In Sanford, Florida, a family has buried a teen killed by a “watch captain” in a gated community on February 26th. However, question remains not only about the killing of Trayvon Martin, 17, but why the shooter, George Zimmerman, 28, has not been charged. Zimmerman reported a suspicious character to 911 and was expressly told by the police not to confront the individual. Instead, he pursued Martin and shot him — claiming that the shooting was in self-defense. [UPDATE: A statement reportedly from the Zimmerman family denies that he confronted Martin].
A gunshot can be heard on the 911 tape. The refusal of Zimmerman to yield to the suggestion of the police brings back memories of the Horn case in Texas.
Like Horn, Zimmerman was not required to follow the instruction of the police to avoid a confrontation.
The teen was returning from a 7-11 after buying Skittles. He was carrying the candy, a small amount of cash, and an iced tea. Yet, police insist that they have no evidence to refute the account since the teen is dead. However, a witnesses who lives nearby has come forward to contest the account of self-defense — though it is not clear how much of a view the witness had of the encounter.
It appears uncontroverted that the two fought. Various callers to 911 described an ongoing fight. Reports indicate that Zimmerman was found standing over the body, with his gun in his waistband. He allegedly complained that no one came to his aid despite calls for help and his shirt showed evidence of a struggle. Perhaps more importantly, he is reported to have been bleeding from his nose and the back of his head. Yet, some witnesses have suggested that it appeared that it was the teen who called out for help. Zimmerman outweighed Martin by 100 pounds. One witness also complained that police told her that she was wrong in reporting Martin called for help — saying that it was Zimmerman.
The family has said that Zimmerman has a record of violence in the assaulting of a police officer despite assurances from police at the time of the shooting that he had no record.
This makes a truly messy case, though the 911 tapes may help fill in some details. The family has demanded the tapes. The fact that Zimmerman insisted on the confrontation despite the instructions of police raise serious questions over who instigated the fight. Yet, any criminal charge could be difficult without more evidence. Zimmerman was allowed to confront Martin. Even if he was rude or out of line, there remains the question of who started the fight and the grounds for self-defense. Since Martin was armed only with a bag of Skittles and was physically smaller than Zimmerman, the use of lethal force is questionable.
The family could pursue this in tort as a wrongful death case based on battery. While Zimmerman has the privilege of self-defense, it is limited to commensurate force and must be reasonable. There is also a defense of mistaken self-defense but that also must be a reasonable mistake. The latter would not appear relevant here. Zimmerman would have to argue actual self-defense and a fear of serious bodily injury or death to justify the use of lethal force.
In either case, there remains a paucity of direct evidence. That would not bar a criminal charge but would make any trial more challenging on the current record. Nevertheless, if a witness is prepared to testify that it was Martin who cried out for assistance, an indictment could be based on that testimony when coupled with Zimmerman allegedly forcing the confrontation. We will continue to watch the case closely.
Here is the statement that has been attributed in the media to the Zimmerman family:
“The tragic events of February 26 are very sad for all concerned. The Martin family, our family, and the entire community have been forever changed.
The portrayal of George Zimmerman in the media, as well as the series of events that lead to the tragic shooting are false and extremely misleading. Unfortunately, some individuals and organizations have used this tragedy to further their own causes and agendas.
George is a Spanish speaking minority with many black family members and friends. He would be the last to discriminate for any reason whatsoever. One black neighbor recently interviewed said she knew everything in the media was untrue and that she would trust George with her life. Another black neighbor said that George was the only one, black or white, who came and welcomed her to the community, offering any assistance he could provide. Recently, I met two black children George invited to a social event. I asked where they met George. They responded that he was their mentor. They said George visited them routinely, took them places, helped them, and taught them things and that they really loved George. The media portrayal of George as a racist could not be further from the truth.
The events of February 26 reported in the media are also totally inaccurate. Out of respect for the on-going investigation, I will not discuss specifics. However, the media reports of the events are imaginary at best. At no time did George follow or confront Mr. Martin. When the true details of the event become public, and I hope that will be soon, everyone should be outraged by the treatment of George Zimmerman in the media.
Our entire family is deeply sorry for the loss of Trayvon. We pray for the Martin family daily. We also pray that the community will grieve together and not be divided by more unwarranted hate.
Robert Zimmerman
The Zimmerman family will have no further contact with the media prior to the resolution of the investigation. It would be greatly appreciated if the media would respect our privacy.”
Source: CNN
Trayvon Martin Neighborhood Watch Shooting: 911 Tapes Send Mom Crying From Room
http://abcnews.go.com/US/treyvon-martin-neighborhood-watch-shooting-911-tapes-send/story?id=15937881#.T2SjSHmDl8E
The start of a good day… Janis Joplin and your comment, mespo. Thanks.
From the Zimmerman statement:
“George is a Spanish speaking minority with many black family members and friends. He would be the last to discriminate for any reason whatsoever. One black neighbor recently interviewed said she knew everything in the media was untrue and that she would trust George with her life. Another black neighbor said that George was the only one, black or white, who came and welcomed her to the community, offering any assistance he could provide.”
From the 911 call:
“Are you following him,” an emergency dispatcher asks after Zimmerman describes Trayvon as a black male who was acting suspiciously.
Zimmerman responds: “Yeah.”
“OK, you don’t need to do that,” the dispatcher says.In the call placed by Zimmerman to alert authorities that there was a suspicious person in the neighorhood, he says the person “looks like he’s up to no good, or he’s on drugs or something.”
Moments later, Zimmerman says, “These assholes, they always get away.”
I bet some of Zimmerman’s “best friends are black.”
Bring on the Grand Jury.
Very simple. In Florida you are free to kill as you please as long as not witnessed, or the police or wealthy white people are not killed.
Therefore Mr. Zimmerman could just as easily have ALSO murdered any witnesses responding to the commotion.
Florida state law must read that murder is illegal if witnessed, and otherwise please don’t leave too big of a mess.
From Central Florida Ch.13:
“This meeting is happening on the same day Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee met with Congresswoman Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, and Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett Friday. They said Lee told them he welcomed a federal investigation by the U.S. attorney general and US Dept. of Justice.
“I at this point don’t trust and I need an independent,” Brown said. “I feel that the United States Justice Department is independent because I think some things should have been done, didn’t happen. So we need to make sure it happens.
As of noon Friday, more than 240,000 people have signed a petition calling for Zimmerman’s arrest.”
Militia group to attempt citizen’s arrest in Fla. shooting of Trayvon Martin
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57398739-504083/militia-group-to-attempt-citizens-arrest-in-fla-shooting-of-trayvon-martin/
ARE
Can I guess? “This weeks WWB”?
Thanks for the suggestion. I will apply.
ARE
I like your script. Which thriillers do you write for? Will watch’em.
eniobob,
I agree. The statement that you cited jumped out at me, as well.
I am waiting to hear his side of the story. I can guess what it is though. He was just sitting in his car waiting for the cops and his 9mm jumped out of its holster,ran across the front of his car, and as he tackled it, it went off and shot the kid. In fact he was a hero trying to stop the gun!
ID:
I dont believe much of what is put out by government. too many people with political axes to grind.
Just look around, people are rising and falling in status all the time. Look at the Forbes 400 from year to year. It changes all the time. And most were not from wealth like that.
You probably have a point with people in poverty but they have bad role models and could be helped by association with successful people. Unless of course they had mental health issues.
Your opinions are always welcome, but one can wonder where the facts are.
I give here a link to a report by the Congressional Research Service.
I would presume since Congress relys on them, that their facts and conclusions are a good picture of the American Dream.
Yes, some do succeed. But so few that one can wonder where the problem lies.
Haven’t read the report, so will have a clearer idea of the report later.
Try reading it, and tell me what you think of it.
Ypu know perhaps that CRS reports are not available to the public in any form. Only effort by the FAS has resulted in these being available and offered via the Secrecy newsletter. Perhaps more on other subjects are available on the FAS site.
FAS is the Federation of American Scientists. http://www.fas.org perhaps.
Idealist:
American dream is alive and well. There are plenty of people who start in poverty and end up middle class or better. More would do it if government didnt put so many obstacles in front of people trying to start businesses.
Do you believe everything you read?
Education [not necessarily in a public school] and hard work always raise a persons income level.
Knowledge is power, give a poor kid some Plato, Kant and Aristotle and I have a feeling he will end up doing pretty well for himself.
Here’s a FAS link to a CRS (congressional research service) report which willl certainly awaken the statistics crunchers, and the moralists.
Summation: The American Dream is BS.
“It… appears that going from rags to riches is relatively rare; that is,
where one starts in the income distribution greatly influences where one
ends up.” See “The U.S. Income Distribution and Mobility: Trends and
International Comparisons,” March 7, 2012:
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42400.pdf
Will cast some s–t on Americas romance with guns and violence.
Zimmerman is a prime example of why it is tragic. This little man, in character, just loved to parade around with his penis extension, sticking himself in other neighbors’ business, and looking for a chance to use his “weapon”.
What in the world has any of America’s gun sickness to do with a “well-armed militia”? (however it is phrased)
Nuff said!!!
anon nurse:
The familys statement raises(many) more questions that answers.
Below is only one example.
“George is a Spanish speaking minority with many black family members and friends. He would be the last to discriminate for any reason whatsoever”
So he preys on children too.
Think if he had gone home, just as advised by the police, where would we be today?
Statement of Robert Zimmerma, George Zimmerman, in its entirety from the Sun-Sentinel:
“The tragic events of February 26 are very sad for all concerned. The Martin family, our family, and the entire community have been forever changed.
The portrayal of George Zimmerman in the media, as well as the series of events that lead to the tragic shooting are false and extremely misleading. Unfortunately, some individuals and organizations have used this tragedy to further their own causes and agendas.
George is a Spanish speaking minority with many black family members and friends. He would be the last to discriminate for any reason whatsoever. One black neighbor recently interviewed said she knew everything in the media was untrue and that she would trust George with her life. Another black neighbor said that George was the only one, black or white, who came and welcomed her to the community, offering any assistance he could provide. Recently, I met two black children George invited to a social event. I asked where they met George. They responded that he was their mentor. They said George visited them routinely, took them places, helped them, and taught them things and that they really loved George. The media portrayal of George as a racist could not be further from the truth.
The events of February 26 reported in the media are also totally inaccurate. Out of respect for the on-going investigation, I will not discuss specifics. However, the media reports of the events are imaginary at best. At no time did George follow or confront Mr. Martin. When the true details of the event become public, and I hope that will be soon, everyone should be outraged by the treatment of George Zimmerman in the media.
Our entire family is deeply sorry for the loss of Trayvon. We pray for the Martin family daily. We also pray that the community will grieve together and not be divided by more unwarranted hate.
Robert Zimmerman
The Zimmerman family will have no further contact with the media prior to the resolution of the investigation. It would be greatly appreciated if the media would respect our privacy.”
George Zimmerman’s father: My son is not racist, did not confront Trayvon Martin
Robert Zimmerman spoke exclusively to the Orlando Sentinel Thursday
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-trayvon-martin-shooting-zimmerman-letter-20120315,0,6480603.story
This is the year 2012 isn’t it?
http://www.jimcrowhistory.org/resources/lessonplans/hs_es_emmett_till.htm
http://www.bet.com/news/national/2012/03/15/trayvon-martin-case-turned-over-to-florida-state-s-attorney.html
Excerpt:
Police officials in Sanford initially told Martin’s family that the neighborhood watch captain had a “squeaky clean” record.
However, the lawyer for the family later said that he had discovered that Zimmerman had been arrested in 2005 in Orange County on charges of resisting arrest with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer.
Also, there have been news reports that stated that Zimmerman had been the subject of complaints by neighbors in the community where he lived of aggressive tactics while patrolling the gated community.
PS Wé have no guns, no vigilantes, not many racists, and lots and lots
of WWBs. Götgatan is full of them everyday. But nobody is scared of terrorists, even if we have had a well documented explosion last Fall.
Am I to conclude that WWB has now the status acronym-wise as DIU?
MOROCCAN SUICIDE
How old is this? The moroccan lady I talked to today hadn’t notice it on her Moroccan satellite tv program.