FL - George Zimmerman injured in Lake Mary shooting, police say

[kimlynn]

Oh brother. Now I have heard it all.

Do you think Zimmerman helped the situation with his actions?

 

[jjenny]

Two Stupid macho men, losers with guns, looking for trouble.
If, I was George Zimmerman, I would be thanking my stars that I am not in jail for the rest of my life.

But, instead of putting his head down and appreciating his second chance at a good life, George Zimmerman continues to invite trouble.

I no longer agree with his innocent verdict. Damn. He must have had a good lawyer.

Seriously? The only thing Zimmerman seems to be guilty of here is driving in his truck and minding his own business.

 

[RANCH]

If there are no witnesses that support Zimmerman's version of the event, I doubt that the State's Attorney will prosecute Apperson.

They will not be able to win on Zimmerman's word alone. JMO.

 

[sonjay]

Well he probably shouldn't have laughed at MA and called him a clown. That didn't help matters.

I'm still not convinced GZ didn't show his weapon but it is what it is.

"You remember me, you fat motherf***er? You owe me your life. The only reason I didn't press charges on you is because I wanted to kill you myself."

According to the police report, that's what Apperson yelled at Zimmerman before Zimmerman laughed and called him a clown.

Are you seriously suggesting that if Zimmerman hadn't laughed and called him a clown, that Apperson would have just gone his merry way and left Zimmerman alone?

 

[RANCH]

Of course not. I said as much in my second post. But people do shoot with little provocation and I'm sure GZ didn't help by jeering or mocking the guy.

I agree that it wasn't a smart thing for Zimmerman to do. At the same time it won't help Apperson much. Being called names is not a valid reason for shooting at someone. JMO.

 

[ohreally]

I don't understand this statement by Mark Nejame.



Why does Nejame think that LE arrested his client solely on the basis of Zimmerman's statements? At least that's what I get out of his statement to the press. Is he trying to say that LE didn't investigate this case before arresting his client and just took Zimmerman's word for what happened?

Or is he saying that LE is picking on his client because he invoked his right to not speak to police?

I'm not sure what Mark's point is here. Doesn't seem usual to me. JMO.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/investigators-question-family-in-zimmerman-shooting/33049616

On WKMG local news Nejame said that they were expecting this because his client has not given a statement so they have only heard one side of the story, GZ's.
I understand that he has the right not to talk to make a statement, but why would a person do this if they can make a statement that might clear them?

 

[kimlynn]

"You remember me, you fat motherf***er? You owe me your life. The only reason I didn't press charges on you is because I wanted to kill you myself."

According to the police report, that's what Apperson yelled at Zimmerman before Zimmerman laughed and called him a clown.

Are you seriously suggesting that if Zimmerman hadn't laughed and called him a clown, that Apperson would have just gone his merry way and left Zimmerman alone?

I found that part rather humorous and all I'm saying is that GZ didn't help by engaging MA. In road rage cases it is advised that you avoid even making eye contact with a motorist that is angry or in a rage.
I am aware that MA has issues with GZ but GZ didn't help by responding.

 

[KEVINinTO]

I don't understand this statement by Mark Nejame.



Why does Nejame think that LE arrested his client solely on the basis of Zimmerman's statements? At least that's what I get out of his statement to the press. Is he trying to say that LE didn't investigate this case before arresting his client and just took Zimmerman's word for what happened?

Or is he saying that LE is picking on his client because he invoked his right to not speak to police?

I'm not sure what Mark's point is here. Doesn't seem usual to me. JMO.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/investigators-question-family-in-zimmerman-shooting/33049616

When someone claims that they acted in self-defense - i.e. that they were the victim - it seems to me they have to give a statement to police if they expect to avoid charges. Apperson failed to provide any statement to back up his claim whereas Zimmerman gave a full sworn statement.

I find it interesting from the story linked above that the mother and wife gave interviews with the police and they each had their own lawyers with them.

 

[kimlynn]

I agree that it wasn't a smart thing for Zimmerman to do. At the same time it won't help Apperson much. Being called names is not a valid reason for shooting at someone. JMO.

I agree.

 

[jjenny]

On WKMG local news Nejame said that they were expecting this because his client has not given a statement so they have only heard one side of the story, GZ's.
I understand that he has the right not to talk to make a statement, but why would a person do this if they can make a statement that might clear them?

Well, exactly. If they believed that Apperson's giving a statement would prevent charges, what prevented Apperson from giving this statement? LOL.

 

[sonjay]

If there are no witnesses that support Zimmerman's version of the event, I doubt that the State's Attorney will prosecute Apperson.

They will not be able to win on Zimmerman's word alone. JMO.

Well, there is the bullet hole in Zimmerman's car. And the lack of any bullet holes in Apperson or Apperson's car. And apparently Apperson's mental health hospitalization. And what the cop overheard him say. (Don't know if that would be admissible, though.)

There are probably witnesses. Someone upthread said it's a busy road. Whether they noticed anything that would prove useful in court is another question.

 

[jjenny]

I found that part rather humorous and all I'm saying is that GZ didn't help by engaging MA. In road rage cases it is advised that you avoid even making eye contact with a motorist that is angry or in a rage.
I am aware that MA has issues with GZ but GZ didn't help by responding.

Yes, some can hold on to hope that police will arrest Zimmerman for calling Apperson a "clown."

 

[jjenny]

Well, there is the bullet hole in Zimmerman's car. And the lack of any bullet holes in Apperson or Apperson's car. And apparently Apperson's mental health hospitalization. And what the cop overheard him say. (Don't know if that would be admissible, though.)

There are probably witnesses. Someone upthread said it's a busy road. Whether they noticed anything that would prove useful in court is another question.

Cop overheard Apperson saying "I hope I got him this time." I fail to see why it wouldn't be admissible.

 

[corundogs]

The way I see it, Zimmerman may have been completely innocent in THIS particular situation.

However, his past actions have caused the general public - and very likely LEO - to be very wary of him. Past behavior being the best predictor of future acts, and all that.

After reading the arrest report, it does appear Zimmerman has no fault here. But it wasn't a stretch for many here - and elsewhere - to think he had some culpability in this latest situation.

 

[RANCH]

"You remember me, you fat motherf***er? You owe me your life. The only reason I didn't press charges on you is because I wanted to kill you myself."

According to the police report, that's what Apperson yelled at Zimmerman before Zimmerman laughed and called him a clown.

Are you seriously suggesting that if Zimmerman hadn't laughed and called him a clown, that Apperson would have just gone his merry way and left Zimmerman alone?

What if both men yelled epithets at each other? The fact is, only one of them fired a gun at the other. And that person has been arrested.

Seems like LE probably got it right in my opinion.

 

[sonjay]

Cop overheard Apperson saying "I hope I got him this time." I fail to see why it wouldn't be admissible.

It would have to fall under one of the hearsay exceptions. I'm too tired to look those up right now to see what might be applicable. Admission against interest is a possibility.

 

[sonjay]

The way I see it, Zimmerman may have been completely innocent in THIS particular situation.

However, his past actions have caused the general public - and very likely LEO - to be very wary of him. Past behavior being the best predictor of future acts, and all that.

After reading the arrest report, it does appear Zimmerman has no fault here. But it wasn't a stretch for many here - and elsewhere - to think he had some culpability in this latest situation.

And that's exactly why people shouldn't go jumping to conclusions about things like this. It never hurts to wait until a few facts come out.

 

[kimlynn]

Yes, some can hold on to hope that police will arrest Zimmerman for calling Apperson a "clown."

Not me. Just giving my opinion that it didn't help and more than likely inflamed an already very angry individual. I think I'm allowed an opinion on the matter.

 

[RANCH]

Well, there is the bullet hole in Zimmerman's car. And the lack of any bullet holes in Apperson or Apperson's car. And apparently Apperson's mental health hospitalization. And what the cop overheard him say. (Don't know if that would be admissible, though.)

There are probably witnesses. Someone upthread said it's a busy road. Whether they noticed anything that would prove useful in court is another question.

I'd be surprised if there where no witness's that support Zimmerman's story. This is a high profile case and I doubt that LE would arrest Apperson solely on Zimmerman's word of what happened.

The shot that Apperson fired could be self defense if the evidence supports it. However, I haven't seen anything that suggests a self defense situation in this case. JMO.

 

[RANCH]

Cop overheard Apperson saying "I hope I got him this time." I fail to see why it wouldn't be admissible.

It would have to fall under one of the hearsay exceptions. I'm too tired to look those up right now to see what might be applicable. Admission against interest is a possibility.

Wouldn't it be a matter of whether or not Apperson was Mirandized before he made that incriminating statement?