Witnesses Back Up Zimmerman's Account Of Attack In Trayvon Martin Shooting, Police Say

Orlando Sentinel ^ | 3/26/12 8:33 p.m. EST | RENE STUTZMAN

[Clint N. Suhks]

With a single punch, Trayvon Martin decked the neighborhood watch volunteer who eventually shot to death the unarmed 17-year-old, then climbed on top of George Zimmerman and slammed his head into the sidewalk several times, leaving him bloody and battered, authorities told The Orlando Sentinel.

That is the account Zimmerman gave police, and much of it has been corroborated by witnesses, authorities said.

[muawiyah]

I noticed that later ~ Martin, of course, had no recording ~ I'd speculated earlier that if he'd had an Iphone and Cloud he might well have made a photo of Zimmerman and that could be lurking out there for later use, or not, as Martin's family might chose.

There is a later phone call with Martin's girlfriend who recounts her call with Martin as he walked down the road on his return to the townhouse where he was staying.

That call came shortly after the release of the 911 tapes. She takes us up to the point where the call is cut off.

[muawiyah]

You people really aren’t as silent as you imagine if you want to know the truth.

[kabar]

However, no one but Zimmerman knows when he pulled his gun, or displayed it, or transferred it from his holster to his pocket, or whatever the devil he did ~ and he's not saying.

He may not be saying publicly, but I am positive he gave such details to the police, which they put into a report.

The Florida law is the issue ~ and that law certainly applied to Martin who was minding his own business

What law are you talking about? This was not "Stand your ground," but rather, self-defense per the city manager statement:

"When the Sanford Police Department arrived at the scene of the incident, Mr. Zimmerman provided a statement claiming he acted in self defense which at the time was supported by physical evidence and testimony. By Florida Statute, law enforcement was PROHIBITED from making an arrest based on the facts and circumstances they had at the time. Additionally, when any police officer makes an arrest for any reason, the officer MUST swear and affirm that he/she is making the arrest in good faith and with probable cause. If the arrest is done maliciously and in bad faith, the officer and the City may be held liable.

According to Florida Statute 776.032 : 776.032 Immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action for justifiable use of force.—

(1) A person who uses force as permitted in s. 776.012, s. 776.013, or s. 776.031 is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force, unless the person against whom force was used is a law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 943.10(14), who was acting in the performance of his or her official duties and the officer identified himself or herself in accordance with any applicable law or the person using force knew or reasonably should have known that the person was a law enforcement officer. As used in this subsection, the term “criminal prosecution” includes arresting, detaining in custody, and charging or prosecuting the defendant.

(2) A law enforcement agency may use standard procedures for investigating the use of force as described in subsection (1), but the agency may not arrest the person for using force unless it determines that there is probable cause that the force that was used was unlawful."

[faucetman]

“None of this means that George Zimmerman is an innocent victim, however. He did provoke the confrontation.”

With your logic, policeman killed in the line of duty, “PROVOKED the confrontation”, hence they deserved what they got.

First of all, he didn’t provoke anything. Second, even if he did, it doesn’t give anyone the right to assault him.

[kabar]

That call came shortly after the release of the 911 tapes. She takes us up to the point where the call is cut off.

Her call was not recorded and exactly when did she come forward with her information--about one month after the event happened and after the release of the 911 calls, which raises some questions in terms of what was actually said.

[wtc911]

Zimmerman's statement is not evidence or proof of anything.

It is, in legal parlance, a 'self-serving statement'. The legal system in the US operates under the assumption that nobody will lie to inculpate himself in a criminal matter but that most people will lie to excuplate themselves and avoid or lessen consequences of their actions.

In some jurisdictions a self-serving statement may not be admitted in court unless there are neutral corroborating witness statements or evidence such as a security video.

Maybe Zimmerman's statement is truthful...I don't know, you don't know and the legal system does not consider it evidence or proof.

[Silentgypsy]

Your imagination is on display. You merited an armed guard? Was the guard someone who was assigned to escorting workers to their vehicles? There are readers whose scope of experience enables them to assess your reality orientation and your veracity. “You people?” Can you recognize the truth?
You look silly.

[wtc911]

Apparently Trayvon did not like being followed, so much so that he was willing to confront and attack Zimmerman.

_______________________________

Apparently? You are better than this.

[backwoods-engineer]

You just can't go anywhere these days without being filmed.

THIS is your solution? A SURVEILLANCE STATE? No thanks. I will be armed, and will defend myself with LETHAL FORCE. The decent state I live in encourages it. I will pop any Trayyyyyyvon who attacks me.

And take your witch hunt for Zimmerman over to DU. It (and arguably you) don't belong on FR.

[backwoods-engineer]

Maybe Zimmerman's statement is truthful...I don't know, you don't know and the legal system does not consider it evidence or proof.

Apparently, the Sanford police bought it. Zimmerman has not been arrested, or even charged with anything.

[Why So Serious]

I see the problem here! Security sees a suspicious person, follows him. Calls it in, and then gets attacked by the person he was following. The attacked security guard shoots him dead.

It is like the dish network commercial ...

[i]kid writes on the school locker and get suspended

[ii]kid brings an empty plastic bag and a pipe to school and gets suspended again

[iii] kid goes and stays with dad's girlfriend

[iv]kid jumps security guard and gets shot.

Message, don't write graffiti on the locker and bring pot pipes to school and you won't get shot at your dad's girlfriend's house by security guard you jumped.

[wardaddy]

typical black guy sucker punch...now adopted by all thugs

that and the multiple gang up attack are something I learned 40-50 years ago in public school in Mississippi when forced busing too place (1969)

7th grade

some had no honour or shame

amazing how I have known this forever and some here act like they just figured it out

i still defended the black race down south for another 20 years in my idealism...youthful dreams die hard

[heartwood]

Listen to his 911 tape. His words “a———, they always get away.” Either “f——— punks” or “f——— coons.” His voice is shaking at some points. Those are objective FACTS.

Any reasonable person will infer frustration and anger, agitation.

[backwoods-engineer]

We have a number of Freepers who seem to not believe that Martin was protected by the law ~ unfortunately.

Martin WAS protected by law, right up until when he assaulted Zimmerman. That first punch made Martin the aggressor, put Zimmerman in danger of great bodily harm or death, and justified Zimmerman blowing Martin's brains out.

Whether you like it or not, that's how the cops see it, and that's how the grand jury will see it.

[faucetman]

“Let the evidence all come out rather that trying to speculate what may or may not be the facts?”

Much evidence and facts are already out.

Zimmerman had a broken nose, and bloody injury to the back of his head.

The back of Zimmerman's shirt was wet and had grass or grass stains on it.

The eye and ear witness, John, saw Trayvon beating Zimmerman. (the attack happened right outside his window)

The eye and ear witness, John, heard Zimmerman (no question it was Zimmerman) crying out for help.

The police did not arrest Zimmerman, and returned the gun to Zimmerman.

[wardaddy]

I don’t personally dislike the poster in question and have had ok contact at times

but have noticed he or she often takes the “safe” side on issues that involve race or other minority stuff...we have a some here like that...fewer than before but if you go to any southern thread there they are

so I am not surprised

that poster is quite wrong on this one

we don’t know every single fact on this deal...but now we likely won;t given the circus

but if indeed someone is bashing you into concrete and you have a weapon you do not have to endure it

[heartwood]

No, not a second gunshot. I didn’t know if the bang was outside or in the apartment. If there are other 911 calls at the same time that will be clear.

Here is a list of transcripts, not sure it if it includes John’s.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/20/911-calls-paint-picture-of-chaos-after-florida-teen-is-shot/

[kabar]

It is, in legal parlance, a 'self-serving statement'. The legal system in the US operates under the assumption that nobody will lie to inculpate himself in a criminal matter but that most people will lie to excuplate themselves and avoid or lessen consequences of their actions.

First, are you insinuating that Zimmerman is lying? You can discount Zimmerman's statement all you want, but he has the right to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident from his perspective. The physical evidence appears to support his version of events along with other eyewitness testimony. The facts will determine the veracity of Zimmerman's statement.

In some jurisdictions a self-serving statement may not be admitted in court unless there are neutral corroborating witness statements or evidence such as a security video.

That is a laughable statement on its face. I have served as a member of a jury in a murder case. The idea that the accused cannot submit a statement in their defense is pure nonsense. Do you have any source to support such an assertion? Are you a lawyer?

Maybe Zimmerman's statement is truthful...I don't know, you don't know and the legal system does not consider it evidence or proof.

If that statement is supported by fact and witnesses, it is part of the evidence or proof. So far, the police have not arrested Zimmerman because his version of events is supported by physical evidence and eyewitness testimony. The burden of proof falls on the state, not the accused, to prove he is innocent. That is the way our justice system is supposed to work. You are innocent until proven guilty.

[heartwood]

The police handcuffed Zimmerman and put him in the squad car to take to the police station. Technically not an arrest as they didn’t say “You are under arrest” and read him his rights.

They took his gun at the seen and still have it for evidence.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-23/news/os-trayvon-martin-questions-20120323_1_sanford-cops-sanford-police-investigator-suspicious-death

[heartwood]

seen = scene