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Old 03-20-2012, 11:41 AM
Kevin Kevin is offline
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Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HQWest View Post
In the initial accounts - Zimmerman claimed he was at his truck in the street, and the young man attacked him. Later reports -witnesses said Zimmerman was inside the house and saw the young man outside and came out with his weapon. The 911 call confirms the second report.

To make the claim of self-defense (even in Texas), Zimmerman would have to have reasonable fear for his safety - which would mean the young man had to be coming into his house or have a weapon on Zimmerman's property (not on the street.) Clearly, that is not the case here, and he should be charged.
From my limited knowledge of the Florida self-defense law, your interpretation isn't accurate. There is no duty to retreat and force can be met with force anywhere. Whether Zimmerman was on the street or in his house is irrelevant under the Florida law. It's just whether he had a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily harm caused by Martin.

Bad laws produce bad results.
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