The death almost a month ago of 17-year old Trayvon Martin at the hands of appointed neighborhood watch leader George Zimmerman has become a cause célèbre that has even drawn the notice of our President, who notes that if he had a son he would probably look like Trayvon.  I’m seeing some defending Zimmerman, and most demanding his head on a platter, and a whole lot of people who don’t understand how the justice system is geared to approach these things.

As I’ve said earlier in this blog, in answer to reader query, we don’t know enough about what happened to rush to judgment yet, whether that judgment is justified self-defense, murder, or manslaughter.  The police have made it clear that there is evidence that has not yet been made public, and may not be put forth until the Grand Jury examines the case next month.  Some issues:

The autopsy results, including toxicology screen, have not yet been released. If it turns out that the young man who died was fueled by drugs known to cause violent behavior, could that change our perceptions? That knowledge is not yet in our hands. (Reportedly, Zimmerman was not tested, and police indicate that he showed no signs of drug or alcohol impairment.) My advice to YOU if YOU’RE ever involved in a shooting: request to be taken to a hospital to have a blood sample and toxicology screen taken. A “negative for everything” result will prevent false allegations later that you were drunk or drugged-up when you pulled the trigger.

The death weapon was a Kel-Tec PF9 semiautomatic 9mm pistol. It has been reported that the gun was recovered with a full magazine and that only the chambered round had been fired. This is a condition we associate with something preventing the gun from cycling a fresh round from the magazine into the chamber after the shot was discharged. One thing that can cause that is another man’s hand wrapped around the pistol, retarding its slide mechanism.  This would indicate, as could certain gunshot residue patterns or cuts in certain places if found on Trayvon Martin’s hand(s), that a struggle for a gun was taking place when the fatal shot was fired. This would clearly change the shape of the case. But – WE DON’T KNOW YET.

Both men, according to initial reports, were “squeaky clean” in terms of their background. We now know, meh, not so much.  There were allegations of domestic abuse against Zimmerman, and a conviction for resisting arrest, in his past. Young Mr. Martin was in the complex in the first place so his dad could straighten him out after being kicked out of school for a week…for what, we don’t know.

Pundits who don’t all seem to understand the concept are tying this shooting in to Florida’s Stand Your Ground law much more than they should. There is conflicting evidence/testimony as to whether Martin approached Zimmerman or vice versa in the penultimate moments before the physical fight that led to the fatal shot.  There is, in short, not yet enough information for any of us outside the investigation to formulate a solid opinion.

Update: Turns out that the Trayvon Martin Facebook page mentioned here last night was the wrong Trayvon Martin; that has been deleted with my apologies, and thanks to those who flagged me to the error.  Also, HuffPost reports that Trayvon had been suspended for chronic truancy, but another source notes that his school’s posted rules do not prescribe that length of suspension for that minor an offense. Meanwhile, the college George Zimmerman had been attending has suspended HIM, due to the current controversy.

My advice? Let’s all “stand our ground,” not participate in the rush to judgment, and wait for the facts and the evidence to become available to us 300 million jurors in the Court of Public Opinion.

1 COMMENT

  1. Dsedicatd Dad is right in that no one has all the facts an this is being portayed as a man killing a small child. I’ve seen other blogs reffering to parents telling their 8 and 12 yrolds to be careful. If the boy was 8 yrs old I’m sur zimmerman would not have gone after him. Was it right for him to chase down Trayvon probably not he could have ben armed and gotten harmed himself I think the point of dedicated dad and this article is that people and the media are making this tragedy fit. Political agenda or racial agendas. Its okay for black panthers to put out reward to kill Z? Let me buy some skittles and sport a hoodie and join that protest! We need to stop being sheeple and look at the whole picture.

  2. Much discussion ’bout this over at Gun Rights Media.org. Many are quick to hang Zimmerman, but some of us have been digging for all the info we could find (and it ain’t from the talking heads on TV!), so we’re now tossing out theories based on what we’ve been able to find.

    I think I have enough info now that I now have my own idea of what happened (Neighborhood watch, past records, hoodies are irrelevant):
    1. Zimmerman driving home from errands etc (did not leave his house and hop in vehicle to go ‘on patrol’).
    2. He sees Trayvon and follows in his vehicle.
    3. Trayvon runs, Zimmerman leaves his vehicle to pursue, but after being told “we don’t need you to do that”, he replies “Okay” and breaks off pursuit (based on his breathing going from heavy to normal during 911 call).
    4. Trayvon returns to Zimmerman’s position (if Zimmerman broke off pursuit, how else could they have met?)
    5. Trayvon asks Zimmerman “why you following me?” (on recording)
    6. Zimmerman asks Trayvon “why are you in this neighborhood?” (on recording)
    7. Scuffle breaks out (on recording, but who initiated still unknown).
    8. Trayvon apparently gets the better of Zimmerman and has him on the ground.
    9. Zimmerman shoots (we don’t know where in the entire encounter the gun came out).

    Based on what appear to be the facts in the case, I’m guessing the above is 70 to 80% correct, but the last 20% is what will (or should) determine this case?

    1. We don’t know when the gun came out. If Zimmerman pulled the gun early in the encounter (after Trayvon questioned him, or after he questioned Trayvon), advantage Trayvon (he had a right to defend himself).
    2. If Trayvon was the one who initiated the attack immediately after Zimmerman asked him what he was doing in the neighborhood, advantage Zimmerman (he has a right to defend himself), and I have no problem with the gun coming out if it was done while Zimmerman was on the ground with Trayvon getting the better of him.

    I’d have to see an explanation, but at this point I’m not believing Zimmerman’s story that he was attacked from behind, based on the phone conversation (someone initiated physical contact almost before Zimmerman could finish his question to Trayvon). I’m assuming Zimmerman was facing Trayvon while they were each questioning the other. I guess Zimmerman could have turned away as he was finishing his question, or could have been asking it as he turned to walk away, but under the circumstances, I find it unlikely.

    AFA the cuts on the (back of?) head, I still don’t know where they came from, if it even matters whether they were on the front/back, but at this point I’m thinking they probably didn’t come from a sucker punch from the rear.

  3. Such passions. To me, the only time it is ethical for me to use a gun in self-defense is if my efforts to not use a gun are futile. In my mind, the very first effort I should make, given nobody is being threatened and no crime seems to be taking place is to turn around and walk the other way. Certainly, if I was following someone who just “looks suspicious”, in my mind that makes me the person who instigates the incident if one occurs. That’s what you have phones for.

    There are too many people out there who want to fix bayonets and get the bad guy. The right of firearms ownership and of self defense also carry with them significant responsibilites. If you are going to claim and exercise the right, then you, by default, also bear the responsibility. Shooting unarmed kids is irresponsible on it’s face and should have been investigated to a much greater depth a month ago. It’s crap like this that threaten gains that have taken decades to acheive.

  4. I am a 65 year old woman. If I were followed by George Zimmerman,at night, as I walked alone, and I had a gun with me, I would, if he persisted in approaching nearer to me, shoot him with nary a qualm. I would then finish my walk home and notify police I had stood my ground.
    George Zimmerman’s medical report from the night of the murder is important. I would be interested in the type of injuries he sustained while “defending” himself. Certainly the Sanford Police had him evaluated by a physician immediately. Trayvon’s Autopsy report will provide important evidence also. It’s not cut and dry, despite all the passionate outbursts. There seems to be plenty of solid evidence to tell the tale

  5. To me, this whole terrible thing does an injustice to anyone who is involved in a self defense shooting in the immediate future, if they’re in the right. No matter the circumstances, Zimmerman is an IDIOT! His actions were so stupid he deserved to get his ass beaten……Can you imagine how threatened young Martin felt? I’ve worked in sworn law enforcement, as have most of my family, and have no sympathy for criminals of any degree. But this Zimmerman is a wannabe POS. If I’m involved in a righteous shooting to defend me or mine, I don’t want this turd’s actions coloring the legal determinations of my actions. If I were Zimmerman I would relocate far, far away and change my name and alter my looks.

    ps This evening I wore a hoodie while walking the dogs on a stormy, rainy evening. But I did have a G19 in my belt…….and I KNOW the rules.

  6. As for this particular case we as Americans all want a proper investigation which would be done. I don’t think protesting, making all this public out cry was needed, it was under investigation by the Sanford Police Department and being turned over to the local States Attorneys Office for their objective investigation. Every citizen of the State of Florida or any other state for that matter gets that treatment, we don’t get special prosecutors, FDLE, FBI, Justice Department and the President of the United States to help us when we are victims of crime. I was a police officer for 25 years and NEVER recall a President of this country ever getting involved or saying anything about how a local police department handled matters such as Cambridge Police Sgt. with the beer summit and this kind of case. He has more important things to worry about like two wars going on, the brink of WW III, the brink of an economic melt down….

    This case needed time to investigate and come to a conclusion as to what happened that night and will criminal charges be brought or not.
    Also the Stand Your Ground Law does not apply here but it is an excellent law that was long overdue and needed. Every human being has the basic right to defend themselves without having to retreat and while retreating many people use to get killed. Many people have used this law since it has came out to save their lives and at least 20 other states have adopted it.

  7. @Long Island Mike: I did not misspeak sir.

    I misunderstood, Mike. I thought you were referring to the police as lynching Zimmerman. My apologies.

  8. Mas, I just read Michael Bane’s blog posts for Friday and Saturday. Another voice of sanity in the wilderness. I think they bear reading.

  9. First of all “Thank-You Mr. Ayoob, for adding some Clear-Thinking, (And some darn Good Advice); to this shooting that happened in Florida. As for the President (that has a Law degree) and knowing that whatever he says “As a Leader of the U.S. would add Fuel to the Fire, to come out and say “If I had a son, it would look like Trayvon Martin! That is so wrong, for a President of the U.S.A. To come out and say this, without knowing the facts; is wrong and dangerous to Mr. Zimmerman’s “Constitutional Rights. How about if someone said “If the guy down the street from me “That is serving 25 to life for murder” had a son, he would look like Trayvon Martin! This falls under An Old-Saying “Same shoe, but on a different foot.

  10. For those who haven’t read the Florida aw that matter right now…
    Title XLVI
    CRIMES Chapter 776
    JUSTIFIABLE USE OF FORCE View Entire Chapter

     776.032 Immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action for justifiable use of force.—
     (1)A person who uses force as permitted in s. 776.012, s. 776.013, or s. 776.031 is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force, unless the person against whom force was used is a law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 943.10(14), who was acting in the performance of his or her official duties and the officer identified himself or herself in accordance with any applicable law or the person using force knew or reasonably should have known that the person was a law enforcement officer. As used in this subsection, the term “criminal prosecution” includes arresting, detaining in custody, and charging or prosecuting the defendant.
     (2)A law enforcement agency may use standard procedures for investigating the use of force as described in subsection (1), but the agency may not arrest the person for using force unless it determines that there is probable cause that the force that was used was unlawful.
     (3)The court shall award reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs, compensation for loss of income, and all expenses incurred by the defendant in defense of any civil action brought by a plaintiff if the court finds that the defendant is immune from prosecution as provided in subsection (1).
    History.—s. 4, ch. 2005-27.

  11. @Joshua : Whoah! I think you got a little carried away there. Unless they’re going to hang Zimmerman from a tree without a trial and then cut his genitals off, they’re not LITERALLY lynching him, and it is DEFINITELY different than the KKK. Let’s be respectful to the people who were actually lynched by not “taking their name in vain” as it were.

    -The Black Panthers (new) have placed a 10,000 dollar bounty on Zimmerman’s head.

    http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/os-trayvon-martin-new-black-panthers-protest-20120324,0,1231157.story

    “When asked whether he was inciting violence, Muhammad replied defiantly saying: “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

    -Clearly no one’s jumping to conclusions, and obviously there aren’t any crazy radicals out there who would take Mr. Muhammad’s offer a little too seriously.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AySYPMy1Ejw

    “The muder of Trayvon Martin and the failure to arrest his killer, the Sanford Police lying about George Zimmerman’s prior record and attempts to coach witnesses sends a message to our Black children…..

    Black men must send their own message to the George Zimmerman’s of the world if justice is not served in this case…….nuff said.”

    “Creepy ass, vigilante Zimmerman followed and then chased Martin. He lost him and somehow they ran into each other in the apartment complex. Martin punched Zimmerman in the nose and Zimmerman fell on the ground and hit the back of his head. Zimmerman then shot Martin. Zimmerman should have stayed his bitch ass in the car, or took his ass beatin like a man. He was getting beat up and punked out and shot the man. He should have stayed his bitch ass in the car, his hoecake ass need to go to jail.”

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrJNKZLVlPA
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISN1RCxko2Q

    -And there aren’t any individuals who would respond to racially charged situations with suggested violence, epithets, and death-threats.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/21/gainesville-high-school-s_n_1290929.html?ref=mostpopular

    “this sensitivity — or sometimes, lack thereof — seems to create a bit of an identity crisis among schoolchildren. Some black students say they feel ostracized for acting “too white.” One Connecticut middle school student said he was stabbed in the back with a pencil by a peer who thought he wasn’t acting “black enough.”

    or worse.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1uz1wGZzgs

    See? The black community just isn’t capable of producing a knee-jerk overreaction like vigilante justice or mob violence, especially on issues pertaining to race. That only happens with “other groups”. No one with any grasp of the real world would ever suggest something like that as even being possible. 🙂

    Zimmerman, guilty or not guilty, has nothing to worry about whatsoever. This media feeding frenzy is perfectly harmless, as always. 🙂

  12. Amazing how much info about what happened in this incident many of the posters here have, when they weren’t there. Most of them could join with al sharpton calling it murder, when they still don’t know jack. Like Mas says, and he knows from many long years of experience, wait until the investigation is finished. Only then will we know what happened.

  13. “at the hands of appointed neighborhood watch leader George Zimmerman”

    I’ll grant you a simple typo with [“self-appointed”]. But Neighborhood Watch really had nothing to do with it at all.

    George WheresZimmerWaldoman dropped the nationwide org’s name a lot, but that is the only connection. In Zimmerman’s mind, where he was still too afraid to actually go to the police academy. Besides, he could grant himself unlimited “authoritah” playing at being an indy cop in the gated community.

    He was “leader” of no one and nothing. He was alone, not even working for the gated community as an official volunteer security guard. Just a guy with a car, a gun, and lots of bad preconceptions about who he is and who Trayvon was.

    The reason Zimmerman didn’t become a real Neighborhood Watch Block Captain is the same: too restrictive, didn’t allow for his (1) armed (2)patrolling or (3) confrontational habits. None of it. There is and was no Neighborhood Watch program there according to national.

    There was only frustrated George in the gated community, aching for a badge and the power and legal authority to shoot many bad guys.

    Thanks to Florida, his play-acting didn’t have any preventative or corrective intermediate step like “avoid the danger, don’t seek more of it,” so when he thought wrongly that he had intercepted a criminal who didn’t belong there, he did everything wrong. The proof is he is essentially uninjured but he killed an unarmed 14-year-old boy half his size and weight, never has said anything lke Trayvon had a weapon, he, just some guy, closely tailed and followed a pubescent boy armed with a gun, and kept it up till he was fine and the child was dead.

    Without training, he handled it all wrong. He was even unwilling to listen to the 911 operator tell him clearly not to follow. There should have been no pursuit because there was no crime.

    Nobody helped George out and said, “unless you are armed and imagine you know better than the pros, again, George.” He had no right or cause to stalk him, to hunt, corner, and kill him for no reason except his own imaginary fears inside his head, his clear-cut racial profiling, and the fact that he spoke and acted like a law-ignorant thug, eager to shoot someone.

    And then his father started with his lying, starting by saying George never followed Treyvon.

  14. Just two my pennyworth; but I 100% agree with Mas post, stick to the facts and not opinion.

    And it is difficult to tell what a fact is under these circumstances; “allegedly said/did/heard/saw” can all too easily become “said/did/heard/saw.” And even reliable sources like Mas’ blog can make mistakes. 🙁

    Just to clarify the “Stand your ground” laws; do they mean that if someone breaks into your home there is no legal requirement for you to retreat, or deescalate, the situation? Is that correct? And is this relevant when a home owner goes outside their home?

    Anyhow something we can all 100% agree on is to hope, and pray if that’s your want, that the truth will out and that justice will be done.

  16. Lets be real, if the shooter was black his fate would have already been decided. This whole stand your ground law in this case is a joke. Do you really think that they would say this for a black killing a white, or any other race.
    Another thing, we get one black president and individuals mainly whites, always have something negative to say. Lets flip the script, we have always had white presidents and look at what shape they left us in. So who,s really messing up?

  17. A grand jury should be looking at this stuff. The media has a track record presenting only those facts that sell stuff. WE also have those with a track record of speaking out before all the facts are out in order to gain support for themselves. WE also have those that will not be happy unless some sort of mess is stirred up in a major election year.

    We need to ask this question aloud: “If people choose to riot and people are hurt as a result… is it anybody but the rioters fault?” I don’t see this really beining about Mister Zimmerman right or wrong… I see him being used as a convient excuse to create the next LA style riot in order to leverage power brokering for profit. Can you not hear somebody saying for a million dollars I can see you don’t have a riot?

  18. Now that The “New” Black Panther Party has issued a $10,000 “bounty” on Mr. Zimmerman’s head, where is the organized out-cry of “Racism” over this despicable reaction?

  19. I think the Black Panthers $10,000 bounty on Mr. Zimmerman is totally Illegal. That in itself is insightful of a hate crime, violation of Mr. Zimmerman’s Civil rights, why does the FBI not investigate them for trying to become the law enforcement authoritativeness interfering with Government business…
    Where is all the media attention complaining about that bounty???
    I feel it is totally wrong to try to make a citizen arrest when a case in under an investigation, that is only for some in progress situation of holding someone there until police arrive. Not for hunting down and arresting every US Citizen who you feel has committed a crime. We are getting a totally one sided Liberal media biased spin on this, they are lynching Mr.Zimmerman in the press.

  21. It occurred to me that, if after the Grand Jury meets and fails to return an indictment, we will never really know what happened. Grand Juries usually are done in secret. Only if they Do return an indictment and a trial takes place, will the truth really come out. This could be a long drawn out media circus. Since the President has decided to latch on to this unfortunate shooting and use it as a stepping stone to a second term, this pot could easily keep boiling until the next election.

  22. I see alot of free shopping at the Walmarts and Targets after the aquital. Lol going to be a splended spring or summer this year. And yes this is about gun control and nothing else…… Nobody would have said anything if the boy was white and the man was black. This is race politics by the left. Good luck everybody hopefully it dont get ugly!

  23. Trayvon Martin was NOT suspended for tardiness according his parents in a report by the Miami Herald. He was suspended for something akin to trespassing. The rumor in Miami is that he was frequently suspended. Here is the Miami Herald account:

    “Trayvon had nonviolent behavioral issues in school, and on the day he was killed, he had been suspended for 10 days from Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School in North Miami-Dade.

    ‘He was not suspended for something dealing with violence or anything like that. It wasn’t a crime he committed, but he was in an unauthorized area [on school property],’ Martin [his father] said, declining to offer more details.”

    Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/22/2708960/trayvon-martin-a-typical-teen.html

  24. This case is rife with misinformation put forth in the news media, because most media outlets have been reprehensively biased in the coverage.
    Putting aside the urine-poor job of the media, a question comes to mind: How did an out of shape and overweight Zimmerman chase down a high school football player? That makes absolutely no sense. Recall the claims of Martin’s girlfriend…she claimed to be on the phone with Martin and advised him to run. If he ran or even walked fast, Zimmerman would be in no shape to catch Martin. Also recall that Zimmerman claimed to have been going back to his vehicle, after he lost sight of Martin. Putting these together, it appears Martin started the confrontation, not Zimmerman.
    I would like to agree with Mas, that we wait until the investigation is completed but I have a feeling that facts will not matter. Anyone recall the name Richard Jewell? How about the Duke Lacross team? Don’t expect the feds to do any better job of investigation either. The track record of the F.B.I. is nothing to brag about. Too many irresponsible politicians on the state and federal level have already jumped on the lynching train, without facts in hand. I seriously doubt Zimmerman will get a fair trial, if it comes to that. The politicians will do whatever they have to in order to avoid riots. Facts be damned.

  25. I wish Zimmerman went to one of your classes.

    I wonder if the fact that Zimmerman had a gun made him more likely to track Martin.

    Some Quotes from Mas

    “Don’t Let The Gun Make You Reckless
    Circa 1970, armed citizen Richard Davis invented the Second Chance vest, concealable body armor that for the first time could be worn constantly on duty, under the uniform, by any police officer. Some alarmists speculated that “being made bulletproof” would cause cops to become reckless. Those fears turned out to be totally unfounded. As any officer who has worn armor can attest, the vest is a constant reminder of danger and, if anything, makes its wearer more cautious.

    It is much the same with concealed firearms in the hands of responsible private citizens. People unfamiliar with the practice fear that “the trigger will pull the finger,” and armed citizens will go looking for a chance to exercise their deadly power. This, too, is a largely unfounded belief.

    The collective experience of ordinary, law-abiding people who carry guns is that they don’t feel a sudden urge to go into Central Park at three o’clock in the morning and troll for muggers. They learn that being armed, they are held to what the law calls “a higher standard of care” and are expected to avoid situations like traffic arguments that could escalate and, with a deadly weapon present, turn into killing situations.

    Like an officer’s body armor, the armed citizen’s gun is a reminder of danger, a symbol of the need for caution. The late, great big game hunter and gun writer Finn Aagard once wrote, “Yet my pistol is more than just security. Like an Orthodox Jewish yarmulke or a Christian cross, it is a symbol of who I am, what I believe, and the moral standards by which I live.”

    Know What You’re Doing
    You wouldn’t drive an automobile without knowing the rules of the road. Do not keep or carry lethal weapons for defense without knowing the rules of engagement. It is a myth to believe that you can shoot anyone in your home. When Florida rescinded the requirement to retreat before using deadly force if attacked in public, the anti-gun Brady Center introduced a publicity campaign claiming that the new law allowed Floridians to shoot anyone who frightened them. This, of course, was blatantly untrue, but a great many people believed it to be so because “they heard it on TV” or “they saw it in the paper.” Such dangerous misconceptions can cause the tragic death of people who don’t deserve to be shot, and can get good people sent to prison.

    It is the practitioner’s responsibility to “learn the rules of the road” when they take the path toward armed self-defense. There are many firearms training schools, and at least one, the author’s Lethal Force Institute, specializes in teaching the rules of engagement. Information is available under the LFI section at http://www.ayoob.com. It is wise to take local classes that emphasize the rules of “deadly force decision-making.”

    At the very least, once you’ve found a carry gun that works for your needs, it’s a good idea to acquire another that’s identical or at least very similar. If you have to use the first gun for self-defense, it will go into evidence for some time, and you want something you can immediately put on to protect yourself from vengeful cronies of the criminal you were forced to shoot. If the primary gun has to go in for repair, you don’t want to be helpless or carrying something less satisfactory while you’re waiting to get it back.

    Use Common Sense
    The gun carries with it the power of life and death. That power belongs only in the hands of responsible people who care about consequences, who are respectful of life and limb and human safety. Carrying a gun is a practice that is becoming increasingly common among ordinary American citizens. Common sense must always accompany it.”

  26. Another factor: NIGHT. What time of night was it when this happened? For all those yelling “hate crime,” could they tell the difference between a black kid in a hoodie and a white kid in a hoodie at that time of night?

  27. It is plainly obvious that many of you posting here have no powers of reason, that you have already made up your mind. If you study the actual evidence, this kid made his bed. Should he have died?

    Who really knows? None of us were there, none of us know what really transpired. To make up your mind one way or the other only serves to illustrate your ignorance.

  29. Wow, what a hornet’s nest this situation has stirred up. While most of the respondent’s to this blog have been calm and rational, there are a few wild eyed fanatics, all on the left, who are already convinced George Zimmerman is guilty of premeditated murder by viciously gunning down an alledgedly scrawny little black kid minding his own business. What happened to “innocent until proven guilty”? George Zimmerman has not even been arrested and charged yet, much less on trial and yet the liberal media and left wing kooks have already convicted him because he’s not particuliarly bright and attractive, plus he shares the same first name as their most hated former President, W.

    We have to let the system, however imperfect, work towards resolving this incident. Maybe Zimmerman was justified in shooting Martin, and maybe he wasn’t, but we will have to wait and find out. It is totally irresponsible and even criminal to advocate for and declare a bounty to have someone assassinated because he did something unpopular in the eyes of the public, especially that section of the population who sees themselves as the downtrodden and disadvantaged masses in this country. Those folks are just waiting for any excuse to cause trouble and get free stuff as in the aftermath of the Rodney King incident and many others of that type.

    This case is much more than just a shooting involving a white and black person, however it eventually turns out. It is about rational people vs fanatic savages urged on by the liberal media and hate fueled groups like the Black Panthers and Nation of Islam who seek the destruction of our nation. George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin are merely pawns in the liberal agenda to radically change society in America. If Zimmerman is proven in court to have murdered Martin, then he should get what he deserves, hard time in prison. But if he’s proven innocent, he should remain free and not live in fear for his safety from criminal groups who want him dead.

    Please, someone give “dede” a dictionary and explain how to use that little dot between words, also known as a period. I do believe he/she has set the world’s record for the longest, all capital lettered sentence. The prize should be some grammar lessons.

  30. I am grateful and in agreement with Mr. Ayoob’s lucid comments. However, given we all have our theories, I’ll share a few which seem to me fair to both parties. It was reported that it was raining at the time. Martin was most likely cutting between houses to get out of the weather and get back in time for the rest of the game on TV. Teenage kids (especially boys) do this all the time and when I was young I did the same. In Zimmerman’s eyes he was trespassing and casing houses. Under the circumstances, had I been Martin, my first reaction at being spotted or even called out to would have been to keep moving and ditch the guy. However, there seems to have been a point where Zimmerman headed him off, using his vehicle, perhaps. As Martin, at this point, I would have considered giving up my attempt to flee, engage Zimmerman and try to explain myself. After all I’ve done nothing wrong but I know I look suspicious. Zimmerman around or shortly before this time exited the vehicle thoroughly P.O.ed or excited or both and began pursuit on foot determined to apprehend the “suspicious “trespasser”. It is entirely possible Zimmerman (out of breath or not) was in no mood for explanations and was determined to physically detain Martin. If I had decided to “stop and explain” only to be met with an attempt to grab me, I’d have exploded with fear, rage, and incredulity and fought for my life doing my best imitation of a Honey Badger! Ultimately, in their wildest dreams, I don’t think either Zimmerman or Martin thought it would end the way it did. Neither entirely guilty or innocent. A horrible tragedy (for all involved) precipitated by preconceptions, misunderstanding, and both parties not respecting the right to personal private space.

  31. I failed to mention the despicable Black Panthers move. That’s more than a threat and should be aggressively pursued by the F.B.I.

  32. As a Jewess in the US, I can only say the the lynch-mob hysteria now being stirred up by the Monolithic Media is but one more reason why all REAL Americans now put our 2nd Amendment FIRST!!

  33. The reason Zimmerman was not drug-tested or BAC tested is because the police did not have probably cause to do so. He claimed self-defense, had wounds and there wwas an eye-witness account corroborating his story, and he exhibited no signs of being under the influence. WHile it would have been helpful to his cause if he had voluntarily requested it, unless there is a policy of FL statute requiring it, the police are actually FORBIDDEN by the bill of rights from doing so, as it would constitute unreasonable search and seizure. Just my $0.02

  34. If i remember correctly and i may not but i believe is is illegal for ANYONE, even the Police, to own a gun if they have a domestic abuse conviction. So Zimmerman would NOT have been able to get a CCW which he did have. Cops ere being fired because of that.

  37. @Fruitbat: Just to clarify the “Stand your ground” laws; do they mean that if someone breaks into your home there is no legal requirement for you to retreat, or deescalate, the situation? Is that correct? And is this relevant when a home owner goes outside their home?

    Obviously, Mas is the person in the room most qualified to answer this question, but until he speaks up, I’ll do my best to answer your question.

    I believe that the description you provide above accurately describes “castle doctrine,” not “stand-your-ground”. Castle doctrine has, at least in some cases, and possibly generally, been found to also apply to one’s yard, driveway, and so forth. I just read about a case in PA where a person was attacked in his yard and shot one of his attackers. The article pointed out that, although castle doctrine probably wasn’t required in this case, it would have applied.

    Stand-your-ground takes castle doctrine one step further by positing that, as long as you are somewhere where you have a legal right to be (e.g. in public, on the street, at a park, whatever), you have no duty to retreat. If you reasonably feel threatened, you may defend yourself with lethal force.

  38. While most of the respondent’s to this blog have been calm and rational, there are a few wild eyed fanatics, all on the left

    In case you care, when you write sentences like this, you alienate people like me. I abhor the left/right dichotomy and think that it has done more harm to our political climate than nearly anything else you can name. But I identify with a lot of things that are associated with liberals, and so when I read statements like this, I think that you mean them to apply to me. Even if you were to respond, “Oh, well, you haven’t been a wild-eyed cook. I’m not talking about you.” That’s kind of like saying, “You’re not one of those gang-banging n***ers. You’re a NICE black person.” Thanks. I’m still offended. All I’m saying is, I think there is a lot that everyone who comments on this blog can agree on, and it doesn’t really contribute positively to the tone of the conversation to start bringing a bunch of left-vs-right political bullshit into it.

  39. “Let’s all “stand our ground,” not participate in the rush to judgment, and wait for the facts and the evidence to become available to us 300 million jurors in the Court of Public Opinion.”

    Goodness Mas, don’t you realize that would require intelligent, rational thinking…

    Dann in Ohio

  40. This is a picture of the actual Trayvon Martin, the one from Miami Gardens, not Georgia.

    http://i.imgur.com/ahztA.jpg

    It is ridiculous that the mainstream media refuse to air this photo. I know they have it, because I have sent it to every one possible.
    The only news site who has run the picture is Drudge Report, and I sent it to him. Kudos to Drudge for trying to bring some balance to the reporting.

    It seems to me that this is a self-defense case based on the witness’ statement regarding the fight and George Zimmerman’s injuries. Once Trayvon had Z on the ground in a supine position and continued beating him past the point of Z calling for help, he became the aggressor.

    The standard for lethal force in Florida is to prevent serious bodily injury or death, and a sustained beating to the head while it’s resting on the ground meets that standard. They stop UFC fights when a fighter is in that position. Why? Because you can die that way. Trayvon Martin did not stop, and got shot for it. He should have shown some class, sad to say, stopped the beating and run the 70 yards to his home.

  42. Was or was not GZ a member of an official police neighborhood watch; or a volunteer patrol person or what? In our state/county, volunteers cannot carry a weapon whether or not they have a CCW. Now I can see why.

  43. Mas: One for your next column.

    http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/03/1_dead_1_injured_in_marthas_vi.html

    The story that I’m hearing is lady fears estranged husband. Files for a restraining order. Judge denies. Husband breaks into house, and attempts to kill wife with shotgun. Despite being wounded, wife returns fire and terminates threat.

    This woman is a hero, and her story should be told around the world. Bet her self esteem is roaring right now!

  44. Facebook pictures and school suspension is totally irrelevant here,what matters is someone is dead and someone else is living freely.I agree a conclusion drawn at this time would be prematurely but as in another case the shooter normally doesn’t escpae from being charged which is what is making the case such an outrage.However,the Stand Your Ground Law has little to do with it,Zimmerman aka Rent a Cop took it upon hisself to follow after being asked not to.God knows what happened so even if Justice isn’t served vengeance is the Lord’s!

  46. I remember here in Panama City, FL a few years ago when Martin Lee Anderson died in the Bay County”s boot camp for juveniles. Governor Charlie Crist paid the Anderson family just under seven million dollars. The black community all over the south raised hell, blaming the guards of murder. All of the guards were found not guilty in a court of law. Martin Lee Anderson died of cicle cell, a disease he had since birth, and his family knew.

  47. People are painting Zimmerman as a psychotic Jewish man, and the teen as an innocent child.

    Lets all wait for the facts

  48. I would say that Martin’s unalienable Rights were being deprived by Zimmerman. After all we can all agree that we want to be left alone, stay out of my business. I think this is not the case when my actions infringe on your rights. We fought to major wars in this country for I argue, the same reason that Martin may have fought Zimmerman.

    Martin now no longer has either Life or Liberty.

    “The 17th-century cleric and philosopher Richard Cumberland wrote in 1672 that promoting the well-being of our fellow humans is essential to the “pursuit of our own happiness.”[2] John Locke, in his 1689 “A Letter Concerning Toleration,” wrote that “Civil interest I call life, liberty, health, and indolency of body; and the possession of outward things…” Locke wrote in his 1693 Essay Concerning Human Understanding that “the highest perfection of intellectual nature lies in a careful and constant pursuit of true and solid happiness.” [3] The first and second article of the Virginia Declaration of Rights adopted unanimously by the Virginia Convention of Delegates on June 12, 1776 and written by George Mason, is:
    That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.

    The United States Declaration of Independence, which was primarily drafted by Jefferson, was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The text of the second section of the Declaration of Independence reads:
    We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
    An analysis of Jefferson’s use of this phrase was provided by Garry Wills, in his book Inventing America: Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence.[7] While arguing against the commonly held belief that Jefferson took this phrase – but lightly – from Locke’s “life, liberty, and property”, Wills also argues against the belief that Jefferson was merely offering some vapid nicety, to which the government could not be held to account:
    When Jefferson spoke of pursuing happiness, he had nothing vague or private in mind. He meant a public happiness which is measurable; which is, indeed, the test and justification of any government.”

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life,_liberty_and_the_pursuit_of_happiness

  49. Orlando Sentinel has Zimmerman’s side of story–case gets even more complicated.
    http://tinyurl.com/cubcgvq

    Yahoo News has similar news but includes Zimmerman’s claim that Martin went for his gun.
    http://gma.yahoo.com/trayvon-martin-shooter-told-cops-teenager-went-gun-030349812–abc-news.html

    ABC News has reason for suspension from a Martin family spokesperson.
    http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/family-spokesman-trayvon-martin-suspended-school-pot-residue-16004108

  50. Mr. Z belonged to a block watch group. There is a perfect right of every community to form such a group when under attack by the criminal element or else threatened. If you think otherwise than I will just have to disagree. I have lived in drug infested neighborhoods, I only wish folks had the balls to form a counter group back then. A community doesn’t have to have a vote on a block watch. Folks just need to gather together and do it. If you don’t like your neighbors trying to protect themselves, and you, then move the heck out. Alaska has lots of open acreage.

    I just happen to be reading “negroes with guns” by Robert Williams about the under reported ARMED civil rights movement. Folks of any color have a right to protect themselves by any means necessary. That applies to the individual and the group. Just because others or the police (who may in fact be racists like Bull Connors, or corrupt like in New Orleans) frown on it. The state doesn’t have your best interests in mind.

    BTW in the continuing storm of misinformation, I have heard that Mr. Z was the one out on an errand. He wasn’t on “patrol” by himself. This may turn out to be a pure chance encounter that ended up bad. As Joe Biden might say, No Big F’g Deal. It happens every stinking day on the highway. Heck it happens every day in Chicago. 50 people shot just last weekend there. No biggie to the commie left. No MSM coverage at all.

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