Even if Trayvon broke Zimmerman's nose I don't see that it would change anything

[Quixote1818]

In many rape cases the women break the nose of their attacker or inflict a variety of wounds. It's called fighting for your life and science has shown when adrenaline is pumping a person's strength can double. Zimmerman has 100 lbs on Martin and had Martin been a woman who broke Zimmerman's nose and he shot her, do you think conservatives would be making this argument? Well, maybe I under estimate how idiotic they can be?

That being said, we should not rush to judgement on Zimmerman, however there clearly is enough evidence at this point for an arrest.

[arcane1]

1. I'd assume the "stand your ground" law gave Trayvon the legal right to break his nose n/t

[Quixote1818]

2. Thanks for making that point. nt

[valerief]

3. No, you have to be hold a gun to stand your ground, I think. It's the NRA's law, after all. nt

[X_Digger]

5. Assuming Zimmerman grabbed Martin, tried to detain him, etc, then yes.

Not just yes, but, "HELL YES!"

[Lizzie Poppet]

26. For that matter, even if he approached aggressively, IMO.

Zimmerman had been tailing Martin in his car for some time. Then he gets out of the car and approaches on foot, a much bulkier guy who hasn't produced a badge or given any indication of being a cop. I'd think it's fair to assume Zimmerman's expression wasn't exactly friendly, either. What was Martin supposed to have thought?

[X_Digger]

29. Ethically, I agree. Legally? I don't know FL law's stalking / harassment statutes well enough. n/t

[lob1]

4. I find it "strange" that the 1st police report said nothing about Z's broken nose.

[arcane1]

7. Now that you mention it, was that photo of Zimmerman taken after the incident?

Or is it some file photo?

If it's from right after the incident, I don't see a broken nose, or really any other sign of dishevelment:

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. That is his mug shot from a few years ago from his assault on an LEO arrest. nt

[arcane1]

14. Got it, thanks! :)

[Quixote1818]

10. That photo was taken after Zimmerman assaulted a cop

A few years before this incident.

[X_Digger]

11. Photo from 2005 arrest. See..

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-23/news/os-trayvon-martin-george-zimmerman-job-20120323_1_robert-zimmerman-source-new-details

For a newer photo.

[LisaL]

32. That photo of Zimmerman is years old. So is photo of Trayvon.

Neither photo is recent.

[Kalidurga]

6. Zimmerman probably broke his own nose...

when he realized he just murdered a kid in cold blood.

[Quixote1818]

12. That has crossed my mind several times. nt

[99th_Monkey]

33. Yep - if it was really broken at all, which I won't believe

until I see a hospital report and /or convincing photo of it.

[rhett o rick]

8. Does the NRA think Trayvor should have been armed? nm

[Ruby the Liberal]

13. Stranger approaches me in an aggressive fashion at night

and all I have on me is a bottle of Arizona Iced Tea, damn skippy I'm going to take a swing.

Although no reports of that injury have been released, I hope that Trayvon was able to get that swing in before he was murdered.

[jwirr]

28. I refuse to believe that he had a broken nose until I see some photos. In a court this should not be

admitted as evidence since it was not in the first police report.

[Deep13]

15. depends who the agressor was

But if it was Zimmerman and Martin broke his nose in self defense, Zimmerman still has no claim for self defense even under a SYG law. One cannot be the aggressor and claim self defense.

[Quixote1818]

16. That is the exact point this case will come down to

If they can create enough reasonable doubt by suggesting that Martin attacked Zimmerman then he will get off. But based on the girlfriends testimony that Zimmerman caught up to Trayvon and they know the call was going on at that point, I think this is going to be a tough sell. Especially if they can prove it's Trayvon screaming for help in the background and that Zimmerman lied and said it was him. You can bet your life that Zimmerman NEVER expected the screaming would come through on the 911 call. I bet when he heard that his stomach flip flopped like a fish.

[EFerrari]

18. The timing of the calls, Zimmerman to the PD and Martin's to 911. n/t

[Deep13]

20. As a practical matter, reasonable doubt usually gets a defendant...

...a reduced plea deal, not complete exoneration. Most cases never go to trial.

[Ruby the Liberal]

22. Not even that so much.

Police dispatch told him to stay put in his vehicle and he went after him anyway.

[Thinkingabout]

17. The plain truth is if Zimmerman had remained in his vehicle there would not have been any physical

Contact and had Zimmerman listened to the dispatcher he would not have had any physical contact. He was playing cop and over reacted. My question is did Zimmerman have a regular job or did he appoint himself as chief cop.

[Ruby the Liberal]

23. One recent news report said that he

was currently an underwriter for a local mortgage firm, but hasn't shown back up for work since the incident.

Here: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-23/news/os-trayvon-martin-george-zimmerman-job-20120323_1_robert-zimmerman-source-new-details

[Moonwalk]

27. Doesn't matter. Like a cop...

...once he decided to take on this action, he took on the responsibility for what happened. He wanted to play cop or hero or vigilante, so he has to take responsibility for what he did. And what he did was stalk, confront and kill an unarmed 17 year old.

He could have waited for police to handle this, he didn't. He could have broken and run from the fight if there was a fight. He didn't. He stalked this kid, gun at the ready, pulled his gun under whatever circumstances, and shot. He went after this, he did what he did, and he needs to be held accountable.

[HockeyMom]

19. Unless you are a Black Belt, your fists

are not considered a deadly weapon. A gun most certainly is.

[CAPHAVOC]

21. The Sanford PD.

Actually tried to make a case. Under Florida Statute 782.11. That is a lower count of Manslaughter. "Unnecessary killing to prevent an unlawful act." They could not even get a warrant on that. Much less Murder 1. You have to have a warrant to arrest him at this point. You have to get it from the D.A., Wolfinger. Who was the D.A. He has recused and now the D.A. from Jacksonville is reviewing the evidence to try and make a case of some kind. Any kind.

[Ruby the Liberal]

24. If true, that is just stupidity.

What "unlawful act"? WWB?

I don't blame the DA for not touching that request. That isn't what happened.

[CAPHAVOC]

25. I got that

From the copy of the police files so far released by the Sanford City manager. He has a website with some of the information on it.

[Ruby the Liberal]

30. Are they stupid on top of corrupt and racist?

That was a completely bogus warrant request.

I also disagree that they can't go for Murder 1.

I guess we shall see what the Grand Jury has to say about it, and what the state is willing to do in regards to the charges.

[CAPHAVOC]

35. Yep

It is sanfordfl.gov lots of info.

[Ruby the Liberal]

36. Thanks for the link. nt

[99th_Monkey]

31. I'll only believe Zimmerman's "broken nose" when I see a hospital report and/or photo of it .. ~nt

[Bryn]

34. Did Zimmerman have a broken nose or it just bled?

Recently I watched on TV a grade B movie. Everytime a psycho kills his nose bleeds.