Truth finally coming out Zimmerman/Martin

[MacDragon]

If, indeed, Zimmerman was on the ground with the other guy on top beating him, that constitutes life threatening. You don't defend yourself by putting a person on the ground, climbing on top of them, and pummeling their face. I'd have used something to get him off of me also. Following someone is NOT life threatening. Getting in someone's face (either way) is NOT life threatening. A fist fight is NOT necessarily life threatening.

What if (??) Zimerman had already drawn his gun, and in a panic all the kid could think to do was pound away?  After the fact so many can calmly say he should have run, or not fought back.  Having had a gun in my nose once, I can tell you a common civilian is not thinking calmly with a gun on him.  No matter what he says ahead of time.

"Tough guys" (not referring to you) always brag about how they don't start fights, but they end them.  Yeah, until something like this happens, then the law is held up (conveniently) in highest regard.  

what if Martin threw the first punch and kept on pummeling?

lots of 'what if's" we don't know we weren't there and we can speculate back and forth.

I'm pretty sure the prosecutors have set the bar too high AGAIN (ala the Anthony trial) but we'll see.

Yes, lot's of what-ifs.  I was responding to the what if Zimmerman were just a peace loving good samaritain that became unavoidably involved in a life or death situation.

you're right... Lot's of "what ifs" Hell, What if Zimmerman realized what he had done and said to himself, "Oh Shite" How am I going to get out of this?"
THEN HE SMACKED THE BACK OF HIS OWN HEAD ON THE GROUND A COUPLE OF TIMES AND PUNCHED HIMSELF SQUARELY IN THE NOSE PUTTING SOME OF THE BLOOD ON MARTINS KNUCKLES... Anyone can speculate what they wish... We'll see what happens...

[MP]

[/quote]

 My filter tells me Zimmerman saw a smaller person,  and decided to go out and swagger as if he had some type of authority.   

[/quote]

Huh?  Zimmerman was MUCH smaller.  You are listening to the media talking about the "boy" Martin.  That "boy" was a football player, 6' 2" tall, and in MUCH better shape than Zimmerman.

Zimmerman was no match for Martin, who was much larger, and in much better condition.You have been looking at the pic of Martin as a baby faced 12 year old that MSNBC keeps showing.

[Jeff K]

Martin was taller
Zimmerman was heavier

[Trynt]

Zimmerman's gun was giving him balls, so he chose to look for trouble.   

.

Wow! Mind reader and shrink!
Just more useless speculation. It's must be the MSNBC talking.

  I don't know who the heck you think you might be,

Unlike you, I'm someone who doesn't believe I can proclaim the thoughts and motivations of others from a distance.

[Trynt]

Trynt;
Don't mess with MSNBC; I love Morning Joe and Mika is Hot, isn't she? 

Ya, she's kinda hot.  But, for me at least, that is over shadowed by her whinny, condescending delivery.

[fudgie]

It dont matter if you are bigger or smaller, older or younger, then your threat. If you life is in danger, pull it. I'd shoot a 70 yr old as I would a 14 yr old.

[Jeff K]

It dont matter if you are bigger or smaller, older or younger, then your threat. If you life is in danger, pull it. I'd shoot a 70 yr old as I would a 14 yr old.

 

[T.P.]

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/drop-george-zimmerman-murder-charge-article-1.1080161

[Chrisj CMA]

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/drop-george-zimmerman-murder-charge-article-1.1080161

I think the only thing stopping them from the inevetiable if the fact that there will be riots in the street.......I think the charges will be dropped.  If they wanted to insure a conviction they should have charged him with involuntary manslaughter, but then, that may not have satisfied the savage mobs around the country

[Oss]

So what,

If there is a riot........well that shows the world what animals live in florida and exposes the real racists
who are surprisingly those who are the ones who riot, or maybe not so surprisingly

let the citizens defend themselves as they have a right to do so.

with any luck those preaching the hate will be caught in the cross fire

and nobody else will get hurt or lose their life except for those rioting

[Jeff K]

So what,

If there is a riot........well that shows the world what animals live in florida and exposes the real racists
who are surprisingly those who are the ones who riot, or maybe not so surprisingly

let the citizens defend themselves as they have a right to do so.

with any luck those preaching the hate will be caught in the cross fire

and nobody else will get hurt or lose their life except for those rioting

"shows the world what animals live in florida"

I live in Florida I am not an animal.
And when the crap hits the fan in Florida because of this issue, it will not be because of the residents of Florida. It will be the creation of the liberal media.

[Paxton]

QUOTE:

"Zimmerman was no match for Martin, who was much larger, and in much better condition.
You have been looking at the pic of Martin as a baby faced 12 year old that MSNBC keeps showing."

==================================================

MY SPECULATION - The following statements are not meant to be factual... and could be characterized as BS. 

MP;
The point of your words is well taken. I believe that if we continue your line of thinking, Zimmerman approached a 6'2" guy,
whom presumably Zimmerman could not match, but proceeded to question his presence anyway...

As a Neighborhood Watch Captain, he had to know that whether for good reason, stopping a stranger to question
his presence (or yours or mine), would likely be met with hostility.

Zimmerman must have contemplated the likelihood of a violent confrontation with a tall guy in much better condition.
So perhaps "Z" proceeded to confront the 6'2" guy only because "Z" knew that he ("Z") was packing heat,
the ultimate equalizer.   Z "found the courage to confront" because of his concealed weapon, with the element of surprise
in his favor... and stuff happened... ???

Speculation aside, the whole incident is a tragedy no matter how we slice it.

[Oss]

yes a tragedy

I did not say all people in Florida are animals

Just as not everyone in Watts was an animal

But to me a law abiding citizen does not riot

Destroy property loot and carry away that which does not belong to him

TO ME such people are animals

I dont think the member I met in Florida is an animal nor do I believe he was insulted

If I am wrong I hope he calls me on it

[Chrisj CMA]

I live in Florida, and Im not offended, all states has their "animals"

[Jeff K]

QUOTE:

"Zimmerman was no match for Martin, who was much larger, and in much better condition.
You have been looking at the pic of Martin as a baby faced 12 year old that MSNBC keeps showing."

==================================================

MY SPECULATION - The following statements are not meant to be factual... and could be characterized as BS. 

MP;
The point of your words is well taken. I believe that if we continue your line of thinking, Zimmerman approached a 6'2" guy,
whom presumably Zimmerman could not match, but proceeded to question his presence anyway...

As a Neighborhood Watch Captain, he had to know that whether for good reason, stopping a stranger to question
his presence (or yours or mine), would likely be met with hostility.

Zimmerman must have contemplated the likelihood of a violent confrontation with a tall guy in much better condition.
So perhaps "Z" proceeded to confront the 6'2" guy only because "Z" knew that he ("Z") was packing heat,
the ultimate equalizer.   Z "found the courage to confront" because of his concealed weapon, with the element of surprise
in his favor... and stuff happened... ???

Speculation aside, the whole incident is a tragedy no matter how we slice it.

Zimmerman did not approach a 6' 2" guy
A 6' 2" guy approached Zimmerman

Zimmerman did not question a 6' 2" man
A 6' 2" man questioned Zimmerman

Then the 6' 2" man proceeded to beat the crap out of him for "following him" "watching him".

Follow the facts not what you want to believe.

[T.P.]

Today,  I talked to my deer hunting buddy who is an assistant attorney general for the state of Minnesota about the Zimmerman case. he said that given everything he has heard about the case so far that he would not prosecute. he felt that Zimmerman was defending himself. this is a guy who gets all of the big Minnesota cases, he should have a good idea on the case.  T.P.

[Paxton]

QUOTE: "... Here, we have tried to reconstruct the origin of man by putting together the traditional
study of fossils, the study of mankind... the evolution of man as an animal through studies of cellular
and biological macro-molecules..."
http://www.egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/36483/1/Unit-13.pdf

"... Charles Darwin in the 'Origin of Species' gave a lilechanism for the evolution of plants
and animals in general, even though he had speculated about the origin of man...
 
He then published the "Descent of Man" in which he writes... that like other animals,
man too had evolved form pre-existing living forms."[/u]

So you Florida people, you are a bunch of HOMO SEPIEN ANIMALS! 

[Paxton]

QUOTE "MY SPECULATION - The following statements are not meant to be factual...
and could be characterized as BS.

Jeff K,
I am speculating that you might have been too excited and missed my statement as quoted above. 
We are all speculating. Neither you or anyone else in this thread, including me, knows the facts. ???
You might be investing too much energy on this thread. Chill out a little; would you? 

"Why is my stuff crap and your crap stuff?"

[Jeff K]

QUOTE "MY SPECULATION - The following statements are not meant to be factual...
and could be characterized as BS.

Jeff K,
I am speculating that you might have been too excited and missed my statement as quoted above.  
We are all speculating. Neither you or anyone else in this thread, including me, knows the facts. ???
You might be investing too much energy on this thread. Chill out a little; would you?  

"Why is my stuff crap and your crap stuff?"

Nope, Not too excited.
Just tired of all the people that are canonizing a thug, and portraying Zimmerman to be some depraved killer just waiting for someone to shoot.
I realize some of you have not heard all the local coverage, but it has been reported that Treyvon made it to his door step and CHOSE to go back and confront Zimmerman. Why didn't he just go home? Why did he go back to Zimmerman? Why do people feel that Treyvon, a non resident, has full reign of a gated community but George, a resident, has a duty to flee a perceived intruder?

Why do people think that a guy that qualifies for a concealed carry permit, suddenly decides after three years that he "has the muscle" to go kill a random black person?

Why do people know that Treyvon went to the store to buy skittles, but have no idea that George was on his way to target to buy...What?  And that he wasn't "patrolling the neighborhood"

Why do people think it is a crime to question someone, yet feel its OK to beat someone for questioning them?

Why doesn't anyone say that once the first punch was thrown and George went to the ground, that the threat was over and Treyvon had a duty to flee?

And then there are the people that believe Zimmerman was brandishing. That is simply hog wash. If I was carrying, and had a weapon pulled on someone, I wouldn't have damage to my head.

The down and dirty is that Treyvon took his fists to a gun fight.

In my day and time this is how it would have played out.
What are you doing here?
I'm going to my dads house.
Where does he live?
right over there.

Treyvon was tough guy. Just check his twitter posts, but this time he ran into someone that was prepared to defend himself.

Really tired of hearing that Zimmerman shouldn't have followed Martin, which he did not, but nothing about how Martin should have just gone home, which he did not.

Why do  care? I live in Florida, I carry, I would like to believe that the laws put in place to protect me actually work regardless of liberal media attention.

[texaninsouthfl]

QUOTE "MY SPECULATION - The following statements are not meant to be factual...
and could be characterized as BS.

Jeff K,
I am speculating that you might have been too excited and missed my statement as quoted above. 
We are all speculating. Neither you or anyone else in this thread, including me, knows the facts. ???
You might be investing too much energy on this thread. Chill out a little; would you? 

"Why is my stuff crap and your crap stuff?"

Nope, Not too excited.
Just tired of all the people that are canonizing a thug, and portraying Zimmerman to be some depraved killer just waiting for someone to shoot.
I realize some of you have not heard all the local coverage, but it has been reported that Treyvon made it to his door step and CHOSE to go back and confront Zimmerman. Why didn't he just go home? Why did he go back to Zimmerman? Why do people feel that Treyvon, a non resident, has full reign of a gated community but George, a resident, has a duty to flee a perceived intruder?

Why do people think that a guy that qualifies for a concealed carry permit, suddenly decides after three years that he "has the muscle" to go kill a random black person?

Why do people know that Treyvon went to the store to buy skittles, but have no idea that George was on his way to target to buy ??? And that he wasn't "patrolling the neighborhood"

Why do people think it is a crime to question someone, yet feel its OK to beat someone for questioning them?

Why doesn't anyone say that once the first punch was thrown and George went to the ground, that the threat was over and Treyvon had a duty to flee?

And then there are the people that believe Zimmerman was brandishing. That is simply hog wash. If I was carrying, and had a weapon pulled on someone, I wouldn't have damage to my head.

The down and dirty is that Treyvon took his fists to a gun fight.

In my day and time this is how it would have played out.
What are you doing here?
I'm going to my dads house.
Where does he live?
right over there.

Treyvon was tough guy. Just check his twitter posts, but this time he ran into someone that was prepared to defend himself.

Really tired of hearing that Zimmerman shouldn't have followed Martin, which he did not, but nothing about how Martin should have just gone home, which he did not.

Why do  care? I live in Florida, I carry, I would like to believe that the laws put in place to protect me actually work regardless of liberal media attention.

Well put Jeff. 

[Willow]

QUOTE "MY SPECULATION - The following statements are not meant to be factual...
and could be characterized as BS.

Granted.  Definitely BS, from the point of the leaping assumption, "Zimmerman approached". Everything that follows just intensifies the odor.

 

[BigAl]

If a Frog had wings he would not bump his butt everytime he took a jump.

But a Frog does not have wings, and Trayvon is dead.

It is a tragedy of the 1st order.

Zimmerman could have done better by staying in the truck.

But he did not, I bet he wishes he had at this point.

He does not after all this evidence deserve a Murder 2 Charge.

If it plays out as the evidence purports at this point, he will walk.

Then Eric Holder gets a shot at him for hate crimes, or violating his civil rights or some crap.

It will never end for this man, killing a person is not what we see in the movies.

He will have terrible problems the rest of his life, which may not be long with the idiots that are after him want him dead.

[Chiefy]

Zimmerman's gun was giving him balls, so he chose to look for trouble.   

.

Wow! Mind reader and shrink!
Just more useless speculation. It's must be the MSNBC talking.

  I don't know who the heck you think you might be,

Unlike you, I'm someone who doesn't believe I can proclaim the thoughts and motivations of others from a distance.

I guess you just don't "get it."  We're chatting about what we think happened here.  What we say and think here will not get Zimmerman convicted or acquitted.

BTW, I have no doubt you make judgements on the intentions of folks you don't know on a daily basis.  It's part of being human.   And after hearing what details you have about this case, do you really expect anyone to believe you wouldn't tell your neighbor/friend etc.... your opinion of this case when discussing it face to face? 

[Paxton]

Willow: "Granted.  Definitely BS, from the point of the leaping assumption, "Zimmerman approached".
Everything that follows just intensifies the odor." 

=======================================================

Willow, Thank you for clarifying matters for those who might distress over what it is posted in this thread... I can smell the odor too.

Jeff: You are "... really tired of hearing that Zimmerman shouldn't have followed Martin, which he did not,
but nothing about how Martin should have just gone home, which he did not."

I don't blame you for been tired of the subject. I myself am tired of hearing it on TV. I could change the channel, which I do.

Here, we are all playin' who done it; we are all speculating.
When I tired of the subject as you do or I have read enough, I walk away from it. I go and play w/-my Valk.

My point is, the fact that you are tired does not enhance your knowledge of this matter over any one elses.
Mind you am using the word "knowledge" very loosely. Please understand, I'm not trying to be a smart ass, as I'm often are.

Putting that aside, in your latest reply you raise a lot of important rhetorical questions, to which nobody has the answers.

One thing we know for a fact is that "Martin should have just gone home, which he did not."
Good, bad or indifferent, we don't have to guess whether Martin went home.

I now know that there are other facts about which I am not aware. For example, I did not know that the "Zimmerman approached"
question has been answered conclusively. I did not know that Zimmerman had never really followed Martin, as you assert.

It goes to confirm that my statements are not to be taken as facts, but just speculation.
And that they can be characterized as BS, which Willow did. .

One lesson that I take from all of this... how tragic it is to have an short event change ones life forever.
In that sense, I feel for both Zimmerman and Martin and their families.

RIDE SAFE

“Every time I start thinking the world is all bad
I begin to see people out there havin' a good time on a motorcycle,
and it makes me take another look.”
Steve McQueen

[J.Mencalice]

Only two people actually knew what happened and only one is left to tell his side of it.  That's it, babe.
You'll have to wait until you move to the great beyond to learn the truth; it's when all your questions are answered.  Patience and move forward if it's not your business.  Remember "2001, A Space Odyssey".  We're still in our infancy.

[Paxton]

Willopad357;
+1
I like the way you put it.

RIDE SAFE

"If a cat sits on a hot stove,
that cat won't sit on a hot stove again.
That cat won't sit on a cold stove either.
That cat just doesn’t like stoves."
Mark Twain

[Rams]

Willopad357;

RIDE SAFE

"If a cat sits on a hot stove,
that cat won't sit on a hot stove again.
That cat won't sit on a cold stove either.
That cat just doesn’t like stoves."
Mark Twain

Let's just say, I'm not a Cat Person and leave it at that. 

"No Honey, I haven't seen your cat and no, I don't know what that burning stench is."

[Paxton]

QUOTE: "No Honey, I haven't seen your cat and no, I don't know what that burning stench is."

==========================================================

[Robert]

So Zimmerman being in his own community which he also patrols sees a person of suspicion that doesn't live there after having many robbery and drugs and he should just go home. So does that mean that all citizens should when they see what looks like trouble just go home? Don't I have the right to walk up to someone without the expectation of there being a fight for my life and ask a person is he lost  ???

[Chiefy]

So Zimmerman being in his own community which he also patrols sees a person of suspicion that doesn't live there after having many robbery and drugs and he should just go home. So does that mean that all citizens should when they see what looks like trouble just go home? Don't I have the right to walk up to someone without the expectation of there being a fight for my life and ask a person is he lost  ???

Sure you do.  And if you walked up to him with the intention of "running him off" and things escalate out of control, where do you go from there?  We have a jury system so every suspect can tell his side of the story for consideration.   Many are considering this case black and white.  Some of us consider it Grey.   I can understand why a frustrated person living there might confront a stranger.  I can understand why someone who thought he was being followed, then confronted might get physical.   Understanding the reasons doesn't make something right or wrong, the folks on the jury have to decide best they can.

In the meantime, we form our opinions from here on the outside looking in.

[musclehead]

QUOTE: "... Here, we have tried to reconstruct the origin of man by putting together the traditional
study of fossils, the study of mankind... the evolution of man as an animal through studies of cellular
and biological macro-molecules..."
http://www.egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/36483/1/Unit-13.pdf

"... Charles Darwin in the 'Origin of Species' gave a lilechanism for the evolution of plants
and animals in general, even though he had speculated about the origin of man...
 
He then published the "Descent of Man" in which he writes... that like other animals,
man too had evolved form pre-existing living forms."[/u]

So you Florida people, you are a bunch of HOMO SEPIEN ANIMALS! 

remember to use that spell checker    it's 'Homo Sapiens"

[Skinhead]

If, indeed, Zimmerman was on the ground with the other guy on top beating him, that constitutes life threatening. You don't defend yourself by putting a person on the ground, climbing on top of them, and pummeling their face. I'd have used something to get him off of me also. Following someone is NOT life threatening. Getting in someone's face (either way) is NOT life threatening. A fist fight is NOT necessarily life threatening.

What if (??) Zimerman had already drawn his gun, and in a panic all the kid could think to do was pound away?  After the fact so many can calmly say he should have run, or not fought back.  Having had a gun in my nose once, I can tell you a common civilian is not thinking calmly with a gun on him.  No matter what he says ahead of time.

"Tough guys" (not referring to you) always brag about how they don't start fights, but they end them.  Yeah, until something like this happens, then the law is held up (conveniently) in highest regard. 

You make A LOT of assumptions.  The biggest one is that Zimmerman may have pulled his gun before the beating started.  Yeah, you see all the time in the movies how some dude with lightning fast reflexes takes the gun away form some one who drew down on him.  IN THE  MOVIES!

I doubt very much that HAD Zimmerman pulled first Treyvon would have attacked him.  I'll wait for the jury to decide.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Zimmerman's gun was giving him balls, so he chose to look for trouble.  He found it, couldn't handle it, and killed a kid that was a better fighter then himself. 

It's not like they brushed up against each other on the sidewalk.  Zimmerman got out and confronted him.  Most of us here would not tolerate a cop doing that to us, let alone a civilian.

I'd be very disappointed if one of my neighbors saw something that didn't seem right at my place and didn't stop to investigate. And, I'd be very surprised if they were unarmed when they did the checking.

Around one in 14 citizens in my area has a permit to carry as of the last time I saw figures on it. I've seen no sign of any of them suddenly growing balls as a result of their gun ownership. Carrying a gun is just like keeping a spare tire for you cage. You hope you never need it but it’s a good idea to have one just the same.

[Trynt]

Zimmerman's gun was giving him balls, so he chose to look for trouble.  

.

Wow! Mind reader and shrink!
Just more useless speculation. It's must be the MSNBC talking.

  I don't know who the heck you think you might be,

Unlike you, I'm someone who doesn't believe I can proclaim the thoughts and motivations of others from a distance.

I guess you just don't "get it."  We're chatting about what we think happened here.  What we say and think here will not get Zimmerman convicted or acquitted.

BTW, I have no doubt you make judgements on the intentions of folks you don't know on a daily basis.  It's part of being human.   And after hearing what details you have about this case, do you really expect anyone to believe you wouldn't tell your neighbor/friend etc.... your opinion of this case when discussing it face to face?  

I get it just fine, thank you. If I have an OPINION, based on a "judgement", I'll express it as such and not as a fact. Your statement makes assumptions about Zimmerman's  motivation and thought processes that you or I can not possibly know. It is character assassination based upon your personal biases.

[Skinhead]

QUOTE:

"Zimmerman was no match for Martin, who was much larger, and in much better condition.
You have been looking at the pic of Martin as a baby faced 12 year old that MSNBC keeps showing."

==================================================

MY SPECULATION - The following statements are not meant to be factual... and could be characterized as BS.  

MP;
The point of your words is well taken. I believe that if we continue your line of thinking, Zimmerman approached a 6'2" guy,
whom presumably Zimmerman could not match, but proceeded to question his presence anyway...

As a Neighborhood Watch Captain, he had to know that whether for good reason, stopping a stranger to question
his presence (or yours or mine), would likely be met with hostility.

Zimmerman must have contemplated the likelihood of a violent confrontation with a tall guy in much better condition.
So perhaps "Z" proceeded to confront the 6'2" guy only because "Z" knew that he ("Z") was packing heat,
the ultimate equalizer.  Z "found the courage to confront" because of his concealed weapon, with the element of surprise
in his favor... and stuff happened... ???

Speculation aside, the whole incident is a tragedy no matter how we slice it.

None of your comments quoted are illegal.  They may be ill advised, but are not illegal.  Confronting is legal
and assaulting is illegal.

Confronting is legal/assaulting is illegal

Confronting is legal/assaulting is illegal

Confronting legal,Confronting legal/assaulting illegal

[Chiefy]

If, indeed, Zimmerman was on the ground with the other guy on top beating him, that constitutes life threatening. You don't defend yourself by putting a person on the ground, climbing on top of them, and pummeling their face. I'd have used something to get him off of me also. Following someone is NOT life threatening. Getting in someone's face (either way) is NOT life threatening. A fist fight is NOT necessarily life threatening.

What if (??) Zimerman had already drawn his gun, and in a panic all the kid could think to do was pound away?  After the fact so many can calmly say he should have run, or not fought back.  Having had a gun in my nose once, I can tell you a common civilian is not thinking calmly with a gun on him.  No matter what he says ahead of time.

"Tough guys" (not referring to you) always brag about how they don't start fights, but they end them.  Yeah, until something like this happens, then the law is held up (conveniently) in highest regard.  

You make A LOT of assumptions.  The biggest one is that Zimmerman may have pulled his gun before the beating started.  Yeah, you see all the time in the movies how some dude with lightning fast reflexes takes the gun away form some one who drew down on him.  IN THE  MOVIES!

I doubt very much that HAD Zimmerman pulled first Treyvon would have attacked him.  I'll wait for the jury to decide.

Noooooooo....... Many folks here are assuming Zim is an intelligent, level headed gun owner, and that the kid brought this on.  I'm trying to say perhaps Zim wasn't all that.

Now folks are telling me I watch too much MSNBC.  LOL.  I'm not on the left, and I'm not anti-gun.  I just don't accept the fact that every gun owner has his head on straight,  nor that because he's one of the brotherhood, he should be above reproach.

[Paxton]

Skinhead;
I am not clear about what point are you trying to make. ???
"...Confronting legal,Confronting legal/assaulting illegal..." I agree; I agree / I agree... etc....

Do you recall the old turn tables that played the 33-1/3 RPM? The LP records are back.
One had to keep the record clean and scratch-free. otherwise the needle would get stuck and  It'd go something like this...

" Confronting is legal and assaulting is illegal... Confronting is legal/assaulting is illegal... Confronting is legal/assaulting is illegal
Confronting legal,Confronting legal/assaulting illegal."  

Back then I was too stoned to get up and fix it. So my good neighbor would come to my pad and fix it for me.  
Then, I would reward him by gettin' him high enough to enjoy the broken record... It kept happening all the time, like this...

" Confronting is legal and assaulting is illegal... Confronting is legal/assaulting is illegal... Confronting is legal/assaulting is illegal
Confronting legal,Confronting legal/assaulting illegal." Like that. Whatever. 

Musclehead;
Why should I use the spell checker? Like my old neighbor, it is your job to fix it for me!  

[The Anvil]

Confronting legal/assaulting illegal

Not exactly. In the process of confronting someone you are not allowed to impede them. For instance, if I were to continually step in your path of exit it could be interpreted as an aggressive act or at minimum, designed to provoke a defensive reaction. During a confrontation threats can be directly issued and/or implied. In short, you can assault someone without even touching them. Physically striking someone is called battery. Not quite the same.

So it's not that simple. None of this is all that simple. That's why it's in the hands of the court.



And Chiefy makes a good point. I've known my share of people (some of them cops) who have no business with a gun. It's not my call to make. But they're out there.

[MacDragon]

Confronting legal/assaulting illegal

Not exactly. In the process of confronting someone you are not allowed to impede them. For instance, if I were to continually step in your path of exit it could be interpreted as an aggressive act or at minimum, designed to provoke a defensive reaction. During a confrontation threats can be directly issued and/or implied. In short, you can assault someone without even touching them. Physically striking someone is called battery. Not quite the same.

So it's not that simple. None of this is all that simple. That's why it's in the hands of the court.



And Chiefy makes a good point. I've known my share of people (some of them cops) who have no business with a gun. It's not my call to make. But they're out there.

All true and well written.  I agree.   If he continually stopped him from proceding to his destination... He would have been in the wrong.   And like has been said here just shy of a million times... we'll find out what happens when the day in court comes.

[Robert]

So Zimmerman being in his own community which he also patrols sees a person of suspicion that doesn't live there after having many robbery and drugs and he should just go home. So does that mean that all citizens should when they see what looks like trouble just go home? Don't I have the right to walk up to someone without the expectation of there being a fight for my life and ask a person is he lost  ???

Sure you do.  And if you walked up to him with the intention of "running him off" and things escalate out of control, where do you go from there?  We have a jury system so every suspect can tell his side of the story for consideration.   Many are considering this case black and white.  Some of us consider it Grey.   I can understand why a frustrated person living there might confront a stranger.  I can understand why someone who thought he was being followed, then confronted might get physical.   Understanding the reasons doesn't make something right or wrong, the folks on the jury have to decide best they can.

In the meantime, we form our opinions from here on the outside looking in.

Like you said where do you go from there, Thats why I think Zimmerman was ill prepared and didn't think through the consequences of what he was going to do, I would fault him on that. But on the other hand Martin after just smoking a joint in a fairly tough neighborhood trespassing wasn't in the mood to be approached by a white neighborhood watch wimp. I'm sure with the drugs in his system he also was not thinking that clearly and knew he could and did overpower Zimmerman. Which if you or me were confronted would have maybe explained and basically said get lost or call the police and unless the guy actually physically made contact that would be the extent of the encounter. But with the drugs in his system and probably the cops not being his best friends didn't want any Police in the mix either. I bet if Zimmerman had pulled his gun when he first confronted Martin none of this would have happened. Not because it would have been right ,but it wouldn't have been the last resort for Zimmerman which by this time may have feared for his life after being beaten and with his poor planning.