The Trayvon Martin shooting

[Hungary Jack]

This is so, like, months ago.

Why is it in the news again?

[vinsanity]

This is so, like, months ago.

Why is it in the news again?

Gotta fill the 24 hour cycle?

[wart57]

All of this will end about as badly as the confrontation did that night.

[TAZ]

All of this will end about as badly as the confrontation did that night.

An unarmed kid will get shot?

The news has become serious bizness...

[wart57]

All of this will end about as badly as the confrontation did that night.

An unarmed kid will get shot?

The news has become serious bizness...

During the riots that will follow if he does not get convicted, I bet several unarmed folks will get hurt.

[vinsanity]

During the riots that will follow if he does not get convicted, I bet several unarmed folks will get hurt.

I'm not sure the violence will be limited to an acquittal, given the target Zeus showed the other day.

[wart57]

During the riots that will follow if he does not get convicted, I bet several unarmed folks will get hurt.

I'm not sure the violence will be limited to an acquittal, given the target Zeus showed the other day.

Either way, it will end badly.

I had to explain to several people that just because Zimmerman has injuries, does not mean he didn't murder Martin. I had to explain the idea, that if you were walking down the street and someone jumped you, and you start to beat the [expletive] out of the assailant, that does not give him the right to then shoot you to keep from getting his ass handed to him. I still don't think most people can or maybe even want to process that information.

[Hungary Jack]

During the riots that will follow if he does not get convicted, I bet several unarmed folks will get hurt.

I'm not sure the violence will be limited to an acquittal, given the target Zeus showed the other day.

Either way, it will end badly.

I had to explain to several people that just because Zimmerman has injuries, does not mean he didn't murder Martin. I had to explain the idea, that if you were walking down the street and someone jumped you, and you start to beat the [expletive] out of the assailant, that does not give him the right to then shoot you to keep from getting his ass handed to him. I still don't think most people can or maybe even want to process that information.

I guess the standard here is "excessive force", though I won't even hazard an attempt to apply it.

In your example, the guy who initiates the assault has no "stand your ground" right or any other claim of self-defense, right?

So in the Martin case, I guess a lot of it hinges on who initiated the fight. Zimmerman obviously pursued Martin, but that alone is probably not enough to get a murder 2 conviction (based on my limited understanding).

If only he had stayed home and played Jenga instead.

[vinsanity]

So in the Martin case, I guess a lot of it hinges on who initiated the fight. Zimmerman obviously pursued Martin, but that alone is probably not enough to get a murder 2 conviction (based on my limited understanding).

Pretty much. It'll be interesting to see what other evidence the prosecution has, but it sounds like it'll be a tough sell like Casey Anthony.

[planet planet]

Raul Rodriguez convicted in TX and sentenced to 40 yrs. after trying to invoke Stand Your Ground. Encouraging.