I’m still confused why anyone thinks the existence/nature Zimmerman’s injuries are relevant to the legal determination in this matter. Based on everything known to this point, the altercation happened after Zimmerman confronted/tried to detain Martin, and after he chased him down after Martin tried to run. At that point, in my professional legal opinion (but nB I am not a Florida lawyer) if Martin had beaten Zimmerman unconscious, or even to death, he would have been within HIS self-defense rights (it’s what I’ve trained MY son to do if he was accosted by a stranger on dark street, but then he’s a 250lb starting nose tackle on his HS team)
Conversely however, the most generous legal interpretation of Zimmerman’s actions would still support a conviction for “mutual affray” You can’t gain the legal right to kill someone in self defense if you are the one who starts the violence.
Zimmerman isn’t someone we should be defending, he’s going to seriously hurt the concealed constitutional carry cause in this country, you just watch (and FL may well repeal “stand your ground” because of this).
By all means let’s point out the liberal’s hypocrisy and over-reaction in this case, but let’s try very hard not to in any way make Zimmerman out to be a better person than he is in the process
SOME truth about Trayvon...
http://dumbolddad.blogspot.com/2012/03/since-our-entire-country-is-about-to.html
(excerpt)
Zimmerman says he was returning to his truck when Martin ATTACKED *HIM*!
He says he began screaming for help, and when he was on the ground being beaten to death he finally drew his weapon and fired in self-defense!
This statement matches the story from multiple eyewitnesses, and even a SEPARATE 911 tape where Zimmerman can be heard screaming for help in the background!
But... Wasn’t that Trayvon screaming for help?!
NOT ACCORDING TO MARTIN’S OWN FATHER - who told cops (after listening to the tape) “That’s not my son.” !!
Please provide links or documentation to that account. I'd be very interested to read that version. Thx
You can’t punch me in the nose just because I’m following you in public. You also can’t knock me down and beat me up for following you in public.
I would love to cross swords with you in court. Your reading comprehension and knowledge of the facts is so distorted you could likely be laughed out of court.
Zimmerman lost sight of Martin and was walking back to his truck when Martin knocked him to the ground, kneeled on him and was punching him when shot. There are eye witnesses as well as 911 tapes plus physical evidence supporting it.
If you are really a lawyer, you know very well self defense is an affirmative defense and requires clear and convincing evidence to support it. Nobody who has looked at the facts and evidence has arrested him or charged him in over a month following the incident.
He is innocent until proven guilty, did you forget?
You lie.
“Zimmerman confronted/tried to detain Martin, and after he chased him down after Martin tried to run.”
Tried to detain?
Chased him down?
“Lex Gabba
Since Mar 18, 2012”
What PLANET are you from?
Known by you, perhaps.
Welcome, newbie, but gawd, newbies sure love to hear themselves talk and dazzle us with their legalese.
Me?
I'm waiting for the official report to emerge. I am sure it will not include inferences, nor events reported as facts that were unwitnessed by anyone offering free legal opinions and advice.
You are making the same point that was being made, pretty much by everybody, on the McLaughlin group this morning. That is Martin may well have been “standing his ground” against Zimmerman.
“You can’t gain the legal right to kill someone in self defense if you are the one who starts the violence”
What evidence do you have that Zimmerman started any violence? Be specific please, and provide your source.
JC
There is currently no testimony or evidence supporting the contention that Zimmerman touched or grabbed Martin prior to the point of Martin knocking Zimmerman down. I'm sure the (unexplainedly delayed) autopsy report will be meticulous about noting any marks or bruises on Martin that would imply a "mutual affray".
Conversely, if Martin was the one to initiate physical violence, and was on top of Zimmerman pummeling him, then by any interpretation of the law, Zimmerman had the right to use any available force to defend himself.