The Murder of Trayvon Martin

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

My knowledge of Florida law is maybe more limited than yours, but if, as the 911 tape suggests, Zimmerman came out of his house to confront Martin, then it wouldn't seem that we're talking about a duty to retreat or meeting force with force. We're possibly talking about Zimmerman being the aggressor.

Possibly.

Zimmerman's story was apparently that he was attacked. He presented himself to the police with a bloody nose.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Zimmerman's story was apparently that he was attacked. He presented himself to the police with a bloody nose.

Ah. Hmmm. But my impression is that the 911 call doesn't support that story.

My guess is that the there will be a prosecution. At this point, it will be politically impossible not to charge him, I would think. Let the facts shake out as they will at trial.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

Question for the attorneys:

Are police dispatchers (9-1-1 call receivers) generally considered law enforcement officers? are callers obliged to follow their directives? if so, under what conditions?

The general answer is no, they are not. Every dispatcher I've come across/worked with has been non uniformed and without arrest authority.

There might be some instances in very rural areas that calling 911 would go directly to the local sheriff but that's probably not the case in suburban Orlando.

[DaemonSeid]

So, Geraldo Rivera's take is that the hoodie got Trayvon killed...isn't this the same argument people make about women getting raped because what she wore...she was asking for it?


Hmph, no Gerry...no

[KSUViolet06]

One of the shooter's past 911 calls was concerning a "suspicious black make aged 7-9 years old."

LOL at a suspicious looking first grader.

[Kevin]

Absent a law against dueling, it would almost seem that this statute could be used to justify pistols and 10 paces at high noon.

[moe.ron]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

So, Geraldo Rivera's take is that the hoodie got Trayvon killed...isn't this the same argument people make about women getting raped because what she wore...she was asking for it?


Hmph, no Gerry...no

Geraldo still relevant? I thought his credibility was gone after that treasurership fiasco.

[ellebud]

I suspect, and hope, that federal law will kick in. I believe that this has been used before: violating Trayvon's civil rights.

And now, thanks to Geraldo, I have to rethink my rainy day wardrobe. I wear a black hoodie (sweatshirt) with a university insignia on it. Someone may mistake my white middle aged woman's face as a threat.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

So, Geraldo Rivera's take is that the hoodie got Trayvon killed...isn't this the same argument people make about women getting raped because what she wore...she was asking for it?


Hmph, no Gerry...no

I understand what he's saying. No, he didn't deserve to die (and I suspect that Zimmerman would have found him "suspicious" in a 3-piece suit), but folks do need to be mindful of appearances if they don't want to be perceived a certain way.

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

So, Geraldo Rivera's take is that the hoodie got Trayvon killed...isn't this the same argument people make about women getting raped because what she wore...she was asking for it?


Hmph, no Gerry...no

Pretty much.

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

One of the shooter's past 911 calls was concerning a "suspicious black make aged 7-9 years old."

LOL at a suspicious looking first grader.

LOLOLOLOL!

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I understand what he's saying. No, he didn't deserve to die (and I suspect that Zimmerman would have found him "suspicious" in a 3-piece suit), but folks do need to be mindful of appearances if they don't want to be perceived a certain way.

Yes, there is victim precipitation. However, making this a sidetopic belabors the quite basic "be careful about how you portray yourself" point and can be interpreted as victim blame.

Would Martin still be alive had he not worn a hoodie? Would he be alive had he not been a young Black male? Would he be alive had he not been walking? Would he be alive if he had not bought those dangerous candy weapons? These hypotheticals and turning this into the "young Black male hoodie" subtopic takes away from what really happened, just as a discussion of a rapist would be reduced if the discussion turned to whether the rape victims should've worn the super sexy booty mini-dress. That makes rape about sex when it is really about power just as Zimmerman's actions were most likely not a result of feeling threatened and therefore defending oneself against violence. When Zimmerman chose to follow Martin despite the 911 Dispatcher's recommendation, he was potentially placing himself in trouble. There is no self-defense (I hope the law will reflect this) when you follow someone and you have a gun when the other person has candy and fists of fury. I call bullshit and I hope the law calls Zimmerman and his supporters on this bullshit.

When traces of bullshit are permitted, loads of bullshit ensue. This 2010 incident was discussed on CNN on Thursday:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/0...-went-to-Court

[DrPhil]

I have always liked Geraldo since his days of "dat's bullshit, 'lado...I aint touch dem kids" Joe Jackson, to getting his nose broken on aire, to his current work on Fox News, et al.

MSN asked whether Geraldo's a hoodie hypocrite:

http://now.msn.com/now/0324-geraldo-asking-for-it.aspx

They are being tongue in cheek but I don't think he's a hypocrite. Geraldo was talking about a particular look that is "created" when certain people (particularly Black males and non-white Hispanic males) wear hoodies. What he said is true in terms of how people perceive and treat others based on perceptions. But, what if someone thought Geraldo looked like a potential rapist or a pedophile in his hoodie? No joke, there are profiles as well as stereotypes (stereotypes are not the same as profiles) in which Geraldo could fit. He better watch out.

[DaemonSeid]

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/html5/vid...=null§ion=null

Why are we just now hearing about Trayvon calling 9-1-1?

[christiangirl]

Postings are going around Facebook that say "In case you want to take the law into your own hands:" followed by George Zimmerman's address and phone number. I presume they were taken from the phonebook.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Postings are going around Facebook that say "In case you want to take the law into your own hands:" followed by George Zimmerman's address and phone number. I presume they were taken from the phonebook.

I pray that those ignorant people do not find Zimmerman. If they harm him, I hope they are arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The New Black Panther Party has a $10K bounty for Zimmerman's arrest. Zimmerman is understandably "hiding." I do not know why the NBBP would start a bounty if it has not been determined that Zimmerman should and will be arrested. This bounty encourages people to ignore the law and arrest Zimmerman, anyway, most likely physically harming or killing him unless the bounty specifically states not to do so.

Much respect to the people who have taken the time to research this incident, regardless of which side they weigh in on, and stage peaceful protests and expressions of opinion.