It is the fact that Zimmerman ignored the 911 operator's advice not to follow Martin that former Sen. Peaden says disqualifies him from claiming self-defense under the law. "The guy lost his defense right then," Peaden told the Miami Herald. "When he said 'I'm following him,' he lost his defense."
Note that he doesn't say, "Zimmerman can't claim self-defense under SYG, but he can claim self-defense." He doesn't say Zimmerman can claim self-defense at all. He gives his opinion straight-out: the fact that Zimmerman followed Martin disqualifies him from claiming self-defense. Period. He doesn't add anything else. Now, that's his opinion; a court of law could reach a different decision. (And, yes, I know what Zimmerman's lawyer said.)
As I posted somewhere above, I was in a similar situation a few years ago. We do not have Stand Your Ground in my state. Road rage incident: two drivers blocked in my vehicle, and one got out of his; I got out of my vehicle thinking we'd argue; instead, the guy threatened me. The police told me that my argument for self-defense would never hold water in court because I exited my vehicle. The person threatening me could've claimed self-defense, too, and it would've been his word against mine in a court of law.
Then he's an idiot.
where does it say you can’t follow someone on a public street from a distance?
answer: nowhere.