The Pyrrhic Victory of George Zimmerman
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 3:51PM 
I try to avoid being controversial, but for those who don’t know me, seldom will I back away from something because it’s too sensitive an issue. Some things just irritate me to the point where I have to write about them.
In April of 2009, I published an article titled, Casey Anthony Must Die! Six months later, the presiding judge, Stan Strickland, called me to the bench to compliment my work for being fair to both sides; the prosecution and defense. Nearly a year after my article appeared, Casey’s defense team filed a motion demanding that the judge step down. They accused me of being pro-prosecution and based it on that post. Therefore, the judge was biased, but there’s no proof the judge had even read it. And had the defense team taken the time to actually read it, they would have known the title had little to do with Ms. Anthony’s demise. In fact, I thought it preposterous that 2,000 years ago, Romans crucified Christians for no other reason than their own pleasure, and here it was, 2,000 years later, that God-fearing Christians, of which there were many, wanted Casey’s head on a silver platter with no trial at all. It was the hypocrisy that riled me. Today, the hair is standing up on the back of my head. Again.
Teenagers are willing to take risks. It’s the nature of the beast. We need look no further than college campuses to see how far they are willing to go to have fun. Even high school kids do things we wouldn’t fathom as adults, but how quickly we forget that we were young once, too. Sometimes, kids break into their parents’ liquor cabinets and drive drunk. Sometimes, they just take risks for the thrill of it, like driving 100 miles-per-hour to find out how well they can take a sharp curve in the road. Who doesn’t think they have a full life ahead of them when they’re 17-years-old? Foolishness comes with the territory, and Trayvon Martin was a boy, not a man.
I have spoken to adults about real-life incidents like the above examples. When a thrill-seeking teenage boy slams his vehicle into an oak tree, killing him and a few of his best friends, I have been told that, while being a terrible shame, those kids, especially the driver, got what they deserved for being so selfish, silly, stupid and sinful. They should spend the rest of eternity in Hell; all based on one fatal mistake made at a time in life when the brain is far from being fully developed. Who cares what they could have grown up to be?
Take Trayvon Martin. He was suspended from school for 10 days for having a plastic baggy in his possession that contained trace amounts of marijuana. Sure, he was wrong, but so are many other people dating back as far as I can remember, and at pushing 60, I can tell you a lot about the Hippie days of my youth. Did he deserve to die because of it? Absolutely not, but you wouldn’t know it by the remarks made by many people on various blogs, forums and other places where venting is allowed regarding the tragedy that took Trayvon’s young life and what led up to it. As a matter of fact, one such person wrote that it was bad parenting that caused the boy’s death. He should have known better than to walk outside in a world filled with hoodlums. In fact, he was one of them. Of course, the fact that Trayvon walked all the way to a 7-Eleven store and back unscathed had no bearing whatsoever on George Zimmerman’s act of holding up the fort of his own gated community, according to that commenter. To serve and to protect. Oh wait… you have to be a cop to say that, and it’s bad enough for Trayvon’s parents right now without laying another guilt trip on them. It was their fault. Imagine that!
Today, this unfortunate event has spurred all sorts of non-violent social and political unrest, although it has calmed since Zimmerman’s arrest. It’s pitted whites against blacks and blacks against whites in something that needn’t be racial at all except for the perception by some that the Sanford Police Department swept it under the rug for that very reason. I don’t know about that, but I can certainly understand why civil rights leaders attached themselves to this case and how it never would have gotten this far had it not been for the dedication of attorney Ben Crump and others who were willing to keep pressing. This is not just about one boy. It is about the fear of every parent of color living in a predominantly white society. Sadly, it’s also split conservative and liberal values and reaved Republicans and Democrats when this should be nothing more than an issue of justice — plain and simple; and justice comes from a courtroom and nowhere else.
Until this plays out in court, we will continue to argue over truths, half-truths and lies. Factual information will become so distorted that we end up knowing nothing. I saw firsthand how convoluted the facts became throughout the Anthony case, from the beginning to the end. People fought like cats and dogs over a family they didn’t even know. Friendships were lost, smear campaigns took hold, and in the end, nothing was gained. Not even a conviction.
Here we are again. Another tragedy and so much at stake. Tell me, will I lose your friendship today? I hope not, and for the sake of argument, I will readdress a timeline I published one week ago. According to Trayvon’s father, Tracy Martin, and from what investigators told him, George Zimmerman said that he began following the boy and in no time, Trayvon walked over to his truck.
“Why are you following me?” Trayvon asked.
“I’m not following you,” Zimmerman responded after rolling down his window.
Here’s where it falls apart:
7:04 PM: Trayvon received a phone call from his girlfriend.
7:08 PM: Trayvon’s phone call with his girlfriend ended.
7:09 PM: Zimmerman spotted Trayvon while sitting in his truck and called the non-emergency police number. Log records showed the incoming call was received at 7:09:34 PM.
7:10:35 PM: Zimmerman told the dispatcher that Martin was coming toward him.
At no time during this period did Zimmerman say anything to the dispatcher about a verbal exchange between the two, while seated in his truck, nor is there any record of it on the phone call. As a matter of fact, Zimmerman said the boy was running away. This may have had something to do with why a charge was filed. Almost simultaneously, Trayvon was walking toward him and running away, and no verbal exchange took place.
7:11:48 PM: Dispatcher asked Zimmerman which way Martin was running. This is when he exits his truck.
7:12 PM: Trayvon’s girlfriend called him back.
7:13 PM: Zimmerman said his truck was parked at a cut-through. 15 seconds later, he lost sight of Trayvon.
It’s very important to note that Zimmerman was in his vehicle until he got out and chased after Trayvon. The dispatcher warned him against doing so upon hearing wind resistance from the cell phone.
7:13:41 PM: Zimmerman ended his call to the dispatcher.
Meanwhile, Trayvon was still on the phone with his girlfriend.
7:15 - 7:16 PM: Trayvon told his girlfriend he thinks he lost the guy. She then heard voices:
Trayvon: Why are you following me?
Zimmerman: What are you doing here?”
Trayvon’s phone cut out at 7:16 (approximate.) His girlfriend said it sounded like the phone was dropped. Who hit who first is a big issue, but it does seem Trayvon got the upper hand.
7:16:11 PM: First of seven 9-1-1 calls came in. A high-pitched male voice is heard screaming for help, and then…
7:16:56 PM: A GUNSHOT IS HEARD.
According to the initial police report, officers Ricardo Ayala and Timothy Smith arrived on the scene at 7:17 PM, seconds after the fatal shot.
When interviewed by the police, Zimmerman was unaware that Martin was on the phone with someone who would offer up a different account. So were the investigators.
What is so sad about this is that people are making up their own facts to suit their versions of events. Of course, the events are mostly based on what we’ve learned from the media and each side’s support group made up of friends and relatives, plus some eye and earwitness accounts. In truth, Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman did not exchange words early on or it would have been recorded. By his own admission to the dispatcher, he reported seeing this boy walking, looking strange and on drugs or something before there was any interaction, and no confrontation while in his truck occurred as he described to the police, if Tracy Martin’s account from investigators rings true.
As far as I’m concerned, all I want is the truth, so help me God. Just give me some truth. Whatever transpired leading up to Trayvon’s death, it had to have happened within the final minute after his cell phone fell silent and that’s all there is to it. One person’s account of events is not adding up.
Aside from a tragic death and the family devastated by it, this will be no picnic for George Zimmerman. For lack of a better way of expressing it in words, he may have won the battle that fateful night of February 26, but the war is far from over. The heavy cost of winning that battle was astronomical, and the horrible consequences now following George are destroying him from within. He will never have a reason to celebrate, even if he beats the second-degree murder charge in court. There will be no sense of achievement, and that, my friends, describes a Pyyrhic victory to a tee. Ad victorem spolias. Just ask the Romans.
I strongly encourage you to read Trayvon Martin: Before the world heard the cries by Daniel Trotta.
Dave Knechel | tagged Ad victorem spolias, To the victim go the spoils | in Benjamin Crump, Dave Knechel, David B. Knechel, David Knechel, Judge Stan Strickland, Marinade Dave, Marinade Dave Knechel, Mark O'Mara, Neighborhood Watch, Sanford Police Department, Seminole County, Slimm v. Zimm, Social/Political, State Attorney Angela Corey, State Attorney's Office, Sybrina Fulton, Tracy Martin, Zimm v. Slimm, marinadedave | Share Article 
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Reader Comments (109)
Ecossie~~ well hello there, Matey! You will notice by my previous comment, I was reading your mind as you were typing. LOL I am soooooooooo gifted.
I will tell you what bothered me about this "apology". Zimmerman left a voice mail for his supportive neighbor a few days after the incident. He thanked him for showing support and for standing up for doing the right thing. He did not get this new apologetic tone until this lawyer showed up on the scene.
And his website has featured a waving American flag as if to rally the NRA people and garner support for the gun cause.
Porky3100~~you are very perceptive. If ye seek, ye shall find. Sometimes in doing so, we tend to overlook some things.
Zimmerman's substantial weight loss, crying into the nite during his first nite of being incarcerated because he felt that the second degree murder charge was wrong. Why would he not thank one of his few supporters? A person's voice may very well change over a period of 45 days plus, especially if they have been under a great deal of stress. If Z's voice was intentionally made more passive today after some coaching, then O'Mara is doing what any good defense attorney should do.
I wont comment on the guns because they terrify me....handguns that is...
Video: George Zimmerman granted $150K bond, apologizes to Trayvon Martin's family
Just a bit of consolation for all you good folks... I expect Dave will come in soon and put the run to me. He knows how too...lol
[I don't think you have to worry about that, Snoopy. You've got carte blanche - run of the house.]
Dave~~I still refuse to do windows.... Thanks for the vote of confidence but you are taking some chance.. lol
I was listening to Richard Hornsby this evening. He thinks it will be about eight months down the road before O'Mara files a motion to have this case dismissed due to the Stand Your Ground. I thought it would be much sooner to save some tax dollars, if the motion were to be granted.
Bill Sheaffer is going back to commenting about this case since he is not running for office anymore...
[And as far as I'm concerned, Bill would have made an excellent judge, but I understand why he decided against it. Personally, I think the SYG law will be a problem for the defense. I'll be writing more on it soon, so I don't want to elaborate on it now.]
Snoopy, Dahlink, I gotta make a point. You said above that GZ "believed" TM had a gun. Nope, that's not what he said (today, anyway)- he said he "didn't know" if TM had a weapon or not. Now, does everyone carrying a piece just assume everyone else is, too? That is one SCARY MINDSET, frankly. Can anyone say, Oooops, guess I was plum wrong here, while standing over someone's bloody corpse? This apartment complex was not a war zone....
Karen C~~I dun don't no what to dink now.. You have gone and messed up the mind of the Snoop and I dunthink dat I dunno what to dink anymore. Me dinks the bald son of a gun should get a piece. Now would dat be a hairpiece or a gun?
And that goes for your cat too! lol
psst...I was warned this would happen. Now leave me alone so I can go back picking things out of the air....oh, there goes one now....
Actually, we're blessed with two of the fluffy buggers- a Manx type, a real sourpuss, and a delightful orange longer-coated tabby, collie ruff all around, a little Maine Coon-y and sweet as can be. Wants lovin's all day. Stray kittens absolutely hunt me down, I find homes for most but these two "stuck".
SO off-topic, but, well, it's late and I'm chatty! Go ahead and remove if desired...
Karen C~~ there is nothing wrong in breaking the doldrums with a little light heartedness... I do not have the power to delete in here... this case is very somber and serious and by showing a little humor, I don't think anyone would take that as being disrespectful....
Snoop- this is really a sad, sad case, because it involves two persons who clearly were not "bad" people, but look at the horrible results. ALL entirely preventable.
Karen C~~I couldn't agree more. One life lost and the other one's life will never be the same again and as you said, it was preventable.
Dave~~I told you that I loved this guy and that was before his debut today....the following article from the Huff Post is a good read and quite educational...
Zimmerman's Bond Hearing: Mark O'Mara Gets Rave Reviews for His Performance
[No doubt, O'Mara is a class act, all the way. He embarrassed the state at that bond hearing.]
There is something about that photo that bothers me. According to the neighbor who has been supporting Zimmerman, another neighbor took the photo on their I phone just after it happened. It appears that Zimmerman posed for the photo to get a good up close shot. This presents some huge questions that I hope Dave will chime in on. Was the photo taken while he is in custody? Was it taken before the police arrived? What was the motive behind taking the photo when the kid laid dying. It really strikes me as odd that despite a kid just getting killed, someone "thinks" to take a photo to back his story up. If the cops are there, I am even more perplexed that the cops had not isolated him from contact with his neighbors.
I watched the hearing online while it was happening and was impressed by the lawyers for both sides, but not so much the judge. He was too much "been there dun that, this is just another case" . That may be true in his mind but I didn't like his seeming to gloss over the past tussle with the cops on the part of GZ. Anger management is anger management. Tussling with cops, tussling with TM - what's the difference? The cops are still alive. What will he do next? Skip the tussle and go straight to the gun? He needs punished somehow by the system.. whether it be manslaughter or murder2.
The difference in the lawyers and CA's however, showed their experience though, especially Mark O'mara. I was surprised the hearing lasted so long and that the judge allowed some of the things that he did. I was especially shocked to see that apology. If I had been TM's parents I would have gotten up and walked out when I heard the words "to the parents'. I thought it was self serving also, and should not have been allowed to be made.
That picture bothers me. Just when was it taken for one thing? He certainly didn't have all that blood going down the back of his head in the video. His hair wasn't cut that close to his head in the back also. Ok I've fallen on a sidewalk and hit my head, my kids have, you guys probably have. Did it result in long gashes or a round swollen and bruised place? Is that picture staging, or was there glass on the sidewalk? I'm just not buying it until I hear it from the paramedic's.
conniefl, I agree with you on that apology. To me, it didn't seem sincere. Perhaps if he had worded it differently...IDK, I just didn't care much for it. If he is sincerely sorry I hope we hear him apologize again to Trayvon's parents after his sentencing.
I'm thinking that GZ was mainly on the grass and his head was being shoved into the edge of the sidewalk. On that "OK, you got it" said twice by Trayvon, if there was a struggle for the gun then I can see it. But, it does seem hinky that that would be the last words of a dying young man. Uh, yeah...sure! {snark intended}.
On the picture taking-it reminds me of what some people do after an accident. For GZ, it was needed for evidence should he be found guilty of murder. He had not been to the police station yet for questioning and later that same night, exoneration.
JMHO
The pic was taken at the scene prior to the cleaning up by the EMTs. Someone thought to document this, it seems. We'll have to see about that....
Cuts and lacerations to the skull can bleed like crazy (same as when you cut your thumb, and it seems like it'll never stop gushing), but looking closely I see only two specific wounds there, neither particularly impressive. EMTs must've thought that too, since no stitches.
Now, during the altercation (and we can be fairly sure there was some sort of one, now, I think), GZ's paranoid perception may have been that his head was being bashed right in, but that clearly is not the case, judging from this pic. Like I said, school nurses see worse all the time.
Take the gun out of the equation and these two may have merely pummeled each other until bystanders arrived and the cops came to haul them away, but they both would have woken up the next morning. Gun changed everything.
Karen C asked: "Now, does everyone carrying a piece just assume everyone else is, too?"
Actually there was study just released a few weeks ago that says this is true. Here is a link:
http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/thinking-tech/study-carrying-a-gun-can-make-you-more-paranoid/10875
I can't go inside the comment to fix the link so here goes... Thanks, Lee
Study-carrying a gun can make you more paranoid
Porky3100~~Dave is AWOL and I can't find him anywhere. I thought he may be a flight risk.
It was my understanding that Sanford Fire Dept medics administered first aid to Zimmerman after he was cuffed and put in the back of a patrol car. The picture would have been taken prior to that time. I will admit that the pic and the way the blood is streaking down looks kind of wierd.
I am at the Rev. Terry Jones rally at the Seminole County courthouse. He's preaching justice for both sides, but I did see that he is packing a semi-automatic handgun.
Snoopy. You are perceptive regarding the weirdness of that photo. But something just isn't right. and if you look at the lighting it looks like someone positioned his head to a well lit area. If the cops were there within a min of the shooting, it makes it even more strange. If the paramedics are not there yet wouldn't the thing to do is place Zimmerman in cuff and attend to the victim first?
Given the blood that we now see, what reason did the investigator on the scene give for wnting to arrest Zimmerman?
Porky3100~~as per the affidavit, the first police to arrive did try and revive Trayvon until the paramedics came and took over. They did the breathing and compressions. Zimmerman was cuffed and put in the back of the patrol car and attended to after. There were several officers on the scene plus the paramedics. The second ambulance dispatched to the scene was turned back. Once Zimmerman was assessed, they did not figure he needed to go by ambulance to the hospital. I am just going by what was on the partial affidavit.
We will have to wait and see what was recorded by the paramedics.
Porky3100~~there are so many things that do not make any sense in this whole case. Keep in mind that I am only an armchair detective living in Canada and half the time don't know what the hoot I am talking about.
You have a young man dead lying on the grass and a man admitting to shooting him. Why Zimmerman reholstered the gun is beyond me. Zimmerman readily admitted to the officers that he shot the victim and that he was armed and passed over the weapon. He was cuffed and that is as good as being under arrest for the time being. Once at the police station, he was questioned. Unless Sanford PD could find probable cause to book him, he could not be held for more than 24 hours. This is where the confusion started to come in to play.... IMO, it was a call to the ex-magistrate (Zimmerman's father) plus an inept PD and that stupid Stand Your Ground law that enabled Zimmerman to be released. I feel they had enough evidence to hold Z but that was not the case.
Dave~~just look at this. What is the big thrill of seeing Zimmerman walking out of the jail and getting in a vehicle to be whisked off to some unknown location. This is sadistic... Now the media will be staking out at all his relatives. There are a lot of other stories out there that are important and they should be covering them.
A half dozen reporters, photographers and cameramen began staking out the Seminole County Jail early Saturday in Sanford, a day after a Florida judge agreed to let Zimmerman out on $150,000 bail. Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, said it would take a few days before Zimmerman is released. His family needs time to secure collateral for the bail, Zimmerman needs to be fitted with an electronic monitoring device and O'Mara said he must find a secure location for him.
Read entire article here at ....
Source
[I hope he's released out a secret door the media knows nothing about. Or he could go out in the back of a jail van where he wouldn't be seen. The media can't follow everything, right?]
George Zimmerman's father stated that his son's head injury was a couple of "vertical" lacerations!!
With such an injury to the head, this man should have been taken to the hospital, x-rayed and observed for days to be sure there were no long time brain damaging effects. I suppose there was no indication of swelling on the brain, at least none that was not there prior to his following Trayvon Martin, although a broken nose surely would have shown some swelling and perhaps blackened eyes. For George Zimmerman to claim the "Stand Your Ground" so why not Trayvon claiming the same?
GZ is building his case on a lot of "confusing lying". Perhaps he learned that from some other case. I just hope that today's respected and admired attorney OMara, never ends up being thought of as are the defence attorneys in a prior case, simply because he is doing a job, necessity in any trial by jury. GZ remarked that the "bad guy" appeared to be in his late teens? Now? He appeared to be "black"! Now? GZ is trying to pin a confrontation on Trayvon Martin, when he overrode authority of LE, putting himself close enough to have a confrontation with Trayvon. When, is George going to make his statement that he "warned" Trayvon, as to who he was and why he was was continuing to follow. Perhaps he will leave this one for a save ,in the end! This is no different than that of any child being killed, afterwhich, they can never speak for themself. Weeks, possibly 31 days went by, giving GZ time to have conference and gain the advise from those who know how to " work it". GZ needed it because he has conveyed that he wouldn't know what to do in any situation, continuing on, he proves that of himself.
The apology appeared to have been sincerely rehearsed but a truly remorseful apology in such an unfortunate and tramatic experience, would be more appreciated as an immediate spontaneous utterance, ( EX: Oh, my God, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I never meant for THIS to happen! ) not after taking a long time to assess if it could possibly be beneficial. Of course, we have FORGIVENESS, We can ride a white horse, point finger at others, as our need to hear it said, "I", "we forgive" to help save, souls, having a staunch "I don't have anything to apologize for but "they" need to forgive" attitude. Perhaps GZ needs to "forgive" Trayvon for ever having been born. I am one who certainly in favor of apology, it is a sustaining act which helps us in having worthwhile association with others in society. I do not see apology as a weakness or an admittance of guilt, but an emotion that is valuable in sustaining friends and relationships in a caring way of loving, being loved, the willingness to share responsibility.
Pride can shatter so many good ways by which we can avoid ever reaching a place where an apology would be helpful in assisting us to become more compassionate human beings, while as good children of the "lie" we can remain liars forever, finding ourselves "getting away with it" to live a long life damaging the heart of others, depends on whether or not there is value placed on a child, friendship, relationship or just an every day mix of people. It is difficult to determine, as in this case whether the act of apology in important to the one making it as just a follow up, hopefully to better a situation.
Thoughts for those who lost their loved one, Trayvon Martin!
Thoughts for those who are now searching for a way to bring freedom for George Zimmerman!
Those who love Trayvon know he meant no harm.
Those who love George believe he could never do harm
This is in reference to the picture of the back of Zimmerman's head...
The person who took the photograph told ABC News he heard Martin and Zimmerman fighting before the shooting and that after Martin was killed, Zimmerman asked the photographer to call Zimmerman’s wife, allegedly blurting out, “Man, just tell her I shot someone.”
GPS and other data embedded in the photo shows it was taken at the scene with an iPhone just three minutes after the shooting, according to ABC News.
ABC News said the photographer said gunpowder marks were clearly visible on Martin’s hooded sweatshirt.
Zimmerman was treated at the scene, then transferred to the police station, where his wounds appear to be less visible in surveillance video.
Source
I wonder if the photographer knew Zimmerman or Z had to tell him his wife's phone number....hmmm
Well said, New Puppy!~
I expect 'Pookie' will be in here sometime soon to respond to a few comments. I have a feeling he is working on a post.... or snoozing again!
Yes, you Trayvon supporters are disgusting and only add more to fuel this media driven white on black non-issue. There are more pressing social issues out there then this Trayvon case. How about addressing street gangs? How about addressing the fact that street gangs prompt racial crimes? How about addressing that this home grown terror that faces our society and children is becoming an ever growing epidemic?
Instead, our society is bickering over the subject of someone's use of force. Somehow, a vast majority of society was led by the media who turned this into a race issue . It's crazy to see how people are easily influenced with lies and twisting of facts.
You know, JohnJohn, you caught me at a bad time. I'm not feeling all that well tonight and I've had enough of your crap. I gave you all the leeway I could take and you still treat us with disrespect and utter disdain. Go someplace else to discuss your bigotry. This is our forum, not yours.
I'm going back to bed. Good bye.
Dave~~ geez, I hope you feel better tomorrow... maybe 8 solid hours of sleep will do the trick.
I did not want to respond to JohnJohn because he/she just wanted attention... Good move on your part and good riddance!
Dave~~this is where you went today??
Before Gainesville pastor Terry Jones came to Sanford on Saturday to publicly support George Zimmerman, he got a call from the Neighborhood Watch volunteer.
Zimmerman, charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, called from the Seminole County jail and urged Jones to stay away.
The controversial pastor came anyway.
Pastor Terry Jones says Zimmerman told him not to come to Sanford
"Pastor" Terry Jones is a meretricious, hate-filled, hypocritical wacko of the very worst kind- the Qur'an burner who does his best to get some sort of religious war going here, to replicate the craziness he tried to foist on the Germans when living over there.
Hmmm, what gun would Jesus pack? Lawdie, he makes me physically ill! Another money-grubbing monster. Can't wait to read this post...
Oh, and, New Puppy, the higher gash is CLEARLY horizontal, ain't it now? These Zimmermans and surrogates really should get the stuff straight...
Though I think what GZ did should be illegal (murder 2), I listen to the experts who say that in fact it is not (shame on us all for electing legislators who make such laws and then provide the citizenry with handguns). They say he will not be convicted, so that's where I place my money. That said, I think the photo of the back of GZ's is the best evidence the prosecution has yet that GZ has been lying about almost everything that happened (i.e., inventing a version of events that tries to account for the facts, but is to my ear clearly self-serving deceit). When I first saw the photo, I said, "That's it?" No wonder the police felt that the facts are inconsistent with his story.
I hope he will be able to get the money....this is sad. Where are you Lenny Padilla?? Bring your nephew and visit Sanford.
George Zimmerman, 28, could be released on bond but getting the money has proved difficult for his family. NBC’s Kerry Sanders reports.
Dave et al.......
The neighborhood watch volunteer was wearing a brown jacket and blue jeans and carrying a paper bag. He walked out following another man and didn't look over at photographers gathered outside. He then followed the man into a white BMW vehicle and drove away.
Moments before, two Seminole County sheriff's vehicles blocked access to the intake building parking lot where Zimmerman was being released. Zimmerman emerged after two public information officers confirmed the credentials of the photographers outside
Zimmerman released from jail
Zimmerman leaves jail-uncut
So, it does not appear that Mr. Zimmerman was fabricating the events that occurred on that fateful day in February. Although it gives me a moment of pause trying to put myself in his shoes he loses all credibility once he pursued Mr. Martin.
Its very disheartening when people comment chastising "supporters" when they do not take the time to read exactly what we were supporting. No one was calling for the head of Zimmerman (will at least most people) most were simply pointing out the injustice of what happened. The commentor over the weekend tried to say that we were making this a race issue when it wasn't. Although i believe was a motivator Zimmerman became a vigilante without proper investigating. He assumed that Martin was on his turf up to no good. He assumed that Martin was going to burglarize, mame, rape or some other atrocities but never assumed that Martin lived there.
The uproar is not that Zimmerman shot Martin people are shot everyday and it becomes such a regular event that when you hear about it on the news it does not "scare" the viewer...in some sense it may celebritize it, its main stream.
The injuries suffered by Zimmerman do not defend his actions because what prompted the confrontation was Zimmerman. Any man coming to this site would agree that if someone was purusing them they would confron the agressor even physically which is what Martin did, he did not back down and he did not "puss-out" he stood-up for himself which cannot be said about Zimmerman.
I realize that there are some factors that I'm not incorporating or considering but brass-taxes tell me the same thing i infered on my first comment. To simply hide behind a law such as "stand your ground" simply opens the door for continued violence/murder when this is so easily applied without provocation.
Just my opinion of course...
Hope you feel better Dave!
Sanford Police chief resigns
oops forgot the link
http://www.wesh.com/trayvon-martin-extended-coverage/30941936/detail.html
B man. What is it that makes you think Zimmerman was not fabricating his story? Obviously a detective on the ground thought that he was and it would also appear that Ms. Corey does as well. I just do not think that we will much of the prosecutions hand until that hearing but clearly they are holding something back.
Dave~~Mark O'Mara filed a written notice/waiver that Zimmerman pled not guilty to the charge of second degree murder. Zimmerman will not have to appear for arraignment in May. We will not see Zimmerman until O'Mara has the mini trial to seek immunity for Z or he is required to attend any hearings re motions. So it looks like we will not see Zimmerman again for months down the road.
Dave, I tried to write the above from memory. If I am wrong, you may have the honor or correcting me.
Dave~~I think this is the perfect time for me to end discussing this case. I will take it back up if and when we see some action in the courtroom. In that way, I can devote my time in trying to resurrect my own blog. Bye for now. S
we can all interpret the limited information that is available to our own liking
we can argue till we are blue in the face about as well
and yes the media did report in a manner not conducive for peace
but there are some undenialble facts
Trayvon is no longer alive
George Zimmerman killed him
the circumstances that surround that occurence are only known to 2 people and on of them is dead
so all we can do is see the evidence that is presented and make a judgment according to that
i don't think that many people see it as a black/white thing yet the Sanford PD's past history of dealing with such forced it to be so
any sane human being can certainly believe that one person is dead as a result of another and therfore there should be some accountability
it's a human thing, that's all
like Bill Cosby said: "It's a gun thing!"
if George did not have a gun - Trayvon would be alive
if George did not have a gun - maybe he would have had a couple more lumps on his head but then both of them would have been able to resume their lives
things would have been sorted out
But racism rears it's ugly head daily and the world is generations from getting past it
i mean the emancipation proclamation was in 1863
a 100 years later and still segregation and non equal rights exists
so using that model we are at least 100 years away from progress due the simple exposure
One thing that bothers me is why Z was carrying a gun but not a flashlight?
If one is a Neighborhood Watch Captain, how do they not take a flashlight on leaving their vehicle on a rainy evening to look for an individual down a pathway away from the main street?
In following the developments, I am also struck by how often the words from Z do not match his actions.
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JimK - Z was not on patrol. He was on his way to Target. But, If you have an opportunity to look at the general layout of the community, you can see that he is far out of his way from his townhome to Target. His townhome is apparently at the bottom left of the picture and this happened somewhere in the top right area. The exit out of the community is somewhere in the center. He followed Trayvon a long way before this confrontation began.
With bated breath, Dave. Hee hee...