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One of the key timeline issues the defense pointed out was the amount of time Martin had to get home after initially running from Zimmerman. This allowed the defense to separate the two incidents... i.e. Zimmerman profiling/following Martin was disconnected from Martin "assaulting" Zimmerman. Combine that with the physical injuries that Zimmerman received and the lack of injuries (other than the GSW) to Martin, and it's easy to see how the defense won the trial.
In hindsight, do you think the prosecution should have more forcefully introduced the theory that it was Martin who was acting in self defense? After all, the Florida self defense/stand your ground law doesn't require a person in fear of their life (evidenced by Martin initially running from Zimmerman) to retreat... thus there was no requirement for Martin to run home, and he was well within his rights to lay in wait for Zimmerman and jump out in self defense as Zimmerman walked through the neighborhood searching for Martin.
It just seems to me that the defense was able to win this case by separating the two confrontations between Zimmerman and Martin... and the prosecution, by sitting idly, allowed that swap of aggressor/self defender.
No, because there was nothing to act on. Being paranoid doesn't grant you the right to act in self defense legally. If that were the case, you could assault anyone you wanted to and claim you THOUGHT they were going to do you harm.
I don't think disappearing for 4 minutes, doubling back and punching someone in the face qualifies as self defense.
Again, under Florida law there is no requirement to retreat. Martin ran in fear from Zimmerman initially... if he was worried that Zimmerman was still following him, he was well within his rights under Florida law to turn back and stand his ground when re-confronted by Zimmerman.
Again, under Florida law there is no requirement to retreat. Martin ran in fear from Zimmerman initially... if he was worried that Zimmerman was still following him, he was well within his rights under Florida law to turn back and stand his ground when re-confronted by Zimmerman.
No he wasn't. What was the REASONABLE fear? There would have been none.
No, because there was nothing to act on. Being paranoid doesn't grant you the right to act in self defense legally..
Who was paranoid? Even Zimmerman admits he profiled Martin, followed him in his car, and the got out of his car and followed Martin some more when he ran. Martin was scared of an unknown man following/chasing him, that's a proven fact and not paranoia.
No he wasn't. What was the REASONABLE fear? There would have been none.
The reasonable fear was a strange man was following him in a car... and when Martin ran, the man got out and followed/chased after him. He has no way to know whether the man following him knows where he lives.
One of the key timeline issues the defense pointed out was the amount of time Martin had to get home after initially running from Zimmerman. This allowed the defense to separate the two incidents... i.e. Zimmerman profiling/following Martin was disconnected from Martin "assaulting" Zimmerman. Combine that with the physical injuries that Zimmerman received and the lack of injuries (other than the GSW) to Martin, and it's easy to see how the defense won the trial.
In hindsight, do you think the prosecution should have more forcefully introduced the theory that it was Martin who was acting in self defense? After all, the Florida self defense/stand your ground law doesn't require a person in fear of their life (evidenced by Martin initially running from Zimmerman) to retreat... thus there was no requirement for Martin to run home, and he was well within his rights to lay in wait for Zimmerman and jump out in self defense as Zimmerman walked through the neighborhood searching for Martin.
It just seems to me that the defense was able to win this case by separating the two confrontations between Zimmerman and Martin... and the prosecution, by sitting idly, allowed that swap of aggressor/self defender.
Huh? Martin attacked Zimmerman! He should have been inside his father's apartment. He was only moments away. Instead, he decided to surprise the "creepy ass cracker," which he couldn't wait to do, since enjoyed instigating fights, and he was angry that Zimmerman had spotted him, and was keeping an eye on him. After all, the neighborhood had been experiencing break-ins by black teens. Of course he was "profiled." Duh! Martin was wandering about and looking into homes. He did not go straight home, as he shoulc have.
You believe too much of the "legacy media's" lies.
Again, under Florida law there is no requirement to retreat. Martin ran in fear from Zimmerman initially... if he was worried that Zimmerman was still following him, he was well within his rights under Florida law to turn back and stand his ground when re-confronted by Zimmerman.
Here's the problem with that theory. While SYG does allow you to defend yourself it doesn't allow you to assault another. Even if we assume TM was attacked or justified in attacking first the prosecution would then have to explain why TM was on top of GZ and did not stop fighting after the neighbors told them to stop.
Somebody was also yelling for help. It doesn't make sense that TM would be yelling for help while on top of GZ and it also doesn't make sense that TM was defending himself if GZ was the one yelling. Remember the state was the one with the burden and if they don't prove a claim or make an unreasonable claim they would have lost credibility with the jury.
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