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

[JeannaT]

It doesn't take much to be charged with that. If the officer was reaching towards him and gz pushed his hand away, that is enough for an arrest on both the charges.

Exactly. Not something you can make stick in court.

I wonder what the actual arrest was for? There's no indication of what the crime was he was being arrested for - apparently that wasn't prosecuted either. Although there's a resisting arrest charge, where's the charge for the crime he was initially being arrested for?

I have a picture in my head of George Z's behavior, and it seems like he's a mouthy hot head. And cops can be hot heads too, as can 17 year old boys, and they seem to have a way of finding each other.

 

[thistle]

Although we haven't heard both sides of the story & never will, I call BS on this-I am totally in favor of a citizen's right to bear arms, but the proper use of a firearm is if you are attacked in your own home or in your vehicle. I see NO reason for a 'neighborhood watch' person to use a weapon, or even to confront someone they think looks 'suspicious', they need to turn this over to law enforcement, if they believe a crime is taking place. If not, they need to walk away...

 

[MicciStella]

WFTV.com reports that gz was arrested in 2005 for battery on a police officer, but there is no record of what happened with that arrest. He sounds like a loose cannon to me.

And apparently that wasn't the only time he was in trouble...
I am just surprise in the first place that someone with not so good background is allowed to be neighborhood watchman and armed... In my opinion that only calls for trouble... In this case with a deadly end...

Just so sad

Micci

 

[JeannaT]

So I went on Google Maps and researched Retreat at Twin Lakes. It's a condo complex with 263 units, the 3 bedroom 2 bath units sell in the neighborhood of 100K. It looks like a large apartment complex with a black metal gate out front. It's surrounded by other properties that look similar, maybe a little more upscale than the Retreat. Homeowner Assn fees are $130 per month. It seems that if someone was really interested in Crime Watch, they could learn what the people who lived there looked like and could recognize someone who didn't live there.

I couldn't find a convenience store within walking distance. (And I allowed for about 45 minutes walking distance each way). One article said Trayvon went to a 7 11, but there isn't a 711 within many miles according to the net. Has anyone else looked to see if they can trace his route? I wonder if he went into the main office and used a vending machine for the tea and skittles? I looked for quite awhile in all directions and there's nothing that looks to me like it could possibly be a convenience store.

Interestingly, there is a "neighborhood crime watch" sign displayed prominently at both entrances into the complex.

 

[JeannaT]

And apparently that wasn't the only time he was in trouble...
I am just surprise in the first place that someone with not so good background is allowed to be neighborhood watchman and armed... In my opinion that only calls for trouble... In this case with a deadly end...

Just so sad

Micci

I don't know about another time he was in "trouble". As long as you haven't been convicted of a felony (he apparently hasn't, and hasn't even in fact been charged with one, just arrested for one and it was dropped) you can own a firearm.

 

[MicciStella]

I don't know about another time he was in "trouble". As long as you haven't been convicted of a felony (he apparently hasn't, and hasn't even in fact been charged with one, just arrested for one and it was dropped) you can own a firearm.

The chief said the police have met with Zimmerman on two to three separate occasions, and that their investigation should be wrapped up this week. He said all of the evidence in the case will be delivered to the Seminole County State Attorney

From this link...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2012/03/08/family-of-trayvon-martin-_n_1332756.html

 

[Lovejac]

the more I read about this the more I am disgusted that this family has to practically beg for justice for Trayvon's death!

This Zimmerman appears to me to be a hot head that likes to be in control. A hot head, wanna-be cop with a gun and now an innocent child is dead.

I am trying to use the KISS approach with this case.

1. Trayvon was a 17 year old boy walking alone in a neighborhood
2. A car with a man in it is following him
3. This man gets out of the car and approaches him
4. Trayvon has NO IDEA who this man is and what his intentions are with regards to his safety.

It is simple to me. People snatch kids off of the street all the time. If I were in this situation, even if Zimmerman told me he was the "neighborhood watch guy", I would do my best to fight him off.

MOO.

 

[JeannaT]

The chief said the police have met with Zimmerman on two to three separate occasions, and that their investigation should be wrapped up this week. He said all of the evidence in the case will be delivered to the Seminole County State Attorney

From this link...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2012/03/08/family-of-trayvon-martin-_n_1332756.html

That appears to mean that after this shooting, they've interviewed him 2-3 times and will wrap up their investigation shortly.

I don't think if he had criminal involvement and they encountered him prior, they would refer to those incidents as "meetings".

It doesn't seem these meetings took place before the shooting.

 

[JeannaT]

the more I read about this the more I am disgusted that this family has to practically beg for justice for Trayvon's death!

This Zimmerman appears to me to be a hot head that likes to be in control. A hot head, wanna-be cop with a gun and now an innocent child is dead.

I am trying to use the KISS approach with this case.

1. Trayvon was a 17 year old boy walking alone in a neighborhood
2. A car with a man in it is following him
3. This man gets out of the car and approaches him
4. Trayvon has NO IDEA who this man is and what his intentions are with regards to his safety.

It is simple to me. People snatch kids off of the street all the time. If I were in this situation, even if Zimmerman told me he was the "neighborhood watch guy", I would do my best to fight him off.

MOO.

I completely agree with your assessment of the situation. But at what point does this irritating cop wannabe have the right to fight for his life while he's having the smithereens beaten out of him by a kid he's irritated? I don't know about Trayvon "fighting him off". I truly don't believe GZ had personal contact with Travon first. Or even, really, ever. I could be wrong. Autopsy results would be interesting to see if Trayvon had any injuries from the "altercation" at all besides the gunshot wound. We don't know.

At what point does an annoying cop wannabe have the right to defend his life when his head is being smashed? That's the question here, IMHO.

I would dearly love to see the pic of GZ that the radio station has. Does he look like a really fit skinhead or does he look like an overweight puddingbutt? My guess is, the latter. If he looks like a fit skinhead, I'll change my tune here. I can see fighting for your life against a skinhead and smashing his head in if you feel threatened. I can't see beating a puddingbutt this way.

I still can't manage to find the route Trayvon took. It's really puzzling - where did he GO that night, and what route did he take to get back home? Was it through bushes and backyards?

Watching his parents' news conference was heartwrenching.

 

[Lovejac]

I completely agree with your assessment of the situation. But at what point does this irritating cop wannabe have the right to fight for his life while he's having the smithereens beaten out of him by a kid he's irritated? I don't know about Trayvon "fighting him off". I truly don't believe GZ had personal contact with Travon first. Or even, really, ever. I could be wrong.

At what point does an annoying cop wannabe have the right to defend his life when his head is being smashed? That's the question here, IMHO.

I would dearly love to see the pic of him that the radio station has. Does he look like a really fit skinhead or does he look like an overweight puddingbutt? My guess is, the latter. If he looks like a fit skinhead, I'll change my tune here. I can see fighting for your life against a skinhead and smashing his head in if you feel threatened. I can't see beating a puddingbutt this way.

I still can't manage to find the route Trayvon took. It's really puzzling - where did he GO that night, and what route did he take to get back home? Was it through bushes and backyards?

Watching his parents' news conference was heartwrenching.

I understand what you're saying. All we have seen is a head shot of Zimmerman from some years ago.

I am axiously awaiting the release of the 911 call and hoping it provides additional info.

 

[JeannaT]

WOW. I went to WFTV right now, and they've posted the picture of George Zimmerman. I completely withdraw my "devils advocate" defense of him today.

I'm done defending him. A picture is worth a thousand words, I've spent too many words assuming he might be innocent and acting in good faith here. There's an aura about his expression that looks like "I want to kill somebody".

He looks STRIKINGLY similar to the shooter here in Austin who chased a poor boy down the street and shot him to death in the back while he tried to flee.

 

[RoseRed]

Why hasn't this man been arrested??? I just don't understand this!


"He was a good kid," Crump said in an interview, adding that the family would issue a call for the Watch captain's arrest at a news conference on Thursday. "On his way home, a Neighborhood Watch loose cannon shot and killed him."

More at link: http://news.yahoo.com/family-florida-boy-killed-neighborhood-watch-seeks-arrest-044537742.html

We always hear this here in Chicago but they always turn out to be gang members and violent .

 

[LolaMoon08]

We always hear this here in Chicago but they always turn out to be gang members and violent .

No offense, but why would you say that without any kind of proof whatsoever? Who was the one arrested for violence against a police officer? Zimmerman was! Not Tray!

 

[mrsu]

I really can't believe someone would defend Zimmerman's actions. You do not get out of your car and confront someone...George PROVOKED him...and when that person likely defends themself...shoot them and claim self defense. That is ridiculous! Very sad that we will only ever know one side of the story since the other person is DEAD. Had Zimmerman not made the CHOICE to get out of his car and confront Trayvon like some hothead baffoon, he would have been home in 2 minutes and all of this would have been prevented. For all we know, after Trayvon asked "what's your problem", Zimmerman could have jumped out of the car shouting racial slurs. Surely that wouldn't be beyond him if he would call in a black man walking down the sidewalk as suspicious, IMO! I too would like to know what he was doing that was so suspicious.

This case makes me so angry!! I hate to even say it, but I think we all know what would have happened had Trayvon been white and Zimmerman black. Disgusting.

 

[mrsu]

Anyone have a link to the photo of George? I can't find it.

 

[jjenny]

I don't see the photo on the website either. They say in the video that they got the photo but where is it?

 

[LolaMoon08]

I really can't believe someone would defend Zimmerman's actions. You do not get out of your car and confront someone...George PROVOKED him...and when that person likely defends themself...shoot them and claim self defense. That is ridiculous! Very sad that we will only ever know one side of the story since the other person is DEAD. Had Zimmerman not made the CHOICE to get out of his car and confront Trayvon, he would have been home in 2 minutes and all of this would have been prevented. For all we know, after Trayvon asked "what's your problem", Zimmerman could have jumped out of the car shouting racial slurs. Surely that wouldn't be beyond him if he would call in a black man walking down the sidewalk as suspicious, IMO! I too would like to know what he was doing that was so suspicious.

This case makes me so angry!! I hate to even say it, but I think we all know what would have happened had Trayvon been white and Zimmerman black. Disgusting.

BBM I'll say it! If Zimmerman was black and Tray was a white 17-year-old kid walking home from the store with purple hair and piercings all over his body, the black Zimmerman would have been arrested on the spot. No question.

The suspension of a white Tray would not have even been an issue. The media would not have even reported on it. They're trying to make it not look as bad as what it really is and I think we all know what it really is. Tray was murdered because he was black.

 

[csziggy]

I still can't manage to find the route Trayvon took. It's really puzzling - where did he GO that night, and what route did he take to get back home? Was it through bushes and backyards?

This news report shows a route from the convenience store to the apartment complex, starting just after 1:00 into the video:
http://news.yahoo.com/family-florida-boy-killed-neighborhood-watch-seeks-arrest-044537742.html

Looking at Google Maps, on Rinehart Road directly in front of the Sam's Club there is a 7-Eleven. It is about a mile from there to the apartment complex. It is not a typical convenience store but in a strip mall. The logo is on a round tower on the corner of the building.

 

[JeannaT]

BBM I'll say it! If Zimmerman was black and Tray was a white 17-year-old kid walking home from the store with purple hair and piercings all over his body, the black Zimmerman would have been arrested on the spot. No question.

The suspension of a white Tray would not have even been an issue. The media would not have even reported on it. They're trying to make it not look as bad as what it really is and I think we all know what it really is. Tray was murdered because he was black.

Did you follow the Channon Christian/Chris Newsome murder trials? A young white couple brutally murdered and tortured by 3 black men and a black woman. The media outside Tennessee wouldn't even touch the story. Would NOT report on it although the state of Tennessee followed it very carefully and televised the trials live. When questioned, national media said the story was too incendiary to carry because of the racial implications.

If all the people involved had been the same race, this story was so provocative that it would have headlined CNN for weeks.

 

[JeannaT]

Anyone have a link to the photo of George? I can't find it.

They've removed the photo from the article. I wonder if they got the wrong guy? GZ is reported to be 28, this guy looked about 40 to me - a heavy hispanic looking man with a scowl.