I am too busy being not busy in order to look like I am busy to keep track of the news.
However, I do know that my sister had worked as an extra in a straight porn where she played a juror for some trial and not only that but the title of the defendant was named after my mom.
I think justice probably would have been served in this case if they could have struck a deal with Zimmerman to serve a relatively modest time in jail with a fine, followed by probation. But because of the tensions/politics involving this case, the DA wasn't able to do that. So they had to go to trial. And this is what can happen if you take an iffy case to trial, especially if the defense is well-represented. And Zimmerman's lawyers were not your average public defenders.
Well, I think the key to the case was Zimmerman's claim that he was attacked and thus defending himself. There was sufficient evidence to suggest that he might have been, and the prosecution was never able to overcome those doubts. Prosecutors had the burden of proof and just didn't have a strong enough case. They probably should have angled for a plea deal, but they were under a lot of political pressure to prosecute.
Fact is, If it was Trayvon who stalked and shot Zimmerman, I doubt the verdict would have been the same. Pro-gun laws aside, you can't deny the influence of racial prejudice in the verdict. The laws need serious reforming, specially when it comes to weapons in the hands of untrained trigger-happy vigilantes, but let's face it - THAT would not happen anytime soon.
Stand Your Ground should not apply in public places. You have the right to defend your home, yes, but not shoot someone in the streets just because you suspect someone to be armed.
Bear is right. Based on the Stand Your Ground and Self Defense Laws, the evidence did not support a guilty verdict. Zimmerman is guilty of incredible poor judgement, that will effect and haunt his and many other lives forever.
It was a hard case for the prosecution to prove. Their case wasn't strong enough and there was plenty of room for reasonable doubt.
The fact that Zimmerman was bloodied during the incident was tough to overcome as well as several smaller things, such as the first officer saying he believed him and the prosecution's inability to prove who screamed. I wasn't surprised by outcome but thought jury might go with a lesser charge.
I didn't pay attention to the trial, what were the details of how he got off?
It seems to me that this kid was just walking home from getting Skittles. Zimmerman stalked an innocent teenager in the rain for nearly twenty minutes for no real reason, was told by the police not to follow the teen and he did anyways. He confronted the kid who was startled and defended himself without a weapon, and then Zimmerman shot and killed him and it's perfectly legal?
How did he get off?
However, I do know that my sister had worked as an extra in a straight porn where she played a juror for some trial and not only that but the title of the defendant was named after my mom.
So, top that! ;)
And like mugtoe mentioned, the verdict isn't really shocking or even surprising. It's Florida after all =/
Stand Your Ground should not apply in public places. You have the right to defend your home, yes, but not shoot someone in the streets just because you suspect someone to be armed.
The fact that Zimmerman was bloodied during the incident was tough to overcome as well as several smaller things, such as the first officer saying he believed him and the prosecution's inability to prove who screamed. I wasn't surprised by outcome but thought jury might go with a lesser charge.
It seems to me that this kid was just walking home from getting Skittles. Zimmerman stalked an innocent teenager in the rain for nearly twenty minutes for no real reason, was told by the police not to follow the teen and he did anyways. He confronted the kid who was startled and defended himself without a weapon, and then Zimmerman shot and killed him and it's perfectly legal?
How did he get off?
My heart goes out to the parents.