Blackfields & McWhites, Part 1
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 3:49PM “FBI may charge George Zimmerman with hate crime”
That was the heading of an online story published at the WFTV Website on Monday, May 14, 2012. WFTV-Channel 9 is the ABC network affiliate located in Orlando. The opening paragraph was very revealing in the sense of what it failed to do. It revealed nothing new or, for that matter, particularly newsworthy.
SANFORD, Fla. — WFTV has learned charges against George Zimmerman could be getting more serious.
State prosecutors said Zimmerman, a neighborhood watchman, profiled and stalked 17-year-old Trayvon Martin before killing him, so the FBI is now looking into charging him with a hate crime.
What’s so strange about this kind of journalism is that it fuels the fire. It’s called baiting. While starting the article with a leading statement, WFTV has learned, it offers nothing new beyond what we didn’t already know. What, exactly, did WFTV learn, and what does the word could mean, as in the charges could be getting more serious? THAT’S NOT NEWS! IT’S GUESSING! The article later adds a revelation:
FBI investigators are actively questioning witnesses in the retreat at the Twin Lakes neighborhood, seeking evidence for a possible federal hate crime charge.
Of course they are! That goes without saying. If the FBI is investigating any crime, agents from the bureau routinely interview everyone in sight of the crime. And everywhere else, for that matter. The remainder of the story is nothing more than superfluous fluff, a term I last used early in the Casey Anthony case — long before the trial and, quite possibly, while critiquing another WFTV piece. You see, soon after I began writing about Caylee and her mother, I was reminded of how biased the news could really be. In college in the 1970s, I wrote an article, An unbiased look at news slants that explained how it’s done every day. I’ve republished it over the years (with improvements) and it’s an easy read. It describes how simple it is to write a news story in a manner that subtly offers an opinion.
While attending most of the Casey Anthony hearings beginning in October, 2009, I got a lot of advice from many of the local journalists covering the case. They were familiar with me and my work. It wasn’t just advice, though. There were rumblings going on in O’do, the unofficial slang word for Orlando. Was WFTV on State Attorney Lawson Lamar’s payroll or something? I mean, it took me no time at all to see how blatant it was that the station got the jump on stories coming out of the State, and nothing at all from the defense. It was apparent that WFTV was pro-prosecution, in my opinion, and I was far from alone in my thinking.
In many of the posts I wrote before covering the trial for Orlando magazine, I made my assertions clear about bias. How I know I was far from alone in this regard was because of the feedback I garnered from other journalists covering the case. What’s up with that station? I was asked.
Here’s the deal. I’m not about ready to accuse a television news organization of unfair reporting. You are smart enough to figure it out yourself; but doesn’t it seem like the WFTV headline about charging George Zimmerman with a hate crime is a bit premature and racially baiting? The article contains no meat or any legs to stand on and it only serves to provoke the Trayvon Martin camp of supporters.
I don’t know. Perhaps May 15 was a slow news day around Orlando. It’s interesting to note that the story broke at 4:47 pm, just in time for the 5:00 o’clock news hour, and only one station reported it. Huh. Do you think it has anything to do with ratings?
(By the way, other news outlets reporting on the WFTV story don’t count.)
Dave Knechel | in 18th Circuit Court, Angela Corey, Benjamin Crump, Casey Anthony, Caylee Anthony, Dave Knechel, David B. Knechel, David Knechel, FBI, FDLE, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Forensics, George Zimmerman, Human Interest, Judge Kenneth R. Lester, Jr., Marinade Dave, Marinade Dave Knechel, Mark O'Mara, Sanford Police Department, Seminole County, Seminole County Courthouse, Seminole County Sheriff''s Office, Slimm v. Zimm, Social/Political, Stand Your Ground, State Attorney Angela Corey, State Attorney's Office, Sybrina Fulton, Tracy Martin, Trayvon Martin, WFTV, Zimm v. Slimm, marinadedave | Share Article | 1 Reference 
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Reader Comments (127)
Interview Co-Worker of Zimmerman #22-Audio
Responding Paramedic Male-Audio
I believe it was witness 6 who stated that GZ said to him "the gun is on the ground" " I shot this guy in self-defense" yet, I believe I have read that the officer who arrived stated that the gun was back in its hol(?)ster. Interesting what the girlfriend had to say. If nothing else her statement indicates that GZ got right up close to Trayvon, and if true that Trayvon was saying "get off" "get off" would indicate GZ made the initial attack. (my comment gathered from AC media last evening)
Balistics conclude gunpowder shows close range 2" 3"
Pathology conclude gunpowder shows intermediate 6" to 18"
Defense lawyer says Pathology will be used in trial, but case possibly will not come to court.
The immediate excuse "I shot this guy in self-defense" shows guilt IMO. He KNEW exactly what he did and already prepared to claim he was the victim. These kind of people always prepare their attack, playing the underdog all the way. Sad thing, these "a--h---- always get away with it" usually because there is someone on their side happy that other someone gets hurt or possibly killed just like Trayvon. Notice how these kind of aggressors never show any regret. Just so they are the winner, no compassion for the other guy. We talk about Casey not caring what she did. There are all kinds of aggression & bullying, it is pretty much everywhere. The most stomach puke is that these kind do get away with it and are praised. Not even a slap on the wrist. Trayvon is dead physically, a lot of people emotionally dead as well. These so called young "punks" today have experienced exactly what the old "punks" behind closed doors are capable of doing. IMO exactly why many choose the street. Dangerous? Yes! Honest in their dangerous ways because if they dish it out they know somewhere, somehow they will have to receive it. They mark their territories, learned from "adults" who decide to attack someone. GZ "decided" to go after Trayvon, GZ will probably step out gloating as his boys will do anything for him just to be associated with their hero, who is, IMO is a weasel, the aggressor.
To repeat myself, I believe there are some people around that complex who could have already had negative feelings about young black males and are not at all sorry that Trayvon is killed. I can almost hear "maybe this will be a lesson for the rest of them --------!"
George Zimmerman: Angela Corey needs her head examined
Dave~~yooooooooohooooooooo. I heard that if O'Mara does file a motion for a mini trial re the immunity on SYG, he will do it before August 8th when the next hearing is due.
If I find out more I willl let you know....
You can listen to the 911 calls that Zimmerman made in the past..scroll down the page for the links to the audios.
Zimmerman's past frivolous calls to 911 before shooting Trayvon (audio)
Good morning Dave, and all.
Whew!
I have kept on this case, the "old fashioned" way, by listening to the news reports. But I sure learn a lot more on the blogs! As always, very good info and opionions and points here (and at Snoopy's), as always. This is such a hot button case. And I have been on the fence. Racial? Or not racial? A really bad decion on GZ's part? Or was he truly concerned about his neighborhood? Is GZ "overcharged"? After the KC trial, I lost faith in the justice system. How will this be "spun" (is that a word?? lol!) when this gets to court? UGH!
(P.S.-It is always great to see all the "names" I came to know and love during the Anthony debacle, here and at Snoopy''s) I still come here and there to "read" and comment once in a while).
LindaNewYork!!!! {insert a few mr. green's here}
So good to see you! God bless you and I'm hoping all is well with you!~
xo!
Hiya, Sherry!!!!!!!!!!!! OK here! Hope all is well by you, as well! I always smile when I see the "Old Timers". I see ya at Snoopy's too!
LindaNewYork~~good to see you, my friend and I am glad to know you still read here and at my sandbox. I am with you when it comes to sitting on the fence about certain issues that have taken place because I just do not know what Zimmerman's mindset was on that fatal evening and prior to that. Judging by listening to some of his calls to 911, he displays a bit of paranoia and yet seemed to be wanting to protect his neighborhood. He certainly did not follow the guidelines of a Neighborhood Watchman that nite. For this I have to fault him.
I started out by thinking Z was not a racist but I am beginning to chance my mind after learning more evidence but still am not a hundred percent sure. That evening Trayvon represented to Z a hoodlum up to no good and I will put this down to the age of T and he was wearing a hoodie and considered a stranger in that gated community. Yes, he was profiled because of other break ins that had occured. So we have an innocent young black teen who had every right to be a visitor at his father's fiancée home and walk to the 7 Eleven to make a couple of purchases. Then you throw in a NW captain who took it upon himself to try and make a citizen's arrest because the youth just looked suspicious. Police on patrol don't even do that as they are trained to have more common sense.
Zimmerman did not realize that he may be faced with an altercation by T who had every right to stand his ground when he was being stalked. Who made the first physical contact is unknown. Z was viewed by one of the witnesses leaning over T and putting his hand on his back after T was shot and lying face forward on the grassy area. Was Z trying to pat him down looking for a weapon? Another unknown. T had a tin of iced tea inside his jacket which had to be removed when CPR was performed on him by police followed up by the medics. Did Z think it was a weapon because he told the dispatcher, "he is reaching into his waistband."
To summarize we have an innocent young black youth, and over zealous nieghborhood watchman, a stand your ground law combined with a concealed weapon and when you throw in racial discrimation, it is not a pretty sight and makes for one hell of a bad situation. What the outcome will be is anyone's guess and regardless, we will not see the end of this for years to come. That is just my take on this whole fiasco that happened in a blink of the eye and was avoidable.
Pictures of GZ's "bloodied head" were taken at 7:19 p.m.??? Wow.
Newbie~~I believe that one of the police officers on scene used his own personal cell camera to take that pic of Z' head because he did not have another camera available. I never did try and figure out the exact times. All I know is a heck of a lot took place in a very short period of time.
I agree. A lot took place in a very short period of time. I find myself so suspect of GZ that I wonder if he asked the police officer to take the picture. GZ has extremely poor judgment and lives in that "wanna be" state but I think he's fast on his feet with legal answers......his father was a Judge and GZ was attending classes to assist him in getting into law enforcement....hmmmm...
Like all of you, I am astounded at how much happened within 1-2 minutes at the most.
Molly K~~ yes, it is hard to believe. It is like it all occured in a time warp...
Snoopy, you mention: "Yes, he was profiled because of other break ins that had occured." Profiled because of a number of break-ins. It can be taken as his being profiled as hoodlum, indeed, and not because of being black. If the "hoodlums" and break-ins were commited by a black person(s) in the past, well...If the break-ins were committed by fat boys/men, well...or women with purple hair...OR teenagers/young boys (or girls)....You profile based on what you have seen and learned in the past. Professional profilers are able to profile, say, serial killers.."a white man, with a wife and children, working at a factory...whatever. If the "break-ins" in the past were made by "long haired" Persian men, or "long haired" "hippies". (30-40 years ago, guys with long hair or "beatniks" or "rock n rollers" were looked as suspiciously-"up to no good")...Did GZ profile to what was known as being the "type" who committed crimes in his neighborhood in the past? Sure! BUT, he absolutely should have stopped at the 911 call and left it to the police to handle. I mean the police were going to be on the way, and if TM WAS going to break in, well, hell, he would have been caught red-handed. Another criminal off the street. Fine. Great. But GZ was very stupid in his actions and caused the death of an innocent person. And yes, GZ was overly paranoid and took his neighborhood watch duties too far.
My point is, I think, is has the fact that TM was black been blown out of proportion? Now, I say all this based on the myriad of news that has come out about this tragedy. And as a Johnny come lately, in making my first comments regarding this. All of you have delved muched deeper into this tragedy. It's been mentioned that GZ has made racial comments or whatever in the past. It has also come out that TM punched (?) or have a violent confrontation with a bus driver. (Smoking pot? Yeah me too. As I think, Dave said above, makes you lazy and mellow and gives ya the munchies). So there are some not so good things in the past. But what matters is what happened THAT day.
And I was very "biased", when this first hit the news. A mug shot of seemingly large man and child in a kindergarten graduation picture. That confirmed to me that I am right to take a lot of "media hype" with a large grain of salt. And as someone else said above, about listening to differnent news outlets: Somewnere in there is the truth.
I should have started with...HI Snoopy! How are ya?
LindaNewYork~ ~ I am just fine and, if I was smart I would quit blogging and get my yarn and shawl out of the moth balls.
Oh the media went whole hog and did a job on this case from the very beginning...let's make this ugly overweight bully shoot a young boy... and a black boy at that. The pics were outdated and then NBC nicely did an edit on the 911 audio to a make this racial. I believe three were fired from NBC over that incident etc.
I had heard about the bus driver getting a punch from T but I did not know if it was just another rumor. T's cousin made a tweet to Trayvon in reference to it. I believe that has since been removed from the internet. I told Dave that I did not want to mention that on his blog ( it was mentioned on mine)... I also did not want to pass on anything about T being suspended from school on more than one occasion or say anything about the stash of women's jewellery and a screwdriver that was found in his locker. I shied away from talking about those things as someone would have been profiling me. Things became highly sensitive when the media et al brought racism into the picture.
There is no way that I will ever condone Zimmerman's actions in leaving his vehicle with a loaded gun. I just hope that the justice system will take a long hard look at the Stand Your Ground law and also the competency of the ones they issue permits to for carrying a concealed weapon. Zimmerman commit a crime but part of the onus should be placed on the lawmakers for ever issuing him a permit because of his past history.
It really bothers me that Zimmerman was not tested for drugs. I have read that he was on two prescription medications. It would have been helpful to know the blood levels of these substances and whether they might have influenced his behavior.
I just read this very well-written analysis of the available data. There are links to documents and audio files in the second comment under the piece:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/20/1093168/-Was-the-fighting-over-when-Zimmerman-shot-Trayvon-
Here discussing the evidence we have had access to and why some has been or is being redacted..
O'Mara talks to Tony Pipitone-short video and write up
MollyK~~ I noticed in one of the pictures today of the crime scene, Trayvon's body was not near the sidewalk. If Zimmerman got injuries to the back of his head from the pavement, they must have wrestled quite a distance in the wet grass and I honestly don't think they had the time to do that in roughly 90 seconds. There is the possibility that his head may have been beaten against the flashlight or keys with a flashlight attached to them that were lying in the grass. Zimmerman may have said he was been beaten against the sidewalk to make it sound more life threatening. If Z's head was being pounded on the pavement, his injuries would have been much more severe. Z's injuries appeared to be surface abrasions and not something you would see from going up against concrete. There is a lot of blood even with a minor cut to the scalp. My opinion only.
Snoopy, I agree that Zimmerman's injuries do not seem to match his story. About the distance between the sidewalk and Trayvon's body, the link in my last post is to an argument that the fight had ended at least 45 minutes before the gunshot. There is a witness statement that supports this. It is mentioned in the linked blog post, and I remember that one of the female witnesses from the audios linked in your comments above said exactly that. If this is true, then maybe there was some movement between the fight on the sidewalk and the gunshot?
As you wrote, a head that had been pounded against the sidewalk should have been more severely injured. Maybe Trayvon punched Zimmerman and he fell back and hit his head on the sidewalk (once, and not very hard)? I am not an expert, but wouldn't the pounding Zimmerman describes result in a concussion for sure?
MollyK~~I do not believe that Zimmerman's head was 'repeatedly' pounded against the sidewalk, maybe as you said, just the once, if at all. By the looks of Z's face, he rec'd more than one punch. I would like to see where the bullet casing was found in relation to where Trayvon ended up. It is too bad that the witnesses came up with such differing stories. Some of them were in panic mode so it is understandable. We need another doc dump to show us more evidence.
Yes, it wouldn't take much pounding on the sidewalk for Z to have a concussion.
I am also wondering when the witness statements were taken. Did the police interview them the night of the shooting, or weeks later?
One thing I'm confused about is we were told that Z's back-of-the-head cuts were cleaned up at the scene (outside of an ambulance or inside, presumably). So why are these latest versions of the pics showing the same dripping blood rivulets (pre-cleanup), also clearly showing a cream-colored interior wall of some kind, taken inside a room at the PD? If this has been addressed above somewheres, and I've missed it, my apologies. Curious.
Karen C~~one of the police took a pic of the back of Z's head with his own personal camera as he didn't have another camera available. It was taken before Z was cleaned up in the back of a patrol car by Sanford Fire Dept medic. Z was cuffed at the time they cleaned him up. I guess the other pics were taken at the police station..
Baiting...a simple action that attracts its prey to lure them to their inevitable demise...hook-line-and-sinker. Like most cases that draw our interest it always starts with a little somethin-somethin. In most cases the line is drawn and those who are in support are clearly defined. Those who opposed I am certain that they can be easily influenced.
Like many of you, the KC case consumed me. It wasn't hard to see the lies and to see how people so easily molded a truth that fit the guilty. True to form, and as Dave cleaverly pointed out and a subtle way, the media had an inate ability to skewer our perceptions.
True, when the video first became public knowledge there were no obvious signs that Zimmerman had received any injuries. Although all the Zimmerman supporters gathered around him to give credence to the alleged injuries it was apparent that he showed nothing in regards to injuries or the fact that he just shot someone...there seemed to be no emotional acknowledgement that he just killed someone?
I'm not a clincal pyscologist, nor do i play one on TV but i dont think it unreasonable to expect that there'd be some sort of emotion hence the "eyewitnesses".
Several individuals (will maybe a few so I may be exagorating) but one guy seemed to suggest that Zimmerman played it off. Conversations seem to also suggest that with the senseless killing of Mr. Martin it gave him some sort of "street cred"?
So what does the new media blitz mean? Well they are doing what they did during the KC case. They are releasing small amounts of bait to sway you opinion. They are looking for the sympathy vote. Almost like politics to a degree. Florida's laws when it comes to releasing these facts can be viewed as the criminalists undoing. Before you know it everything is spilled out and they are ultimately exhonerated.
The photos released showing the extensiveness of Zimmerman's wounds does not change my opinion of his guilt. Exactly who acted in self defense? Some argue that Zimmerman was the one acting in defense...but one thing that does not change is that Zimmerman started off in a vehicle and followed Martin. Zimmerman exited his vehicle to track Martin. 911 Dispatchers were clear that he did not need to follow (I interpret this as "dont follow" but I understand that its not how its implied it's what was said). Zimmerman persued Martin. In less than 90 seconds screams of help went to creating reasonable doubt and a self defense theory.
Because Zimmerman was carrying gun, regardless if its permitted or not, he persued Martin when Martin had done nothing wrong. As i asked Mr. Hornsby on his last post: at this time-"what has Martin done wrong?" If you are going to instill the rights of the defendant and tell everyone that he had every right to carry a sidearm then that should be good enough? What about the Constitution that allows all of us the "pursuit of happiness"...could you argue that for Martin? Going home for some comfort and relaxation...enjoying a bag of skittles.
With the new photos released what does it say to you? To me it says that Trayvon held his own until a coward decided to turn the tables and use an unfair advantage. The coroners report suggests that the shot was fired at approx. 18" which with the arm extended you can rougly gauge 5', unless the coroner's suggesting (or the evidence is suggesting) that it went off in the struggle but that would mean either Martin pulled it prior to the confrontation or within moments of Martin standing his ground?
The "unknowing-nist" of Zimmerman stating in the begining that he did not know if Martin was carrying a weapon is null and void because the "unknown" would've kept him in his vehicle and his happy ass waiting until officers arrived. Nothing has changed my perception of Mr. Zimmerman, not that a Colorado native matters in this but I'm pretty certain that other feel the same way.
The bait is stale and reeks of a failed attempt to gain the sympathetic vote-Martin died persuing his "right to happiness" lets not lose sight of this.
BMan love the happy ass comment!
I have questions about the jacket Zimmerman wore. This is what the report says: Chemical testing indicated one particle of lead on the upper back portion of the right sleeve of the jacket. No other residue is found on the shirt or jacket.
How does that happen when Trayvon is on top of him? Obviously imo his arm cannot extend all the way out, so how did 1 particle (the only particle) end up on the back upper sleeve?