The Murder of Trayvon Martin

[Kevin]

In 2006, he was charged with resisting an officer with violence. That was plead out to resisting an officer without violence. Only the plea goes to the jury and that's questionable as #1, I doubt Zimmerman would take the stand and #2, even if he does, that evidence may be excluded by the judge as being not very probative and overly prejudicial.

He and an ex-fiancée both filed restraining orders against the other in 2005 alleging domestic violence. I don't know what happened there, but it's not uncommon for folks to take out restraining orders with very little to base them on. As with much in this case, this proves absolutely nothing.

One article I read even tried to make a speeding ticket received 6 years ago as evidence of Zimmerman's violent nature. The emerging facts don't seem to fit the narrative and folks are grasping at straws.

Now the prosecutor may be sitting on some other evidence which changes everyone's mind, but at this point, there is no possible way that you could look at the evidence and be able to come to the conclusion that there is no way Zimmerman wasn't defending himself.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

But to defend yourself with lethal force against someone half your age and half your size? That's a bit much.

Just putting this out there, he was taller than Zimmerman and a football player.

I'm 31, 5'2, and a lot of pounds. If a 17 year old 5'0 gymnast came at me, they'd beat the shit out of me. Size sometimes doesn't matter. You'd think I could kick some ass, but I'm really weak as hell.

(Disclaimer: Still waiting for the trial, haven't convicted anyone in my mind yet. I still believe that not ALL details have been released to us, so I'm waiting to see what the courts and professionals say.)

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Just putting this out there, he was taller than Zimmerman and a football player.

I'm 31, 5'2, and a lot of pounds. If a 17 year old 5'0 gymnast came at me, they'd beat the shit out of me. Size sometimes doesn't matter. You'd think I could kick some ass, but I'm really weak as hell.

(Disclaimer: Still waiting for the trial, haven't convicted anyone in my mind yet. I still believe that not ALL details have been released to us, so I'm waiting to see what the courts and professionals say.)

Understood.

Now, there's no mention of his role on the football team (he could've been JV or 3rd string kicker, for all we know), so all the talk (not on this site) making him out to be a brick wall with cat-like reflexes may not be true.

The reports I've seen say that Trayvon was ~6'0" and ~150-160 pounds. Zimmerman is listed as being ~5'9" and ~240 pounds. If you don't think you can defend yourself (against someone smaller than you, no less), then 1) don't volunteer to be the sole neighborhood watchman in a community with an increasing crime rate and 2) don't pursue someone who you think could take you down.

(Ditto with your disclaimer, since we're all speculating )

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

. . . but at this point, there is no possible way that you could look at the evidence and be able to come to the conclusion that there is no way Zimmerman wasn't defending himself.

I got lost in the triple negatives. Do you mean no way to come to the conclusion that there no way Zimmerman was defending himself?

[Kevin]

Wasn't. Maybe I got lost in my own poor writing.

[DrPhil]

George Zimmerman sets up website to raise defense money.

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...s-confirm?lite

Because he is (legally*) innocent until being proven (legally*) guilty, he deserves enough money for a strong defense. I just would not be the one donating to his defense.

*I do not know whether this has been discussed before but if a criminal suit is not possible or finds him not guilty, is a civil suit possible?

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

*I do not know whether this has been discussed before but if a criminal suit is not possible or finds him not guilty, is a civil suit possible?

It's certainly possible, in that you can bring a suit in this kind of instance without much difficulty (assuming the case goes to criminal trial*).

However, (not legal advice or legal opinion) assuming Zimmerman is found innocent by way of an affirmative defense* (in this case, self defense) that would likely be fairly strong evidence for the jury in the civil case as well. The traditional "civil cases have a lower burden" (see: Simpson, OJ) would, in some ways, be flipped.

**This may not be the case though, since as far as I know, Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law is actually based on immunity from prosecution ... I'm assuming though that if the case goes to trial it will still be an affirmative defense.

(Note that "Stand Your Ground" also conveys immunity from civil action, so if criminal action is not possible on those grounds, then the answer is a pretty simple "No" although I'm sure there will be efforts otherwise)

[DaemonSeid]

Live now: Zimmerman Lawyers withdraw counsel


Going against the advice of lawyers may get you in trouble.

[LXA SE285]

Breaking on msnbc.com:

Fla. prosecutor to file criminal charges against George Zimmerman

[LXA SE285]

Zimmerman arrested:

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...rtin-case?lite

[DaemonSeid]

About time

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

About time

Amen.

Now hopefully, the truth about what happened will come out and, if appropriate, result in a conviction.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Amen.

Now hopefully, the truth about what happened will come out and, if appropriate, result in a conviction.

The truth. Not the media's truth.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

The truth. Not the media's truth.

That much is obvious.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

That much is obvious.

Some people don't see it that way. Lots of people spouting off my FB status feed, might as well be saying to hang the guy. I'm interested to see how this plays out and what evidence there is that the public doesn't know about.