I didn't see anything about his arms being pinned, his chest and body were pinned by the 158 pounds of 5'11" Martin. GZ's face was being pushed and his hands were probably occupied by trying to push TM hands off his face. He then probably remembered his weapon and moved his hands downward to his weapon, which TM could see and realized then that GZ was going for something. GZ might of been thinking of just pulling the weapon in an attempt to scare TM and to get him off. However, TM also moved his hands down toward the weapon and GZ was forced to fire. Whether GZ is lefthanded or right, you wear your weapon on the side you wish to draw.

I believe his Air Marshall friend testified that although Zimmerman is left handed, he used his right hand when firing his weapon.

I've worked in institutions with insane offenders: ax murderers, tire iron murderers. I've owned properties where vagrants slept in the outside laundry room and hastily retreated leaving a copy of today's newspaper and a blanket. Not to mention violent drug addicts whose children I brought to shelter at midnight.

My door was kicked in by a 17 year old in my very nice neighborhood. Lucky for him and for me, he did not come into my house. I explained to his parents that his so-called prank behavior would have gotten him shot if he had entered my house.

I'd feel safer if George Zimmerman lived in my neighborhood...he has a clue and he packs.

Much difference between a 17 year old kicking in your door and a 17 year old walking home from the store after buying skittles and an Arizona Tea. If Zimmerman is found not guilty, I don't want him moving to my neighborhood.

People with a clue don't get out of their car and follow someone who they fear. At least most of the people that I know with clue wouldn't.

His life is pretty much over ... he will lose a big civil suit.

Two knuckleheads. Finally I can agree 100 percent of a statement on this issue. GZ is a perfect example of what happens when you make assumptions that are wrong, TM should have just headed for his house and shut the door,

Winning a civil suit and collecting on that judgement are two different things. Ask the Goldman family how much they received from their judgement against O.J. Simpson...Zero!

respectfully to one of my fave posters, dougb,
the 17 year old who kicked my door in was out on a high school football player graduation prank session in my neighborhood. he was just walking by unarmed with buddies, having a good time, and got carried away. I had far less reason to assume I needed self defense than someone underneath an assailant. He got caught because they kept sauntering on down the street while I watched them from the garage. Apparently, they never thought they did anything really wrong.

Chickens don't. I would have followed and reported.

Agreed - when you live in a neighborhood where there have been crimes burying your head in the sand won't help anything.

Still waiting for proof positive GZ was following Trayvon and an answer to my question if Trayvon was scared of the creepy ass cracker why didn't he run home and out of harms way???

I never heard anything about his arms being pinned. The side on which he carried his gun is irrelevant. My father was a police officer. He was right handed but always carried his gun on this left side with the handle pointed toward the front. It was easier to withdraw it from the holster when seated in the police cruiser.

First, NOT GUILTY would be my vote.

Second, Why follow this kid? Well, he called 911 and said there was suspicious activity (or to that nature). He is a want to be cop (remember) so--he wants to catch the bad guys (or whom he thought was a bad guy). So follows. Was he scared? Nope (gun) on right hip. Not sure why if he is left handed. Clearly self defense. Yep- bit off more than he can chew and got in a situation which left a child dead.

Third, a friend posted on my facebook. Young woman (white) killed for tip money by three (african american men) charged. Did you know that? Did you hear that in the news? Is there a march? Any key speakers on her behalf? Was she profiled?? See link:

Woman killed for tip money, 2 men charged, 1 at large - Post-Tribune

I just think this whole thing is sad. Sad someone (white/black or whatever race) lost his life. Sorry for the loss to family. Sorry for the man who shot a child and has to live with this the rest of his life. Sad it has turned a country into a racial issue when clearly- with the "hoodie"- did he even know what race "suspect" was when he started to follow him?

Only chickens I see in this story is John Good and his neighbors who hid in their houses while someone screamed for help. I am sorry and I am no self proclaimed hero, but there is no way I would not go out and attempt to break up a fight of two people fighting 10-15 feet from my back door.

I'm from Gainesville, not a place known for violence.
But re the scene you describe, my son went into his front yard, 30 feet from the door and broke up a fight on the street where the loser was critically in danger of being killed.
I am proud of him for following his gut but would have screamed at him to not get into it if I had been there.