George Zimmerman verdict just in . . .

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Originally Posted by Daniel

Can I ask a question Leighton? How old are you?

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Hahah call me Matt, my middle name is Leighton, and why do you ask?

And once and for all, Zimmerman was not "pursuing" him. If he had wanted to do that, he could have pulled the gun and taken him prisoner. He did not. He was watching him, and obviously not very closely, as he lost track of Martin.

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Originally Posted by markabilly

No, you chose to live in fear and avoid confrontation, leaving the problems to repeat themselves over and over again. Ask Richard martin about how your country fails to protect victims and leaves the "family of scum" to run wild. Oh well, I have more important things to do.

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What victims? No single digit IQ kids were making noise late at night and being a nuisance, all managed by a few drivebys by the Police. I don't live in fear, it's warm at the moment and I feel completely safe sleeping with the windows open :)

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Originally Posted by markabilly

And once and for all, Zimmerman was not "pursuing" him. If he had wanted to do that, he could have pulled the gun and taken him prisoner. He did not. He was watching him, and obviously not very closely, as he lost track of Martin.

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Well he was, Martin was going in one direction, Zimmerman chose to go in the same direction purely because that was the direction Martin was going, that's the very definition of pursuing someone.

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Originally Posted by Daniel

Don't get me wrong, Martin could have done things differently and lived, but ultimately the adult and supposedly mature Neighbourhood Watch member shouldn't have created a situation which ended this way.

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This, very surprisingly since it's from Daniel, is the closest thing to the truth in the whole thread. He then returns to norm and misquotes and exaggerates what others have posted.

It could have ended in a verbal confrontation or with both on their phones calling 911 and being embarrassed as heck when they both found out what the other was doing. Instead Martin chose to escalate it to a violent confrontation and paid the price for misjudging his opponent.

Of course Martin did the wrong thing in hindsight, but what would most 17 year olds do?

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Originally Posted by Daniel

Of course Martin did the wrong thing in hindsight, but what would most 17 year olds do?

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Most is a slight exaggeration.. Less than than 1% Easily. But yes I can see your understand about irrational thought from someone very young.

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Originally Posted by Starter

Instead Martin chose to escalate it to a violent confrontation and paid the price for misjudging his opponent.

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You can not possibly say that - no one can.

The only two witnesses were Martin and Zimmerman and Martin is dead. Forensically it's very easy to say that Martin was standing over Zimmerman at the time the shots were fired but that's it.
This case hinges on the standard that the prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and the simple fact is that in this case the burden of proof which rests on the prosecution (not the defence) renders that impossible because there's doubt all over this.
The jury has delivered a fair verdict.

The utter stupidity about this is that this case even exists. Culturally there is a position which allows people to carry weapons, which escalates the problem and the castle doctrine which appears to be uniquely American (I've done previous research on this and found nothing in English Common Law which it supposedly rests on - LINK)

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Originally Posted by Daniel

So if you had been dumb enough to trespass then I'd be justified in pursuing you and shooting you?

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Yep.

Not saying i would do it but I would find anyone perfectly justified in shooting a hooded trespasser.

My property is more valuable to me than the life of a criminal.


BTW
Martin was in Sanford Fl because he was suspended from school for dealing illegal drugs. He also had a history of disciplinary problems in school which were inadmissible as evidence,
Burglar Tools that were proven to be Martin's was found to have been hidden in the immediate vicinity.
It was proven in court that Zimmerman was being assaulted and was fearing for his life.
Never did Zimmerman give any indication that race was a motive for his actions.
Martin, on the other hand used a vile, racial insult when talking about Zimmerman.

Some more facts:

911 operators are not police officers and have no power whatsoever to tell anyone what to do. In fact most have a remedial education and can only garner a low level, government job and so are usually never paid attention to. "Just send the cops OK!"

In the US we are not so oppressed and weak to solely depend on the police to protect ourselves. (Europeans please refrain from commenting on this one. Your recent history with Communism, Fascism and Monarchies along with present lack or personal freedom precludes any possible standing in disparaging that USA on this.)

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Originally Posted by leighton323

But I still refer back to the fact that he was doing a job, not saying it was his job, but he was part of an organisation or community group that had wanted someone to keep an eye out on the community, I'm sure you weren't part of a group that was trying to protect the community. If there was such a group I'm sure they would have kept an eye out for these kids. I know i wouldn't do what he did but i can see why he did. what if Zimmerman had prevented a crime that night. How was he supposed to know the circumstances which were about to unfold. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

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By listening to the police operator/dispatcher who told Zimm' in no uncertain terms: "do not persue" Instead Zimm' decided to try and play Dirty Harry only he aint freakin' bad enough to kick a 17yo ass and ended up getting his ass kicked, and I guarntee he has a whole mess more ass-kickins comin', and I believe diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirectly. :arrowed: :bulb: