Don't go trying to buy Skittles if you're black in Florida ...

[RayClay]

Zimmerman described Martin as suspicious because he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and walking slowly in the rain, police later told residents at a town hall.

A dispatcher told him to wait for a police cruiser, and not leave his vehicle.

But about a minute later, Zimmerman left his car wearing a red sweatshirt and pursued Martin on foot between two rows of townhouses, about 70 yards from where the teen was going.

So the deal is this vigilante can't fight. He accosted someone because they were walking slowly in the rain. Maybe that's why he had his hood on. Wow.

Now every murder is by default self defense unless police have evidence that it's not? Wow.

[RayClay]

ok, so it looks like the police are sorting through things because of this crappy law. Can't fault the kid's family for wanting justice but I can't be critical of the police at this point either.

Florida is still part of the United States, right? Shouldn't the alleged murderer (in the other 49 or less states) be required to prove self defense?

[Gmaniac]

So the deal is this vigilante can't fight. He accosted someone because they were walking slowly in the rain. Maybe that's why he had his hood on. Wow.

Now every murder is by default self defense unless police have evidence that it's not? Wow.

Yikes.

I think this kid has a better argument to self-defense than the shooter does. I mean: he is just walking down the street, minding his own business... and some dude who is packing heat starts pursuing him and (presumably) gets in his face?

I hope the shooter gets justice.

[TheSeyMonsta]

I hope the shooter gets justice.

Yes, this is a very sad story and justice needs to be done because this Zimmerman has issues...

[RayClay]

Yikes.

I think this kid has a better argument to self-defense than the shooter does. I mean: he is just walking down the street, minding his own business... and some dude who is packing heat starts pursuing him and (presumably) gets in his face?

I hope the shooter gets justice.

Exactly. The only reason it's an issue seems to be he tackled an athlete who flipped him and was beating his ass.

Nevertheless, the broader point is that stupid laws like this require interpretation by police rather than law enforcement.

[mavfan2390]

http://www.loop21.com/life/neighborh...ld-joseph-kony


Here's a photo of Zimmerman for those of you (like me) who feel the need to satisfy your curiosity.

[Breed]

Nevertheless, the broader point is that stupid laws like this require interpretation by police rather than law enforcement.

From the multiple links in the thread. It seems this man did everything to initiate and create the confrontation. Including disregarding the police dispatcher's instructions not to engage and wait for a police officer.

Doesn't seem like there's a whole lot to interpret here.

[Breed]

http://www.loop21.com/life/neighborh...ld-joseph-kony


Here's a photo of Zimmerman for those of you (like me) who feel the need to satisfy your curiosity.

If both those photos are current of the man and the kid. I'm even more stunned now that the kid could hold his own, much less get the advantage over the man in a physical confrontation.

Oh, and thanks for the pics. I was curious as well.

[Raid]

I'm not surprised that the Zimmer guy has not been arrested - yet. TWO weeks? You guys think that's a long time for the DA and police to put these pieces together?

I swear y'all watch too much TV.

[Raid]

And apparently according to the thread title - this is a hate crime. I must have missed the racial issues put forth.

Did Zimmer call him a niggger then shoot him? huh? Which link? Sorry , I did not read them all.

[JackBauer]

I dunno about you guys, but I'm always suspicious of hooded people walking in the rain...no matter their race!

[Raid]

I'm suspicious of the gender of Mummers.

[RayClay]

From the multiple links in the thread. It seems this man did everything to initiate and create the confrontation. Including disregarding the police dispatcher's instructions not to engage and wait for a police officer.

Doesn't seem like there's a whole lot to interpret here.

There's a damn lot of interpretation in this statute. You can't bring back this persons life, but it's just a start when you enact ridiculous laws like this.

According to the statute, a person in Florida is justified in using deadly force against another if he or she "reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_1...-defense-laws/

[tyke1doe]

Exactly. The only reason it's an issue seems to be he tackled an athlete who flipped him and was beating his ass.

Nevertheless, the broader point is that stupid laws like this require interpretation by police rather than law enforcement.

Aren't police law enforcement?

[tyke1doe]

And apparently according to the thread title - this is a hate crime. I must have missed the racial issues put forth.

Did Zimmer call him a niggger then shoot him? huh? Which link? Sorry , I did not read them all.

Assuming a hooded black person is a criminal and has no business in "your" neighborhood suggests racism.

However, that's going to be hard to prove in court because I don't know if suspicion is enough to establish a hate crime.