That negates any self defense argument in my book.
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Too bad your book (opinion) is meaningless in this issue.
Zimmerman was a legitimate member of a city sanctioned Neighborhood Watch program, he was acting as a member of that sanctioned watch on PRIVATE PROPERTY in a gated community he was member of in a high crime area, and there is no evidence that in any way threatened Martin in any way.
Martin was NOT a resident of the gated community, nor was his Father. It is reputed that his father's fiancee does own a home in the community.
By all witness accounts Martin attacked Zimmerman from behind while Zimmerman was walking back to his truck and then proceeded to beat Zimmerman severely while Zimmerman was on the ground helpless and screaming. Zimmerman sustained a broken nose and lacerations to his head in the attack.
If this holds up, Martin was 100% at fault.
The “ went out for skittles for a Basket ball game” story is inconsistent with the fact that Martins body reputedly went unidentified for three full days before being identified or claimed.
If there was shooting of a black teenager in a gated community and your black teenager went missing at the same time it is reasonable to assume that one would have some concerns about Martin not coming home in time for the game. There seems to be a lot to this story we are not hearing.
You should read the article. The only witness to give an account on how the fight started contradicts that.
The Witness: George Zimmerman
Zimmerman told them he lost sight of Trayvon and was walking back to his SUV when Trayvon approached him from the left rear, and they exchanged words.As posters here have declared it is not a crime to approach someone from behind. It is also not an attack to exchange words.Trayvon asked Zimmerman if he had a problem. Zimmerman said no and reached for his cell phone, he told police.
However of onw of the participants then attempts to draw something from his pocket, the other may under SYG regard that as a threat to his life and punch the drawer in the nose and even slam his head into the sidewalk until it is clear that the slammee is not drawing a weapon.
If Zimmerman was lying and actually attempting to draw his pistol, the situation is unchanged.