FL - 17-yo Boy Shot to Death by Neighborhood Watch Captain

[jjenny]

If the police officer put in his/her report that they "corrected" a witness statement, he or she is going to be in some big trouble.

No, the witness claims police officer corrected her. I am guessing the report might say witnessed claimed she heard GZ screaming for help (even though witness believed she heard teenager screaming for help) without any mention of "corrections."

 

[Deleted member 39678]

No, the witness claims police officer corrected her. I am guessing the report might say witnessed claimed she heard GZ screaming for help (even though witness believed she heard teenager screaming for help) without any mention of "corrections."

Thanks. I guess we'll find out when the 911 tapes and police reports are released.

 

[daisy7]

Thanks. I guess we'll find out when the 911 tapes and police reports are released.

IF they are ever released! That they are not releasing them is beyond questionable to me with the Sunshine laws.

 

[jjenny]

IF they are ever released! That they are not releasing them is beyond questionable to me with the Sunshine laws.

Well I have no doubt they will be released. If not voluntarily then through lawsuits.

 

[daisy7]

Well I have no doubt they will be released. If not voluntarily then through lawsuits.

Agreed. But, it shouldn't take a lawsuit to get them released.

 

[Sooner Fan#1]

Daisy 7, I don't know about Florida gun laws, but I have a concealed carry permit here in Oklahoma and I can carry mine anywhere in my purse, anywhere it isn't posted "no firearms." Also here in Oklahoma we are about to pass an open carry law. (which IMO is a big mistake.) It's already passed the house and headed for the senate.

OKLAHOMA CITY--Law abiding citizens of Oklahoma who want to publicly carry a pistol on their hip or in a shoulder holster may do so under a bill overwhelmingly approved on Wednesday by the state House of Representatives.

The bill, which passed 85 to 9, will now go to the Oklahoma state Senate, where Representative Steve Martin, the Republican who sponsored the measure, said he believes it will be approved and then signed into law by Republican Governor Mary Fallin.

 

[LolaMoon08]

Zimmerman has to have some "connections" somewhere because this is just unreal?? Nothing sounds right? These reporters need to dig into who this guy is! Something's up! A witness tells LE that it was Tray who was screaming for help and then the officer corrects her (how would he know?) that it was actually Zimmerman screaming for help? He wasn't there?!?!

 

[LolaMoon08]

Also, during the news conference yesterday, I believe it was the sheriff or chief who stated that there is a time lapse between the time Zimmerman hung up and the confrontation? This leads me to believe that the shot was not caught on the call Zimmerman made? Why is it being reported that the 911 call makes it seem justified?

We need that 911 call! There isn't any way they can tamper with it, is there? I'm just so confused about this that I don't know what to think about what is going on?

 

[jjenny]

The shot is caught on the neighbor's 911 calls, not GZ's. GZ called first to report "suspicious" person. Later on neighbors called 911 to report a fight. As far as I gather, GZ called 911 to report a suspicious person and was told to wait for police. But he apparently didn't wait. Some sort of fight ensured, and neighbors called 911.

 

[LolaMoon08]

The shot is caught on the neighbor's 911 calls, not GZ's. GZ called first to report "suspicious" person. Later on neighbors called 911 to report a fight.

Oh, okay!

ETA: So basically, the neighbor who called 911 about the fight was only seeing what happened after Zimmerman got out of the car and confronted Tray? He didn't witness what happened to cause the confrontation?

 

[JeannaT]

Oh, okay!

ETA: So basically, the neighbor who called 911 about the fight was only seeing what happened after Zimmerman got out of the car and confronted Tray? He didn't witness what happened to cause the confrontation?

As I understand it, no one actually saw what happened. I could be wrong. The previous media said neighbors called about hearing a fight. The way LE is wording it, they don't have any independent confirmation of Zimmerman's account of what happened besides people who heard a loud fight, and then gunshots. It doesn't seem there's a single visual witness, or it seems this whole thing would have been cleared up one way or the other much more quickly.

 

[jjenny]

As I understand it, no one actually saw what happened. I could be wrong. The previous media said neighbors called about hearing a fight. The way LE is wording it, they don't have any independent confirmation of Zimmerman's account of what happened besides people who heard a loud fight, and then gunshots. It doesn't seem there's a single visual witness, or it seems this whole thing would have been cleared up one way or the other much more quickly.

Yes, that's what it looks like (at least as far as we know). The neighbors didn't actually see the whole scenario unfolding (at least from the beginning).

 

[daisy7]

Also, during the news conference yesterday, I believe it was the sheriff or chief who stated that there is a time lapse between the time Zimmerman hung up and the confrontation? This leads me to believe that the shot was not caught on the call Zimmerman made? Why is it being reported that the 911 call makes it seem justified?

We need that 911 call! There isn't any way they can tamper with it, is there? I'm just so confused about this that I don't know what to think about what is going on?

There is a link upthread that the first 911 call was 2 mins. after Zimmerman called LE. I don't know how accurate this is, with them not releasing the calls!!

 

[Lovejac]

Good heavens! This case stinks, and someone is trying to cover up something BIG TIME!

I hope that reporter keeps digging and digging and digging. IMO this dude is wound way too tight and needs to be stopped before anyone else gets hurt.

Trayvon, a 17 year old boy, walking to the store for ice tea and some Skittles for his little brother. I am so sorry this happened to him and his family.

Has anyone come forward to speak on behalf of or in support of GZ? I mean, except for LE <insert sarcasm here>

 

[MicciStella]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...tin-sanford-shooting-20120313,0,7946966.story

 

[jjenny]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...tin-sanford-shooting-20120313,0,7946966.story

So GZ went into a diversion program after his arrest. I really don't understand why "stand your ground" law applies in this case. It was reported GZ was in his car, he got out of that car despite being told by 911 operator not to do that, and then apparently went after the teenager. GZ was not in his home and apparently was not in his car either. What ground was GZ standing?

 

[mrsu]

Also, during the news conference yesterday, I believe it was the sheriff or chief who stated that there is a time lapse between the time Zimmerman hung up and the confrontation? This leads me to believe that the shot was not caught on the call Zimmerman made? Why is it being reported that the 911 call makes it seem justified?

We need that 911 call! There isn't any way they can tamper with it, is there? I'm just so confused about this that I don't know what to think about what is going on?

When I was reading FB posts a few days ago, I came across something that said GZ actually called 911 from his apartment before he even left to confront Tray....which would be very questionable. Obviously, just a *rumor* and I didn't post at the time, but now with this news conference....has me wondering. Hmmmmmm.....

 

[JeannaT]

I'm not sure either, JJ, except that this whole Condo complex is private property and George was the official rep for the HOA at that time to keep a crime watch. Watching the video that accompanied this article, as the interviewee states, this was a perfect storm. There had been several acts of vandalism by young men very recently fitting Trayvon's description. I really feel for Trayvon's parents, this is awful.

But I keep picturing how this happened. In my observation, men who are carrying concealed guns, who are trying to stop and apprehend others who they believe are criminals don't first engage in hand to hand combat. They don't. They do verbal warnings, and posturing, and then if that gets out of hand they draw their gun to make their point more strongly. They don't attempt a physical assault and then rely, as a back up, on their gun. Especially if they're kind of a fat weak guy.

And I do have folks in my neighborhood who have a concealed carry license. They don't get into a fist fight as a first attempt to make their point. I have known one of them to be assaulted and after several punches to the head they shot and killed, and I strongly sense this is what happened here.

I can only visualize George Z engaged Trayvon verbally, and Trayvon attacked George as much as he would tolerate, and then George drew his gun and shot after he was badly injured and couldn't fight back.

I guess I live in a whitebread suburban neighborhood, and I AM a crime watch captain myself, and this is my experience. Although I'm a woman and I certainly don't carry a gun. i just watch. For what it's worth. Men who carry don't lead with a physical punching match. They go from verbal to pulling the gun as a threat. They never have bloody knuckles. And I would be interested in whether GZ had any bruises whatsoever on his knuckles.

My guess is, no. Only bleeding from his nose and head from a serious assault.

 

[jjenny]

When I was reading FB posts a few days ago, I came across something that said GZ actually called 911 from his apartment before he even left to confront Tray....which would be very questionable. Obviously, just a *rumor* and I didn't post at the time, but now with this news conference....has me wondering. Hmmmmmm.....

I am pretty sure he called from his car. I don't see anything in the news conference to suggest otherwise.

 

[mrsu]

http://yourblackworld.net/2012/03/b...ring-by-police-in-trayvon-martin-murder-case/