My print column is up.
UPDATE: Jim Treacher lists a few of the new details coming out about the case.
It's turning out that Trayvon may not have been the fresh-faced young innocent he was originally portrayed to be. That does not mean, by any stretch, that he deserved to die that night. What it means is that the media is playing catch up and doing its job of reporting everything it learns about the case and its participants in it.
For instance, another thing revealed is that George Zimmerman is a registered Democrat. Basically, that means nothing. But can you imagine what some Democrats would say if it turned out he was a registered Republican?
UPDATE II: Trayvon Martin protesters ransack a Walgreens. Any comment, Mayor Nutter?
UPDATE III: Jonah Goldberg weighs in: It's a
White Hispanic.” That’s how the New York Times, Reuters, and other media outlets have opted to describe George Zimmerman, a man who would simply be Hispanic if he hadn’t shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The term, rarely if ever used before this tragedy, is necessary in telling the Martin story in a more comfortable way.
What’s the comfortable way? It’s the way the blame for Martin’s death belongs squarely at the feet of “the system.” And “the system” is a white thing, don’t you know?After all, our president is not referred to as a white African-American, right? Maybe it would be more accurate to designate him white/African/American. But then, who really cares, except for the most race conscious among us.
Add to that 6 EYE witnesses now confirmed.
ReplyDelete6 people confirming some or most of Zimmerman's version of the story!
I can see why he is still free! If you can call hiding and not being able to show your self free??
Didja ever stop to think that if Zimmerman wasn't such a hot-dog and listen to the police and walked away none of this crap would be going on right now!
ReplyDeleteHindsight is always the easier path to take also.
ReplyDeleteHe was Townwatch member. He was according to his story walking back to his SUV when Martin came after him. According to Martin's girlfriend, Martin asked him why Zimmerman was following him, and Zimmerman asked what he was doing there. Then a fight broke out. EYE witnesses, now 6 of them, have confirmed Zimmerman's story. Martin was assaulting him, he was on his back screaming for help, having his head banged against the concrete, when no help seemed to be coming, Zimmerman was forced to defend himself.
I believe the facts are starting to become clearer.
So he shot him.
ReplyDeleteThe alternative to shooting him would be to experience harm to himself. Isn't that what self defense is supposed to prevent?
ReplyDeleteSo he took his life so he wouldn't get hurt.
ReplyDeleteStop hitting me, please stop hitting me. BANG!!! Thank you for not hitting me anymore.
ReplyDeleteGil - On the Lowe case you ask "Where are Mayor Nutter, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson to ask?" And I agree. I've heard nothing about this case until reading your column today. The Lowe case happened last October. So I'll ask you. How many columns have you written about that case?
ReplyDeleteHi Anon,
ReplyDeleteListen to the tapes, please. Zimmerman is heard obviously screaming out for help, and no one was coming. His head was getting slammed into the concrete and he feared for his life.
At that point, IMHO, he shot the 17 year old boy that was assaulting him over and over. Martin could have left after his initial punch to Zimmerman's face, but he chose to stay and continue the assault.
It's a tragedy, Martin is dead and Zimmerman's life, while he gets to have one, is a living hell!
BANG
ReplyDeleteDanny - You're doing exactly what you've accused Sharpton, Jackson, Nutter, etc. of doing. You're drawing a conclusion to this case before all of the facts are in, and you're putting anon in the position of being able to say "I told you so". Don't say I didn't warn you.
ReplyDeleteYes
ReplyDeleteThanks for the warning! I have read the police report, I have heard all the tapes and 911 calls. I think the preponderance of facts support George Zimmerman, and 30+ days later, no charges have been filed against him. NONE. The only thing people can now do is offer hindsight.
ReplyDeleteDo you support the New Black Panthers, Bob.
Danny - In the past you've expressed your concern about preserving the integrity of our constitutional rights. I'm having a hard time understanding why you aren't defending Martins right to walk home from the store without fear of being stalked and confronted by an individual carrying a gun who has no legal authority. And no. I'm not supporting the Panthers or anyone else.
ReplyDeleteBob,
ReplyDeleteI am quite sympathetic to how Trayvon Martin must have felt that night. He may well have felt that he was being stalked. His fear may have led him to confront Zimmerman, not the other way around.
Zimmerman might have shown him he was carrying a gun and Trayvon fearful that Zimmerman meant to use it on him might have attacked him in what he believed was self defense.
For his part, Zimmerman didn't violate Martin's rights by following him. He was just doing what neighborhood watch volunteers do when they see strangers in their neighborhood after dark.
If most of what Zimmerman reportedly told police was true (and several witnesses now seem to be backing at least some of it up) Martin punched him, knocking him down and then jumped on top of him. At that point, lethal force, may or may not have been legally justified by Zimmerman to prevent "serious bodily injury."
I believe there were many misjudgments and miscalculations made by both Zimmerman and Martin that night. That does not mean, necessarily, a crime was committed by either man. Both may have been acting in what they believed was self defense.
There is no defense though for people assuming facts not in evidence and predetermining the legal guilt of Zimmerman. Nutter's repeated assertions that this was an "assassination" are beyond the pale.
As for your earlier question about the Lowe case, I was not aware of it until it was recently reported in the Daily News.
Gil - Fair enough. I wasn't aware of the Lowe case either. If we're going to discuss the Martin case, I think we're better off ignoring the remarks of Nutter, Sharpton, etc., so we can focus on the facts of the case. Some of which you and Danny seem to want to overlook. 1. Fact - Zimmerman was recorded on tape making several statements to the 911 dispatcher that indicate racial bias and agitation.
ReplyDelete2. Fact - Zimmerman was told by the police dispatcher not to follow the suspect. His compliance is still in question.
3. - Fact - The lead investigator wanted manslaughter charges filed.
4. Fact - Recent released video of Zimmerman being taken into custody by the police show no obvious signs of the severe beating that Zimmerman claims to have suffered at the hands of Martin.
You write "There is no defense though for people assuming facts not in evidence and predetermining the legal guilt of Zimmerman." You are right. But that works both ways.
He Killed an unarmed man. BANG
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us ignore Sharpton, Nutter, Jackson, Farakhan and the President NOW!!!
ReplyDeleteYour Facts are wrong.
Fact 1, never happened.
Fact 2, what law gives a police dispatcher authority to direct an individual, please stipulate? They have no authority.
Fact 3,it's a shame the law doesn't work that way, huh? A ADA or DA has to make the charges. Kool aid?
Fact 4, I have watched it 6 times. He received medical attention at the scene, their are EMS records of the laceration to his head and nose injury you can read. And no, I am not linking for you, go find them as I did.
You are buying into the leftist racist BS and I bet you wear a hoodie on Friday!!
Ahhh I couldn't help myself...
http://www.sanfordfl.gov/investigation/docs/Twin%20Lakes%20Shooting%20Initial%20Report.pdf
Bleeding from nose and head.. It's in the police report..
FACT you missed? Did you notice he was handcuffed in the video?? When do police handcuff you?
So what we know is that George Zimmerman was handcuffed and his weapon was taken from him. He was placed in the back of the police car, given first aid, and transported to the interview room of the Sanford Police Department.
How can anyone spin this as not arrested? He was handcuffed. He was transported away from the scene. He was placed in an interview room, and we know from other sources that he was interrogated, er I mean interviewed.
Anon?
ReplyDeleteAre you suggesting that if I was getting punched and had my head being slammed against the concrete I should assume my life is not in danger? I should assume my assailant will realize that I am injured and just leave me alone?
From what I read, Martin had his 2 ARMS smashing Zimmerman in the head while being on top of him.
Danny - Fact 1 never happened? So how do you explain the recordings that I was hearing played back on TV and radio of Zimmerman saying "F****** Coons" and these "A**holes" always get away?
ReplyDeleteYou don't know the facts. You are just taking sides. I bet you record all of Rush Limbaughs shows Ahhh I couldn't help myself.... He shot a KID, BANG, all gone..
ReplyDeleteBob,
ReplyDeleteYou should be more careful. The "F-ing Coons" claim is so far, at best unsubstantiated by the tapes, and at worst, pure invention on the part of people who want to believe in a racial motive for their own purposes.
You shouldn't be joining them.
Ask Dannytheman, he's got all the facts!
ReplyDeleteGil - I'll listen again. Have you listened to these tapes? If so, what do you hear? I'm trying to ignore those who have a desire to turn this into a full scale racial issue, and focus on what information we have on hand. Danny's being critical of me for asking that we ignore the Sharptons in this case. Isn't that exactly what we SHOULD be doing?
ReplyDeleteAll the current truth is out there. People are jumping to conclusions, I am only attempting to quell lies. All I want is the truth. I don't want any innocent people to die, ever.
ReplyDeleteAnon, if you are going to keep on sniping from behind anonymity, at least do some research. Feel free to view my blog, you will see no mention of Rush anywhere.
You'll see I'm not a leftist or even own a hoodie.
ReplyDeleteDanny - I still don't understand why you were being critical of me for asking that we ignore the likes of Sharpton. Please explain that one to me.
ReplyDeleteDanny - My fact 2 is indeed correct. Zimmerman was told by the dispatcher that not to follow Martin. Are you suggesting that Zimmerman did the right thing by ignoring the dispatchers direction?
ReplyDeleteDanny - Fact 3 is also correct. This from ABC news "According to ABC News, lead investigator Chris Serino wanted to charge George Zimmerman with manslaughter after interviewing him on the night he shot Trayvon Martin, 17." Fact 4 is obviously correct to anyone who views the video. He may have been cleaned up by paramedics on the scene, but the video shows no signs of physical injury.
ReplyDeleteI answered your questions previously.
ReplyDeleteA 911 dispatcher has no authority to tell you anything.
An investigator has no authority to press charges, it must come from the DA's office. The DA decided, correctly IMHO, that charges were not proper in accordance with Florida law.
Also, to the video of him having no lacerations? ABC blew it.
http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/29/police-surveillance-video-of-zimmerman-may-show-head-injury/
Bob,
ReplyDeleteLet's agree to disagree on this. Your lack of credibility has me frustrated and disheartened that you believe what you do.
This was not a racist attack. This was a sad tragedy where a man shot another man, or 17 year old boy if you prefer. I wish it didn't happen, but I can not blame a man who was allegedly knocked down and being beaten for defending himself legally. I would prefer some proof that he did it for any other reason than self protection, and I sure don't see it.
Wear your hoodie on Friday. A hood has always kinda symbolized the democrat party!
Danny - I'm not so sure we're that far off on what we think happened. And I really dislike where the Al Sharptons and Spike Lees are going with this. I think Lee should have his pants sued off for his actions. I think we can agree on that. I'll give you my take on what I think happened. See if you agree. You have Zimmerman who seems to be a bit overzealous with his town watch position. He spots someone who he legitimatly thinks looks suspicious. He starts following Martin, & Martin starts getting nervous because he doesn't know who's following him or why. Zimmerman is getting anxious because he thinks Martin is up to something (comment about a-holes always getting away). Zimmerman is told not to follow Martin but disregards the instructions and confronts Martin. By not following the dispatchers directions, Zimmerman becomes the agressor. At this point the stand your ground law should pertain to Martin, not Zimmerman. Keep in mind that Martin wasn't following Zimmerman. Zimmerman reaches for something. His father says he was reaching for his cell phone. Martin is frightened and angry and hits Zimmerman. Zimmerman now realizes that because of his disregard of the dispatchers advice he has placed himself in a dangerous situation. I think the screams on the video will be proven to be those of Zimmerman. He then uses his gun to extracate himself from the situation that he put himself in.
ReplyDeleteTake away the words of suspicion in your hypothesis. "Overzealous", "Anxious", all conjecture.
ReplyDeleteThen you hypothesize that Zimmerman was the aggressor, which is a sided position.
What I will agree with, is based on the facts we have currently. A registered townwatch captain in his community attempts to ascertain the identification of an unknown person in his community.
He willfully contacts 911 by phone to notify them of his whereabouts and his suspicions, while attempting to get an officer on scene. Mr.Martin runs from area and Mr. Zimmerman attempts to give the police dispatch the location. (No one knows which way Mr. Zimmerman was headed when the Dispatcher told him he didn't need to follow him), in fact on the tape he is heard saying he can no longer see Mr. Martin. Mr. Martin returns toward Mr. Zimmerman and a confrontation occurs as witnessed by Mr. Martins girlfriend who was on the phone with Mr. Martin. Mr. Zimmerman was seen being assaulted by Mr. Martin by 3 eye witnesses, 1 shot was fired and Mr. Martins assault ended.
Those are the facts as I have them.
My questions? Why didn't Mr. Martin call the police? Why his girlfriend? He has some culpability here. If I sensed a strange man following me, I am calling the police.
How twisted are the Democrats and race baiters? Making a federal case out of a 20 year-old's drunken stupidity and his dispute with a scorned girlfriend. How do those modest trangressions translate into a murderous vigilante?
ReplyDeleteDoes the Left's obsession with Obama's re-election really going to provoke this kind of excess?