Was this ever really a question? I find it hard to believe his actions could be defended.
I did not see or hear very many people defending the actions.
They had a right to be armed. They had a right to keep an eye on him (like Zimmerman) awaiting the police. They went much further and ultimately acted beyond the scope of their rights and violated his.
Martin assaulted Zimmerman who was NOT trying to detain him.
Big difference and the jury spoke. The media will continue to speak on the spin cycle but absent their narrative how would the facts of this case have been any different along racial lines? It would not although it would have received 1/100th of the media attention.
I trust the jury who heard far more facts than we did.