Quote:
Originally Posted by Monkei
I would think that shooting someone with a gun that you were not supposed to be carrying while on neighborhood watch has some legal consequences. I am sure that is why there is an ongoing trial.
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If carrying the gun was against the law, he would be charged with that as well as the 2nd degree murder charge.
There have been comments to the effect of, "had Zimmerman not been carrying a gun this never would have happened". Perhaps it would have played out that the worst thing that would have happened is that Zimmerman would have just gotten the crap kicked out of him but that would have been the end of it. On the other hand, it could also be that he could have sustained permanent or mortal injuries. One never knows.
The fact that Zimmerman did not pull the gun immediately, but rather tried to deal with the fight with just his hands speaks to the notion that he was not out to gun someone down. He was getting the worst of the situation for quite some time and calling for help (as testified by the closest eye witness) before he finally resorted to lethal force while getting his head bashed into the sidewalk.
He was clearly very stupid and should never had allowed himself to get into that situation, but because he was stupid, he didn't forfeit his right to self-defense.