[RichieLion]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Why else would one bring up Trayvon Martin's past?

I think the someone who was "bringing up Martin's past" was the family who released 5 year old pictures of him.

If you don't think investigators delve into someone's past in order to establish a possible pattern to behavior, I think you should think again.

You know they're looking into Zimmerman's past with the same motivation.

[CMANN]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

Actually George Zimmerman is of mixed race.

By the way, Zimmerman's mother noted that her son worked with two black children as part of a mentoring program in a dangerous area. When she asked him why he did it he told her "If I don't do it they don't have nobody."

That doesn't sound like a racist, to me.

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by RichieLion

A family member who was a NYC Court reporter for many many years and now retired, used to work in The Bronx courts. She once told me that in NYC when a white is charged with a crime against a blacks it's seen in racist colors, but when a black is charged with a crime against whites, it's robbery.

A observation from one in the trenches.

I seem to recall Mayor Koch saying that whites being attacked by blacks is called "Getting off at the wrong subway stop".

Maybe the non-New Yorkers need to google Rev Al, Tawana Brawley and while you're at it Sharvod Jones (another "child" out and about).

[paulandjean]

While you are at it,Look up,Years back in Texas,Two men drag a man in a pick-up truck with a chain around his neck.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by RichieLion

So in Virginia, if you're getting your head slammed into the sidewalk by an otherwise unarmed assailant, you could not defend yourself with a weapon?

Isn't the concrete sidewalk technically a weapon in a case like this?

Did Trayvon Martin know Zimmerman had a gun though? When was the gun actually drawn by Zimmerman. How did Zimmerman carry his gun? Holstered? Concealed? In plain view?

Questions that need to be resolved to say whether it was Trayvon Martin who was fighting for his life.

[Advogado]

Having carried a firearm professionally in the past, I would observe that if you are carrying, you do not, unless you are extremely foolish, initiate a knock-down fight. Reason being that you may very well lose control of your weapon. (I will concede that it is possible that Zimmerman may be extremely foolish.)

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by paulandjean

While you are at it,Look up,Years back in Texas,Two men drag a man in a pick-up truck with a chain around his neck.

HUH? Obviously you did not do the Google searches I suggested. Two rednecks dragged a man with their pickup, how is that relevant? I am specifically talking alleged racial attacks of "children" attacking law enforcement and being fired up by Rev Al Sharpton.

IMO, Sharpton fired up the Martin family, just as he fired up the Tawana group and Howard Beach. IMO, the Martin family is being "handled", pushed along and will be further destroyed by their own handlers. Forget about being ripped to pieces during cross-examination, these people will not survive depositions. IMO, if the Sharpton group hadn't shown up they would have quietly mourned the loss of their son instead of copyrighting his name.

Again, in my opinion, their son does not deserve to be dead, but he probably should have been in a juvenile detention center.

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by RichieLion

So in Virginia, if you're getting your head slammed into the sidewalk by an otherwise unarmed assailant, you could not defend yourself with a weapon?

Isn't the concrete sidewalk technically a weapon in a case like this?

It would be an interesting case. Being maliciously wounded and unable to retreat ,assailant shot. Can't say for sure how it would play out but I'd bet that it would be investigated thoroughly.

[paulandjean]

"If you are strapped and packing,I think you should be as circumspect as possible. A gun in your pocket and a chip on your shoulder -- good Lord,thats a recipe for disaster.Standing your ground can make"an unnecessary killing a justifiable homicide.

[Patty55]

Justified homicide is not Murder 2.

[paulandjean]

And your point?

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Patty55

Justified homicide is not Murder 2.

Law gives Zimmerman extra chances in legal fight | nj.com

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by Posh 08

It would be an interesting case. Being maliciously wounded and unable to retreat ,assailant shot. Can't say for sure how it would play out but I'd bet that it would be investigated thoroughly.

There are those who might say that I am playing devil's advocate or whatever, but I just like to look at all possible angles. No, I do not know anything for sure but have opinions just like other people do.

You point out "unable to retreat", but my question is:

Is it not possible that Martin was trying to do exactly that, retreat, when Zimmerman went after him when he was following him and he ran? He can be heard saying on the 911 call, "He ran". Maybe if Zimmerman had not gone after him at this point, nothing would have happened to anyone. He had already called it in and given a description as he was supposed to do to summon police. The police could have continued to come out, Martin would still be alive, and Zimmerman would not be in jail.

From what has been reported (assuming, and that's a big assumption, you can believe it), Martin was tested that night for drugs and was clean. If, in fact that is the case, then whatever he had done in the past is moot, as is Zimmerman's past. The only thing that matters for either one is what happened just after 7 o'clock that evening.

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by dillywho

There are those who might say that I am playing devil's advocate or whatever, but I just like to look at all possible angles. No, I do not know anything for sure but have opinions just like other people do.

You point out "unable to retreat", but my question is:

Is it not possible that Martin was trying to do exactly that, retreat, when Zimmerman went after him when he was following him and he ran? He can be heard saying on the 911 call, "He ran". Maybe if Zimmerman had not gone after him at this point, nothing would have happened to anyone. He had already called it in and given a description as he was supposed to do to summon police. The police could have continued to come out, Martin would still be alive, and Zimmerman would not be in jail.

From what has been reported (assuming, and that's a big assumption, you can believe it), Martin was tested that night for drugs and was clean. If, in fact that is the case, then whatever he had done in the past is moot, as is Zimmerman's past. The only thing that matters for either one is what happened just after 7 o'clock that evening.

I was tossing around a scenario in Virginia which doesn't have "stand your ground"

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Posh 08

I was tossing around a scenario in Virginia which doesn't have "stand your ground"

What, no NRA lobby in Virginia?