The original thread I posted in was the one posted by Vit where he proclaimed that Zimmerman was guilty. If you go back and look at post #2 which was the very first reply to his thread you will see how I felt about this from the start. That alone shows you I am not on Martin's side or I would have just agreed with Vit. He was totally wrong in my opinion for saying what he did. But just because I don't "choose" a side does not mean I can not contribute to the conversation in a neutral manner which is exactly what I have done.
I think Zimmerman made a stupid decision by getting out of his car and not waiting for the police to show up. Now there are probably many other things that happened that night that could have been done differently to prevent this from happening. But we do not know what exactly happened so we can't determine what other things for sure would have prevented this. But, if Z had stayed in his car and waited for police, there is pretty much no doubt that this tradegy would have been avoided.
You happy?
I agree with you. I think he should do five years for being stupid. I don't believe he murdered anyone. My point is I think people who have a gun on them should not legally be allowed to leave their car in pursuit of someone not committing a crime. I can see myself in Trayvon's shoes. I used to be 17 years old, wear hoodies, and walk to the grocery store at night to get some late night snacks. And I'm not a thug like Trayvon so I wouldn't be bashing peoples heads in the sidewalk. But if someone was following me, I'd be scared for my life. That is a direct threat to follow someone like that and to get out of your vehicle to pursue them on foot. Zimmerman thought he was a badass and met someone who didn't appreciate being stalked and took the matter in to his own hands.
The prosecution will have an easy time making Zimmerman out to be the instigator of the fight... not because he threw the first punch but because he instigated Trayvon by following him. The fact Trayvon was running and Zimmerman continued the pursuit is enough for the prosecution to sell their case.
Here's the thing AK, Z is going to say in court "I approached Martin to ask him what he was up to, then Martin started throwing down" or something to that effect.
Then you got the forensics proving Z was on his back getting pummeled, you don't have a murder 2 case.
The prosecutor is the one to blame here. She totally messed up, people in Florida say she always does that.
There's no doubt in my subjective mind that Martin went to Z and started beating him up. But I also have no doubt that the prosecution can make a case that Z instigated this by putting fear in to Martin. The fact he was running, his girlfriend is a witness that claims Trayvon knew he was being followed. Zimmerman acknowledges he was following Trayvon, the police claim that Trayvon was running in the direction of his home. I mean this evidence is mounting up. It's obvious Zimmerman was pursuing and trying to engage Trayvon. To me it doesn't matter if he was just trying to question him. Trayvon has more than to defend himself.
Billhill, you know you would not appreciate being followed and you know you would not approach it in a civil manner. I wouldn't throw punches, but I would definitely either run or ask the person what the fuck his problem is. Following someone the way Z did is just not right. And I'm not sticking up for a thug, I couldn't care less what Trayvon's home life was like. In this specific circumstance, he was doing nothing wrong.
Seriously, Are you fucking idiot or what? How many times do I have to tell you that I do not know what happened and I do not want to speculate as to what happened. I do know that a young boy is dead at the hands of a man who could have easily prevented this from happening. I agree with many that there is no way they will convict on a murder 2 charge. I think that was stupid for the prosecutor not to go for manslaughter instead. Whether or not they can still convict on a manslaughter charge, I don't know. But whatever the outcome, the rest of Zimmermans life will be hell so he eventually will somehow pay for his stupidity.
