[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Monkei

It's dark and someone of the other race is following you. Gee I wonder what you would think if a black guy was following you. From the evidence that has been presented you are assuming that GZ knew about the cracker comment? That testimony is in the record?

I don't think it is a stretch to believe Martin thought he might be in danger, in fact his comment to witness 8 could indeed make that exact point. He was obviously worried about the cracker following him. Turns out, unfortunately, that he was right.

If he was afraid that he might be in danger and worried about the cracker following him, why would he then follow that cracker and confront him once the cracker stopped following him?
If you felt threatened wouldn't you just want to get to safety? Would you go seek out the threat after it had stopped?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The problem with a lot of this speculation, media reporting and discussion is that there are a lot of people with agendas. The anti gun crowd want Zimmerman to be guilty so that they can hold this incident up as another reason to ban guns. Some people want to make this a race issue. ("The only reason Zimmerman followed him and killed him is because he's Black".) This will give the Jesse Jackson / Al Sharpton supporters more ammunition for their cause.

There are too many people wanting to use this case to further their agenda for it to be viewed objectively.

[John_W]

George Zimmerman lived in those apartments. He was a resident, whether he was on home watch or not, he has a right to be there and if he saw someone suspicious, he has the right to investigate. I lived in apartments before and I've had my car window broken when someone tried to steal my car. If I saw someone suspicious, I'm going to find out what they're up. The police can't be a baby sitter all the time.

In fact, why was Trayvon Martin even there, he lived in Miami? That's right, he was suspended from school for the third time and his mother sent him to stay with is father. Sounds like a real upstanding character in the community. George Zimmerman on the otherhand was a rent paying resident who was out trying to protect his own property and that of others on his own free time. He was carrying a gun legally and used it to protect his own life in self defense, end of case.


/

[Monkei]

Originally Posted by perrjojo

So here is what I don't get. Paula Deen has been crucified for using the N word and TM was concerned that a Cracker was following him hence GZ was profiling Martin because he was a black man but no one seems to think that the use of the term Cracker was a racist statement by Martin. I have no idea whether GZ is guilty or not but somehow I am certain that I see a double standard here. You may not agree but please just give it a little consideration.

Your right lets crucify Martin for using the c word. Oh wait ... He's already dead.

[BobnBev]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

The problem with a lot of this speculation, media reporting and discussion is that there are a lot of people with agendas. The anti gun crowd want Zimmerman to be guilty so that they can hold this incident up as another reason to ban guns. Some people want to make this a race issue. ("The only reason Zimmerman followed him and killed him is because he's Black".) This will give the Jesse Jackson / Al Sharpton supporters more ammunition for their cause.

There are too many people wanting to use this case to further their agenda for it to be viewed objectively.

Best & most sensible post so far.

[mickey100]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

If he was afraid that he might be in danger and worried about the cracker following him, why would he then follow that cracker and confront him once the cracker stopped following him?
If you felt threatened wouldn't you just want to get to safety? Would you go seek out the threat after it had stopped?

Exactly! And the interesting thing is, the only evidence we have that Martin did confront Zimmerman comes from Zimmerman himself. It makes no sense at all. Martin was so close to home that it makes more sense that he continue trying to outrun the crazy white guy. I think what happened Is that Zimmerman kept running after him and tried to take him down or threatened him with the gun.

[NJblue]

Originally Posted by mickey100

Exactly! And the interesting thing is, the only evidence we have that Martin did confront Zimmerman comes from Zimmerman himself. It makes no sense at all. Martin was so close to home that it makes more sense that he continue trying to outrun the crazy white guy. I think what happened Is that Zimmerman kept running after him and tried to take him down or threatened him with the gun.

Unfortunately, your thinking is not consistent with the facts of the case. In fact, had Zimmerman threatened him with the gun from the beginning, Martin would almost certainly be alive today. Only an idiot would try to take on an armed person with his hands. If Zimmerman threatened him with the gun, Martin, having any sense at all, would have backed down and told Zimmerman that his father lived there.

No, what happened was they fought for at least 40 seconds (since that's how long the cries for help lasted), which is a very long time, before Martin used the gun.

Zimmerman was a fool to follow, I'll buy that. However, Martin also had the opportunity to defuse the situation and foolishly did not take it. All he had to do was tell Zimmerman the truth - that his father lived in the complex.

The alternate theory to yours is that Martin, when he finally confronted (or was confronted by) Zimmerman, figured that he could take the short, fat, "crazy ass cracker" and proceeded to do so rather than diffuse the situation with the truth.

[mickey100]

There is nothing wrong with the scenario I proposed and in fact you will find something similar on any number of websites. I think it is beyond believable that Martin would circle around and try to attack an armed Zimmerman, when Martin was so close to home. We'll have to wait and take a look at the evidence presented.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

The problem with a lot of this speculation, media reporting and discussion is that there are a lot of people with agendas. The anti gun crowd want Zimmerman to be guilty so that they can hold this incident up as another reason to ban guns. Some people want to make this a race issue. ("The only reason Zimmerman followed him and killed him is because he's Black".) This will give the Jesse Jackson / Al Sharpton supporters more ammunition for their cause.

There are too many people wanting to use this case to further their agenda for it to be viewed objectively.

What an incredibly astute man you are. I cannot wait to meet you.

[redwitch]

As older adults, there's little question we would head home if at all possible. At 17, I'm not so sure. You're a young man who's doing absolutely nothing wrong; you've been frightened; you're uncomfortable. All of a sudden the person following you turns around and starts to leave. Now you think you're safe but the adrenaline is coursing through your veins. Here's a chance to scare this dude like he did you. Gonna take it? Remember, you're 17 and full of yourself and adrenaline and a young, macho man. Odds are the answer is yes if you're honest about it.

According to everything I have read and heard, Martin confronted Zimmerman. Zimmerman never asked what Martin was doing there; never said he was neighborhood watch; just followed this kid around the complex. When Martin confronted Zimmerman, it was Zimmerman who denied that he was following Martin. So, would you have told this guy following you that you lived/visited there -- this guy who you had no clue what his intent was; who, for all you knew, was planning to mug you; to do a home invasion of your home, whatever?

If you insist on trying Martin, try to at least put yourself in his shoes. If you can, remember what you were like at 17 and how full of it you were. Talk to some of your grandkids and see how they think they would have reacted in this scenario.

The jury is going to have one real thing to figure out according to Florida law -- did Zimmerman legitimately feel his life was in danger? If so, he's not guilty. If not, he's guilty. A shame it won't be that easy to determine Zimmerman's state of mind that night. This is not a black-and-white case. It is complex.

[gomoho]

Since I have serious doubts about Janelle's testimony I don't know who the aggressor was - only George Zimmerman knows that for sure. I believe Janelle would say anything to get the "creepy ass cracker" convicted and George Zimmerman would say anything to save his butt. So where does that leave me - anxious to hear George Zimmerman's testimony.

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by Monkei

Your right lets crucify Martin for using the c word. Oh wait ... He's already dead.

My intent was not to crucify Martin. I am just pointing out that there IS a double standard.