General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI find it beyond a reasonable doubt that Trayvon Martin was simply walking down the road...
...minding his own business and not looking to start a confrontation with a stranger. From this it follows that the blame for the events that lead to his death rests fully with George Zimmermann. IMO the only open question is whether Zimmermann is guilty of voluntary manslaughter, second degree murder or first degree murder.
Little Star
(17,055 posts)He needs to do some time for his actions. If he gets off scott-free Trayvon/Trayvon's family get no justice.
LAGC
(5,330 posts)Second-degree murder I think is a stretch -- I don't think he intended to kill Trayvon that night, but he definitely went out of his way to provoke a confrontation. And I certainly don't blame Trayvon for fighting back once cornered.
You can't provoke someone into a fight and then claim self-defense when they react accordingly.
That much is certain.
yardwork
(61,703 posts)Zimmerman stalked the kid. He got out of his vehicle, armed with a gun, and ended up shooting a teenager he had profiled as a "punk." Sounds premeditated to me.
I could go with second degree murder. Gives Zimmerman all the benefit of the doubt that he deserves.
burnodo
(2,017 posts)KT2000
(20,587 posts)Trayvon tried to lose Zimmerman but Z found him again. What is Trayvon supposed to think? He was being stalked by a weirdo.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)If these DU crystal balls people claim to have really worked, there are much more profitable purposes they could be turned to.
KT2000
(20,587 posts)MFM008
(19,818 posts)I would leave the house and walk to the local 711 sometimes midnight about 20 minutes away, I do see what Martin did as possible.
yardwork
(61,703 posts)Recursion
(56,582 posts)cheyanne
(733 posts)Let's turn your version around; it's the same on the defense's side: Martin does not go home and then circles back to where he saw Zimmerman.
I think that raises a reasonable doubt.
There is other evidence that will be weighed in the balance.
The charge is murder 2 and defense is self-defense, both of which have very particular definitions.
lDon't ask the law to do what it can not do: solve social problems.
AngryOldDem
(14,061 posts)Zimmerman was clearly looking for a fight that night, and his actions up to that point (what with calling the cops for all sorts of "suspicious" -- but unfounded -- activity all the time, and looking to be the big hero man) show a pattern of this. Wannabe Cop Syndrome.
People need to ask themselves what would a reasonable person do in Trayvon's situation? You're walking at a place where you have EVERY right to be, at night, and all of a sudden you are being menaced by a total stranger. He defended himself, and wound up dead because Zimmerman escalated the situation.
The 911 tape of the dispatcher telling Zimmerman to back off should be played on a fucking, endless loop. If he had only listened, most likely Travyon would still be alive. Backing off is what a reasonable and prudent person should/would have done.
He's guilty of whatever charge fits this crime but I'm afraid that the way this seems to be going he'll get off virtually scot-free.
chowder66
(9,080 posts)Guy beats himself up while in custody
vanlassie
(5,683 posts)He was walking while on the phone with a girl. WTF.