You're saying that SYG isn't NECESSARY to defend Zimmerman's actions if his story is correct, but would it not still apply in the sense that it could short circuit a full trial and also provide a civil liability shield (if FLA's SYG has that feature)?
You’re saying that SYG isn’t NECESSARY to defend Zimmerman’s actions if his story is correct, but would it not still apply in the sense that it could short circuit a full trial and also provide a civil liability shield (if FLA’s SYG has that feature)?
That I don’t know. But I’m so black and white on how I interpret the law that since Zimmerman did not have the option to flee, and SYG’s whole premise is that you do not have to flee if you have the option, that I don’t see its relevance here. The question being asked by the charges is did he commit 2nd degree murder or was it self defense. SYG would only apply if the two men were not already physically engaged.
I also believe that SYG could only be used as a defense if the two men were already engaged physically. The whole SYG thing gets messy at that point because, assuming words alone are not legally considered enough of a threat, when does SYG permit a man with a gun to shoot a man without a gun?