No, Gingrich has a point. The 911 operator TOLD Zimmerman that the police did not want him following Trayvon, but Zimmerman did not follow their instructions.
Once Zimmerman had notified the police, he should hav3e backed off and let THEM handle it from that point on. But Zimmerman wanted to play cop, though he had no formal training or certification in law enforcement.
Newt was absolutely correct in that Zimmerman had a dangerous hobby. It’s not clear whether he was part of an organized neighborhood watch program or self-appointed. that will come out in the investigation.
But the first rule of such watch programs is always follow the instructions and/or advice of the police. The second rule is do NOT engage someone you consider to be a suspect. You call the police, and let THEM engage.
The 911 operator TOLD Zimmerman that the police did not want him following Trayvon, but Zimmerman did not follow their instructions.
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We absolutely do not know that to be fact.
Trayvon had a phone, he could have called 911 if he was frightened of Zimmerman. Zimmerman had every right to follow Trayvon as Trayvon had to be walking around the complex.
Further:
If Zimmerman was told not to continue to follow Trayvon, can that beconsidered in this investigation?
Yes it will; however, the telecommunications call taker asked Zimmerman “are you following him”. Zimmerman replied, “yes”. The call taker stated “you don’t need to do
that”.
The call taker’s suggestion is not a lawful order that Mr. Zimmerman would be required to follow.
Zimmerman’s statement was that he had lost sight of Trayvon and was returning to his truck to meet the police officer when he says he was attacked by Trayvon.
http://www.sanfordfl.gov/investigation/docs/Zimmerman_Martin_shooting.pdf
Also, it appears Trayvon was the first to “engage”:
“Trayvon said, ‘What, are you following me for?’ and the man said, ‘What are you doing here?’ Next thing I hear is somebody pushing, and somebody pushed Trayvon because the head set just fell. I called him again and he didn’t answer the phone.”