With all due respect, George Zimmerman never made a 911 call (no matter how many times the media tells us that he did). Zimmerman called the nonemergency dispatcher.
The charging affidavit for second degree murder is careful not to call it a 911 call, although the same affidavit refers to the 911 calls made by others (such as the one on which a voice is heard yelling for help).
The City of Sanford's FAQ letter carefully makes the distinction several times:
"In this instance, the 911 calls made by neighbors in the subdivision, and the non-emergency call made by Mr. Zimmerman . . .
"[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."
Nope. Not a 911 operator. A 'telecommunications call taker" at the "non-emergency" number.
Obviously, I'm not poking at you. I just found your post a convenient place to hang this factoid.
Actually, my post was an entirely suitable place to hang your factoid. I was pointing out the importance of clear, unambiguous language. That should apply to me as well. The difference between a 911 operator; and a police station “telecommunications call taker” is important (or may be an important distinction, depending on how various laws may, or may not apply in each case).
In summary, we don't have a lawfully given order, from a LEO answering a 911 call (as the MSM would have us all believe). We have (at best) a *suggestion* from a telephone receptionist. Also, as others have pointed out, even a sworn LEO could not have *ordered* Zimmerman not to follow Martin.
No doubt, this will all come out in court. Then the questions will be:
1. Are jurors smart enough to understand the distinctions?
2. Will the MSM finally give an honest reporting?
3. Will there be riots regardless?
“Nope. Not a 911 operator. A ‘telecommunications call taker” at the “non-emergency” number.”
I wonder if the police give Neighbourhood Watch volunteers that number to call, so as to more directly contact the police. Also, a N.W. volunteer might be calling just to pass on information, and not want to make an “emergency” out of every call.