George Zimmerman released from Fla. jail
Source: AP
Apr 23, 12:18 AM EDT SANFORD, Fla. (AP) -- George Zimmerman was released around midnight Sunday from a county jail on $150,000 bail as he awaits his second-degree murder trial for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin.
The neighborhood watch volunteer was wearing a brown jacket and blue jeans and carrying a paper bag. He met a man in a white vehicle and drove away. His ultimate destination is being kept secret for his safety and it could be outside Florida.
Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_NEIGHBORHOOD_WATCH?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-04-23-00-18-28
Photos of him leaving the jail here: http://www.daylife.com/search?q=george+zimmerman
His hair seems to be growing pretty fast.
VIDEO here: http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/23/justice/florida-teen-shooting/index.html?on.cnn=1
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Common Sense Party
(14,139 posts)With pitchforks?
Response to Common Sense Party (Reply #1)
Post removed
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)I don't think it's going to be a fun time for George.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)I'm guessing...
Skull Pounder
(10 posts)From what or whom? You seem to indicate that you believe black people are inherently violent and murderous and have no respect for the rule of law. Otherwise, why would Zimmerman need to be protected?
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)You're pretty funny.
You seem to be trying to read thoughts into my brain, feelings even, possibly even shades of RACISM!!!111!!
He needs to be protected because he's apparently a fucking asshole who likes to chase innocent people around with loaded guns playing cop.
He needs to be protected from people who if they saw him might just like to smack the shit out of him.
He might even need to be protected from advocates of RKBA and Concealed Carry because his dickish actions put such a negative light on gun ownership.
You crack me up.
Skull Pounder
(10 posts)but not in the way you might think. I suppose you have some proof that he has been chasing people around for years and popping them with his gun? He has been in the neighborhood watch for years and yet no one has EVER filed a complaint against him. Hmmm, that doesn't seem like he is some kind of crazed cowboy with guns blazing at every mouse he sees in an alley.
It is NOT illiegal to be an asshole. It is NOT illegal to be a police wannabe, which I admit the doofus is. It is NOT illegal to follow someone in your neighborhood if you suspect he may be up to no good. But it IS illegal to turn on the person following you and attack them and physically batter them, no matter what vile thing they may have said or called you. It was Martin who did the first actually illegal act and it unfortunately cost him his life.
dpibel
(2,830 posts)Definitely need to mark this one to use the next time a Zimmerman defender accuses someone else of "knowing all the facts" even though the case is still entirely open.
You seem to have been there, as Zimmerman defenders are fond of saying.
Hope you do well on the stand, I believe they tend to say.
Translation: You have not the slightest clue what Martin did. But you state it as a fact.
Failure.
Common Sense Party
(14,139 posts)night as are those who are 100% certain that Zimmerman is a bloodthirsty, racist cold-blooded murderer.
NONE OF US WERE THERE THAT NIGHT.
We just don't know what happened.
Hopefully we will after a trial.
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)Is that a progressive term with which I'm not familiar?
Ecumenist
(6,086 posts)It's not illegal to visit one's father in a GATED community which means that he would have had to either enter a code on a keypad OR use a key card to get in... It's also NOT illegal to fight like hell when a grown man is following you for no reason ans you've done NOTHING wrong. My mother told me to do this and most people parents do but you seem to miss that part. TRAYVON WAS A 17 YEAR OLD CHILD, <<<YES, HE WAS STILL A MINOR HE HAD JUST TURNED 17!!>>>
It is illegal to pull a gun when that person you've frightened and threatened fights back, tries to get away and you pull a 9MM KEL TEK a LOADED WITH HOLLOW POINTS AND SHOOT THAT PERSON , who wasn't doing a DAMN thing, in the chest! If zimmy finds that some smacks him, he should consider himself lucky. Trayvon was shot AND HE'LL NEVER GET UP EVER AGAIN !!!
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)...You are arguing with "Skull Pounder".
.
Ecumenist
(6,086 posts)
MADem
(135,425 posts)Ah, Skull Pounder, we hardly knew ye!
He'll be back, though--they just can't stay away, they love us TOO much!
William769
(55,144 posts)
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)Trayvon Martin was trying to go to a specific house in the development.
In his first 911 call, Zimmerman said that Trayvon Martin was running toward the back exit of the development -- away from Zimmerman.
So, how would Trayvon Martin have gotten the opportunity to attack Zimmerman and why would he do it?
Is there any possible reason other than that Zimmerman somehow provoked Trayvon Martin?
I haven't been able to think of any. Can you?
magical thyme
(14,881 posts)From somebody who *has* been followed and stalked, and knows what it is to fear for your life.
Trayvon may well have been in fear for his life and defending himself. In all likelihood he was. George's stories of the events in question seem to change with every telling. His description under oath at his bond hearing contradicts his statement to the police. It also doesn't square with what the various eye witnesses saw.
That's what happens when you lie. His initial claims didn't square with evidence. As he modifies his story to try to keep it in line with emerging evidence, it doesn't fit previous iterations. When he took the stand at his bond hearing, he poked big holes...in his defense!
Oh what a tangled web we weave...
Jerry Frey
(32 posts)“If Zimmerman’s story is to be believed…he gave up the pursuit of Martin and was returning to his car when Martin attacked him. Zimmerman claims that Martin then began banging Zimmerman’s head against the concrete and threatened to kill him. If that’s right, then Zimmerman will have valid defense under Florida law for using deadly force.”
http://napoleonlive.info/what-you-think/facts-about-trayvon-martin-killing/
Ecumenist
(6,086 posts)OF TRAYVON at least 4 FEET FROM THE SIDEWALK? And how did that sumbitch end up where they did? Did Tray drag him? I was born at night , but damn it, it wasn't last night in front of a speeding turnip truck!
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)that could not be driven by the truck.
In his first 911 call, Zimmerman describes Trayvon Martin as running toward the back of the development. Why would Trayvon Martin attack Zimmerman if he was running in the direction away from Zimmerman?
I am asking everyone who presents Zimmerman's story because this aspect of it makes no sense to me. People do things for reasons, and I can't figure out what reason Trayvon Martin would have had to attack Zimmerman.
Zimmerman had a history of fighting with people, but apparently Trayvon Martin was not one to get into fights even though he was still at an age when kids can get into fights pretty easily.
I would like to read some answers to my question if there are any.
independentpiney
(1,510 posts)
chollybocker
(3,687 posts)while on $150,000 bail, become a thing?
Can other 'alleged' murderers in Florida also get in on this deal?
Fucking ALEC/NRA/Koch. 
Suji to Seoul
(2,035 posts)switch the races and zimmerman is denied bail.
Skull Pounder
(10 posts)Switch the races and you never would have heard one word about this case because the liberal media would be hiding it from you. And Trayvon Martin as the shooter would have made bail long ago.
Towlie
(5,324 posts)(Troll alert! Just registered today.)
Response to Towlie (Reply #11)
Post removed
Common Sense Party
(14,139 posts)Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)Since I've been on DU, I can't remember a story that brought the conservative racists out like this story has. The amount of newly registered trolls posting about this story on DU has been amazing. They apparently want to vociferously defend their rights to shoot unarmed black teenagers.
obamanut2012
(26,049 posts)
janx
(24,128 posts)Even as we speak, as a matter of fact.
Response to Towlie (Reply #11)
Post removed
Common Sense Party
(14,139 posts)"You know....business as usual for the libs."
Helpful note--when you're bragging about how smart you are, it's best not to misspell "intellegence".
Ecumenist
(6,086 posts)Meiko
(1,076 posts)state...that little teaser was thrown in by the reporter. He is wearing a tracking device, what is the range on those things. Unlikely the judge would allow him to leave Florida. They have a little hidey hole for him somewhere.
Boabab
(120 posts)It wasn't a "teaser" by any reporter. His former attorney Uhrig made a direct quote stating that GZ was not in Florida.
Whether that was a ploy, or not, remains to be proven, but the no reporter made anything up on that issue.
Meiko
(1,076 posts)My point was I thought it would be unlikely if he left the state, and then there are some who say he should leave the state, of course it was said it would be unlikely if he got bail too. I don't know what to think anymore.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)state.
Skull Pounder
(10 posts)There is no way Zimmerman can be convicted of second degree murder under current Florida law. No way. There was obviously some sort of altercation despite the media's disingenuous attempts to insist otherwise. If Zimmerman was attacked and genuinely feared for his life, and the evidence clearly shows he was, then the law says he has the right to defend himself by any means necessary. Trayvon Martin should have just kept on walking.
Webster Green
(13,905 posts)The evidence shows that Zimmy is unbalanced, and stalked and murdered a kid for no good reason.
Do enjoy your short stay here! 
Skull Pounder
(10 posts)If I were you, I would not like someone like me around either. Take that as an insult in case you didn't comprehend the meaning.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)looks like a threat
Webster Green
(13,905 posts)You aren't making any sense though, particularly in your assessment of what is "clear" in the evidence that we know about.
Perhaps you actually believe what you've posted. If so, that's very sad indeed. 
Towlie
(5,324 posts)Zimmerman might not be convicted of second degree murder, but I'm confident that he'll at least be convicted of manslaughter. I'm also confident that at the very least his life is permanently ruined, and justifiably so. I'm sure he very much regrets that he even left his house that evening.
Skull Pounder
(10 posts)Can you shoot someone for merely confronting you after you "stalk" them? No. Can you soot somone who knocks you down with a puch to the face, and then proceeds to bounce your head off the sidewalk? Uh, pretty much, yeah. At least ostensibly. The jury will determine that in the end.
I agree that he MAY be convicted of manslaughter if they allow it, but no way second degree homicide. You are probably quite right that he wishes he had never left his house that night. But that still doesn't make him a murderer in the eyes of the LAW.
Ecumenist
(6,086 posts)this law DOES NOT COVER zimmy the giggling psychopath. The head investigating officer wanted to charge him THAT night because he didn't believe his lies and he was STOPPED. NOW WHAT?
thucythucy
(8,043 posts)for someone who capitalizes the word "LAW."
Just whose skull do you plan to pound, anyway?
Skull Pounder
(10 posts)Can you shoot someone for merely confronting you after you "stalk" them? No. Can you soot somone who knocks you down with a puch to the face, and then proceeds to bounce your head off the sidewalk? Uh, pretty much, yeah. At least ostensibly. The jury will determine that in the end.
I agree that he MAY be convicted of manslaughter if they allow it, but no way second degree homicide. You are probably quite right that he wishes he had never left his house that night. But that still doesn't make him a murderer in the eyes of the LAW.
Tikki
(14,554 posts)public media about how Trayvon Martin beat him? It must just crush him to know
people are judging him a 230 lb man who couldn't even keep a 130 lb kid from getting the best of him.
Kinda makes me think zimmerman is desperate to find a story that might stick.
Tikki
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)There. Done. Revoked.
You should have known better.
Common Sense Party
(14,139 posts)NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)Had they asked, I'd have totally voted to keep that.
As it is, the kinder, gentler "Posting Privileges Revoked" term is used.
I guess, as so many members were allowed to be revived, that the administrators realized that banning isn't really the same as killing dead like a rat with a nuke 
!
But we still them over at DU2 if we PPR them here, that is if they have accounts at both boards.
Common Sense Party
(14,139 posts)Who's running the show over there?
SoCalMusicLover
(3,194 posts)The inmates are running the asylum.
It's Chaos I tell you. Mass Hysteria! Dogs & Cats, Living Together!
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)Maybe not entirely sanitary, but much more pleasurable!
Towlie
(5,324 posts)Not only can "Skull Pounder" return anytime he likes under a different handle, he can also show his conservative friends what happened to him here on this "Democratic" forum. We were doing a great job of countering his contemptible arguments and making our case, and we were easily winning the debate; but now that he's been forcibly silenced all of that is effectively lost and we no longer look like the good guys. Are you people sure this is what you want Democratic Underground to be?
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)Absent full information about the poster's behavior, we can't say whether or not this suspension was caused by an alert or two on replies in this thread or by some other bad acts.
SunSeeker
(51,545 posts)Zimmerman started it the moment he left his pickup to confront Trayvon Martin after the police told him not to. Martin reasonably thought he was being attacked by a nutcase (pretty much was). The stand your ground law applies to Martin under these facts, not Zimmerman.
Ecumenist
(6,086 posts)Common Sense Party
(14,139 posts)You know exactly what happened? Are you on the witness list to testify in Zimmerman's trial? I hope so, with your vast knowledge.
yamihere
(10 posts)I don't think you are allowed to disagree with the groupthink here. I mean come on who would wait for things like a trial and evidence. We all know he woke up one day and decided to become a racist murderer, despite his past that demonstrates otherwise, and gunned down a poor defenseless little kid without provocation. Haven't you been watching TV? I mean hey if Mike Tyson and Rosanne Barr say it it has to be true. And the threats by the NBPP were just taken out of context. They didn't really mean that they wanted him dead or alive even though they said it and even put it in writing so there was not really a threat.
In all seriousness, a child was killed and that is a tragedy that must be investigated. But, as far as I know you are still innocent until proven guilty in a court of law not in a court of public opinion.
Common Sense Party
(14,139 posts)Ecumenist
(6,086 posts)the 4-5 members..REALLY? That's like linking every caucasian to every neo nazi knucklehead that crawls from under every rock each time something provocative happens.
yamihere
(10 posts)all black people to the NBPP. Was just pointing out that a crime was committed and no arrest was made.
Wash. state Desk Jet
(3,426 posts)even in NEW YORK- innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
I looked at some footage of peoples comments in the town in Florida- those are some right fine people.It is not about race they say- and they doen't need forign opinions.Sanford-right fine people.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)answer this question:
In his first 911 call, Zimmerman stated that Trayvon Martin was running toward the back -- toward the exit of the development. We now know that Trayvon Martin was actually trying to reach the house of his father's girlfriend.
Why would Trayvon Martin have stopped to assault Zimmerman? What reason would Trayvon Martin have had for just suddenly starting a physical fight with Zimmerman?
I can't figure that out. What is your theory on that? People do not do things without a reason.
Also, Trayvon Martin was killed on the path or sidewalk between the backs of the rowhouses in the development. How did it happen that Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin met there, so far from Zimmerman's truck and in an area in which it is unlikely that there were any street numbers posted or any mailboxes? Why would Zimmerman have been there?
yamihere
(10 posts)With all the of the creative reporting going on to increase ratings of various news organizations all I am willing to say that I know about this case is that a man shot and killed a 17 year old. There was only one shot at point blank range to the chest of the 17 year old. The 17 year old was a physically fit high school athlete and the man was a fat out of shape 28 year old. A 911 call was made by the man and the teen did not end his call with his girlfriend to call the police. There have been some conflicting witness statements and the investigation is still underway.
Now, as a concealed carry holder and someone who carries a firearm on a daily basis, I want to believe that he is like me in the since that the last thing he wants to do is take another human life and would do just about anything to prevent it. Even if you are in the right on a SD shooting it will change your life forever. It will likely leave you needing to seek counseling and quite possibly in financial ruin. However, this outcome is preferable to leaving my wife a widow and my children growing up without a father.
As the father of a 16 year old boy, I could see my son acting in a manner that would cause someone to be suspicious even though he was doing nothing wrong. I also know that my 16 year old son who has been in martial arts since he was 7, plays football, and is on the power lifting team could beat the living snot out of some over weight out of shape 28 year old mall ninja if he wanted to. I also know that regardless if my son was in the wrong or not, if he was shot I would be out to get the guy who shot him.
In the end, a teen was shot and killed, which is a tragedy regardless of the reason and absolutely must be investigated BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, not the media. Zimmerman will have his day in court and all the facts of the case will come to light. If he is guilty of murder I hope he never sees the outside of the fence for the rest of his life. But, if he is innocent people need to drop it and he needs to do whatever he needs to do to put his life back together.
I am not a judge, sitting on a jury, or the one Zimmerman prays to so it in not my place to judge him especially before he has even been given a trial. I am not willing to place blame on either party at this point and I am also not willing to say that race played any part in the shooting either. I am eagerly awaiting the trial.
nenagh
(1,925 posts)In which he is talking to a person on the phone but appears to be speaking to no one.
Perhaps Trayvon was gesticulating with his hands as often people who are talking do.
In any event, Zimmerman saw and categorized Trayvon Martin as on drugs or something..
Perhaps it is time to check how your son's actions, though perfectly harmless, may be perceived by others who may perceive him to be suspicious.....
I say this as a person visiting in Florida who is surprised by the number of people who use non hand held devices for their phones...and who also appear to be talking to no one..
Common Sense Party
(14,139 posts)How did that play out? Trayvon waved his hands, so Zimmerman drew and fired a hollowpoint at point blank range through the kid's chest, because he didn't like his gesticulations?
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)Also, I gather that you have not listened to Zimmerman's 911 call -- his first one.
We know quite a bit more than you seem to say you know.
One thing we know based on Zimmerman's first 911 call is that he made that call when he was near his truck. We also know that he was following Trayvon Martin. You can hear Zimmerman panting.
We also know that Zimmerman said that Trayvon Martin was running toward the opposite end of the development.
Why would a young kid who was running away from the location of Zimmerman and his truck (which Zimmerman described as near the front entrance and the clubhouse of the development) suddenly attack Zimmerman out of the clear blue?
Why were Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin close to each other and far from the truck just minutes after Zimmerman was near the truck and further from the location of the killing?
If you listen carefully to that 911 call, you will understand why I am asking these two key questions. It isn't a matter of judging without evidence. It isn't a matter of trying Zimmerman in the press. It is a matter of wondering what the answers will be at trial to those two key questions.
It is also a matter of responding to people who claim they know that Trayvon Martin attacked Zimmerman. We don't know that. And we don't know how a jury might view Zimmerman's conduct. If a criminal follows you and then steals your purse and shoots you, when did the crime start? Did it start back when he first followed you? Or did it start when the criminal touches you? Or when the criminal yells at you to stop? So, this is going to be something to be decided at trial as I see it.
And at what point Zimmerman decided to follow Trayvon Martin may be important in deciding whether the killing really was 2nd degree homicide or perhaps a lesser crime.
We know more than you seem to know. Do listen to that 911 recording.
thucythucy
(8,043 posts)Yeah, well, he might have, if hadn't been SHOT.
Common Sense Party
(14,139 posts)How do you know this?////
thucythucy
(8,043 posts)whatever. Getting shot dead tends to end it all.
Common Sense Party
(14,139 posts)as he strolled down the sidewalk. If so, then Zimmy should get the chair--and I'm not sure why he's being charged with only Murder 2.
thucythucy
(8,043 posts)we have Zimmerman's confession to that fact, and Trayvon's dead body.
As to whether Zimmerman "just up and plugged him" -- which I guess means deliberately stalked him (certainly he was following him--despite the instructions of the police dispatcher--hence the encounter) and then shot him in cold blood, or out of some exaggerated sense of his own (Zimmerman's) danger, or whatever other motive (do the words "f-king coon" ring any bells?) we shall see.
Between the 9-11 tapes, the dead body, Zimmerman's admitting he fired the gun, the accounts of witnesses (including Trayvon's girlfriend who was on the phone with Trayvon and is thus an aural material witness) plus whatever forensic evidence there might be, I think the prosecution may well have a strong enough case to require Zimmerman to testify in his own defense. Otherwise, how will the "Stand Your Ground" defense even enter into it? In that case Zimmerman's cross-examination should be interesting indeed--assuming the prosecutor knows what she's doing.
It will all come out in time. In the meantime, one unarmed teenager is dead, with Zimmerman apparently acting as police, judge, jury, and executioner for Trayvon's alleged crime of threatening and/or assaulting George Z. The sad fact is that in order to argue "Stand Your Ground" Zimmerman will have to accuse Trayvon, and Trayvon, so sad to say, is no longer around to offer us his side of the story.
One might consider that the ultimate denial of due process and the presumption of innocence.
Tax Man
(104 posts)it's second-degree murder, ffs.
slackmaster
(60,567 posts)Although the only party who normally profits from bail being paid is the bail bond company.
solarman350
(136 posts)Look how the accused is whisked away into the night in Florida. Speaks volumes. I wonder if this will EVER go to trial now....
Chipper Chat
(9,675 posts)Whta kind of future would he have here in the continental US? A life of constant fear/looking over his shoulder.
Mexico?
MintyFresh
(29 posts)that the position of Trayvons body shows that Trayvon was on the ground when shot & that had Trayvon been on the top of Zimmerman when shot his body would have flown back by the force of the bullet.
Trayvons body was found face down with his arms pinned under him.
This post is directed to all on this thread. I am new here & haven't learned yet how to post to all rather than the last person who commented.
Thanks
But people don't go flying around when shot except in the movies and certainly not from a 9mm. I had no idea that Trayvon's body was found face down, where did you get your info? Thanks
Bacchus4.0
(6,837 posts)after being shot. the bullet trajectory will be a better indicator of their relative positions to each other.
Common Sense Party
(14,139 posts)And it may be the only thing that could exonerate Zimmerman, or get the charge reduced to manslaughter.
IF the trajectory shows that Trayvon was on top of him and IF the medical/police reports show Zimmerman sustained significant injuries (and those are two BIG if's), then it gives some cedence to Z's story about Trayvon beating him up and Z firing in self-defense. Not sure the jury will buy it...
But IF the trajectory shows that GZ and Trayvon were both standing, then GZ is toast and good riddance to bad rubbish.
MintyFresh
(29 posts)MintyFresh
(29 posts)one link. I will find more.
http://ournewsnow.com/national/2208/Video-Shows-No-Zimmerman-Bruising-as-Police-Reported
Please keep in mind I'm not too much into politics so if I link you to a right wing site sorry in advance.
http://www.thehinkymeter.com/2012/03/26/trayvon-martin-case-what-a-hot-steaming-tragedy/
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/03/29/v-print/143478/trayvon-martin-case-isnt-only.html
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/04/police-reports-show-details-of-trayvon-martin-shooting/1#.T5U_7tWCo9R
these are just a few I've gotten so far there are many many more.
I think that due to the force of being shot in the chest a body would either just slump over or fall backwards.
MintyFresh
(29 posts)http://www.propublica.org/documents/item/327370-trayvon-martin-police-report
The police report states that Trayvon was found face down & *Zimmerman had on a grey sweater but in that police video Zimmerman had on a red jacket. And in that police video a police officer was putting something in the trunk. That something looked to me like a garment of some kind.
* Please see correction below
Sorry I made a mistake the police report says that Trayvon was wearing a grey sweatshirt & Zimmerman had on a red jacket.
4th law of robotics
(6,801 posts)they really should include that in the headline.
I can't imagine those extra seven characters would have overloaded their servers.
