George, Trayvon and Other Trials and Tribulations
Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 6:33PM Lately, I’ve been pondering a few things about George Zimmerman and his victim, Trayvon Martin. When I’ve had the time, of course…
The Age Factor
On his February 26 recorded phone call to a Sanford Police Department dispatcher, George Zimmerman described Trayvon Martin as black and in his late teens after being asked. When he took the stand at his bond hearing, he apologized to Trayvon’s mother and father, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, and saying that he thought the boy was closer to his own age of 28. That, at best, is a 10-year age discrepancy — a huge difference. What intrigues me the most is that, from a distance, Trayvon looked like a teen; hence the description to the dispatcher. Surely, as the two men approached each other, it should have been even more apparent to Zimmerman that Trayvon was, in fact, a mere teenager, especially moments before the fatal shot was fired. In my opinion, it makes the apology superficial.
Clearly, Trayvon’s age will be a factor during the second-degree murder trial. Why did George contradict his own statement to the dispatcher about the boy’s age while on the stand? How will his defense attorney, Mark O’Mara, explain this faux pas to the jury? This is not an easy math problem to solve with tangents, cosines and mirrors.
Sunset came at 6:23 PM that day. Sixteen minutes later, at 7:09, George called the police. How long had he been tailing the teen in order to decide his approximate age? Certainly, once darkness fell, it should have been more difficult to make any sort of call regarding age, unless enough light was cast from street lamps, but still, it meant a clean enough look to respond to the dispatcher’s query regarding the youth’s age.
What made him tell the dispatcher that Trayvon was in his late teens? Why did he change his tune on the stand?
The Myspace Page From 2005
You can read the page here.
“I love the fact that I can still go back home and crash on my boys couch as if i had never left, I can hit my boy up to handle a lil somethin with my sister and he’s at my house with his boys on bikes before i hang up with her! They do a year and dont ever open thier [sic] mouth to get my ass pinched.”
Is Georgie Boy admitting that his pals do time in jail for him? They never rat him out? What sort of upstanding, law-abiding citizen allows his “friends” to take the blame? A hero?
“Im still free! The ex hoe tried her hardest, but the judge saw through it! Big Mike, reppin the Dverse security makin me look a million bucks, broke her down! Thanks to everyone for checkin up on me! Stay tuned for the A.T.F. charges……”
Ex hoe? How about it ladies?
“I dont miss driving around scared to hit mexicans walkin on the side of the street, soft ass wanna be thugs messin with peoples cars when they aint around (what are you provin, that you can dent a car when no ones watchin) dont make you a man in my book… Workin 96 hours to get a decent pay check, gettin knifes pulled on you by every mexican you run into!”
Does that sound racist? Does it prove anything? Can it be used against him in court?
Here’s what I’m hearing in the hood. Well, it’s not really any kind of hood, mind you. Call it word on the street. Zimmerman was only 21-years-old at the time of this particular Myspace page. What would you expect from a 21-year-old, right? It’s an odd question, though, because Trayvon was only 17 when he died and I’m hearing all sorts of excuses for homeboy Zimmerman acting that way when he was 21, but nothing in favor of Trayvon four years his junior at the time. Why was it OK for Zimmerman to act like a street-punk gangsta at 21, but not OK for Trayvon at 17, if, in fact, he acted that way at all the night he died? You see what I mean? What’s good for the goose should be good for the gander, right? Only this time, it cost a boy his life; hardly punishable by one year in jail, served by one of Joe G’s friends, the name Zimmerman went by on his Myspace page.
Here’s something else to consider. According to the Miami Herald Website, another one of Zimmerman’s Myspace pages under the username “datniggytb” was taken down last month. datniggytb? Huh? Why was it swiftly removed? Any ideas, folks? Could this have been factored into the arrest?
Personal Observations
A lot has been said about the donation site and other support pages set up by Zimmerman’s defense attorney. In my opinion, there is nothing inherently wrong with it. Yes, public funding will save Florida’s taxpayers a ton of money since he can no longer claim his client is indigent. Yes, it is a bit tacky, but there’s no reason why he or anyone else, for that matter, cannot ask for handouts. Ultimately, it’s up to you (and only you) to decide whether to fill his coffers or not, which leads me to…
Life is full of radicals. They come from the far left and right. On the left, there are those who would be very happy to proclaim that a vote against Barack Obama is racist. I’ve heard it myself. Do I believe it? Is there any truth to it? No way! We are a diverse nation, filled with liberals and conservatives, Republicans, Democrats and independents. When it comes to voting, ethnicity no longer plays a role. We vote for who we please.
There are those who believe that a donation to George Zimmerman’s defense fund is truly racist, too. I wholeheartedly disagree. While some of the money might come from white supremacists and bigots — true racists, indeed, there’s more to it than a simple explanation. For sure, Zimmerman’s going to get funds from the NRA, either by the organization itself or its members, and from gun supporters in general. That’s mostly because of “stand your ground” laws in place in several states. And, of course, the Second Amendment; the right to bear arms. This particular aspect has nothing to do with racism. Because the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case is such a complex issue, I don’t think it’s as black and white (pun intended) as a superficial explanation or excuse. It’s much deeper. It could be either/or, or it could be both/and, if you understand my meaning. We must keep our minds open. Not all of Zimmerman’s supporters are white any more than all of Trayvon’s supporters are black. Besides, Zimmerman describes himself as Hispanic/Latino on his old Myspace page. I look beyond his race and see a cop wannabe who grew up reading way too many comic books. Nothing more.
On a more personal note, I have been noticeably absent from my blog. I am not trying to elicit any sympathy or anything, but my father suffered a stroke. He has been in the hospital all week and I have many important family obligations to attend to. My mind is focused on mostly that, plus other very personal things going on in my life. SnoopySleuth has been doing an exemplary job of maintaining my blog and I appreciate it more than she probably knows. All I can do is thank her for her efforts, and thank you for your continued support. I promise, things will loosen up, but it may take a bit of time. Soldier on!
Dave Knechel | in Angela Corey, Dave Knechel, David B. Knechel, David Knechel, George Zimmerman, Human Interest, Marinade Dave, Marinade Dave Knechel, Mark O'Mara, Neighborhood Watch, Sanford Police Department, Seminole County, Seminole County Jail, Slimm v. Zimm, Stand Your Ground, State Attorney Angela Corey, Sybrina Fulton, The Retreat at Twin Lakes, Tracy Martin, Trayvon Martin, Zimm v. Slimm, marinadedave | Share Article | 2 References 
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Reader Comments (161)
Zimmermans father says life will never be the same
Sounds like some damming evidence is lurking someplace
FBI May charge Zimmerman with hate crime
Now I understand the motivation for the sudden release of all the photos to show "blackness" in Zimmernan;s family ( however far removed). They knew that a hate charge might be looming.
Porky - Yes, I believe that the DOJ is waiting on the sidelines to watch what occurs at the state level. I did extensive research on this issue a while back - it was too detailed and lengthy to post in the comment section so I sent it to Dave via email. If you like, I will forward it to you. End result, the DOJ can file against him now, or sit back and wait to see what the outcome of the state court case is - a murder charge is a murder charge - if he is convicted on that charge and not a lesser charge, the DOJ may decide that all that can be done has been done. However, if he receives a lesser charge or escapes conviction on a self-defense claim, the DOJ has the option of charging him under federal statute and try to convict him that way. Much like they did the officers in the Rodney King case.
Caveat: These are my personal opinions based upon my own interpretation of the facts and evidence that we have to date. I am sharing my conclusions concerning speculative topics. Under no circumstances should you interpret my comments as challenging your own opinions and/or conclusions.
I just snipped this from the channel 13 local news web site
New video of shooting?
The new evidence reportedly includes footage never before seen by the public -- or the defense -- from a security camera at the clubhouse near where George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin.
Add to that witness accounts, and prosecutors said that was enough to charge Zimmerman with murder, despite his claims that he shot the teen in self-defense. Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.
Defense attorney Mark O'Mara said the only way he can ensure his client will get a fair trial is to redact the names of witnesses, saying once they are released, he believes they will get hounded by the media, and that will jeopardize everything.
O'Mara did not immediately say anything more about what he expects the new evidence will show about the shooting.
But what he didn't expect was to be threatened. Along with the evidence, O'Mara also received what he called an "unpleasant" phone call that prompted him to contact police.
Orlando police officers responded to O'Mara's offices Monday after someone apparently called in a threat. No other information about that call was immediately released.
Porky - I was just getting ready to point that article out to you. There is your smoking gun. HA I believe this is the beginning of GZ's slow spiral down the drain hole. LOL But, hey, JMHO.
Caveat: These are my personal opinions based upon my own interpretation of the facts and evidence that we have to date. I am sharing my conclusions concerning speculative topics. Under no circumstances should you interpret my comments as challenging your own opinions and/or conclusions.
Then again
http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/autopsy-results-show-trayvon-martin-had-injuries-h/nN6gs/
Sorry Snoopy. At work and cant find that clickable link thing here
George Z is 28 years old. People of this age tend to talk trash as it is common to do so in this age with younger people. (I'm not saying they all do but I see enough of it with my daughter and her friends). My daughter calls a mexican friend, "my mexican". She calls him her mexican because he's mexican. There's nothing (in her mind) derogatory about it. She and her friends also call each other hoes and a slew of other names. They think it's funny and it's how they communicate. They don't even think that what they say could be construed as racial slur. Maybe GZ just talks trash because that's how he communicates with his friends and he's not doing it because he's a racist.
one more opinion. I think GZ wanted an excuse to play neighborhood watch man. If an asian, white, or hispanic young person would have strolled thru his complex with a hoodie on he would have been on them too.
Autopsy results show Trayvon Martin had injuries to his knuckles
SANFORD, Fla. —
WFTV has confirmed that autopsy results show 17-year-old Trayvon Martin had injuries to his knuckles when he died.
The information could support George Zimmerman's claim that Martin beat him up before Zimmerman shot and killed him.
The autopsy results come as Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O’Mara continues to go over other evidence in the case.
O’Mara wouldn't comment on the autopsy evidence, but WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said it's better for the defense than it is for the prosecution.
~~ snipped ~~
http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/autopsy-results-show-trayvon-martin-had-injuries-h/nN6gs/
Hi again Dave,
I've been creeped out by something along those lines...Zimmerman said suspects was wearing dark grey...
Huh, doesn't dark grey look like black in low light? How can he be so precise about the colour? First he says "dark", then he says "dark grey" then he says "black", about the hoodie. How did he know it was a hoodie? How close did he get to Tray to tell? Yet!....he doesn't mention the colour of Trays jeans..which are khaki coloured. Wouldn't that be more obvious in low light? Wouldn't it command more attention because of it's unusual colour choice? I mean, most jeans are dark blue right?
Then...again with the conspiracies :) It seems to me that Trayvon is nervous in the 7Eleven. He goes to leave after paying for his items, looks toward the glass front and makes a sudden 180 back into the belly of the store! Is it just my imagination?
Then, he moves toward the refrigerated case, yet doesn't open it, or seem to look at anything. Then he moves toward an aisle and seems to be looking at something on a shelf...and I get the feeling he's positioned himself where he can observe the entrance. I don't think I've ever seen a video of him actually walking out the door of the 7Eleven.
If I am right, it is one of the reasons I wonder when did George start following Tray...
[I wondered how Zimmerman knew so much about Trayvon from being in the dark. It wouldn't surprise me if Zimmerman spotted Trayvon on the way out and recognized him again as he returned. We may never know that for sure, and it's pure speculation, so I make no claim about it, one way or the other.
As for Trayvon and the 7-Eleven, I guess people can read whatever they want into it, but would an adult really know what's going on in a 17-year-old mind? Once again, it's nothing more than speculation, but according to that store video, he did absolutely nothing suspicious or illegal, so in the eyes of the law, and that's what matters here, it's meaningless. Consider this, too - we have no proof that he walked out that door, but we do have proof that less than an hour later, he was shot dead by a person who thought of himself as a cop.
One more thought... there are street lights near the townhome community center. Some of the clothing colors might have been distinguishable from those.
Thanks for commenting, and any time you have a thought, please feel free to say so.]