If they are to acquit, they should be very angry with the prosecution and the judge.
In terms of fearing riots or for their own safety, my own thought would be, come out of the chute really fast, then let it be known that this case was clear, and ridiculous to have been brought given the supporting evidence for Z’s account of self defense.
The agonizing long-and-hard part lends credence to the state that it doesn’t deserve and the facts and law don’t back up.
I can imagine telling the public that they would not dream of sending Z to jail for decades to serve for something that was self defense.
Because Trayvon Martin is no longer living, their duty was to give the defendant a fair trial and do justice by him. TM is no longer here to be the center of their concerns for justice. Instead, they have to take care not to send an innocent man away for most of his life, and that’s what they did.
Good idea!
Minimizes the 'angry mob', I think.
At least it stands up to the 'angry mob' and to the people who bussed some of them in.
I was mugged once and had my nose broken in that incident.
About 10 years later I was driving, not paying attention. Car in front of me stopped short, I skidded to a stop, no accident, but loud screeching of tires. I waved to driver in front of me and mouthed “I’m sorry”.
Next thing I know they are driving along side me telling me they are going to kick my ass. Two long haired white freaks. So I slow down , stay behind. We pull up to a light, one of the bastards got out. I rev up the engine to about four grand and got ready to smear the SOB. No way in hell will I ever take another beating for no reason. He knew at that moment I was serious, and he got back into his car.
I would have killed the SOB then and there. I was boxed in in traffic, ready to smash the crap out my car and all those around me.
I had a kid like Trayvon, black kid, take a swing at my face while walking in NYC. No reason. Just for the fun of it. He and his buds laughed, and what was so funny to them, I had a one year old infant on my back and could not fight.
So when I see Trayvon beating Zimmerman to a pulp, I say he got exactly what he deserved. Hope the jury feels the same.