the top: Zimmerman called the police from his vehicle because he saw Martin wandering around in the rain and thought he was suspicious. This is exactly what you state he should have done.
When Martin left the area, Zimmerman (still on the phone with the police) followed Martin until the police dispatch told him that was not needed. Zimmerman then stopped following Martin and told dispatch where he would meet a patrol unit. At this point Zimmerman disconnected from the police -pretty much confirming that he'd lost sight of Martin. Zimmerman states that as he was walking back to his car, Martin came out of nowhere and asked if Zimmerman had a problem. Zimmerman replied no. Martin then reportedly said that Zimmerman did have a problem now. Martin (several inches taller than Zimmerman) then reportedly tackled Zimmerman, and from a mount position (essentially sitting on Zimmerman's hips) began to punch Zimmerman and slam his head into the ground. Zimmerman reportedly yelled repeatedly for help. Several neighbors heard the commotion and the cries for help. In fact, the cries for help can be heard in a 911 call made by one of the neighbors. Another person looked out a window and told the police that a person wearing clothes matching Martin's was in a mixed martial arts position hitting a person wearing clothes matching Zimmerman's. Zimmerman states that at some point Martin discovered Zimmerman's gun and that Zimmerman drew the gun only when Martin moved toward the gun. Zimmerman drew the gun and fired one shot.
Zimmerman's injuries are consistent with his story: he had lacerations on the back of his head and a visibly broken nose. His clothes were wet on the back. Martin had only two injuries: an abrasion on his knuckles and the gun shot wound to his chest.
You may not believe Zimmerman's statements, but there is simply no evidence that Zimmerman tackled Martin. To the contrary, all the evidence indicates it was Martin who escalated the encounter to the physical.
In my mind, Zimmerman made two big mistakes. He initially followed Martin. When Martin asked if Zimmerman had a problem, Zimmerman should have simply stated that he was on the neighborhood watch and didn't recognize Martin. I recommend that you review the evidence. It is available here: http://www.gzlegalcase.com/
Stephanie May 16, 2013 at 07:03 pm
I am going to try this one more time. I do not have a problem with concealed weapons as long as the…Read More owners follow the law. So does everyone who has a concealed gun on them have experience shooting a person? I mean according to you, we should practice our techniques. Do you think George Zimmerman would have chased down Trayvon Martin if he didn't have a gun? No way. Zimmerman chased him down BECAUSE he had a gun. He was on watch, but the proper procedure is to call police. Instead, he tackled, fought and killed Martin. Now maybe the kid was a punk, I don't know. But the idea of a grown man tackling a teenager and killing him makes me sick to my stomach. You think bravado doesn't exist? THAT'S the stuff I'm talking about. If the laws are relaxed on concealed weapons, who knows who will be carrying? Is it necessary to carry a gun to Starbucks? The grocery store? If you are ok with that, good for you. If anyone can carry a concealed weapon, that's too dangerous for me.
Summer Matters: Closing The Achievement Gap
0 Recommend Carol Kocivar