| Metallicube said: So all you have to do to get away with murdering some innocent kid in a hoodie is say you "feel threatened" by him? |
Or, it was that he felt threatened when he was under this teen, with his head being bashed against the pavement while being told that he was going to be murdered. That's what the evidence says, and I don't believe there was anything to contradict that.
Should he? Maybe. He was the community watch captain. I heard that he was going to check the street signs to make sure of his location, which sounds a bit strange but apparently it's common in that area for street names to change somewhat regularly. Besides that, it's easy to say this with hindsight. Also, it wasn't a cop that told him to not follow, it was the 911 dispatcher, who can't order someone to do something, or they could be held liable for any disaster resulting from following that order.
Again, when he's the one being beaten and threatened verbally.
The prosecution did not have a strong case in this situation.
| Mr Khan said: Something really should be happening to this guy. I doubt he had lethal intent, but it's clear that he needs to learn that guns kill people, and that if it hadn't been a black teenager he killed, he would have gotten in a lot of trouble |
False, and you know it. This wouldn't have been nearly as big had it not been a black teen killed. Note that police initially said there was no evidence conflicing with his claim of self defense, and they had to get a new prosecutor before the case would move forward in court.
| Ljink96 said: That is some bull! Somebody died and nobody is guilty? That man smiled as the sentencing was read? Yeah, your life was on the line but so was someone elses, some time ago. He actually died without a court case. I hate this. I really hate this. It's like letting Boothe go free after he killed Lincoln. Just sad... what have we done? |
Yes. Is that so shocking? Of course he smiled. He wasn't going to spend decades in prison for defending himself.
It's nothing like that. There is no evidence whatsoever that Boothe killed Lincoln in self defense. Rather, it's pretty well known that he murdered Lincoln. In this case, there is no evidence to conflict with Zimmerman's claim of self defense.
Why is it scary? The most likely alternative is that Zimmerman would be dead. I'd rather be able to defend myself than appease those who are queasy by the mere sight of a gun.
| disolitude said: I can understand having weapons for self defense in your house, for home defense purposes. Hell I grew up in a house which had a hunting rifle and a shotgun that belonged to my grandfather and my dad... However where I live, I absolutely dont see a reason why a civilians need to carry guns on them. I dont live in USA, and am not saying you are wrong or dont know better... you do what you need to do to protect yourself where you live. Here is a video which argues my point that civilians and guns do not mix, even for "self denfense"...especially when an argument occurs and people lose their cool. |
But there are plenty of times where the mere presence of a firearm carried by a civilian prevents a crime from being committed. And it's not like crime shoots way up when people carry. If anything, there is a weak correlation towards the opposite. Also, cops accidentally shoot more people than people who carry concealed firearms. The cops can get away with it. The civilian will go through hell and will probably face some very serious punishments.
...
I'm disgusted by the fact that people wanted to destroy this man's life when there is absolutely no evidence indicating that he violated the law to defend himself. Should we not want justice served, regardless of the outcome? I believe that it was, as the evidence all points in the same direction. Had he not been carrying a weapon, it's entirely possible that he would be dead, and Martin would have been investigated for first degree murder.
