Posted on 03/20/2012 9:36:58 PM PDT by marktwain
A Sanford neighbor of George Zimmerman and fellow neighborhood watch captain in their gated community came to his defense Tuesday, saying that he shot Miami teenager Trayvon Martin after numerous burglaries at The Retreat at Twin Lakes.
Frank Taaffe pointed out the circumstances that he believes led his 28-year-old neighbor to react the way he did on the night of Feb. 26: eight burglaries within 15 months, most done by young black males, he said.
"The stage was already set. It was a perfect storm,” Taaffe said. “I think any time you use a weapon, there are certain anger issues working.”
NBC 6 could not immediately confirm the burglary statistic Taaffe cited in a phone call to Sanford Police Tuesday night.
Martin, 17, picked up Skittles and iced tea from a 7-Eleven that Sunday, then headed back towards his father’s girlfriend's home on a rainy, drizzly night. Martin put on his hoodie and ran to take cover. Zimmerman spotted him, got out of his car and followed him.
In Trayvon Martin's final phone call with his own girlfriend, according to Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump, he could be heard saying “Why are you following me?” and Zimmerman replying “What are you doing around here?”
Their confrontation ended with Martin getting shot in the chest.
“This guy looks like he’s up to no good … he looks black,” Zimmerman told a police dispatcher from his car. His father has said that Zimmerman is Hispanic, grew up in a multiracial family, and is not racist.
Twin Lakes’ population is ethnically mixed. A few residents said there is tension within the gated community.
“I think he had fed-up issues. He was mad as hell and wasn't going to take it anymore,” Taaffe said of Zimmerman.
He insisted, however, that Zimmerman cared about all his neighbors.
"George is a congenial, amiable, admirable person,” he said. "He had a passion and a care for this neighborhood to ensure the safety of everybody here. And, furthermore, George is no Rambo."
Taaffe said that Zimmerman actually was appointed as a watch captain, despite reports that he appointed himself to the post.
He said he believes his neighbor acted in self-defense. That is what Zimmerman told police.
Zimmerman has not been charged, despite growing calls for his arrest.
"It’s really sad that he's already been convicted in the public media and has already been sentenced to the gas chamber,” Taaffe said. “Let's let justice do its job."
At the same time, Martin’s death is “devastating,” he said.
”It's a tragic event – we can’t bring that boy back,” he said. “I wish we could.”
So you know all the facts? Did you do your own investigation?
Don't get me wrong the guy may be guilty but I would like a complete investigation by competent law enforcement. Not the media putting cameras in front of people and calling it facts.
On the news this morning they are now saying the so called racial slur was the word punk.
one article I read said he was a “white hispanic” ????? Does that make hussein obama a black white??
“Does that make hussein obama a black white??”
No he just a lying race baiting halfrican of unknown origins wannabe, socialist, marxist scum bag commie b*stard of scum bag commie loving parent(s).
When I put on my hoodie, I feel like I've got "cover" to commit a crime! But this is South Florida—where this past winter—I needed a hoodie only one morning.
:-/
I think the former will be amended, since the numbers favor Hispanics, while the latter will be further reinforced. They certainly have no “white guilt”, and are fighting blacks for the same freebies.
Since the 2000 census (when Hispanics passed blacks for the first time in numbers), the old dynamics are out the window; nobody even pretends to care what “black leaders” think, and simply loads up on Hispanics to meet quotas. They are fighting for the same freebies, and the Hispanics have the clout; here in NJ cities are electing Hispanic mayors to reflect their displacement of blacks in neighborhoods, the workplace, and in the Democratic Party leadership (Senator Menendez being the most visible - remember there was no black Senators to sign their document when the Congressional Black Caucus opposed Bush winning the 2000 election - in heavily Hispanic Florida?).
This whole thing reeks of Holder-ites
Now, about shooting someone because you think he's black ~ ...............
Pretty clear Martin should have brought his gun. He could have stopped his assailant in a NY sec.
The Dems probably would like that. A long hot summer where Republicans and conservatives are attacked as racist, with the increasing promise of riots if Obama loses.
You can't just chase someone around with a gun and shoot them ~ not even in Florida.
Their standard is that if you were there you are guilty.
I'd have to see what Mr. Martin's school district's actual practice was first.
Zimmerman has an earring.
Has anyone seen this video from Fox news? It was done the day after the shooting and they interview a witness who clearly says that Trayvon Martin was on top of Zimmerman punching him.
Pretty clear cut predator/prey situation. I think you got jurors who'd understand that quite well.
It's like this ~ maybe Hispanics are an endangered species in Florida but they aren't around here. Some drunk Hispanic runs down a bunch of elderly nuns and kills one, dude is going to go to hard times jail here. The Hispanics are simply not endangered and don't need to be treated that way.
Keep your eye on the victim ~ he was not wanted for anything, and there was no report of crime involving "black male wearing hoody eating Skittles" out.
Zimmerman had no legitimate interest in the goings and comings of this kid.
Zimmerman told the 911 clerk what he was doing ~ he was following the guy around. He then shot him. Those are pretty big facts and well documented BY THE PERP HIMSELF.
If that is the case it looks like Mr. Zimmerman was defending himself.
I don't blame you one bit. Vigilance requires such behavior. I'd rather be a "racist" than a victim.
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