George Zimmerman found not guilty

[sanman 10]

I think many of the posters here are over simplifying the event. It is obvious that the media has definitely tried to sway public opinion on this in their portrayal of the event. Even the president making comments that if he had a son he would look like Trayvon Martin also tried to sway public opinion. Irrespective of George Zimmermans guilt or not these shouldn't have happened.

 

For those that say the Police told George Zimmerman not to follow and he ignored their instructions therefore he is to blame - my response is that the reason that George Zimmerman was in the neighborhood watch is because his neighborhood had experienced a number of burglaries that the Police had failed to catch the perpetrators or stop the burglaries.

 

Trayvon Martin although a teenager was a large lad 5'11" compared to George Zimmermans 5'8".

 

Trayvon Martin was visiting his father because he was suspended from school for cannabis possession.

 

The point I'm trying to make is that this is a complicated case. We haven't heard all that was said in the courtroom. So to try and make a decision based on the facts chosen to be represented by the media isn't good enough.

 

Oh one last point the Stand your Ground law doesn't give you permission to shoot anyone you feel threatened by. So this verdict doesn't create 'open season' on blacks as some are trying to say!

[taxman 12]

It seems as though Zimmerman wasn't even part of any registered Neighbourhood Watch Programme.

 

"The alleged action of a “self-appointed neighborhood watchman” last month in Sanford, FL significantly contradicts the principles of the Neighborhood Watch Program,” stated NSA Executive Director Aaron D. Kennard, Sheriff (ret.). “NSA has no information indicating the community where the incident occurred has ever even registered with the NSA Neighborhood Watch program.”

 

“The Neighborhood Watch Program fosters collaboration and cooperation with the community and local law enforcement by encouraging citizens to be aware of what is going on in their communities and contact law enforcement if they suspect something – NOT take the law in their own hands,” continued Executive Director Kennard. “The alleged participant ignored everything the Neighborhood Watch Program stands for and it resulted in a young man losing his life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Trayvon Martin during this terrible time.”

 

So not only wasn't he a security guard, he wasn't even a registered Neighbourhood Watch participant.

[sanman 10]

It seems as though Zimmerman wasn't even part of any registered Neighbourhood Watch Programme.

 

"The alleged action of a “self-appointed neighborhood watchman” last month in Sanford, FL significantly contradicts the principles of the Neighborhood Watch Program,” stated NSA Executive Director Aaron D. Kennard, Sheriff (ret.). “NSA has no information indicating the community where the incident occurred has ever even registered with the NSA Neighborhood Watch program.”

 

“The Neighborhood Watch Program fosters collaboration and cooperation with the community and local law enforcement by encouraging citizens to be aware of what is going on in their communities and contact law enforcement if they suspect something – NOT take the law in their own hands,” continued Executive Director Kennard. “The alleged participant ignored everything the Neighborhood Watch Program stands for and it resulted in a young man losing his life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Trayvon Martin during this terrible time.”

 

So not only wasn't he a security guard, he wasn't even a registered Neighbourhood Watch participant.

 

Even if he wasn't registered he was obviously acting as a Neighborhood Watch. As your previous post points out he called the police 46 times over the previous 8 years.

[Bypassblade 10]

I'm afraid all we can do is rely on 2nd hand information, we aren't in America so won't have been following the case one iota. I'm just sad to say it's something we'll never know for sure, a tragic case where a young man has lost his life which, I feel will result in mass reprisals & someone will make a go for Zimmerman (sadly)

[tinfoilhat 11]

No it wasn't as simple as that but Mafya was responding to Lizmachin's post about facts.

 

The only facts we have are that

 

-Zimmerman phoned the police and was advised by them not to follow or approach Martin (He, Martin, had almost reached the house he was staying at)

 

-Zimmerman ignored this and went after Martin

 

-Zimmerman was armed and Martin was not

 

-There was a violent confrontation

 

-Somebody yelled for help, the witness reports vary on who it was

 

-The result was Martin's death by gunshot and minor head injuries suffered by Zimmerman

 

So how do you pick a verdict out of that lot then?

[lizmachin 10]

No it wasn't as simple as that but Mafya was responding to Lizmachin's post about facts.

 

The only facts we have are that

 

-Zimmerman phoned the police and was advised by them not to follow or approach Martin (He, Martin, had almost reached the house he was staying at)

 

-Zimmerman ignored this and went after Martin

 

-Zimmerman was armed and Martin was not

 

-There was a violent confrontation

 

-Somebody yelled for help, the witness reports vary on who it was

 

-The result was Martin's death by gunshot and minor head injuries suffered by Zimmerman

 

 

That doesn't sound like a lot of facts for a trial that went on for 3 weeks. What did you talk about the rest of the time?

[RootsBooster 24]

So how do you pick a verdict out of that lot then?

I don't, it's nothing to do with me. I would imagine the Judge/jury make their minds up after weighing up all the evidence and testimonies.

That doesn't sound like a lot of facts for a trial that went on for 3 weeks.

It's most likely why it went on for 3 weeks, because there weren't many facts available. If there are more feel free to add them.

 

What did you talk about the rest of the time?

I wasn't there, it's nothing to do with me.

[Old Tom 10]

I don't, it's nothing to do with me. I would imagine the Judge/jury make their minds up after weighing up all the evidence and testimonies.

 

It's most likely why it went on for 3 weeks, because there weren't many facts available. If there are more feel free to add them.

 

 

I wasn't there, it's nothing to do with me.

 

It is odd though that so many folk can cherry pick 5 minutes of evidence out of 50 or so hours of it presented to a jury and yet still think they know more about "the facts" than those on the jury.

 

One fact that most seem to have missed was the fact that the charge was 2nd degree murder. Which in the circumstances is a very difficult charge to prove. Which is probably why a jury found Zimmerman not guilty of the charge. (Which he very likely was)

[RootsBooster 24]

I think many of the posters here are over simplifying the event. It is obvious that the media has definitely tried to sway public opinion on this in their portrayal of the event. Even the president making comments that if he had a son he would look like Trayvon Martin also tried to sway public opinion. Irrespective of George Zimmermans guilt or not these shouldn't have happened.

 

For those that say the Police told George Zimmerman not to follow and he ignored their instructions therefore he is to blame - my response is that the reason that George Zimmerman was in the neighborhood watch is because his neighborhood had experienced a number of burglaries that the Police had failed to catch the perpetrators or stop the burglaries.

 

Trayvon Martin although a teenager was a large lad 5'11" compared to George Zimmermans 5'8".

 

Trayvon Martin was visiting his father because he was suspended from school for cannabis possession.

 

The point I'm trying to make is that this is a complicated case. We haven't heard all that was said in the courtroom. So to try and make a decision based on the facts chosen to be represented by the media isn't good enough.

 

Oh one last point the Stand your Ground law doesn't give you permission to shoot anyone you feel threatened by. So this verdict doesn't create 'open season' on blacks as some are trying to say!

If you're going to paint Martin's character for him you might as well mention Zimmerman's past, like assaulting a police officer or his violent marriage.

[dosxuk 10]

It is odd though that so many folk can cherry pick 5 minutes of evidence out of 50 or so hours of it presented to a jury and yet still think they know more about "the facts" than those on the jury.

 

Those are the facts that were released and confirmed before the trial when the Police were umming and aahhing about even charging Zimmerman with anything.

 

Nobody here knows exactly what was presented to the Jury, however, we do know what was reported before the trial and what has been reported as being presented, and people are able to form their own views on that material. Further, nobody is claiming to know more than the Jury, they are however questioning whether the Jury came to the correct conclusion - as happens on virtually every criminal case.

 

Finally, it's not like it's just a few foreigners doing this, there's widespread condemnation and upset at the result from locals and nationals.

 

 

[i wonder when Harleyman will be along to tell us to butt out of American topics again?]

[geared 319]

Wouldn't be the first time a US Jury has got it wrong in a murder case.

 

*cough* OJ Simpson *cough*

[sanman 10]

If you're going to paint Martin's character for him you might as well mention Zimmerman's past, like assaulting a police officer or his violent marriage.

 

I agree, Zimmerman has checkered past himself and its been well covered by the US press. Unfortunately Martin has been portrayed as a young innocent.