Could you please post a link to Richard's blog. I love his thoughts that he has posted so far on this case.
This is good stuff Richard. From your blog, I quote:
Did George Zimmerman Provoke the Fight?
As I explained previously, Florida Statute 776.041, states that a person cannot raise self defense if they provoked the fight.
And that begs the question, what would be considered provoking the fight. While most people (including myself) focus on the fact George Zimmerman:
1.Disobeyed the 911 Dispatcher, left his car, and followed Trayvon Martin; and
2.Brought his firearm with him, although lawfully concealed.
neither of these acts are illegal and would not be considered legally provocative acts.
So unless George Zimmerman told police that he went up either waiving his gun around or went up and started a fight with Trayvon Martin, his acts of getting out of his car with his firearm concealed and following Trayvon would not make him the aggressor. Thus 776.041 would not apply.
[/quote]
I think important parts left out of the above discussion include that GZ was informed that units were on their way. GZ made statements indicating "these guys always get away." So it is necessary to look at GZ's intent in approaching TM. The intent, as shown my GZ's words, is definitely provocative, in my opinion.
Salem[/QUOTE]