Zimmerman’s lawyer: ‘Stand your ground’ doesn’t apply in Trayvon Martin case

[shadowrider]

SANFORD, Florida (CNN) – A lawyer for the man at the center of the Trayvon Martin death investigation said Florida’s “stand your ground” law doesn’t apply to the shooting that killed the unarmed teen.

“In my legal opinion, that’s not really applicable to this case. The statute on ‘stand your ground’ is primarily when you’re in your house,” said Craig Sonner, attorney for George Zimmerman.

“This is self-defense, and that’s been around for forever — that you have a right to defend yourself. So the next issue (that) is going to come up is, was he justified in using the amount of force he did?”

Trayvon Martin, 17, was killed February 26 as he walked to his father’s fiancee’s house in Sanford, Florida, after a trip to the convenience store. Police say he was shot by Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who says he was acting in self-defense.

http://wtvr.com/2012/03/24/zimmermans-lawyer-stand-your-ground-doesnt-apply-in-trayvon-martin-case/

[shadowrider]

1. Note: Zimmermans gun is being held by the Sanford PD

From the article:

“This case is spinning out of control,” he said. “I hope there’s a way to rein things in so it doesn’t become an issue of a racial battle. I hope that things come back so that there can be a time for justice and for healing and not for just skipping the whole judicial process and going straight to sentencing.”

/Police are holding the gun used in the shooting as evidence, he said.

[FarPoint]

2. I love how you are collecting data..

Thank you....I so appreciate your research. I read that too about the gun being in evidence. The information initially was that zimmerman still retained his gun.

[shadowrider]

3. No, it was anti-gun people complaining he was still walking around with it

with no evidence to the contrary. Made up suppositions out of thin air.

[FarPoint]

4. I had made a point back then

that even when an officer fires his weapon in a shooting that his gun is turned in...got negative feedback on that...

[shadowrider]

5. Thanks. It's just that I'm open-minded and want all the info

and facts I can gather before I make up my mind. Even then, there will be info that will come out at trial (if there is one) no one except those in the courtroom will hear.

[X_Digger]

14. I think the confusion was because..

.. until charged, his *permit* can't be suspended.

Some folks just went a step (okay, a grand-canyon-sized LEAP) further.

[still_one]

6. It was Zimmerman who was stalking Martin, not the other way around. I do not see how it would apply

[ellisonz]

7. That lawyer is an idiot...

...and has retracted that statement.

[shadowrider]

9. He retracted? Can you show me a link where he did that?

Not doubting you, I just can't find it.

[ellisonz]

10. Here you go:

By DAVID MUIR (@DavidMuir) and OLIVIA KATRANDJIAN
March 25, 2012

The attorney counseling George Zimmerman, who shot unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin as he was walking home from the store with a bag of Skittles, says if charges are filed, Zimmerman will argue that he acted in self-defense and that Florida's stand-your-ground law applies.

Attorney Craig Sonner said the public is only hearing part of the story, and when all the facts come out, it will be clear that Zimmerman acted in self defense. A grand jury is scheduled to begin hearing the case April 10.

"George Zimmerman suffered a broken nose, and had an injury to the back of his head, he was attacked by Trayvon Martin on that evening," Sonner said. "This was a case of self defense."

--------

Sonner said the so-called stand-your-ground law, under which a person who feels threatened is not required to retreat and can "meet force with force" if attacked, will be applicable in the case.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/george-zimmermans-attorney-friend-speak-trayvon-martin-incident/story?id=15999256#.T3B4Io6Rl_k

[shadowrider]

11. Interesting. Thanks for the link.

[ellisonz]

12. Yeah...I mean you'd have to be really dumb to not argue it applied...

...when he first said that I was kinda like really, they're trotting this fool out? I'd hope they would get a better lawyer if this goes to trial since everyone is entitled to competent representation by law.

[DWC]

8. How can "Stand Your Ground" apply

when the other person has you down on your back on the ground; is on top of you; and has already broken your nose?

John, the eye witness saw no gun deployed when he saw Martin on top of Zimmerman.

How big is Zimmerman? How big was Martin? There has been no info on Zimmerman's physical conditioning/strength but Martin, as a high school football player / athelete must have been in very good physical condition.

Superior size and physical strength is a weapon - thus the saying "God made Man but Samuel Colt made them equal."

I think Zimmerman probably used very poor judgement in getting out of his car.

I think Martin probably initiated the physical altercation.

I think race baiters are doing their best to turn this tragic event into a circus for their personal gain.

Semper Fi,

[gejohnston]

13. I have a stupid question

“In my legal opinion, that’s not really applicable to this case. The statute on ‘stand your ground’ is primarily when you’re in your house,” said Craig Sonner, attorney for George Zimmerman.

Why did he say that? Doesn't that hurt his case? I can see a DA in someplace like Wyoming (where you have SYG in your home or current abode, but DTR in public) saying that.