We have followed 90% of the live trial. To both of us it seems very clear that it was self defense. In Florida, I assume, as in Vermont, it is legal to carry a firearm. He was registered to carry it. With all the crime we read about in the newspapers, perhaps he was just packing the gun for his own personal feeling of safety.......not necessarily as a vigilante.
It is unfortunate for any "kid" to be killed; shot dead.
However, it truly does sound like Zimmerman "feared for his life".
None of us know how we would react under those circumstances.
Some time ago, I had relayed a story of how "gangs" from the "cities" had come to our small town and a few folks did not take kindly to whatever insinuation that might have meant to them personally............but it's true. Our town was a safe town up until these city gangs (as said by our local police, our state police, out detectives, etc._ ) infiltrated our town and other small towns in our state in order to SELL DRUGS and hook the youth on drugs............awhile back our police chief did a major "drug bust" in one day, rounding up 60 folks and booking them all the same day.
These "youth" come up here, hook up with a dumb young gal, move into her apartment and the rest is history. It's not the same town we raised our family in.
Drugs are a cause of lots of crime. We are glad the judge will allow the part about the marijuana in the system.
When my husband had his jewelry store, near the end of his work life, he kept a gun in the store. He had video cameras to record the unsavory ones who entered.
They did not look like the rest of the Vermonters..........they could be spotted with the huge diamond stud earrings (men) huge gold chains (men), gang style baseball hats (oversized) and shorts hanging down to their ankles......a look the police chief and the rest of us recognized............know this is not P.C. but it's the truth.
The longtime residents are happy that the police are cracking down on drug sellers and gangs. So, packing a gun may be a necessary evil in the interim.
Bad things happen. I don't condone killing or guns.....but when society changes and people do fear for their lives.......again, things happen. We heard that this would never have even gone to trial had not the media and public attention been drawn to it. It would have just been, what it was, a tragic accident. This past week, Zimmerman had a lot of good folks speaking out for him..........positively.
Again, no one wishes to see a teenager dead. It is a sad story for everyone involved, especially the boy's parents. He was unarmed with only a can of juice and some candy skittles.........however, I do believe Zimmerman feared for his life and his head shows it. He was underneath at some point in the struggle.
None of us know what we might do. I am totally NON VIOLENT.....but if I was in Z's shoes, who knows?
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