Trayvon Martin

myp · Mar 25, 2012

The Trayvon Martin story has gone viral with many grassroots campaigns to try to get officials to prosecute George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed the unarmed teenager after an altercation.

Anyone been following this? I am not familiar with the neighborhood watch laws in Florida and we don't know much about the altercation, but what happened certainly seems over the top on Zimmerman's part. And it is truly tragic for Trayvon's family and really everyone.

DodgeFB · Mar 26, 2012

myp said:
The Trayvon Martin story has gone viral with many grassroots campaigns to try to get officials to prosecute George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed the unarmed teenager after an altercation.

Anyone been following this? I am not familiar with the neighborhood watch laws in Florida and we don't know much about the altercation, but what happened certainly seems over the top on Zimmerman's part. And it is truly tragic for Trayvon's family and really everyone.

I have been keeping an eye on it. It is terrible. But now with Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson becoming involved a tragedy will become a circus.

They are like flies on manure when something happens that they can stir in.

Schmidt · Mar 26, 2012

myp said:
The Trayvon Martin story has gone viral with many grassroots campaigns to try to get officials to prosecute George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed the unarmed teenager after an altercation.

Anyone been following this? I am not familiar with the neighborhood watch laws in Florida and we don't know much about the altercation, but what happened certainly seems over the top on Zimmerman's part. And it is truly tragic for Trayvon's family and really everyone.

I don’t think what he did was based on race but more stupidity.

MPR · Mar 27, 2012

This situation could get really ugly.

First, the media is weaving the story of racism portraying Trayvon Martin as a helpless teenager and George Zimmerman as a fanatic and racist. All the pictures of Martin are young looking and smiling. All the pictures of Zimmerman look like mug shots. The media typically uses Trayvon’s first name in a familiar fashion, whereas they use the colder, more detached Zimmerman in reference to George Zimmerman.

Second, the media glosses over the altercation between the two and typically references a statement by Martin’s girlfriend to give account of what happened. The girlfriend, who wasn’t there to observe the altercation, assumes Martin was knocked down, whereas an eyewitness account describes Zimmerman as being knocked down. The media also quotes Martin’s mother as saying that it was Martin who was knocked down.

Third, the media never mentions that Martin had any injuries besides the gunshot wound. However, it is mentioned that Zimmerman was bleeding from the back of the head and nose. This information would seem to indicate that Martin was not the one knocked down…however, this is never mentioned by the media.

Fourth, the media continually lists the height and weight of both men, with an emphasis on the weight. They do this in a way that makes it sound like someone 150 lbs couldn’t knock down someone over 200 lbs. Well, in reality, an out-of-shape 200+ lbs man would probably be quite easy for a taller 150 lbs teenager to knock down.

Fifth, the media continually mentions that Zimmerman was following Martin, and that the police dispatch said he didn’t need to do that. However, they do not always mention that Martin then approached Zimmerman when Zimmerman went to his car.

I have no idea what really happened in this situation, and it definitely seems that Zimmerman was way out of line. However, the media may be making more out of this than it really is. It is a tragedy, no doubt, but until the real facts come out and due process runs its course, the media shouldn’t be trying to swing public opinion one way or the other. By doing so they are taking a bad situation and making it potentially dangerous.

Schmidt · Mar 28, 2012

MPR said:
This situation could get really ugly.

First, the media is weaving the story of racism portraying Trayvon Martin as a helpless teenager and George Zimmerman as a fanatic and racist. All the pictures of Martin are young looking and smiling. All the pictures of Zimmerman look like mug shots. The media typically uses Trayvon’s first name in a familiar fashion, whereas they use the colder, more detached Zimmerman in reference to George Zimmerman.

Second, the media glosses over the altercation between the two and typically references a statement by Martin’s girlfriend to give account of what happened. The girlfriend, who wasn’t there to observe the altercation, assumes Martin was knocked down, whereas an eyewitness account describes Zimmerman as being knocked down. The media also quotes Martin’s mother as saying that it was Martin who was knocked down.

Third, the media never mentions that Martin had any injuries besides the gunshot wound. However, it is mentioned that Zimmerman was bleeding from the back of the head and nose. This information would seem to indicate that Martin was not the one knocked down…however, this is never mentioned by the media.

Fourth, the media continually lists the height and weight of both men, with an emphasis on the weight. They do this in a way that makes it sound like someone 150 lbs couldn’t knock down someone over 200 lbs. Well, in reality, an out-of-shape 200+ lbs man would probably be quite easy for a taller 150 lbs teenager to knock down.

Fifth, the media continually mentions that Zimmerman was following Martin, and that the police dispatch said he didn’t need to do that. However, they do not always mention that Martin then approached Zimmerman when Zimmerman went to his car.

I have no idea what really happened in this situation, and it definitely seems that Zimmerman was way out of line. However, the media may be making more out of this than it really is. It is a tragedy, no doubt, but until the real facts come out and due process runs its course, the media shouldn’t be trying to swing public opinion one way or the other. By doing so they are taking a bad situation and making it potentially dangerous.

you are very right

MPR · Mar 29, 2012

Okay, cue the circus music...
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2...mmerman-shortly-after-trayvon-martin-shooting

That video in no way shows that Zimmerman does or does not have injuries. It also cannot show whether or not he was in a life threatening situation. This case is about to go OJ ridiculous.

skeptic-f · Apr 2, 2012

I think the REACTION to the Trayvon Martin / Zimmerman story is probably more important than the story itself. You had virtual lynch mobs gunning for Zimmerman, while Zimmerman apologists were whitewashing his actions before virtually any of the facts were available. There is something about the shooting of a young black man by an older white man which touches something visceral in the nation's psyche and if anything the existence of a bi-racial President has heightened that sensitivity rather than diminished it.

DodgeFB · Apr 2, 2012

skeptic-f said:
I think the REACTION to the Trayvon Martin / Zimmerman story is probably more important than the story itself. You had virtual lynch mobs gunning for Zimmerman, while Zimmerman apologists were whitewashing his actions before virtually any of the facts were available. There is something about the shooting of a young black man by an older white man which touches something visceral in the nation's psyche and if anything the existence of a bi-racial President has heightened that sensitivity rather than diminished it.

"George Zimmerman is Hispanic and grew up in a multiracial family, the statement says."

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...obert-zimmerman-letter-unarmed-black-teenager

myp · Apr 2, 2012

Zimmerman's lawyer has said he will turn himself in if charges are pressed. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/02/us-usa-florida-shooting-idUSBRE8310UZ20120402

rice_farmer · Apr 3, 2012

myp said:
The Trayvon Martin story has gone viral with many grassroots campaigns to try to get officials to prosecute George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed the unarmed teenager after an altercation.

Anyone been following this? I am not familiar with the neighborhood watch laws in Florida and we don't know much about the altercation, but what happened certainly seems over the top on Zimmerman's part. And it is truly tragic for Trayvon's family and really everyone.

Who else thinks that Obama views this as a publicity opportunity to win over the residents in the community?

Schmidt · Apr 3, 2012

rice_farmer said:
Who else thinks that Obama views this as a publicity opportunity to win over the residents in the community?

i love black people!!!

rice_farmer · Apr 3, 2012

Schmidt said:
i don't love black people!!!

Come on man, we should work together to have equality of all races.

mogur · Apr 3, 2012

Where's Grissom, Columbo, and Mac when ya need 'em?

Given Florida's 2005 changes to their self defense laws, this case probably hinges on who was the aggressor in the scuffle. The lack of marks on Martin's hands would make Zimmerman's self defense claims pretty weak, unless Zimmerman can substantiate significant injuries that he received during the struggle. Differences in size and age don't seem to be much of a factor here, but the race difference could be a factor only if it can be clearly shown that Zimmerman's actions were motivated by hate. Profiling by race is a possibility, although even if it was clearly established, that by itself wouldn't negate a self defense claim, or establish a basis for a hate crime.

You are right on about the media circus, MPR. When I first heard about this a week or two ago, the circus was in full flight. They don't report the news anymore, they sell emotion. And emotion sells quite well, whether left or right, black or white, or up or down. I thought at first the Sanford police department was totally wrong to release anyone before a proper investigation was conducted, but it now seems likely that the decision to release Zimmerman was made by authorities outside the police department. The opportunity for an alcohol and toxicology screen on Zimmerman is now gone, as is a thorough documentation of his injuries. Gibbs and Abby could crack this one still, but they're too busy taping NCIS episodes. Oh, well.

MPR · Apr 4, 2012

mogur said:
The lack of marks on Martin's hands would make Zimmerman's self defense claims pretty weak...

I have heard this line of reasoning before, but it really doesn't make sense. It is entirely possible to knock someone down without marring up your hand. It is also entirely possibly to bash someone’s head into the ground without getting marks on your hand.

Zimmerman’s did not claim that Martin repeated punched him in the face, or anything else that would have been hard on the hands. For all we know, Martin could have popped Zimmerman good from behind with his phone, his iced tea, his elbow, or even one blow of his fist without marking up his hands. It is also not rough on the hands to hold someone’s head in your palm and repeatedly smash it into the ground.

I don’t know what really happened; I am just pointing out that it is a weak argument to say that Zimmerman is lying because Martin’s hands weren’t messed up.

mogur · Apr 4, 2012

MPR said:
I have heard this line of reasoning before, but it really doesn't make sense. It is entirely possible to knock someone down without marring up your hand. It is also entirely possibly to bash someone’s head into the ground without getting marks on your hand.

Zimmerman’s did not claim that Martin repeated punched him in the face, or anything else that would have been hard on the hands. For all we know, Martin could have popped Zimmerman good from behind with his phone, his iced tea, his elbow, or even one blow of his fist without marking up his hands. It is also not rough on the hands to hold someone’s head in your palm and repeatedly smash it into the ground.

I don’t know what really happened; I am just pointing out that it is a weak argument to say that Zimmerman is lying because Martin’s hands weren’t messed up.

And you are right. However, I didn't say that Zimmerman is lying, I simply said that his self-defense would be pretty weak. I totally agree with you that lack of marks does not rule out Zimmerman's story. I have had my nose broken, though, and my attacker broke his wrist doing it (and tried to intimidate me into paying for his hospital bill). But that's another story, and I probably wouldn't make a good choice for jury selection in this case.

I was trying to say that the lack of an attempt to thoroughly interrogate the shooter, document his injuries, and perform tox screens was a failure to properly investigate. I really, really don't take sides now, since there hasn't been a known impartial evaluation of the evidence. We have all heard fragments of the evidence, and huge exaggerations from both sides. I await the truth of the matter with you.

Comet · Apr 4, 2012

This entire case will come down to who initiated physical contact. Zimmerman told his father he was walking back to his vehicle when Martin approached him and asked him what his problem was for following him. Zimmerman reached into his pocket to retrieve his cell phone to call 911 back when Martin punched him in the face and took him to the ground and began beating him, his head being pushed against the concrete. During the scuffle, Zimmerman's shirt was pulled up, exposing his weapon. Martin said something to the effect of he was going to die tonight, and resumed punching him. It was then, Zimmerman fired, killing Martin.

At least that is Zimmerman's side. Though it does coincide with an eyewitness who claimed while he did not see who started the fight, he did see Martin on top of Zimmerman punching him while Zimmerman screamed for help. The witness yelled he was calling the police. He went inside his house and called 911.

The sad thing is many people have already taken sides without all the facts and the media should be ashamed of themselves for their sad attempt to flame controversy by some shameful distortion in the manner they have covered this case.

And Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton need to pipe down. Their latest attempt at conjuring a mountain out of a molehill and getting their faces in front of the camera for the next round of fifteen minutes of fame is not helping, but making matters worse---much worse.

I predict the special prosecutor will file charges but Zimmerman walks at the trial.

Then we may see a riot or two.

MPR · Apr 5, 2012

The more that comes out about this the more the media looks bad...

Not only were they biasing the story through pictures and the way they reported, but also through purposely distorting the facts:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2012/04/05/nbc_s_botch_job_on_zimmerman.html

There were also media reports that police video showed no signs of injury to Zimmerman. The video they used was grainy and really showed nothing one way or the other. However, these reports got people into a frenzy. However, the latest video to be released was higher def and appeared to show injuries:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_...-injury-on-george-zimmermans-head-police-say/

Again, I am not claiming to know what happened in this situation. Rather I am pointing out how biased and poor the media's portrayal of the situation has been. And what a dangerous situation they are creating. It is not just the media either; there are celebrities joining in and making the situation worse:
http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2012/...-to-fear-for-their-lives-flee-their-home.html

As comet pointed out, we may see a riot or two.

myp · Apr 11, 2012

He has been charged with murder: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/11/us-usa-florida-shooting-zimmerman-idUSBRE83A1ET20120411

DodgeFB · Apr 11, 2012

myp said:
He has been charged with murder: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/11/us-usa-florida-shooting-zimmerman-idUSBRE83A1ET20120411

Guilty or not he was always going to be charged. When you have race and politics involved everyone has to get some camera time.

Hammer · Nov 15, 2012

This case is another of the endless examples of our society's bias against whites. It's a clear cut case of self-defense, but because of media spin, a poll I recently saw shows that most people think Zimmerman will be convicted. He won't be, and his failure to be convicted will go down in the minds of the sheople as "proof" that society is biased against blacks.

Very ironically, it's very common for discrimination against whites to result in the public thinking it's blacks who discriminated against. Every black person given a job or admission to a college through racial preferences interprets the struggle of being over his head as being victimized by discrimination.

Trayvon Martin

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