George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin General discussion

[Jane Jetson]

Howdy folks!!!
uuuuuuuummmm.. is it me? or is the defense giving a closing argument rather than an opening argument? Sure sounds like it to me!!! JMHO

I was thinking the same thing, early on, but I'm no legal eagle, so I wasn't sure. Do we have any objective lawyers in the house that can tell us if this is a "proper" opening, or does anything go in an opening statement?

 

[Horace Finklestein]

Using equal force, not deadly force.

Well as his attorney pointed out, TM was using the sidewalk to bash GZ's head.. That's certainly life threatening and would justify lethal force.

 

[AngelWings444]

In my opinion he was not a kid. And most teens I know would show respect to an adult given the circumstances. Explained that his father lived there and he was returning from the store. Was there any verbal exchange? What I have read says that GZ had turned to go back to his truck and TM jumped him from the rear. Is that incorrect info. ty

Trayvon had just turned 17. He was a kid! He was legally a minor, a kid, a teen. Those are the facts.

 

[krimekat]

As a homeowner I am allowedc to have any visitors of any color, black, purple green or pink to my home and they ipso facto belong there. They can cut through the complex on their way entering or leaving or just going for a walk without being labeled suspicious. They are friends of mine who have the same right I do to be there. I can even suggest they go visit the clubhouse or some other area without an inkling that some nut would think i was suspicious because i was texting my friend. He was a CHILD.

BBM He was 17 - not a child in my opinion

 

[Irisha]

He was fulfilling his responsibility as a liaison. There were break ins in the area, and he thought TM looked suspicious. He certainly was within his rights to do what he did and he was trying to be responsible by calling non-emergency 9-11.

And he was deadly wrong. The dispatcher stated " we do not need you to do that" when GZ said he was following. That's more than a suggestion. IMO

Yes he did the right thing calling non emer. # ( except he was wrong about Trayvon being suspicious). That was all he was to do.

He knew better than to take his loaded gun when he left his vehicle( which he knew he wasn't even supposed to leave his vehicle). Just call!!!!

 

[AngelWings444]

And the injuries to RZ"s head? MOO

Who is RZ?

 

[Horace Finklestein]

Really? What does it matter? It's clear evidence that GM believes the rules don't apply to him.
NW are just that Neighbors who Watch- and in case of trouble contact LE they are not a posse tasked with providing their own justice.

What rules did he break?

 

[iluvmua]

As people say all the time in trials, it only takes the blink of an eye to premeditate murder and I think that is what GZ did with no warning.

Where's the evidence that this is premeditated?

All the evidence is online in case you want to look at it.

 

[Love Never Fails]

To me the screaming makes no difference and the case seems to have two parts to it.

1). Martin was innocent while going to the store and getting some things.

2) Martin was upset about being asked ''if he was from around here' and a confrontation ensued.

This led to forensics:

A. Zimmerman grass stains and wetness on his back/shirt.
B. Zimmerman with injuries on the back of his head.
C. Zimmerman with a broken and bloody nose.
D. No injuries to TM except a small one on Martins right hand.

Per Florida Law, following does not mean aggression---certainly people have said if GZ doesn't get out of his car this doesn't happen--but that is not the law or the actual confrontation.

Certainly Martin was not doing anything wrong until he was asked a question--but you cannot use physical violence because you are mad about a question.

Prejudicial evidence left out was that Martin had bragged about getting the upper hand in fight previously by breaking someone nose--so he was not new to violence, he talked about getting a gun, he flashed gang signs in pictures, was suspended three times, smoked dope, and stole some jewelry.

However I think the one thing that has slanted this story is that when it came out--pics of Martin were showing a young kid in a pop warner uniform when in actuality Martin was a 6'1" high school football player and in excellent shape who quickly got the upper hand in this fight.

Now--I don't believe the nonsense that Trayvon was a bad kid or a --he wasn't, he was probably a good kid and experimenting with marijuana and doing some dumb things in school---however, you have to know when to walk away from a fight. That's the crux of this case.

Finally--I want to thank the mods for opening this forum and hope we can all get along and reason together and look at the evidence together.

Thank you for your sharp focus on the truth. I hope that is how this case will be decided and not on how good or bad the defense or prosecution is or on emotions.

 

[SilkySifaka]

In my opinion he was not a kid. And most teens I know would show respect to an adult given the circumstances. Explained that his father lived there and he was returning from the store. Was there any verbal exchange? What I have read says that GZ had turned to go back to his truck and TM jumped him from the rear. Is that incorrect info. ty

I guarantee you if he was a girl who was attacked and rape people would be calling her a baby, a child and just a kid. He is equally under age and a child.

 

[Shelby1]

So, Crump is who's attorney?

 

[Chelly]

Judge says "Don't no, no me." I like her.

 

[kaRN]

The can of iced tea added extra weight to Trayon? What I'm watching is a bad joke, right?

Seems so daisy7. The jury is looking at a rather obese version of the defendant however so any extra ounces may be crucial to the defense.

 

[AngelWings444]

This judge is not going to allow any BS. She isn't happy with the defense team right now.

 

[SilkySifaka]

Where's the evidence that this is premeditated?

All the evidence is online in case you want to look at it.

In the blink of the eye when he unholstered his weapon is where premeditation is found in this case and so many others that we have all watched together. In the lack of evidence of any warning, in the decision to skulk and follow an innocent child.

 

[Horace Finklestein]

And he was deadly wrong. The dispatcher stated " we do not need you to do that" when GZ said he was following. That's more than a suggestion. IMO

Yes he did the right thing calling non emer. # ( except he was wrong about Trayvon being suspicious). That was all he was to do.

He knew better than to take his loaded gun when he left his vehicle( which he knew he wasn't even supposed to leave his vehicle). Just call!!!!

That's not true. He was not required to stay in his vehicle. GZ did nothing wrong as far as I can tell. Exiting a vehicle does not warrant a physical skull-smashing attack.

 

[nawd68]

For the record, I have not made up my mind in this case. I need to hear the evidence but I am leaning somewhat to thinking GZ is not guilty.

This is the way I see it, most of GZ's actions prior to the murder don't really matter. He was allowed to carry a gun because he had a permit. He can drive around his neighborhood and approach someone if he wants. He can get out of his car with his gun in his pants (I'm curious to know if this something he always does).

To me the real question is what was going on at the time right before he shot TM. Why did he feel it was necessary to use that much force?

This is an interesting trial to watch after just watching the Jodi Arias trial...which was a much more clear cut case. Not alot of questions there as to the guilt of the defendant.

 

[iluvmua]

The can of iced tea added extra weight to Trayon? What I'm watching is a bad joke, right?

It was Watermelon fruit juice cocktail, not iced tea

 

[AngelWings444]

Is O'Mara trying to get Trayvon's father removed or did I misunderstand?

 

[katiewonders]

So, Crump is who's attorney?

I think he is TM's parents' atty.