George Zimmerman's Trial

Manic Moran wrote: »

I have never heard this claimed before. Link?

Actually it was something the prosecution claimed did not happen, and in the context of the article made it seem they are responding to something the defence suggested, which is what I assumed; afterall why else would he say Trayvon didn't do it?

Reading again, it's possible he was just being dramatic. Guess we'll find out for sure the defence's during Zimmerman's testimony.



http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/25/us/zimmerman-trial.html?_r=0

Mr. Martin, he said, did not punch Mr. Zimmerman after the defendant hung up with the dispatch officer, did not circle Mr. Zimmerman’s car, did not reach for Mr. Zimmerman’s gun and did not cover Mr. Zimmerman’s nose and mouth with his hand. Mr. Martin’s hands had no bruises or blood, he said. In fact, none of Mr. Zimmerman’s DNA was found on Mr. Martin, Mr. Guy said.

So I was thinking. How can Zimmerman ever have a fair trial, given that if he is acquitted there is a strong chance of black riots of the likes of the L.A. riots?

Anyone involved in the trial will have this sword hanging over their heads and may help them of their way to making their decision 'accordingly'. Certainly it's a factor.

BattleCorp wrote: »

How do you know that? Did you witness the incident? Were you there? It could be a case of self defence, we just don't know yet. That's what this trial will try and find out. I'm not saying it is or isn't, simply because I don't have all the facts.

What might prejudice this trial is the racist political interferance that seems to be happening.

If Zimmerman is guilty, fair enough, throw the book at him. But you can't be saying Trayvon Martin was 100% innocent and Zimmerman was 100% guilty until all the facts come out in court.

I don't agree with your "mind your own business" aspect either. Have you ever heard of Neighbourhood Watch over here in Ireland. Pretty much the same principle. Maybe he overstepped the mark, but we'll have to wait and see if the court agrees.



You've prejudged him already so. No trial needed, stick him on death row.

Zimmerman reported that Martin was "acting suspiciously". That is not in my view a valid reason for accosting someone. Call the police if you must.

Zimmerman stated, "We've had some break-ins in my neighborhood, and there's a real suspicious guy." He described an unknown male "just walking around looking about" in the rain and said, "This guy looks like he is up to no good or he is on drugs or something."

He saw Martin, drew a conclusion based on gigantic and unreasonable leaps of logic, and decided to confront him. If someone did that to me for no reason I'd probably deck them - if you have no reasonable grounds to suspect me of having actually committed a crime, piss off.

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

What a stupid comment.

He has as much German ancestry as he has Hispanic ancestry.

gurramok wrote: »

GZ was protecting a gated community AFAIK, he had reason to confront any trespassers even though TM was a visitor who he did not recognise.

Just like you or I wandering into a Business Park, security there will confront you as to what you're doing there. Unless you flash a work badge, you'll be escorted out!

Ridiculous analogy in my view. You don't have to provide ID when you're visiting friends or relatives. Zimmerman was not a cop, he didn't have the authority to bother anyone IMO - he sounds to me like a typical busybody vigilante, and I absolutely despise the "I don't like the look of someone" type of person. Unless he saw Martin actively doing something wrong he shouldn't have gone anywhere near him.

Manic Moran wrote: »

It has not been shown that Zimmerman confronted Martin. Even if he did, it does not follow that he started the physical confrontation. (The one is presumptively legal, the other is not). And even if he did that (which is unlikely given the situation), he could still have the defense that he had no choice given the way things were turning out. (Under Florida law, even the instigator of a violent confrontation can still claim self defense as a last recourse if, after he declared a wish to cease fighting, he was still in reasonable fear of his safety)

I'm not saying he has no legal defense, I'm just saying in my opinion if he decided to hassle Martin for absolutely no legitimate reason and he got a slap, I have no sympathy.

I get that most people here don't agree with me I'm just stating an opinion. Zimmerman wasn't a cop, he had no authority to ask anyone what they were doing and if he decided to stalk Martin and hassle him, I wouldn't judge Martin for getting pissed. I know I would. If someone did that to me when I was visiting my gran who lived in a similar style gated community I'd tell them to f*ck off and mind their own business.

Just wondering is it standard practice for NW people in the US to carry a gun or did Zimmerman take it upon himself to carry his own piece?

I know I wouldn't feel too safe knowing that there was a self appointed guy roaming my neighbourhood armed for my "protection"

1. The State's " STAR WITNESS" was anything but a star, haha......unbelievable ignorance!

2. Zimmerman doesn't look White at all. You can see how the sick media played with that in the beginning too. There are plenty of photos about showing how they lightened his skin in pictures so much that by the time when we saw him live in court it was a real jolt to the system to see a BROWN man sitting there.

3. The judge seems well in the bag for the prosecution. I hope her bias doesn't doom Zimmerman because he has suffered enough already. The man should be set free asap and move somewhere where the 'kill-da-crackaz' crowd can't find him.

gurramok wrote: »

Tonight you walk into one of the many security patrolled business parks around Dublin(or any city\town) and tell us how you get on.

I can tell you what will happen in advance. You will be stopped by gunfree security asking what your business is and you will say either "feck off, mind your own business" or just ignore them and walk on. Either way cops will be called when you resist and you will be either arrested or escorted off the site.

Same for a security patrolled neighbourhood(don't think we have them here), either you comply as to what your business is or you are out for trouble.

A business park is not in any way comparable to a residential area. I as person have no right to demand explanations from passers by in my area as to what they're doing or where they're going unless they're trespassing on private property. Martin was not trespassing.

derfderf wrote: »

If Martin was white nobody would be suggesting it was a hate crime, and the president wouldn't be saying "if i had a son he would look like Treyvon Martin", if the president was white of course.

Nobody would have even heard of this case if the Martin was white, and the media wouldn't be acting like Godfrey Jones' Rock Bottom in the Simpsons.

Because the shooter likely would have been convicted of murder with the minimum of fuss.
Or maybe i'm wrong. I mean, white people have never been able to catch a break in America..