[driftless2]

If, like most Martin supporters still believe, Zimmerman had "chased down" Martin and shot him just for walking through Z's neighborhood, throw the book at him.
If he, GZ, had accosted Martin and after a non-physical argument had shot him, throw the book at him
If after arguing, Martin had punched GZ and GZ pulled out his gun and shot him, throw the book at GZ.
If during a fight where both parties were exchanging blows and GZ pulled out his gun and shot Martin, throw the book at GZ.
If after sighting Martin and on returning to his vehicle, GZ was accosted by an angry Martin who knocked him down, straddled him, and continued to punch and slam his head into the concrete, and Zimmerman pulled out his gun and shot Martin, GZ is innocent. The known facts of the case suggest the last possibility is what happened. Case closed.

[thanatz]

Good summary of the possibilities from driftless2. What this contempt for the facts suggests to me is that the prosecution was arguing that GZ intended to shoot TM regardless of what the latter did, and the fact that TM attacked GZ before he got around to shooting him in cold blood was not relevant to GZ’s already having the evil intent necessary for a 2nd degree murder conviction. Convoluted logic? Yes. Putting hypothetical concerns above demonstrable facts? Yes. Constitutionally absurd? True. BUT — this is where you end up when you criminalize states of mind, as in “hate crimes,” and use general, morally-couched accusations (”racial profiling”) to excuse specific, statutory offenses (trespassing and assault and battery in TMs case).

[Domangart]

Hit Zimmerman and punched him and tossed around the grounds. Zimmerman fighting for his life fled. The Felon chested him to the ground and continued MMA stile when he was seen by the only eye witness etc.