One thing I think the prosecution has really fallen short at is hammering home the fact that Martin was acting in self-defense if he confronted GZ. If I were the prosecution, I'd want to mention that as often as possible. Make sure the jury is aware that the entire event/incident was a product of the actions of an overzealous neighborhood watchman, and that TM had a right to defend himself against preceived danger.

It is an assumption that GZ was racially profiling TM. An assumption, I might add, that was encouraged by the media and their splicing of the 911 audio that made it sound like GZ was targeting TM just because he was black. It is a fact that TM made racial comments about GZ.

If we are to believe GZ's story, he was walking back to his car when attacked by TM. At that point, all is fair in love and war. While it is unfortunate that GZ brought a gun to a fist fight, the state of FL says he was allowed to do so. You say murder; I say self-defense.

 

You're right, the media fabricated the previous 911 calls GZ made reporting suspicious blacks in the area.

No it does not.

 

 

I agree.

I think the rush to vilify Trayvon Martin and point out his pictures flashing gang signs or that he called Zimmerman a creepy cracker are just as damning as the 12 year old picture that was touted as Trayvon. None of that is pertinent to the fact that he was an unarmed kid who was killed by an adult. The only thing that would give me pause is if they found a gun that Trayvon had and was going to use on Zimmerman. I don't care what he called Zimmerman, I don't care if he had previous burglary charges, I don't care if he was flashing gang signs on Facebook. None of that changes the outcome of that night and the fact that Zimmerman killed a 17 year old that was unarmed.

One thing I think the prosecution has really fallen short at is hammering home the fact that Martin was acting in self-defense if he confronted GZ. If I were the prosecution, I'd want to mention that as often as possible. Make sure the jury is aware that the entire event/incident was a product of the actions of an overzealous neighborhood watchman, and that TM had a right to defend himself against preceived danger.

TM isn't really in self defense mode if he catches up to GZ, confronts him, strikes first and is on top of him throughout the confrontation.

 

GZ shouldn't have been following TM to begin with. TM should not have went back to confront him and strike him. IMO if EITHER makes a different decision TM would be alive. But I also think he is as culpable in starting the fight as GZ is.

TM isn't really in self defense mode if he catches up to GZ, confronts him, strikes first and is on top of him throughout the confrontation.

 

GZ shouldn't have been following TM to begin with. TM should not have went back to confront him and strike him. IMO if EITHER makes a different decision TM would be alive. But I also think he is as culpable in starting the fight as GZ is.

 

Yes, he most certainly is. All it takes for self-defense is preceived danger. Especially when it's been mentioned that after TM confronted him, GZ reached down, for his cellphone, he claims. Could've just as easily have been reaching for his gun, or at the very least exposed the gun to TM. That would definitely give me (if I'm TM) enough reason to feel threatened.

I think the rush to vilify Trayvon Martin and point out his pictures flashing gang signs or that he called Zimmerman a creepy cracker are just as damning as the 12 year old picture that was touted as Trayvon. None of that is pertinent to the fact that he was an unarmed kid who was killed by an adult. The only thing that would give me pause is if they found a gun that Trayvon had and was going to use on Zimmerman. I don't care what he called Zimmerman, I don't care if he had previous burglary charges, I don't care if he was flashing gang signs on Facebook. None of that changes the outcome of that night and the fact that Zimmerman killed a 17 year old that was unarmed.

 

Again, if we are to believe GZ's statement, TM was going for his gun, they struggled with it and GZ ended up with it. If TM did in fact state that GZ was "going to die tonight", he had every right to shoot to save his life. I fully believe that TM would have shot GZ had he ended up with the gun instead.

As far as TM being a 17 year old boy, I know many 17 year old boys that are fully capable of beating the tar out of a grown man.

Yes, he most certainly is. All it takes for self-defense is preceived danger. Especially when it's been mentioned that after TM confronted him, GZ reached down, for his cellphone, he claims. Could've just as easily have been reaching for his gun, or at the very least exposed the gun to TM. That would definitely give me (if I'm TM) enough reason to feel threatened.

Danger must be "present" to be perceived, chasing the danger down and confronting him when he is walking away is different. On 911 call GZ said that he had lost him and was returning to his car. TM could have simply went on home instead of confronting him. I think there is fault on GZ's part but I also think there is fault on TM's part.

Again, if we are to believe GZ's statement, TM was going for his gun, they struggled with it and GZ ended up with it. If TM did in fact state that GZ was "going to die tonight", he had every right to shoot to save his life. I fully believe that TM would have shot GZ had he ended up with the gun instead.

As far as TM being a 17 year old boy, I know many 17 year old boys that are fully capable of beating the tar out of a grown man.

 

Why are you willing to vilify TM and believe every word from a guy who has as questionable morals as GZ? If I were facing a murder rap, I'd lie my butt off to get out of it, everyone would.

Why are you willing to vilify TM and believe every word from a guy who has as questionable morals as GZ? If I were facing a murder rap, I'd lie my butt off to get out of it, everyone would.

 

Why are you willing to believe that TM was the saint that everyone proclaims him to be? Why are you willing to believe that GZ is a profiling racist? I don't know a thing about GZ's questionable morals but it sounds like TM's morals were just as questionable. Innocent until proven guilty and so far, the prosecution has not proven guilt IMO.

Why are you willing to believe that TM was the saint that everyone proclaims him to be? Why are you willing to believe that GZ is a profiling racist? I don't know a thing about GZ's questionable morals but it sounds like TM's morals were just as questionable. Innocent until proven guilty and so far, the prosecution has not proven guilt IMO.

 

 

Good point. The prosecution didn't prove guilt with OJ Simpson either.

Again, if we are to believe GZ's statement, TM was going for his gun, they struggled with it and GZ ended up with it. If TM did in fact state that GZ was "going to die tonight", he had every right to shoot to save his life. I fully believe that TM would have shot GZ had he ended up with the gun instead.

As far as TM being a 17 year old boy, I know many 17 year old boys that are fully capable of beating the tar out of a grown man.

 

 

First I have heard of that. I've heard it was GZ's gun from day one.

 

I know grown men that are capable of beating the tar out of grown men. You still can't kill them after they beat the tar out of you. Nevermind that the medical examiner said GZ's injuries received from the fight were not life threatening.

 

 

Andy Ostroy: Critical Points About the Trayvon Martin Case

Yeah, too bad they didn't portray him as an unarmed kid who beat up the guy who was following him around for no reason and then was murdered for winning the fight.

 

Seriously.

Good point. The prosecution didn't prove guilt with OJ Simpson either.

 

Excellent point. Sometimes the bad guy gets away with it. I still believe in the system that we have though and will continue to do so until someone else comes up with a better idea. Life caught up with old OJ though, didn't it?

In the end, everyone has to explain their actions to someone higher up whether it is for taking someone's life, stealing, or carrying hate around in their hearts for no reason and acting upon that hate.

First I have heard of that. I've heard it was GZ's gun from day one.

 

I know grown men that are capable of beating the tar out of grown men. You still can't kill them after they beat the tar out of you. Nevermind that the medical examiner said GZ's injuries received from the fight were not life threatening.

 

 

Andy Ostroy: Critical Points About the Trayvon Martin Case

 

Let me clarify because that does sound as if I am saying TM had a gun. GZ had a gun holstered and he stated that TM saw GZ's gun and was going for it.