Open Thread on Zimmerman Trial

[LisaA]

Lisa, I think you’ve missed half the testimony I have no problems with anyone carrying a gun nor have I said any such thing. Maybe if you paid better attention to detail you’d at least understand the other side of the story, even f you don’t agree with it.

I do expect people with guns to use them responsibly.

Yet you keep referring to Zimmerman being armed. So what? He had a gun for self defense just as many people have a gun for self defense. If you knew how many people on the streets with concealed carry, you would be VERY surprised. You claimed he was out looking for trouble, “profiling” people. There is NO evidence of that.

I think his story is not only consistent but that it ties right into the other witness testimony. That there are minor differences in the reports makes them more credible. It’s when someone has rehearsed a canned speech and repeats it over and over word for word that there is LESS credibility not more.

Lisa

 

[MaryT777]

Obviously we disagree. We’ll see what the jury says.

I’ve already noted all the experts agree he will be acquitted and Jose Baez said a first year law student could win the case. It’s the defense’s to lose.

So then, the point is how can we prevent this in the future? If he’s not acquitted then the defense will be to blame. The “knock knock” joke doesn’t help one bit. Not ONE juror
laughed. It was simply disgusing at best and I imagine George Zimmerman himself was horrified,

It shows a cavalier, I don’t care, attitude when jokes are used in a trial such as this.

I’m sure this will update all neighborhood watch rules around the country lest they be sued as Zimmerman’s subdivivision was and forced to settle a wrongful death suit as they did.
That usually means you have dues go up if you pay such.

 

[Yerusalyim]

If homes in my neighborhood were being broken into I’d LOVE to have an armed group in the neighborhood…

Which brings us back to the real problem…houses were being broken into…police presence wasn’t strong enough in this area. The real culprits are the criminals robbing houses…it was this activity that set up this sad scenario.

 

[MaryT777]

He made a detour after he saw Martin acting suspicious. He wasn’t out looking for someone to hunt down and kill like you were implying.

Oh a detour…I never said he wanted to hunt down someone and kill them.
Lack of attention to details and inferences help understand your position.

 

[Yerusalyim]

Oh a detour…I never said he wanted to hunt down someone and kill them.
Lack of attention to details and inferences help understand your position.

You haven’t said it…but others have.

We have a tragic scenario here…an unarmed teen is dead…Zimmerman’s life…and that of his family…is forever changed regardless of the verdict…two people made grave errors that evening…I believe Zimmerman’s story…it was a tragic…tragic accident that could have been prevented had either party done things differently…or had neighbors went outside as soon as they heard the scuffle…this was clearly not 2nd degree murder…I don’t even think it was manslaughter…it was just a tragic mistake.

 

[MaryT777]

You haven’t said it…but others have.

We have a tragic scenario here…an unarmed teen is dead…Zimmerman’s life…and that of his family…is forever changed regardless of the verdict…two people made grave errors that evening…I believe Zimmerman’s story…it was a tragic…tragic accident that could have been prevented had either party done things differently…or had neighbors went outside as soon as they heard the scuffle…this was clearly not 2nd degree murder…I don’t even think it was manslaughter…it was just a tragic mistake.

I agree with the tragic mistake part. We should pray for both families. Someone showing up at your door to tell you your young child is dead is horrifying. So is going to trial
for what you at least considered was self defense. No one wins in this case .

With the president inciting racial issues the outcome could produce riots and he’ll be partially responsible for once again sticking his nose in where it doesn’t belong.
(that’s my personal opinion; I am no Obama fan though so I am biased greatly I admit)

 

[Yerusalyim]

I agree with the tragic mistake part. We should pray for both families. Someone showing up at your door to tell you your young child is dead is horrifying. So is going to trial
for what you at least considered was self defense. No one wins in this case .

With the president inciting racial issues the outcome could produce riots and he’ll be partially responsible for once again sticking his nose in where it doesn’t belong.
(that’s my personal opinion; I am no Obama fan though so I am biased greatly I admit)

I find nothing here I disagree with…

 

[EmperorNapoleon]

It wasn’t the 911 dispatcher. He called a non emergency number. The dispatcher asked for the address so they could send a patrol car. All of this has been testified to. He was asked if he were following Martin and he said yes. They dispatcher said “We don’t need you to do that” at which time I believe Zimmerman said something like those punks always get away. He did not say “I’m going to collar the guy!”

Lets look at two key excerpts of the call:

Zimmerman: We’ve had some break-ins in my neighborhood and there’s a real suspicious guy. It’s Retreat View Circle. The best address I can give you is 111 Retreat View Circle. This guy looks like he’s up to no good or he’s on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around looking about.

Dispatcher: OK, is he White, Black, or Hispanic?

Zimmerman: He looks black.

Dispatcher: Did you see what he was wearing?

Zimmerman: Yeah, a dark hoodie like a gray hoodie. He wore jeans or sweat pants and white tennis shoes. He’s here now … he’s just staring.

Dispatcher: He’s just walking around the area, the houses? OK.

Zimmerman: Now he’s staring at me.

Dispatcher: OK, you said that’s 1111 Retreat View or 111?

**Zimmerman:**That’s the clubhouse.

**Dispatcher:**He’s near the clubhouse now?

Zimmerman: Yeah…

All of this transpired before Zimmerman got out of the car. So, riddle me this: Why did Zimmerman need to get out of the car to allegedly look for an address when he already provided the address where Martin was walking to the Dispatcher? Unless of course he was following Martin in direct contradiction with his own statements and needed a different address. Lets continue.

Zimmerman: Yeah. You go in straight through the entrance and then you would go left. You go straight in, don’t turn and make a left. He’s running.

Dispatcher: He’s running? Which way is he running?

Zimmerman: Down toward the other entrance of the neighborhood.

Dispatcher: OK, which entrance is that he’s headed towards?

Zimmerman: The back entrance. [expletive] punks.

[audible sounds of unbuckling seatbelt and car door opening]

Dispatcher: Are you following him?

Zimmerman: Yeah.

**Dispatcher:**OK. We don’t need you to do that.

Indeed he was following Martin in direct contradiction with his statements. In fact, it is apparent in the remainder of the call that he was not looking for an address. He told the dispatcher that he didn’t know an address where he ended up next to the mailboxes (hello?), didn’t want to provide his own address, and just wanted to meet an officer where his truck was parked at the mailboxes. Next question: If Zimmerman was attacked by Martin while getting into his truck then how is it that the fight actually occurred on a side walk between two rows of buildings and practically on the other side of the complex from where the truck was parked?

 

[Dawnia]

Oh a detour…I never said he wanted to hunt down someone and kill them.
Lack of attention to details and inferences help understand your position.

Uh huh. Do you actually read what you write?

 

[ishii]

Folks, there is too much going on - with the economy, abortion, situation in Egypt, our corrupt president, immigration, assault on marriage, etc, - for me to get worked up over a media driven trumpt up circus of a trial.

Ishii

 

[MaryT777]

Lets look at two key excerpts of the call:

All of this transpired before Zimmerman got out of the car. So, riddle me this: Why did Zimmerman need to get out of the car to allegedly look for an address when he already provided the address where Martin was walking to the Dispatcher? Unless of course he was following Martin in direct contradiction with his own statements and needed a different address. Lets continue.

Indeed he was following Martin in direct contradiction with his statements. In fact, it is apparent in the remainder of the call that he was not looking for an address. He told the dispatcher that he didn’t know an address where he ended up next to the mailboxes (hello?), didn’t want to provide his own address, and just wanted to meet an officer by the mailboxes. Next question: If Zimmerman was attacked by Martin while getting into his truck then how is it that the fight actually occurred on a side walk between two rows of buildings and practically on the other side of the complex from where the truck was parked?

It’s bizarre he wouldn’t provide his own address; that’s been discussed as odd at best.

 

[Carlan]

Folks, there is too much going on - with the economy, abortion, situation in Egypt, our corrupt president, immigration, assault on marriage, etc, - for me to get worked up over a media driven trumpt up circus of a trial.

Ishii

Mr, you perhaps might if it were your precious 17 year old son shot to death. Peace, Carlan

 

[MaryT777]

Mr, you perhaps might if it were your precious 17 year old son shot to death. Peace, Carlan

Amen.

 

[rlg94086]

Mr, you perhaps might if it were your precious 17 year old son shot to death. Peace, Carlan

…or, if your loved one was being accused of being a racist and murdering someone he shot in self-defense.

 

[vz71]

Zimmerman followed and confronted Martin.

The only witness to the two meeting says otherwise.

Other witnesses arrived later on, but there was only one witness to the meeting.

 

[rlg94086]

You haven’t said it…but others have.

We have a tragic scenario here…an unarmed teen is dead…Zimmerman’s life…and that of his family…is forever changed regardless of the verdict…two people made grave errors that evening…I believe Zimmerman’s story…it was a tragic…tragic accident that could have been prevented had either party done things differently…or had neighbors went outside as soon as they heard the scuffle…this was clearly not 2nd degree murder…I don’t even think it was manslaughter…it was just a tragic mistake.

I feel the same way. I didn’t vote in the poll, because that isn’t an option from what I can tell.

 

[styrgwillidar]

It’s bizarre he wouldn’t provide his own address; that’s been discussed as odd at best.

Not really. He said he had lost the guy, didn’t know where he was, he could’ve been hiding near him for all Zimmerman knew and he didn’t want his address to be overheard.

 

[styrgwillidar]

He does have such a history:

“At an emergency homeowner’s association meeting on March 1, “one man was escorted out because he openly expressed his frustration because he had previously contacted the Sanford Police Department about Zimmerman approaching him and even coming to his home,” the resident wrote in an email to HuffPost. “It was also made known that there had been several complaints about George Zimmerman and his tactics” in his neighborhood watch captain role."

Well, it would be nice if that information is presented to the jury if true. It would have been stronger and more relevant testimony than anything that’s been presented.

 

[vz71]

I think there’s plenty of reason to doubt Zimmerman’s account. He clearly has not been telling the truth.

You are free to doubt it if you wish.
I do as well. But I do not think it nearly as nefarious as you.
I just distrust he has a good recollection to the events. Too many head shots, too much adrenalin, too many injuries, and shock.

However, without his testimony, we are left with his injuries and the testimony of the other witnesses. There is no indication that he confronted anyone and no evidence of it.
And there is plenty of doubt that Zimmerman broke any laws at all.

 

[vz71]

“Fairly” consistent is not a good enough when a man is dead.

Why not? Would you have him sent to prison simply because he does not live up to your standard for consistency?