Granted, Zimmerman may have scared this kid, but by many accounts Zimmerman was headed back to his truck and not bothering the kid at the point he was jumped, according to the 911 calls at least.
No matter how pissed you are about someone following you, you don't have the right to follow them and start beating on them.
If Zimmerman threw the first punch then the kid was acting in self defense, but I bet the kid was simply being true to the culture he was born into and was trying to teach someone not to "diss" him, followed Zimmerman and jumped him. My Opinion and I have the right to it.
Then you and I are of the same opinion and I'm sticking with yours........
It does matter how the physical violence started. If you start physical violence, you lose your privilege to use force in self defense.
-- No matter how pissed you are about someone following you, you don't have the right to follow them and start beating on them. --
That's correct. Putting a person in reasonable apprehension of offensive contact is enough to trigger the privilege of self defense, but mere words is no excuse for initiating physical violence.
-- If Zimmerman threw the first punch then the kid was acting in self defense ... --
And Zimmerman is guilty of manslaughter. If Zimmerman initiated physical violence, then he has lost the privilege of self defense.
The "who started it" play clock is reset each time the opponents break off and have an opportunity to retreat or otherwise de-escalate.
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There are no released LEO transcripts, witness statements or 911 tapes that say anything about Zimmerman returning to his truck or about Martin jumping him.
If you have access to any that do say that Martin jumped Zimmerman then please link to them...