This brief version of the circumstances is from a Wikipedia article:
QUOTE:
The shooting of Trayvon Martin took place on February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida. Trayvon Martin was an unarmed 17-year-old African American male who was shot and killed by 28-year-old George Zimmerman, a man of mixed ethnicity (Peruvian and white American). Martin was walking from a convenience store to the home of his father's girlfriend when Zimmerman, a community watch coordinator, began following Martin and called the Sanford Police Department to say he witnessed suspicious behavior. Soon afterward, there was a confrontation that ended when Zimmerman fatally shot Martin.
My off-hand observations
This incident happened over one month ago, and so far the shooter has not been arrested or charged with any crime. In fact, George Zimmerman was released fairly quickly after being taken to a police station for questioning. GZ claimed he acted in self-defense, after being attacked by Trayvon. However, the lead homicide detective [Chris Serino] filed an affidavit stating that he did not believe Zimmerman’s story.
Trayvon’s supporters are arguing that Zimmerman was not, as he claimed, returning to his vehicle (that is, ceasing to follow Trayvon on foot) when (allegedly) attacked by the younger man, but had managed to catch Trayvon after the (now) deceased thought he had lost his pursuer. GZ claims he shot TM because TM had knocked him to the ground and was repeatedly bashing his head on the concrete sidewalk.
As I had blogged on Yahoo News recently:
QUOTE:
Z must be one pretty tough guy to have his head "slammed ... into the sidewalk several times” and yet been able to shoot his assailant. Oh wait, T managed to strike Z once, “sending him reeling to the ground.” So T was the tough guy…I say “was” because he’s dead now.
How did Z manage to get caught off guard, getting punched in the nose? This is a guy who wants to be a cop? A guy who was following someone he suspected was up to no good? I’d love to see a reenactment of those last moments, since I’m having trouble seeing where the gun was and how Z managed (with T on top of him, slamming his head) to shoot T in the chest. Did the cops even take a picture of Z’s head wound, or were they too busy pulling out their rubber stamp?
:UNQUOTE.
It’s entirely possible Zimmerman either showed his gun or Trayvon saw it. That might have caused Trayvon, fearing for his life, to take a chance and punch GZ in the nose with all he had. And then he might have tried to wrestle that gun away from GZ (for reasons of self-defense, of course – to disarm a potential shooter). As far as TM was concerned, a stranger was stalking him for no good reason.
I couldn’t find any photos of the scene of death, but I managed to find one animated reenactment which leaves a lot to be desired. But at least it’s a start.
I would also like to see photos or video footage from the patrol car to corroborate Mr. Zimmerman’s injuries. How about releasing all of the 911 tapes? If nothing else, the police “investigation” into this killing leaves a lot to be desired.
Parting Observation
I wonder if the community where this shooting took place still has a Neighborhood Watch program. If so, do they have any written rules – such as, even though Florida is a state that allows the carrying of concealed weapons, Neighborhood Watchmen are to be unarmed? If a volunteer should hesitate to waive his right to carry a gun, he should not be accepted into the program.
I know, I know…the NRA would howl about Watchmen’s rights being taken away. But tell me this: What would/should the charges be if a bullet from a Watchman’s gun kills an innocent bystander? Should the shooter be allowed to claim he didn’t mean to do this, and be allowed to walk free?
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Steven Searle for US President in 2012
Founder of The Independent Contractors’ Party
“This incident is sad enough, but even sadder will be the ripple effects.”
Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com
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