The Tragedy of Trayvon Martin
Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 2:16PM 
PLEASE READ MY NEW POST HERE:
By now, the entire world knows who Trayvon Martin is — the unarmed 17-year-old African-American lad shot dead in his tracks by an overzealous Neighborhood Watch captain, George “Triggerman” Zimmerman, on February 26 in Sanford, Florida. Before delving too deeply into this tragedy, just what is Neighborhood Watch, and who (or what) gives people the right to shoot anyone?
Actually, the National Neighborhood Watch Institute has no authority or control over anything. According to the NNWI Website, it “was formed to supply law enforcement agencies and individual’s [sic] better tools for their crime prevention dollar.”
Basically, NNWI sells the materials, including signs and manuals, necessary for police departments to train people like “Triggerman” Zimmerman. In my opinion, whatever the police department was that trained him, they did a remarkably lousy job. While the NNWI strives to “provide excellent educational materials and products that build observation and reporting skills,” somewhere along the line, all of Zimmerman’s training went out the window with one squeeze of the trigger. Not only did the system fail him, he failed the system dreadfully.
The location of the shooting was inside the gated community of The Retreat at Twin Lakes. Zimmerman lives in that community and he’s the self-appointed Neighborhood Watch captain. Apparently, he called 911 at least 47 times between August 12, 2004 and Feb. 26 of this year. Most of the calls started the same way about suspicious persons, “We’ve had a lot of break-ins in our neighborhood recently and I’m on the Neighborhood Watch.”
George Zimmerman 911 Call History
How revealing it is that most of those suspicious characters were black, yet this shooting is not supposed to be about racial profiling? Give me a break.
I went to the scene on March 21 and spoke to several people. I took photos of the spot where Trayvon died, and I laid it all out in the pictures displayed below to give you a good idea of what went down that tragic Sunday evening.
CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
This map shows the route Trayvon Martin took when he returned.
Visiting from Miami, Trayvon walked to a nearby 7-Eleven, but when I say nearby, it was about a 2-mile hike. I’m sure, like other boys his age, he got restless inside his father’s girlfriend’s house and needed to get out to do what 17-year-olds do; they text and talk on their phones. That’s not all. He wanted to buy something for his soon-to-be stepbrother, so when he got to the store, he bought a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea, turned around and headed back. Very suspicious, huh?
Almost immediately after Trayvon returned to the gated community, Zimmerman began to slowly tail him in his pickup truck. It’s as if he were lying in wait… lurking… ready to pounce at any moment. He dialed 9-1-1 to, once again, report a suspicious character, whose crime thus far was merely being black. When Trayvon put his hoodie up to keep the falling rain off his head, he suddenly morphed into a black thug. You see? This is racial profiling, plain and simple.
Straight ahead, between the two perpendicular rows of buildings, is the sidewalk Trayvon took to escape Zimmerman. It was the way back to where he was staying.
Zimmerman has a concealed weapons permit and was carrying a Kel Tek 9mm PF9 semi-automatic handgun. Why, in God’s name, anyone like him needs to carry a gun in his capacity as a nobody with no authority whatsoever is beyond me. Today, he is a murderer in my book.
In recorded 911 calls, Zimmerman acknowledged that he was following a suspicious person. At some juncture, he parked his truck and began pursuing Trayvon on foot. In his subsequent statements to police, he claimed that Trayvon attacked him and he shot the teenager in self-defense, but here’s where his story falls apart. (Continued below the photos)
This is the path Trayvon took, looking south. Scott is on the left. Both are from a Japanese media organization. Facing me is the direction Trayvon took. Zimmerman parked his truck somewhere near the red car and pursued on foot.
This is the spot where Trayvon died, just to the left of the small tree.
Trayvon never left the sidewalk. He followed the path to where he was staying. As he approached his destination, the sidewalk went from being parallel to the street to winding around the side and backside of two rows of townhouses. In order to continue following his prey, Zimmerman had to get out of his pickup to pursue him. He had to run, too, which is clearly evident on one of the 911 recordings, where he acknowledges to the dispatcher that he is running after him. The dispatcher tells him not to do that, to which Zimmerman says “OK” yet ignores the request. Incidentally, dispatchers have no authority. They are civilians and all they can do is offer advice.
This is the scene looking south. The shooting took place on the sidewalk to the left.
This is what Trayvon last saw as he tried to make it back to safety, although it was dark.
From what I was told near the scene, Zimmerman raced in front of Trayvon and swung around abruptly to face him. Both stopped in their tracks. Trayvon was on the phone with his girlfriend at that moment. Bear in mind that Zimmerman weighed about 100 lbs. more than Trayvon. Trayvon asked Zimmerman why he was following him and Zimmerman demanded to know why he was there.
STOP! BACK UP!
Here’s where it gets tricky. If a nutbasket like Zimmerman came up to me, I’d want to know who gave him the authority to question who I am and why I’m anywhere. I’d ask him if he were a cop. No? Then get out of my face. It’s none of his business. That’s a natural reaction. Someone pushed first. It doesn’t matter who, because, in no time at all, a senseless vigilante pulled out his weapon and shot an innocent person dead on the spot. He shot him point blank in the chest. I’ve heard rumors he did it while the teenager was lying on the ground, on his back, but I haven’t heard anything official yet.
One of the people I spoke to was Sly, who lives nearby, but not inside The Retreat. He said that, obviously, Zimmerman knew all about the Stand Your Ground law, where you shoot to kill and claim self-defense. Without a witness, who’s there to contest it? Because of that law, the Sanford Police Department chose to not arrest Zimmerman, but my big question to them is quite simple — has there ever been an incident anywhere in the world where a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea was used to threaten someone or cause death or great bodily harm?
I didn’t think so.
Trayvon was on his cell phone talking to his 16-year-old girlfriend within minutes of his death. He told her he was being followed. She told him to run. He told her he’d walk a little faster, but he wasn’t going to run. Trayvon had no idea who this dude was or what he wanted. When he walked around the corner of a building, Zimmerman zipped on by and swung around.
“What are you following me for?” Trayvon asked.
“What are you doing around here?” Zimmerman demanded.
Trayvon must have been pushed, his girlfriend assumed, because his headset fell to the ground and the phone went dead. Who pushed who first doesn’t matter. This is clearly the case of a cop wannabe. Zimmerman took the law into his own hands, as if he had the power of a real law enforcement officer. This was his goal in life — to be a cop. In one loud pop, that dream went down the drain as blood flowed from Trayvon’s chest. Trayvon’s own dreams faded into oblivion in a matter of seconds.
There’s a good reason why Zimmerman never became a police officer. What’s sad is that no one looked at him intently enough to know he was a threat to everyone’s safety; a guy who took his self-proclaimed title as captain of the neighborhood too seriously. Today, he’s nothing more than a cold-blooded murderer. He alone provoked the incident. Would someone please tell the Sanford Police Department that you cannot be the instigator and then claim Stand Your Ground self-defense?
Incidentally, police confiscated Zimmerman’s gun. He says he needs to buy a replacement to keep up his work as a Neighborhood Watch captain. Would someone please tell me this is not an insane world?
Tonight, I will try my best to join thousands of others in the National Rally for Justice on behalf of Trayvon Martin.
Dave Knechel | tagged Al Sharpton, National Action Network, Trayvon Martin Map | in 18th Circuit Court, Dave Knechel, David B. Knechel, David Knechel, FBI, FDLE, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, George Zimmerman, Marinade Dave, Marinade Dave Knechel, NNWI, Neighborhood Watch, Sanford Police Department, Stand Your Ground, The Retreat at Twin Lakes, Trayvon Martin, marinadedave | Share Article | 1 Reference 
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Reader Comments (134)
This is so well-written, Dave. I am sick about this murder of Trayvon. Thank you for doing an explanation that everyone can understand.
Thank you, Patti. I am sick to my stomach that this poor boy was murdered in cold blood and, so far, he's gotten away with it. By writing this, my goal has been to show you as clear a picture of what came down as I could. Zimmerman stalked Trayvon and that's all there is to it.
Thank You Dave another Great Job of Reporting I wish I could Join you At the March please take pics!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Crystal! I'll tell you, it was a long night, but it was truly rewarding. I wish you could have been there, too.
I just watched the recent news conference on HLN...They played the 911 call which supposedly contained a racial slur...The call had been technically enhanced and it sure sounds, to me, as though there was a racial slur...Also learned during the HLN commentary that the Sanford Police Chief has temporarily stepped down and a new one has been appointed...I hope Justice can be found for this young man...I am praying that everything will be conducted properly from here on...
I can't say one way or the other, Estee, about whether it was a racial slur or not, but the fact remains that Zimmerman called 911 at least 46 times over the past year, and all of his delusional "suspicious" characters were African-American. That speaks volumes.
Imo, This is "premeditated murder"!! A self appointed premeditating murderer!! We are learning the neighborhood watch can be a perfect place for this kind to portray themselves as humanitarian when, in reality, they are nothing but a stalker just waiting for their prey, misleading and portraying himself as having law enforcement approval. Zimmerman's past, as I have read, is not one which would lead me to believe he was to be trusted. Having a permit to carry a gun? People should be wary of anyone who has not been scrutinized as to their characteristic past behaviors before any acknowledgement whatsoever, that they are out to protect and/or defray crime.
I guess it's premeditated in the sense that Zimmerman set out to start trouble with whoever his target was going to be that night, New Puppy. He surely had a gun in hand to do more than just protect himself. Yes, no doubt in my mind that he was stalking his prey. Why didn't the Sanford Police Department run a background check on him? Or if they had, why did they ignore it? He was a loose cannon from the start and an innocent is dead because of it. I mean, who was the REAL hood that night? What a pity.
Dave~~First off, this is exceptional reporting. Of all the articles I have read about this tragedy thus far, I can honestly say now that I fully understand what transpired. Your pictures were a great aid in enhancing the reality of what took place. Your article has really peaked my curosity in this case now that I have garnered so much great info from your post.
I will ask the same questions as many other already have. Why was Zimmerman carrying a concealed weapon when he had the police dept on speed dial? Did Zimmerman do this on a volunteer basis or does he receive compensation?
Who appointed him Captain? Are there more than one Neighborhood Watch persons in that particular gated community? How many nights a week was Zimmerman out guarding the streets? Is he a family man with children? Does he have any close black friends?? Why wasn't he qualified to be admitted into the police academy?
I understand Zimmerman's ex fianceé laid charges against him back a few years ago for roughing her up.
My own personal observations.... Was this racially motivated? Yes. Was it self-defense? Definitely not.
This has created a dire situation that is getting out of hand. Until Zimmerman is hauled in and charged, it is not going away.
Thanks so much, Dave. It's been awhile since I said, "you are numero uno when it comes to investigative reporting."
psst...I have 2 trials out deliberating so excuse typos etc.
[You know me, Snoopy, I try to lay things out so everyone can understand how things came down. Had it not been for me to ask questions about where, specifically, the crime occurred, my post wouldn't have had much substance. Fortunately, I dig for answers, speaking of which, I will try to answer yours.
Zimmerman carried a gun because he's got a classic case of cop wannabe. His lifelong dream has been to be someone he's not; someone who upholds the law. In a matter of seconds, he broke a cardinal law: Thou shalt not kill. And he did so without batting an eyelash. Who needs cops when he is Mr. Supercop?
Yes, there are several neighborhood watch people in that gated community, but only one who delegated himself the Big Kahuna – Captain Supercop, the Spreme Commander!
Knowing a dude, or DUD, like him, he probably worked all shifts. It was his doodie as a captain.
As far as I know, at least one media outlet mentioned his wife, but that's all I've heard. I believe they are in hiding now, but still living in the community.
In my opinion, this was definitely racially motivated. Self defense? No way, because he was the instigator.
The rest, I cannot answer, but something tells me he was more of a loner than anything else; one with a violent past.
Thanks for your vote of confidence. I haven't had much of a chance to do any investigative reporting, but I'm very disheartened that it had to come this way. Good luck on your deliberations. Neither of them are going to end happily, but hopefully, justice will prevail.]
I'm not concerned with a racial slur..or any other kind of slur. Words only have the power we give to them. Bullets, however, kill.
Great post, Dave. Thank you.
And thank you, too, dadgum! The only thing a racial slur could do is to prove he's a bigot, which would predicate a hate crime charge. Then, it would be a lot easier to hit him with murder. It was the bullet that killed Trayvon, but it was the brain behind it that pressed the firing pin.
Great articles as usual. Such a sad sad story.
Thank you, Marsha, I appreciate your words of encouragement. A lot! Yes, it's very, very sad.
Will he be brought to justice with the Death Penalty on board? Probably not.
If Zimmerman is eventually charged with murder, I doubt it would be a death penalty case. I wonder if it would qualify as a 1st-degree murder case, but in my mind, he premeditated it just by carrying that gun every day. He was a murderer inside, just waiting to explode.
Lee said that he will only be stepping down temporarily in hopes to restore calm within the community.
"I am keenly aware of the emotions associated with this tragic death of a child," said Lee. "I am also aware that my role as the leader of this agency has become a distraction from the investigation. While I stand by the Sanford Police Department, it's personnel and the investigation that was conducted in regards to the Trayvon Martin case, it is apparent that my involvement is overshadowing the process. Therefore I have come to the decision that I must temporarily remove myself from the position as the police chief of the city of Sanford. I do this in hopes of restoring some semblance of calm to the city, which has been in turmoil for several weeks."
Read more here at Source...
Sanford Police Chief Steps Down Temporarily
[I don't think Lee will ever return as police chief. The whole thing turned sour. It's like a breakup with a girlfriend. Once it sours, it can never again be the same. Better to move on.]
Watch Live News Conference-Rev AL Sharpton Here
Dave~~racial slurs can give credence to intent. If Zimmerman did make that racial slur using a strong profanity and then a word used in describing a black person, I think it would/should carry a lot of weight in an investigation into this shooting/murder.
[First and foremost, it would become a hate crime and that's a federal offense. You bet, he'd be in a heap of trouble, as well he should be. That would also set the foundation for a murder charge.]
Hi Dave
Another great post!
I think it is terrible that we can allow a situation to go on in this country in which someone could even consider that it would be okay to conduct a neighborhood watch with a gun to ferret out possibly suspicious people.
I think Trayvon looks like a nice, pleasant, intelligent young man. He definitely did not look like a criminal, whatever criminals look like. Even if we assumed that Trayvon was one of the most hardened criminals in Florida instead of a normal teen age boy talking to his girlfriend on the phone, Triggerman would have been perfectly safe if he had remained in his truck. Triggerman could even have driven out of the gated community to wait for the police if he had been that afraid for his safety. I don't think that Trayvon was capable of outrunning a truck on foot in order to cause Triggerman grave bodily harm.
Although I don't see anything wrong with Trayvon or any other young person wearing a hoodie which is apparently a popular clothing choice for young people in Florida, I can't say that a hoodie is without criminal associations. I think the most notorious baby killer in Florida gave a certain blue hoodie world wide publicity and she certainly looked evil and criminal in the pictures that the news media took at the time. I didn't see any pictures of Trayvon in a hoodie, but unless Skittles could be easily confused with duct tape, I don't understand how he could have looked as criminal and evil as she did in one.
My total sympathies are with Trayvon, a good young man who died too young, and his family especially his broken hearted mother who has to bury her baby because Florida has some preposterous law which enables the unbalanced to use a gun to ferret out people whom they think may not be to their liking.
I think those who sponsored the law should consider the cost of their actions in terms of the opportunities lost because a young man who appeared to be intelligent and very likable went to an early grave before he had a chance to fully develop his potential. Could he have become a famous doctor to cure people who needed curing, a legislator to develop laws to make the world a better place, a writer to spread the light of knowledge to his readers? Only God knows what the world lost when Trayvon Martin bled on that Florida soil. We know that Trayvon's mother and father will never recover from their loss.
Hi Amber!
Thank you.
I question whether anyone was aware that Zimmerman was packing a gun, including the police. It's not like he was obligated to let anybody know. That's another thing. Why didn't he warn Trayvon that he had a gun? Most people aren't armed like that, and he was never in any position of authority to warrant carrying one in public. The man was nuts, and the worst part of it was that he felt justified... and the police department agreed with him!
Trayvon looked nothing like a criminal, and Triggerman was not qualified to pick and choose at will. That guy went looking for a fight and he found one, except for one thing, federal and local governments are going to bring the fight right back to him, and the gun that took one valuable life will do no good against what's coming his way.
Hoodies are popular all over, not just in Florida. It's a fashion statement; a trend among young people, not just Black. Eminem dresses that way, and he's White! It's a hip hop thang, and the thing to remember is that Triggerman chased after Trayvon. There's no way that's self defense!
I went to that rally last night and I've got to tell you, I was moved by it. Trayvon came from a typical All-American family. For Triggerman to even remotely think that he was justified shows how out of touch he is with reality. And to think he wwants to continue patrolling his neighborhood? That man needs to be put away for good. For his and OURS!
Oh, so glad you're covering this one, Dave. One thing I had to do in Mass. Comm. classes was listen intently, over-and-over, to recorded speech patterns- my own and those of others. Gary Tuchman of CNN did a bang-up piece today, heading down the hall to the audio engineer's studio to listen to an enhanced (some bass removed to clarify the actual voices) and amplified part of the 911 Zimmerman tape.
Clear as day, it's "Effin' co0ns" that pops out of Zimmerman's mouth, like some kind of deformed monster from the past. His buddy who's on all over the place can remain in intense denial all he wants, stating that Zimmerman is saying "effin' COLD", but the OOOH sound is there, not an OHHH sound. The rest of us with good hearing know exactly what he's saying. It's as clear as any other portion of the tape, just muttered ever-so-slightly under his breath. He hunted this poor kid down, and the local yokel PD took his word automatically for EVERYTHING that allegedly happened.
I'm so glad the Feds are involved here (finally)- if the CNN engineers can bring this out so obviously, the FBI guys and gals can too. And that makes this a Federal Hate Crime, Folks. It will be interesting to see how long the PD there remains obdurate (OK, STUPID!) on this one. At some point they'll have to stop defending this worked-up, hateful SCHMUCK and realize that their own as$es are getting more, not less, exposed here.
I tried to sign the Change.Org petition three times today- too much traffic! I WILL be trying again tomorrow.
There's no way I could have ignored this one, Karen, whether it occurred in my own back yard or not. However, living here will once again offer me a closer look, and I will do what I can to present it.
That's very interesting about the CNN voice enhancement. It sure sounds like “coons” to me. Although it may help us in the public, I wonder whether it would be allowed in a courtroom. Without it, there may not be a strong case for charging Triggerman with a hate crime, unless people who know him come forward. And you know what? They may, because deep down inside, there's got to be a ton of compassion for Trayvon and his family that trumps a piece of garbage like Zimmerman.
Anyway, keep trying to sign that petition! I did, and last night, I put money in the bucket for Trayvon's family. Any way I can help, I will. Thanks!
Great article, Dave! I have only heard bits and pieces about this story, so thank you for writing about it. It is nice to have your pictures to go along with the story because it helps to pull it all together. This is such a sad story for his family. I can't understand why he hasn't been arrested for this murder yet. How can they even believe it was self defense? Hopefully he will be arrested soon and Trayvon's family can get justice. I would imagine that his girlfriend will become a good witness for the Prosecution since she was on the phone with him at the time.
Thanks again, Dave for writing about this.
My pleasure, Mary Jo. Sadly, once again I am reporting on bad news. I firmly believe Zimmerman will be arrested soon, but at the rally last night, his father said that justice won't come until a conviction and sentence comes down. I've got over 100 photos from last night, most of which will never be published on my blog, but I'd be willing to share them with news sources for free. I hope to have something up by tomorrow, but there's still an awful lot of work to do. Yes! Trayvon's girlfriend will be a huge asset for the prosecution.
Thank you.
"Our Leader states that if he had a son, he would look like Trayvon. We must all pull together and figure out how something like this could happen." What is there to figure out??????
A man with a gun stalked a young boy and shot him dead. These kind of somethings happen everyday. Murdering of all kinds is all around us. Not just black white brown yellow red or pink blue green or mixed. Cowards prey on children and babies who have no defense, Strangers kill strangers, parents kill their own, friends kill friends, children kill their parents, caretakers kill the dying. There is no certain pattern of the way killings are in such abundance. Fortunately most people try to find some good in life and will spend a little time uttering thankfulness that there is some good still around.
If this particular killing is "used" for political gain by either party, then we must pull together and figure out how something like "that" could happen.
You know, New Puppy, I agree with you 100%. If this case is used for political gain, shame on the president. I have another question. He said if he had a son, he would look just like Trayvon. OK, on the surface it seems fine, but it was clearly intended to show a separation of color. I can understand the message, but of all people, the president should be neutral on color or he should have said, black or white, Trayvon could have been his son. Had he been a white president, what would the outcry be if a black man killed a white boy and our if our president said his own son would have looked just like the victim? I'd call that suspect.
It almost seems as if there's a double standard here, and there's no room for that. The president should feel bad about all murdered children, regardless of ethnicity. I'll admit this is a strange case because Zimmerman should have been charged with murder right away, but the president must choose his words carefully. I think he would have been better served had he said a few words of sympathy and how the case is being looked into. Cut the color remarks. Let Zimmerman be the racist, not anyone else, and certainly not Barack Obama. [Edit - I'm not at all saying Obama is racist.]
Thanks, that's quite an astute observation. We need unity now, not comparisons to the president's color. No president. The presidency is not a one-way street when it comes to color. [Edit - Perhaps my choice of words were a bit harsh, but I still think that color should have been left out. In other words, it could have been his son, but looking like him narrows it down to one color.]
I appear to have heard a different statement from the President then- I certainly didn't pick up on his exploiting this issue in the least. He was responding to questions, and it was inevitable that this would come up in some fashion and he had to say something- he would have been remiss not to. He's in a rather specific and somewhat peculiar position here- d@mned if he does, and d@mned if he doesn't. I took what he said about a hypothetical son looking like Trayvon as a simple and personal statement that generally hit the right tone and that the family appears to have appreciated.
I don't personally have a problem with it because my concern is with Trayvon, but I could see how it could be interpreted as a bit racist. Yes, it's a d@mned if you do, d@mned if you don't, but that's what happens to every politician, and the presidency is under a highly scrutinizing microscope. It's just an observation.
Geraldo Rivera said publicly that the hoodie Travyon was wearing was partially to blame. That kind of archaic thinking on victimology used to extend in Australia to rape victims being blamed for wearing short skirts. Thankfully Australia has come a long way since then. America needs to step up. This looks very bad for law enforcement Dave. They need to be aware that they are under scrutiny on the world stage and that cold blooded hate race crimes are unacceptable. Trayvon was clearly targetted by a racially bigotted nut job who needs to be punished to the full extent of the law. This was clearly cold blooded murder, no matter what the boy was wearing, and it is disgusting that public figures like Rivera would even be allowed to air such vile and irresponsible views. Get off your backsides America and punish this murderer NOW. Exceptional reporting thanks Dave and may I please extend my deepest sympathy to Trayvons loved ones.
Hellooooooo, Tiffany!!! I can't believe Geraldo. To say that is more than just archaic, it's asinine and from a time when men hung blacks from trees. Yes, I agree with your comparison about wearing short skirts, but I assure you, it is not just Australia. We still suffer from that crap in America, but only in the minds of idiots. It almost seems like we take a step forward, only to fall back by something like this unwarranted and unjustified slaughter of an innocent teenager. Hoodies are not just a black thing. You need only look at the Unibomber to strike fear in your heart and mind. AND HE WAS WHITE!
While Rivera has a right to speak his mind, we have a right to turn him off. Shame on him.
Thank you for the vote of confidence and for commenting. I've got 141 pictures I'm sorting through that I took at the rally last night. I am very proud to have attended. I will pass your sympathy on to the appropriate people. Trust me on that!
Tiffany~~I totally agree with everything you said. The Sunshine state is beginning to get a little shady when it comes to the justice system.
For those who may have missed it....
President Obama discusses Trayvon Martin case-Video
This is getting nasty folks.....A Melbourne Beach man was arrested on Friday and charged with making written death threats to Sanford police Chief Bill Lee, who announced a day earlier that he would step down temporarily after public outcry in the Trayvon Martin case.
SCSO officials said they began investigating on Thursday after a threatening email was sent to Lee at 8:23 a.m. with the subject line "Coming after you."
Investigators said the email noted that the sender had multiple weapons and that Lee and his family should be killed. The email also suggested that local police officers would be harmed, investigators said.
After a subpoena was issued for obtaining the IP address of the computer from which the email was sent, authorities determined the message originated from Stewart's home computer, investigators said.
Read the entire article here at source...
Man Arrested After Written Death Threats Made On Chief Lee
[Oh geeze, they sure do come out of the woodwork. Coming from Melbourne, I'm not surprised. Too much sun damage. He fried his brain and put out the fire with alcohol. Guarantee it.]
Let's get to know a bit about Zimmerman and some misconceptions in this case.
Zimmerman had been arrested in 2005 at a UCF-area bar and charged with resisting arrest without violence. He completed a pretrial-diversion program, meaning the case was officially dropped, and he wound up with no conviction on his record. It's not clear when, but police did check Zimmerman's criminal record and know about that arrest.
Zimmerman fired twice, a warning shot and a kill shot.
Untrue, according to several witnesses and law enforcement. Two loud bangs can be heard on one 911 call, and family attorneys said last week that that was evidence of two shots, but several witnesses who've spoken publicly about what they heard all describe a single shot. And a source close to the investigation told the Orlando Sentinel just one shot was fired from Zimmerman's gun.
Sanford cops usually call a prosecutor to the scene of a homicide but did not that night.
True, according to police and the State Attorney's Office in Seminole-Brevard. Police talked to a prosecutor by phone that night, but she did not go to the scene. Based on the evidence they gathered that night, police believed they did not have enough evidence to arrest Zimmerman on a manslaughter charge because of his account of what happened and claim of self-defense.
Cops returned the gun to shooter George Zimmerman.
Untrue, according to police. Sanford Officer Tim Smith handcuffed Zimmerman, and then pulled from a holster in Zimmerman's waistband the black Kel Tec 9 mm PF9, a semiautomatic. The gun is now in the possession of authorities, officially part of the evidence in the case.
Zimmerman, though, still has a valid concealed-weapons permit.
Source
Snoopy- I still can't get over that no homicide detectives were sent to this, from the beginning. That should have been an automatic response- just as you get an insurance claims adjuster when you're in a bad enough wreck, regardless of circumstances. Dead shot person = homicide detective.
Just maybe "AMERICA" answers too many calls for help from other countries and needy civilizations and has been stripped to where we are not taking care of its own. If every other country helped outside our own borderlines the way USA and a few others with its giving people and money, maybe things would open up for the better. We have crime, don't tell me other countries do not! I think opinions are great, but don't be coming down so hard on us or as individual states. We have great responsiblity to make us better but it is like me talking about my brother, "I can say it", but don't you, kind of thing, because I pay taxes to the USA, Those who live elsewhere may need to look around their own vicinities, and let us know what they have to work on to make things better. It may help us to know that we are not the only BAD country. Every TV station that issues a plea for help is directed toward the United States of America, and it's working people like we should feel guilty for all the atrocities around the world. I don't know if these pleas go out to all other countries or not. I don't live there, Our country is running rampant with the types of killings we very rarely used to know about, but I can't believe we are the only ones. Is it more or just we ARE waking up to it?
Today, my remark about our leader, was meant to say if one murder is of such an issue, why are not the others. We have babies still missing, for example, so I can't understand why the same comment of "coming together and finding out why these things happen" isn't just as important in every and any murder, ESPECIALLY that of children and babies.
For those who have served and are serving the United States of America It is saddening to know that young men and women, as ordered by our government, to go and offer their life to make another lands life better, also know things are just getting worse here on the land they respect and are willing to die for. The USA is still the greatest. Where nothing can be perfect I still find our old Constitution for this land is worthy of respect. It is a responsibility of the individuals who hold office and authority, to act with us for the best we can do to become better.
As it is often said and very hard to do, "hate the sin, not the sinner" I do not hate anyone, I do hate sin and just like anyone else can sometimes get angry and upset.
We do answer lots of calls, New Puppy, and sometimes they are calls we shouldn't take. But we have our place in the world and many people have grown accustomed to it. There was always that misconception that if we are not there to prop up a government, that country would fall into enemy hands. Remember the Domino Effect? If Vietnam fell to communism, then the whole region would follow.
We have always been a giving country, too, and it's a part of our heritage. Perhaps it is a good time to cut back. After all, we owe China everything, but where do we start? Our governments are so convoluted and intertwined, there's no way to pull ourselves apart. That's also one of the reasons why we know so much about each other, aside from technology advancements in mass communication. In the past, we only cared about what was going on in our own back yards, and that's almost literally. Today, our back yards extend halfway around the world, and we find out details of something so physically far apart, it seems like they are right next to us because of the lightning speed and interest.
I mean, let's face it, everyone in the world knows more about us than we do about them. Of course, we have special interests, like the new Duchess in England, and how much of an impact Putin will make on our relationship with Russia. Then there's the Casey Anthony mess. That intrigued the entire world, and if not for such a heinous, unbelieveable and hideous crime, how many of us from other states and countries would know each other today?
To me, it's too late to go back. We may be able to turn inward to a certain extent, and by that I mean as far as foreign aid, but we will never be able to close the floodgates when it comes to how the world communicates. By far, the Internet has had the most impact in modern history, and we can't censor it like China. And getting back to Vietnam, we are no longer enemies – we are major trading partners. One day, I'd love to travel there because veterans have told me it's the most beautiful country they've ever visited. And they have memories of a terrible war.
About the president's statement. I agree that every murder is equal. A death is a death, but this crime has created a rift, the likes of which I have not seen in years. I am grateful I had the opportunity to attend last night's rally, and there was one common theme throughout the night. There were others, too, but the cry was heard that they (the Blacks) hurt just as much as everyone else that loses a child, but it seems to be something that some people don't understand. Certainly, the Sanford Police Department didn't know it as Trayvon's father filed a missing person report with that police department and poor Trayvon remained in the morgue for 48-hours before someone put two-and-two together. Why would that happen in the most powerful country in the world? In today's age? That's where we must acknowledge our faults and mistakes. We are at the center stage of the world, and if we can't get it right, other nations must also question their own vulnerabilities. That's all. As others look up to us, we must stand up to the challenges. We must because we are America – home of the free; home of the brave.
Our Constitution is intact. There may be politicians from both parties out to change it, but it's withstood the test of time. As much as I deplore violence, and certainly what our boy did to an entire Afghan family, it's the war that created the monster. What was it that created George Zimmerman? I don't know, but he sure doesn't speak for me or anyone else. He chose his own path. He is not an American. He is a cold-hearted murderer with no respect for others. I say, take away his rights forever. Put him where he belongs.
Thank you, New Puppy, your comment was very valuable and appreciated, more than you may think.
Karen C~~you are absolutely right. If a policeman had shot and killed an individual even in the line of duty, a prosecutor would have gone to the scene. Why not in this case? How can they weigh the evidence over a telephone line? Sanford police dept were derelict in their duties. There was a black boy in a hoodie lying on the ground fatally shot in the chest and it did not warrant a prosecutor attending? What in hell is wrong with law enforcement? I hope enough people will rally and make their voices heard and not give up on getting justice for Trayvon. This is barbaric and almost inhuman. What really gets to me is the fact that Zimmerman was armed with an automatic.
If you google Critical Race Theory and Barack Obama you will be surprised at what you will find. I have a post up about it but I can't, at this minute, get into my site. Many believe Obama wants to make it a race issue for his re-election. I would find it hard to believe if it weren't for his associations with Ayers and Bell.
My prayers are being said for Trayvon's family and friends. I knew the minute I heard the nutjob tell the operator, "They always get away" that this was a racist pig persuing that precious boy. Thanks, Dave, for a clearly worded post on this. I had no idea about the past of this man. It seems the conservative talk shows are trying to be neutral in this when its obvious that this deranged man was on the hunt. Our big city is going to have a Hoodie march for justice for this young man this weekend. I won't be going to it except in heart. I'm resigned to realizing that I will never see a day in my life where race isn't an issue in our nation.
I tried to make this post easy to understand, Sherry, but I should have shown the route Trayvon took when he returned from the 7-Eleven. On the map, he came in from the north entrance and turned left on the second road, the one where Zimmerman eventually parked his pickup. As for the conservative pundits, they should be quiet about it. So should have Geraldo, who blamed the hoodie as much as Zimmerman. Too bad. Anyway, it's something the entire nation should be sad about, liberals and conservatives alike.
Thanks! It's a real pleasure to hear from you.
Here is some good info on George Zimmerman....
Trayvon Martin case: George Zimmerman, mystery gunman
[Thanks, Snoopy. Now it's time for bed.]
No. Thank you, Dave, for all you wrote under my comment, how very heartfelt and complete in your coverage of the widespread values and valuables which instills good worldwide. I am indeed happy to be a citizen of the USA for the very reason we are a generous nation. Unfortunately, we no longer live where there is enough appreciation for our over extending to where there is nothing left to be generous with. There has always been war, even as you point out Vietnam, a beautiful sight today, while never having a reason satisfactory enough to go there. I think when you go back to some of the young rebellious behavior, as the "hippy era" for our generations it was a way of saying something is not right, something needs to be done, so from time to time the tide rises then subsides again and again. The impact of greed for money in the sale of drugs became rampant and like murder hasn't stopped today. When we had gang problems next door to the city I live in, the community came together and stated we must be aware and stop it before it becomes a problem here too. The only help offered from our governing officers, don't worry, we'll be able to handle when it comes. Gangs did come in, and nothing is handled. It is left up to the citizens, and
guess what "neighborhood watch". In one way or another, history does repeat itself, that's a fact.
I must admit you're right, New Puppy. Too many people take life's amenities for granted. Part of the reason may be because a lot of the things we do today are much easier than they were, let's say, 50 years ago. But even I remember my grandparents saying they walked 5 miles to school each day and bought a loaf of bread for a nickel. Well, no one has to walk that kind of distance today and bread costs hundreds of times more. Have we become complacent? Sure, but not everywhere. Internationally, there are still plenty of people who walk miles each day because two feet are all they have. We don't need to buy them a car, but in many cases, we should help where we can because it's the right thing to do, whether they appreciate us or not. They haven't learned how to appreciate because they've hardly ever been given anything.
I was fortunate enough to grow up during the Hippie era, and yes, things weren't right. Although I would never have been a draft dodger, nor did I ever march against the government, I did support the anti-war movement because I am not a killer. I would never own a gun. I supported it because of my own inherent values; the ones I was raised on by people like my preacher grandfather, although he didn't understand the times back then. Of course, there were serious racial problems, and Martin Luther King, Jr. won the fight because he preached non-violence. Too bad he didn't make it to the promised land, but what gains have been made during the past 44 years since his death have changed the world. With Zimmerman, I am reminded of hanging trees, which were prevalent in the south, and it brings back those days of hatred. Heck, I went to that rally the other night and I felt as comfortable as I would had I been invited for dinner! Pass the peas, please.
I think drugs, murders and greed will eventually spell doom, but I'm not that pessimistic in the end because, just like you say about things not being right and in need of correction, eventually right prevails. Of course, I'm not so optimistic that I expect to see much change in my lifetime, but generally speaking, right trumps wrong. I think of some of the gangsta rap singers, if we can call them singers, and I see their wild oats sown soon after the births of their children, and gone are the drugs and mayhem of their youth. Their messages change, too. Rap evolves and the message softens. It's not rap any longer, it's hip hop.
I remember when I used to go to a beach in NJ every summer. The funny thing is, as every year went by, the girls seemed to get younger and younger, but in fact, it was me, not them. I was getting older and older. Now, I see gangs in major cities, and the problem seems to grow each year, but they live on in perpetuity because newer members are brought in by the older ones as they move on with their lives. It's a territorial thing and I have no idea how to stop it. I think the only way is to stand together as a community and show them what they preach, that strength comes in numberrs. Touche! But they have guns. But we have police departments. On and on we go, except for one thing – organizing in groups, like neighborhood watch. Now, we're back to square one with George Zimmerman, who set race relations back by decades, except we can never go back. It's too bad when the good turn bad because then there's no difference. Zimmerman became a gang member he so despised. He turned into the thug. 44 years later, history repeats itself.
I added a picture of Trayvon holding his baby brother and a PDF file of Zimmerman's 911 call records.
This is outrageous and uncalled for.....We do not need any more violence!!
SANFORD — Members of the New Black Panther Party are offering a $10,000 reward for the "capture" of George Zimmerman, leader Mikhail Muhammad announced during a protest in Sanford today.
When asked whether he was inciting violence, Muhammad replied defiantly saying: "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."
The bounty announcement came moments after members of the group called for the mobilization of 5,000 black men to capture George Zimmerman, the Neighborhood Watch volunteer who shot Trayvon Martin last month.
Muhammad said members of his group would search for Zimmerman themselves in Maitland and Jacksonville -- where the 28-year old worked before the shooting, employees there told the Orlando Sentinel. But he declined to say when they will begin their hunt.
Trayvon Martin: New Black Panthers offer $10,000 bounty for capture of shooter George Zimmerman
[What a great way to incite violence. I'd call them idiots but I'm afraid they'd put a bounty on my head. Let's see... Black Panthers... Black Muslims... what a combo! It's like mixing gasoline with lighter fluid and lighting a match.]
Dave, Thank you for your responses to us here. So many could be "POSTS" themselves. Very good reading in your words of widespread understanding and compassion for life itself for whatever period of time we are in or come from. You are a peaceful man, one vote for President of USA.
Wouldn't our enemies of this country be delighted if we come to having an uprising between all our people. I fear that but would not be surprised because anxieties have been building and building. Our laws themselves are good, they just don't have any work to do without the genuine human interest in carrying them out properly.
Gee, New Puppy, me for president? I'm too honest and passive to be a politician. And not cutthroat enough. Besides, one vote would be about it.
We'll never have to worry about an uprising because our society is too diverse. It's fractured. Within each group, splinters abound. I look at the rally from the other night. Some wanted Zimmerman's head on a platter. The speakers all spoke about non-violence. Seek justice peacefully, just like what MLK,Jr. preached. I saw Black Panthers and Black Muslims at the rally. Certainly, if you read what Snoopy linked above your comment, they want violence. So, even when there's an uprising of sorts, there's no agreement on what is the right thing to do. I believe that most people will take the high road, but keep in mind that Methodists and Baptists, etc., etc., all pray to the same god, but they don't always see eye-to-eye. Any way you look at it, it's still better than and eye FOR and eye.
Dave, I apologize to you and others for running out of the boundries of your initial post, but since Vietnam has been mentioned a couple of times in your response, I thought you might like to read from the CNN page about "What It's Like To Go To War, Karl Marlentes, 40 years to sort out the secrets left in Vietnam. Sounds interesting to me. NP
I did look it up, New Puppy, and I will buy the book because I have many sad memories of the Vietnam War. There is also a 73 minute interview on Vimeo that I will watch before I go to bed at night. In installments, I'm sure. Yes, it does sound interesting and thank you for the info on it.
Well I don't know what I did but the entire page plus my comment just disappeared on me! If 2 of the same post shows up please excuse me for it.
I was once a head of a neighborhood watch and there is essentially no training to go with it because all you're supposed to be doing is WATCH for criminal activity and report it when you see it. Basically I had a list of everyone on the watch.. their phone numbers and addresses. If I saw someone COMMITTING A CRIME I was to call 911, get a good description of the person, what he/she was doing and then just keep an eye on the person if possible. If they were say breaking into cars in the neighborhood, I could keep an eye on what he was doing, which cars were hit that I could see and if the person moved off out of my site, I was NOT TO FOLLOW, but to use the list to call someone else who lived in the area the crook was moving into, describe what I saw and ask that person if they could see him and to keep an eye on him til the cops came. With more eyes on the crook could be kept track of. that's it.
Having moved from an apt complex because it was drug infested with gun shots outside my window on a regular basis I can certainly sympathize with the gunman saying "they always get away" . It is frustrating, but if they're committing a crime in your neighborhood, they're committing it elsewhere also and will be caught eventually for something else or because someone has turned them in. This man wasn't as much a neighborhood watch captain as he was a cop wannabe. I feel like it was murder also. His phrase "they always get away with it" and following Trayvon, to me shows intent on his part. He was going to stop this kid once and for all. If I were Trayvon and I was approached by a stranger following me I would have fought back also. It was Trayvon who was defending himself not the gunman!
The police dept is something else. The ones in this area are pretty good, but in places like Seminole County it's really questionable in my opinion. It's almost like they don't want to be bothered to investigate.
I'll wait to hear what happens with the grand jury but to me it's not looking good for the shooter... and I hope he goes to jail for life. He brought a gun to a potential fist fight. One he had no authority at all to start.
Don't feel bad, Connie, it happened to me twice today and I know better. Generally, I type a comment in a word processor, then copy & paste it here. That way, I have a back up. Sorry for the problem, but I promise you, it's not me, it's Squarespace.
I'm glad you know a thing or two about neighborhood watch. I took my information from their Website, and I did quietly question how much interaction there is with a police department. Thanks for straightening that out. I still blame the Sanford Police Department for not scrutinizing Zimmerman's extensive list of 9-1-1 calls.
Definitely, it's been made clear that he never should have taken the law into his own hands. Instead, he broke it, yet the A-Hole is still roaming free, but is he really? He's got to be scared poopless. Heck, if I were him, I'd consider suicide as the easy way out, although I really don't mean that, but it's not going to be a good future for him any way he looks at it. He's a pariah. He's a loser. Just like Casey, who would ever hire him now?
Common sense should have prevailed. He should have just done his job and let the police handle it. Instead, he's a lying murderer. Trayvon's mother heard the tape of the screams, and it's the sound only a mother would know. She insists it's her son. I believe her. You're dang tootin' the guy walked into a gunfight instead of a fistfight, but he walked away with one hellish nightmare he will never escape, and I hope he never does. If he's arrested and found guilty, God forbid he gets sentenced to prison with the brothas, because Trayvon's inside those walls now. Stupid Zimmerman will learn that, in death, Trayvon will have the last word, and if we think Casey's trial was crazy, just wait and see what happens in Seminole. Speaking of which, Seminole County has a top shelf sheriff's office, and Sanford has been an accident waiting to happen. It's too bad someone had to die before it was noticed, but black folk have been saying it for years. This can happen anywhere, and it does. If it didn't, black families all across America wouldn't have to sit down with their children to give them “The Talk.”
Thanks, Connie. Your words are enlightening.
Snoopy
I always enjoy reading your posts and have done so often during the Casey trail. The dynamics of the Panthers are very similar to that of the Klan. For the most, they are angry people who did not do well in life and largely seek a "target" group to exact that anger.
I consider myself to be pretty mainstream African American and will tell you this. The vast majority of African Americans reject the Panthers, who for the most are attention seekers.
We should not let them detract from this terrible tragedy and injustice. Trust me when I say that the best medicine for this poison is to ignore it, lest we give it more fire than the actual wrong.
Welcome, Porky3100! I look forward to your insights on this and other matters. Thanks! - Dave
Hi, Porky3100, Dave, everyone else. Yup, this one is bringing out all the extremists, and plenty of opportunists who show when things get hot enough to attract what attention they can. Let's just pray the Klan doesn't suit up next- what are the odds?
What it needs of course, and STAT, is a thorough investigation, devoid of politics and accepted as credible by the parents and the public. This has been so messed up by the local yokels it is almost unbelievable. They tested Trayvon's dead body for drugs and not the gunman? And then let a jury figure out the merits of the case, or it's weaknesses. But of course that requires an arrest to start with, don't it?
We had a "Stand Your Ground" case here in SC this somewhat reminds me of, although somewhat reversed in certain points that made it not at all what the legislators had intended, and it might be worth studying for whoever works on this one: A known drug dealer, who had recently been released from the hospital with a gsw from a local competitor was sitting on his sofa with his shotgun at his side, and two babes he was working out some sort of deal with. Knock on the door- he feels threatened! Maybe it's the Other Drug-Dealing Dude, come to finish the job! So he unloads the shotgun right through his door (well, he was renting, maybe), without opening it up first. After all, he felt threatened! And with good cause! All things considered...
He forgot it was Halloween though, and the knock on the door was from a young costumed boy whose father was outside in the car, trying out a different neighborhood for Trick-or-Treating. No charges. After all, Dude felt threatened. Not what the lawmakers had planned, exactly.
This one will top Casey, of that I'm sure.
I don't think there will be a division between races. Most people, black & white, are middle-of-the-roaders, and not in the mood for any kind of derision that would bring about violence. This Trayvon tragedy opened up a lot of old wounds, particularly regarding the deep south. Fortunately, major southern cities, like Selma, have integrated governments, meaning black mayors, city council members and the like, so it's not so much of a problem anymore. Even the Sanford police department has minority officers and detectives, but this new mess, on the surface, shows that blacks can still be relegated to the “Not Important” file, where they are lost and forgotten.
One of the preachers at the rally said it's just like the movie character Howard Beale (Peter Finch) in Network, where he urged viewers to open their windows and shout, “I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!”
That's the general consensus here. Too many black teens and young adults are targeted, and in some cases, the result is similar.
There really does need to be a thorough, unbiased investigation pronto. Sadly, much of the evidence has been destroyed because of the schlock job Sanford police did with it. Part of the reason could be that Zimmerman became so well known among the department staff, he became their friend and they became complacent. Good boy, George! You da man! The fatal mistake the police made was that they enabled Zimmerman to become a larger person than he really was. He was, after all, quite connected, and because of that, he became overconfident. He actually thought he was a cop's cop and, therefore, oblivious to the rules he was taught as a neighborhood watchman. This is a Superman complex, and he saved the world from a bad, bad man. Only he didn't.
This “Stand Your Ground” law is ridiculous. I understand the concept of protecting yourself from harm, but why was it written in a manner that has caused the self-defense death rate to increase trifold in Florida since enacted? It's sick.
The story you wrote about is so sad. I'll bet you that if it had been two cops knocking on that door, there would have been charges. It almost seems to me that someone in the state attorney's office was somehow connected with this guy. Just like Zimmerman was connected with the Sanford police.
Thanks!
Porky3100~~ thank you for your kind words. There are groups of individuals who just lie in wait for some event to occur to show their authority. It is like a power trip to them. Sometimes I wonder if they even know what their cause is. I consider them radicals and as you stated, a minority.
This New Black Panther Party have threatened to take the law into their own hands. There seems to be a double standard here because they are going after Zimmerman who they accuse of taking the law into his own hands when he shot and killed Trayvon. This shows me the mentality of these Black Panthers.
I will take your advice and they will get no more of my attention as that is what they seem to want to accomplish.
All the very best, Snoopy
Hi Karen,
With any luck, our lawmakers will repeal all of these SYG laws.
Dave~~
It seems that number (3) is the only law that comes even close to what Zimmerman will maintain happened. I am wondering how much weight Trayvon's girlfriends account will carry of what transpired that night. It will be her word against Zimmerman's. From what I read, this Justifiable Use of Force statue needs to be amended big time. It is giving people the right to maim or kill at their choosing with little evidence needed to justify their act except, as in this case, word of mouth.
The 2011 Florida Statutes
JUSTIFIABLE USE OF FORCE
Home protection; use of deadly force; presumption of fear of death or great bodily harm.—
(3)A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.
I think that the girlfriend's account of what took place leading up to Trayvon's death and his mother's statement that it was the voice of her son she heard screaming for help will be enough to establish who the aggressor was. That should spell Zimmerman's A-R-R-E-S-T on a 2nd-degree murder charge, or minimally, manslaughter.
I'd like to mention one other thing . The neighborhood watch I was involved with was set up in a Naval Housing area that was open to the public (not behind military gates). The Military police took the time to explain what they meant by suspicious person and suspicious activity. A person walking around the block at 3 in the afternoon isn't as suspicious as a person walking around your block at 4 a.m. say. That still doesn't make him guilty of doing anything, but he would be someone to watch for instance. That kind of scenario doesn't usually call for a 911 call unless you see him doing something wrong (like the above mentioned car scenario). A unit that has unusual activity, with people coming and going at all times of the day and night with people waiting in their cars for someone in the apt to come out and give them something.. that's suspicious enough to require a call for possible drug activity... but it wouldn't bring the cops to the apt right away. It appears each and every time Zimmerman called the cops did respond, just not as quickly as he probably wanted.
Very astute, Connie. This happened between basketball games, so it was early in the evening. Hardly the time for hoodie-bearing hooligans. Also, following Trayvon's path through the complex, there wouldn't have been enough time for the police to arrive. The whole incident only took a matter of a few minutes. This Zimmerman dude should be rotting in jail, awaiting trial.
Trayvon Martin: New details in George Zimmerman domestic-violence petitions
Trayvon Martin Shooting: George Zimmerman Kicked Out Of Seminole State College
Thanks for the photos to help me understand what really took place. So sad and such a senseless killing of a young boy who only wanted to take a bag of skittles to his young brother. I don't understand why the trigger happy sleeze ball was not arrested at the time. I watched an interview with ex-Gov Jeb Bush, who was involved with the "stand your ground " law, he said that LE was misinterpreting the law and Zimmerman was not covered under the law. I just hope and pray this does not come to confrontations between people now and turn into something much worse. Thank you Dave.
I'm very happy the photos have helped you to understand, Margaret. I really feel sad for Trayvon's mother, father and older brother, plus all his other family members and friends. Jen Bush was a good governor, and popular among conservatives and many moderates, and he signed the bill into law. Law enforcement squawked at the time and I agreed. Even so, what Zimmerman did was not the intent of the law, and as far as I'm concerned, he was the instigator, and because of that, he cannot stand behind the Stand Your Ground law. That means he should have no law that will stand behind him. Thanks, I'm always happy when something I do helps.
Dave et al....
As information continues to trickle in, ( that is an understatement as my mailbox is overflowing) we must not have tunnel vision and look at only one side of the coin. You may disagree with some of the things you see and read but it is best to keep an open mind. In this way you can form your own opinions on what really may or may not have transpired on the evening of Feb 26th. I have voiced my opinion but now I wish to remain neutral and let the higher authorities take over and handle this tragic occurance. This must be handled in a rational manner before things get out of hand any further. Any links I post do not represent in any way my feelings. I will be posting both the negative and positive so bear with me. Keep in mind that news media outlets tend to incorporate their own slant when they bring you the news and some things you read cannot be taken as gospel but with a grain of salt. When we read those pdf documents, we take those as fact, anything other than those, use your own judgement.
Zimmerman's attorney is one of the video in the following.....
Witness: Zimmerman 'never ... tried to help' Trayvon Martin
Trayvon Martin shooter ‘couldn’t stop crying’ after fatal attack, family friend says
[Keep 'em coming, Snoopy!]
I just clicked on and read at over a dozen websites. All across the United States, rallies and marches are being held in some of the major cities. One minister even wore a hoodie today while in the pulpit. I guess now would be a good time to buy some stock in hoodies as the stores cannot keep them on the shelves. The politicans are having a field day with Obama's remarks about "Trayvon could be his son". Of course, some politicans are out for their own political gain so their remarks deserve two grains of salt. A rough estimate would suggest that 99.9% of the people support Trayvon unless, of course, the pro Zimmerman are too afraid to speak out in his defense.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SANFORD – Less than 24 hours after she was appointed special prosecutor in the Trayvon Martin case, Angela Corey had a two-lawyer prosecution team in place, drove to Sanford, picked up the case file and was moving forward.
What she'll do next is not clear.
Will Corey, the hard-charging state attorney for Duval, Clay and Nassau counties, ask a judge to sign an arrest warrant and, in the next few days, have Trayvon's killer jailed?
Will her team look over the evidence and announce that Sanford police got it right: that there's simply not enough there to justify a manslaughter charge?
Read the entire article here...
Trayvon Martin special prosecutor wastes no time in launching case review
psst~~Dave is responsible for all my typos...I am overworked and underpaid...SS
FYI~~
At 3 p.m. Monday, downtown Sanford streets around Fort Mellon Park will be closed in advance of two events related to the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. The affected streets are:
First Street from Sanford Avenue to Mellonville Avenue
Mellonville Avenue from First Street to Seminole Boulevard
Seminole Boulevard from Mellonville Avenue to Sanford Avenue
I found this little tidbit....
Zimmerman told police Martin attacked him after he had given up chasing the boy and he was returning to his truck. He had a bloody nose and blood on the back of his head, according to police.
My question would be...did LE get a sample of the blood that was on Zimmerman for a DNA testing? Was Zimmerman swabbed for DNA? When a person who shoots another at close range, blood splatters especially if the victim is shot in the neck or chest area. So whose blood was on Zimmerman?
Did you know??
Concealed carry is legal in most areas of the United States. A handful of states and jurisdictions restrict or ban CCW, but all states except Illinois make provision for legal concealed carry via a permit or license, or via constitutional carry. Most states have "shall-issue" statutes; that is, if a person meets the requirements to obtain a permit, the state must issue one. States such as California, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and others have "may-issue" statutes; these states may (or may not) issue permits to carry if a person meets the requirements to obtain one. States with may-issue statutes typically do not issue permits unless the applicant provides a documented need for a concealed weapon, such as for retired police officers, judges, and federal agents.
I'm busy working on a video of the pictures. Plus, I'm going to put up a separate page to view the images independent of each other, including links to larger ones. That's why I haven't been around tonight. Thanks for all the help, Snoopy. This is very nice of you. Well, back at it...
Snoopy, trust me, we don't want assorted Massachusettians (?) packing heat. Bad, bad idea. The drivers WILL be blasting away at each other at every rotary, red light and flipped bird on the SE Expressway. They get behind the wheel there and they lose two higher degrees and thirty IQ points immediately. Loads of talented lawyers there who would love it though.
Personally, I'm not up for living in the OK Corral, ya know?
As for the case, new witnesses, etc. let the Feds work up vocal stress tests, see who's willing to take a poly, put 'em all under oath, have a thorough GJ proceeding, and so on. Since the local yokels messed it all up that's the best route to go now. Lots of hoodies in my church today, too, which was great to see, but after this weekend we need to cool things down a tad or both sides lose credibility.
Mr Knechel~~it is my pleasure. I am looking forward to seeing all those pics that you captured the other night.
Maybe at Christmas, you will consider giving me a nice plump turkey instead of the usual Cornish hen.
Ever have pheasant under glass? My good buddy Frank had it one night for dinner and it was tasty. I have eaten Cornish game hens, and they are a mighty fine treat, too.
Karen C~~even tho this is a serious topic, you can still make me smile when I read your comments.
The way I see it is... If you are going to allow people to bear arms (concealed weapons) in public, then you may as well proclaim the streets to be a war zones.
Being a Canuck where concealed weapons are prohibited, I have to keep in mind not to try and force our laws down anyone's throat. What I stated was just an off the cuff personal opinion.
I had a brother who was a nationalized American citizen. My son-in-law is an American citizen and my daughter resides and works in the US so I do care!!
Zimmerman's 911 call-Feb 26