The problem has been the focus on irrelevant arguments – some of which are actually unsupported by the evidence.
1. ‘GZ racially profiled TM’ There is no evidence of this.
2. ‘GZ disobeyed an order by the police’ * The civilian dispatcher, Sean Noffke, testified that he did not give GZ an order and, in fact, he, like his fellow dispatchers, are trained not make comments that sound like commands. * Noffke also testified under cross that, as a result of his asking GZ which way TM was going, GZ could have reasonably interpreted this as being asked to follow Martin. * It is also not a crime in Florida to disregard a comment made by a civilian dispatcher
3. ‘GZ got out of his car’ Not a crime on public property and not negligent either.
4. ‘GZ followed TM’ Again, anyone can follow anyone on a public street unless the followee has obtained a restraining order against the follower and even there, the RS only places time, place, and manner restrictions on the person enjoined.
5. ‘GZ wasn’t really injured’ * Under Florida’s self-defence laws, one doesn’t have to be injured AT ALL to use deadly force * No one is required to refrain from defending himself while another is engaged in or attempting to commit a felony
6. ‘TM is dead through no fault of his own’ * If you believe that TM assaulted GZ, then he IS dead as a result of his own actions
7. ‘GZ could have left’ * Under Florida law, there is not a duty to withdraw rather than use deadly force * TM was straddling GZ so how the latter was supposed to leave the scene is unanswered
8. ‘GZ was armed and TM wasn’t’ * One’s fists can be considered weapons and can result in severe bodily harm or death
* GZ was legally carrying a weapon * There is no requirement under the law that the same weapon be used by the assailant * A homeowner can kill an intruder whether or not he has been threatened * Those that attack cannot feign surprise if they are met with superior firepower
9. ‘Stand Your Ground!’ * SYG is NOT at issue in this trial. * The defence is a classic self-defence case
10. ‘Black men NEVER get to use SYG!’ * Wrong http://tinyurl.com/nboht35
11. ‘GZ is a man and TM was a boy!’ * As if ‘boys’ don’t commit murder, rape, and assault everyday in this country.
Yet the prosecutor’s closing argument seemed to ask the jury to totally ignore all the facts you just posted. Plus, they lied like hell concerning the facts just posted.
And the dumbest thing the prosecutor said was Zimmerman should have asked Martin to wait until the cops arrive. Yet during the trial he pointed out that neighborhood watch people are not supposed to even talk to the suspect.
Beautiful and succinct statement of the misconceptions created by our enemies in the media. Remarkable how people buy arguments like that, so long as they saw it on tv. Reminds me of the manipulation going on during the Clinton impeachment.
If I were governor, knowing the facts, I would pardon GZ at my earliest opportunity in the event of an absolutely Tyrannical conviction. Certainly after the appeals process had been tried first. I wouldn't even care if I was impeached or removed from office as a result. This case is that important with respect to self-defense jurisprudence. The Republic could stand or fall based on this trial. In the face of such a gross miscarriage of Justice, I'd be willing to stand or fall, as the state's Chief Executive, on the principle of self-defense for a Free Individual Lawfully Carrying in the State.
Racial profiling is a method for discriminating, for decision making, for aiding choices.
Profiling is not a crime. Profiling is a useful tool.