Zimmerman reported to dispatch that Martin was behaving suspiciously (read the transcript).
While I would have remained in the vehicle, Zimmerman chose not too. He was perfectly within his rights.
Initiated the entire episode? It’s a chain of events. Each individual step in the chain can alter culpability. Is the salesman of a hammer legally culpable if the person who bought it bashes someone on the head with it? Afterall, he started the entire episode. Remedial logic. Look into it.
If indeed Zimmerman lost Martin (as the transcript of the phone call shows, and is backed up by Martin telling his girlfriend that he’s lost Zimmerman) then how does Zimmerman initiate violence?
It seems very likely that Martin did assault Martin on his way back to his truck (which of course negates your claim that Martin felt threatened).
Finally, the burden of proof would not be on Zimmerman to prove his version of events. Rather, it would be on people like you to prove his guilt.
Game, set, match.
Get back to me when you have proof Zimmerman initiated any violence.
'If indeed Zimmerman lost Martin (as the transcript of the phone call shows, and is backed up by Martin telling his girlfriend that he’s lost Zimmerman) then how does Zimmerman initiate violence?'
That's where the ongoing debate is interesting. Mr. Martin's girl friend said he chose not to run and was walking, and heard the 'why are you following me' verbage on the line, before it went dead.
Mr. Zimmerman said he went back to his truck in statements to the police.
Also, throw in the perception that whoever is on top of someone in a fight is 'wrong' or the 'attacker'. But, that simply is a position during a fight.
The clear problem is who started the altercation and from what transition is to that of self defense instead of manslaughter.
Get back to me when you have proof Martin did (or that Zimmerman did not show his weapon prior to shooting the kid). The only witness stated he saw Martin on top of Zimmerman punching him, no one knows what precipatated that. And unfortunately the only word we have to go on is Zimmerman as the other party is dead.
Legally, you may not need to prove your verison of events, but when you have vigilantes wanting to lynch you and put a $10,000 bounty on your head, you need to prove something to somebody. Although I don’t think these people are interested in facts.