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To: Kaslin
We know too little about Mr. Zimmerman’s state of mind before or during this tragic clash. Let's see: Zimmerman was on the ground with a 6'2" "kid" on top of him beating his face. He is heard on a 911 tape yelling for help. He was likely thinking: "If I can't get my gun out and shot this guy, he is going to kill me!"
30 posted on 03/25/2012 6:13:06 AM PDT by SubMareener (Save us from Quarterly Freepathons! Become a MONTHLY DONOR!)
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To: SubMareener
He was likely thinking: "If I can't get my gun out and shot this guy, he is going to kill me!"

Zimmerman didn't need 'going to kill me' under Florida Law. Under Florida Statute 776.012(1), Zimmerman was permitted to use deadly force, with no obligation to retreat, to prevent 'great bodily harm' to himself.

Florida Statute 776.012: "[A] person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if:

(1) He or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another . . ..

I linked the full Justifiable Use of Force statute above. I haven't researched to see if a Florida court has interpreted 'great bodily harm' under this context or another context yet. Those would be the next steps I'd undertake in a legal analysis.

60 posted on 03/25/2012 9:44:13 AM PDT by Scoutmaster (You knew the job was dangerous when you took it)
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