I think this is a problem that many parents run into with teens in their rebellious years. Black, White, you name it, adolescents rarely listen to parental advice, especially if they have other 'influences'.
The problem with this trial is that RACE was made an issue in something that really had nothing to do with race. It had to do with Trayvon getting caught, and trying to 'fix' it so he wouldn't end up in jail (again).
Yep. A good way to get through to any media-dumbed "poor little Trayvon!" acquaintance is to point out that he was in Sanford in the first place because he had been booted from school when school authorities found jewelry and burglary tools in his locker that he had no explanation for. This information was not allowed in court, but was reported widely in the press. When you mention that little aspect of the case, you may well see a brief flicker of doubt cross their face.