From what I heard it sounded as though Zimmerman was following him despite being advised not to. But of course I could be wrong. One side of the tape hardly tells the whole story. But I also got the idea that the whole thing probably was avoidable.
We shall see.
Many years ago, I pulled into a 7/11 at a beach city in So Cal. Had my wife in front, my little girl in a car seat in the back. Went in, made my purchase, then came out to my car. I opened the door, sat in the seat, when suddenly the back door opened and a young Hispanic male opened the back door and jumped into my car.
Adrenaline hit me. I jumped out of the car and started screaming at the guy. As I ran around to pull him out, he got out and started running. I chased him a half of block, and he headed into a dark alley... I continued to pursue him. He stopped about fifty feet away in the alley, turned around, and grabbed put his hand in his pocket... staring at me. I stopped, stared back... then common sense came back to me. I slowly walked back to the parking lot.
OK... so I was smart enough to make a scene and chase him away from my family... but in retrospect, stupid to continue the pursuit. Thank God I refrained from running down the alley... the hunter would have become the hunted.
What legal right would I have had if I pursued him, and one of us had gotten hurt or killed? Would my action to continue the pursuit have been justified, even after the threat from his action to my family was removed? Would he be able to claim a threat from my actions and his response would justify self defense?
In the Zimmerman case, Zimmerman was a wanna-be cop, overzealous and always suspicious. Over 40 previous 911 calls. Perhaps he was justified in his concern about this individual. His 911 call was made, and he was TOLD to not follow... yet he did. And no doubt the kid knew he was being pursued, but not knowing by whom or for what reason. So, at some point, for whatever reason, the hunted became the hunter.
So who is to blame???? Zimmerman should have ceased a pursuit and waited for backup as was instructed.
Should the kid have jumped Zimmerman? No, and maybe he did, maybe he didn’t.
Reverse the situation... you are walking down the street, dressed in business attire, talking on a cell and carrying a bag, and you are pursued by someone dressed in a hoodie for no reason... they follow you, you fear your safety, you hide, and at a chance to jump out and surprise/defend yourself... would you? Or would you stop and ask him why he is following you?
Wait before we render a verdict on this. When is it justified for the hunted to become the hunter?