"Self Defense....."

The article we have this week is in regards to Trayvon Martin, or I should say his murder case.  This story claims that the man held responsible for Trayvon’s death, George Zimmerman, acted out in self defense.  This topic is very controversial because we have to examine the aspect of self defense as well as the fact that race is a possible issue.  A young man lost his life in an accusation that he was “up to no good.”  We also have at hand here the Florida law of “stand your ground” and the fact that the police, according to the parents, who were doing a poor job and had to entail a federal investigation.  So the unanswered questions are who is guilty and how should they be punished. While Trayvon can’t say his side of the story, maybe the evidence can and George Zimmerman can be convicted of a crime, or for a “right” gone “wrong.”



Self defense indicates that one protects oneself or property from the harm of others.  George Zimmerman claimed self defense, but he followed the victim.  We have records of the 911 call that he made and the dispatcher clearly telling him to not follow the kid.  He enacted anyway.  This should clearly put him as the suspect in a murder case.  He wasn’t defending anything he was interrogating an innocent kid and looking for trouble.  The “stand your ground law” indicates that a person may use force in self defense when there is reasonable belief of a threat, without an obligation to retreat first.  The 2011 Florida Statutes CHAPTER 776 JUSTIFIABLE USE OF FORCE indicates:

776.012 Use of force in defense of person.—A person is justified in using force, except deadly force, against another when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another against the other’s imminent use of unlawful force. However, a person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if:

(1) He or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony

More than 919,000 concealed weapons permits have been issued to Florida residents as of March 31, according to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which is charged with licensing weapons in the state.  In Zimmerman's case, he was licensed to carry a concealed weapon despite a prior arrest for assault on a law enforcement officer and domestic battery complaints by a former girlfriend.  They only thing that they will do now is take away his permit to hold a concealed weapon, he is allowed to keep any other guns he may own.  This isn’t justice, just a simple slap on the wrist saying you can’t hide your gun.      

We have an innocent boy, with no criminal record, and a man who has been arrested before for assaulting an officer, and we allowed him (on the night of the murder) to walk away without being charged.  The question we were asked was whether anyone was guilty and I would have to say that the guilty person is Mr. Zimmerman.  He assumed that the kid was up to no good and followed him, despite being told not to, and then he kills him with a gun.  He is 100% guilty of his actions and should be charged and not even be allowed to claim self defense.  Florida really needs to fix the laws they have at hand because it makes it possible for many people to walk away after committing murder.  I guess it’s easy to say “I didn’t do it” when you have weak laws that protect you from your actions. 

self defense-stand your ground

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand-your-ground_law

2011 Florida Statutes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand-your-ground_law

919,000 concealed weapons; Zimmerman’s case

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/13/us-florida-guns-idUSBRE83C1IV20120413