See a transcription of the 911 call HERE. Click the link below the transcript to listen to the call.
I've done a bit of research on George Zimmerman and the Trayvon Martin incident. It's caused me to draw a few conclusions...
George Zimmerman is an idiot. I believe he is a frightened little man who tries to feel better about himself by putting other people down. He is threatened by the world and believes he can control that fear by lashing out against people he perceives as criminals. His self promotion to neighbor security guard was simply a manifestation of his low self esteem and cowardice.
That all said, he didn't commit murder.
I believe Trayvon Martin was also an idiot, but I'll cut him a little slack. Martin was a teenage with typical teenage angst. He got into some trouble here and there, and tried to project a tough image. He probably was a fairly tough guy. But he was essentially harmless and would likely have grown into a reasonably productive adult.
Reading between the lines, I believe this is what happened:
George Zimmerman decided to prove his manhood by patrolling his neighborhood. The neighborhood had experienced some burglaries and Zimmerman was going to put a stop to it. He had a CPL, so he took his gun along. It made him feel tough and less vulnerable. He occasionally daydreamed of becoming a hero by pulling his gun and justifiably killing someone. This would make him feel manly. Powerful. In control!
Trayvon Martin, for his own reasons, trespassed into Zimmerman's neighborhood. He was minding his own business, but he was somewhere he didn't belong. To look tough, he had dressed like a street tough and tried to carry himself like someone you wouldn't want to mess with. He thought this is how a man proves he's a man.
When Zimmerman saw Martin, he figured he had his man. The kid fit his profile. He called 911, but they didn't respond fast enough for him. He was told to disengage and let the police handle it, and he agreed. He then hung up. Now this is where my assessment becomes pure speculation. Zimmerman didn't do as he was told. With fantasies of heroism running through his head, he pursued Martin. Martin noticed. Being a typical teenage boy, Martin got cocky. He tried to intimidate Zimmerman. Zimmerman, afraid of confrontation, but even more afraid of his fear, engaged Martin. They exchanged words and got into each other's faces. Zimmerman, being the adult, should have deescalated the situation, told Martin police were on the way, and asked him to wait. Instead, he escalated the argument until Martin hit Zimmerman. Zimmerman struck back, and Martin tore into him. Zimmerman was in over his head and became in fear for his safety, and possibly his life. At this point, Zimmerman unholstered his gun and killed Martin.
Zimmerman is an idiot. Martin was a typical kid who made some bad choices. Both made a lot of mistakes, and a young man lost his life. But Zimmerman didn't murder Martin. He acted in self defense. The shooting is justified, if just barely.
Millions of CPL holders across the country carry pistols daily without incident. People like Zimmerman are a very small minority. It's a shame this idiot has made the rest of us look bad. The vast majority of us are completely responsible with our firearms.
Zimmerman could possibly be charged with a lesser crime. He will certainly be sued. But he did not murder Trayvon Martin.
If Zimmerman attempted to forcibly detain Treyvon while until the police showed up, then Zimmerman is guilty of manslaughter. It is NOT self defense for shooting.
ReplyDeleteTreyvon was under no legal compulsion to submit to the perceived authority Zimmerman might have been trying to exert.
So, if Treyvon were being held against his will and retaliated, Zimmerman should be rotting in hell. Zimm didn't have the legal authority to do so and Treyvon was under no legal obligation to listen.
If Treyvon initiated contact because he was being followed and things escalated from there, I can see the self defense argument.
Unfortunately, we will likely never know what happened.
Whether your scenario is correct, or mine, or some other, there is simply not enough evidence to prosecute. Even manslaughter would be nearly impossible to prove.
ReplyDeleteI worry about this becoming another Malice Green prosecution...
I find it hard to justify the killing given the facts that A. The police told Zimmerman to stand down and wait, meaning B. that Zimmerman ignored orders and initiated the conflict. After initiating the conflict it got out of hand and he shot Treyvon. So if he would have listened to the police no one would have gotten shot that day.
ReplyDeleteI've read most of your posts and I'm not a bit surprised that this is the position you take in this case, and I see by your other followers, I'm not alone, thankfully. Zimmerman is exactly as you say, on that we can agree, however when the issue of the gun comes up you part ways even with your fellow gun owner. This is a prime example of why law enforcement doesn't support the general public carrying guns. Told to stand down, he finally gets to live the gun owners dream and take the law into his own hands and shoot somebody so he can be the Hollywood hero from the movies. The problem is Treyvon wont be in part two. Zimmerman saw to that.
ReplyDeleteLois, again you are displaying a remarkable lack of knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI used to shoot competitively and was certified as a CPL instructor. Gun owners, in general, absolutely do NOT dream about becoming vigilante heroes.
You are also mistaken about police support of CPLs. Police Chief and Administration organizations tend not to support CPLs, but rank and file police officers, the ones who are actually on the streets, are decidedly in support of CPLs. I used to shoot with these guys. I train martial arts with them now. I have several as friends. I'm sorry, but you are just plain wrong on this. Please, I am begging you, get educated. Do some research. Read my post on "Self-righteous ignorance". It's dangerous to form strong opinions without sound knowledge of the topic.
As for this case...
I don't oppose prosecution because I, in any way, support Zimmerman's actions. I oppose prosecution because they don't have a case. There's no evidence to support a murder charge. I don't want to see our justice system used as a weapon of revenge.
I also don't see this case as a race issue. Both participants represent minority groups. Zimmerman's profiling was probably based on Martin's clothing and body language. Profiling this way is a questionable practice, but it is not racial.
And yes. I'm aware of the supposed racial slur captured on the 911 call. I've heard it. I believe the recording is vague enough to give Zimmerman the benefit of the doubt. There is evidence that Zimmerman has a bias against Mexicans, but I've seen no evidence that he holds a prejudice against blacks. (Interesting, considering that Zimmerman himself is Hispanic.)
@James: I agree with you. Zimmerman is an idiot. He may be in violation of some other law. But I can't find enough evidence to convict him on a murder charge.
ReplyDeleteThe only reason this case is a race issue is through the ethically bankrupt editing of MSNBC newscasters. In reality, Zimmerman reported a suspicious person. The dispatcher asked him to describe the person, and Zimmerman answered "He looks black.".
ReplyDeleteThe idiots at MSNBC edited out the dispatcher, so the final product was "There is a suspicious person. He looks black."
Personally, if I was Zimmerman, I would be suing the hell out of this MSNBC editor and his supervisor. Because of this misrepresentation of the facts, countless other incidents have occurred and extra action has been taken. Zimmerman himself is now subject to a "witch hunt" style trial, where the judge may be swayed to hand a harsh sentence just to prevent a Rodney King Riot.
All whites who have been subject to an attack with a "Justice for Treyvon" should be suing MSNBC. They have incited this crime.