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Florida lawmakers behind Stand Your Ground law says it does not apply to George Zimmerman
GantDaily.com ^ | March 22, 2012 | Linda Young

Posted on 03/26/2012 2:36:42 PM PDT by Altariel

Linda Young – AHN News Writer

Sanford, FL, United States (AHN) – Even the Florida lawmakers who sponsored the state’s controversial Stand Your Ground law now say that it does not apply in the shooting death Trayvon Martin because the shooter followed the boy.

Self-appointed neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, 28, spotted Martin as the 17-year-old was returning from buying candy. Martin and his father were watching basketball on TV at a friend’s house and Martin had left to buy candy and ice tea. He was talking on his cellphone with his 16-year-old girlfriend who says he was worried about a man who kept following him.

That man was Zimmerman, who shot and killed Martin, who was unarmed and 100 pounds lighter than Zimmerman, who then claimed self-defense.

Sanford police have claimed that they could not charge Zimmerman with shooting and killing the child because Zimmerman claimed self-defense under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.

The resulting publicity has caused protests in Florida, as well as a national outcry, and attracted the attention of Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and the NAACP, the FBI, the U.S. Justice Department and the state attorney’s office, which announced a Grand Jury to investigate. In the meantime, the Sanford City Council voted to fire the police chief, but cannot because they lack the authority.

The controversial Stand Your Ground law is also commonly referred to as the “castle doctrine.” It was sponsored by Republican lawmakers Rep. Dennis Baxley and then Sen. Durell Peaden and passed by the Florida state legislature in 2005.

Baxley wrote an op-ed article published by Fox News. In the op-ed Baxley wrote, “There is nothing in the castle doctrine as found in Florida statutes that authenticates or provides for the opportunity to pursue and confront individuals, it simply protects those who would be potential victims by allowing for force to be used in self-defense.”

Peaden reportedly told the Miami Herald that the law does not apply to shooter George Zimmerman because he followed the child. Peadon told the newspaper that the moment Zimmerman told the 911 dispatcher that he was following the boy that he lost any defense under the Stand Your Ground law.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: florida; standyourground; trayvon; trayvonmartin; zimmerman

1 posted on 03/26/2012 2:36:50 PM PDT by Altariel
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To: Altariel
This is an extremely piss poor article that is unabashedly biased. It has cherry picked specific portions of the known story and paints the incident in an unbelievably biased manner.

The person who wrote this gutter garbage is an unbelievable asshat, IMO, and should be tarred and feathered then run out of town.

2 posted on 03/26/2012 2:41:33 PM PDT by Pox (Good Night. I expect more respect tomorrow.)
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To: Altariel
If I hear him called a child one more time...... you would think he had just crawled out of his crib and Zimmerman just kicked in the door and double tapped him. I hate the media.
3 posted on 03/26/2012 2:42:50 PM PDT by WyvernAK (Knowledge is Power, ie Obama is in trouble)
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To: Altariel

If Trayvon want to give you the beat-down, you gotta take yo’ beat-down.


4 posted on 03/26/2012 2:43:57 PM PDT by Steely Tom (Obama goes on long after the thrill of Obama is gone)
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To: Pox

I found the last sentence of particular import:

“Peadon told the newspaper that the moment Zimmerman told the 911 dispatcher that he was following the boy that he lost any defense under the Stand Your Ground law.”

Do you disagree with this?


5 posted on 03/26/2012 2:44:13 PM PDT by Altariel ("Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!")
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To: Altariel

Non sequitur. Zimmerman’s own lawyer said the “stand your ground” law doesn’t apply. He’s arguing simple self-defense.


6 posted on 03/26/2012 2:47:42 PM PDT by M. Thatcher
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To: Altariel

“Presumed innocent until proven guilty” also doesn’t apply to Mr Zimmerman


7 posted on 03/26/2012 2:48:07 PM PDT by silverleaf (Funny how all the people who are for abortion are already born)
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To: Altariel

“Stand your ground” doesn’t apply.

So what about “Road Rage?” Are there any other trendy labels that could be applied?

Maybe Zimmerman was under the influence of Jenkem?

The MSM needs to know!


8 posted on 03/26/2012 2:50:24 PM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy ("We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." -- Hillary Clinton)
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To: Altariel

So if you are walking behind someone and that someone turns around and starts whooping your ass you cannot stand your ground.

Cowardice offends me in politicians.


9 posted on 03/26/2012 2:55:05 PM PDT by Venturer
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To: Altariel

Of course it doesn’t apply. Previously florida law required you to retreat if you could. Zimmerman couldnt retreat. His choice was to be beat to death or defends himself


10 posted on 03/26/2012 2:56:48 PM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: Venturer

The law removed the requirement to retreat. If the attacker is sitting on your chest you cant retreat


11 posted on 03/26/2012 2:59:49 PM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: Altariel
Absolutely I disagree with it. I've reviewed the law, and even though Peadon is incorrect with his viewpoint, that is beside the main point of that law does not spell out any such circumstance that would invalidate its application.

Typical politician pandering to those outraged over this incident.

12 posted on 03/26/2012 3:02:48 PM PDT by Pox (Good Night. I expect more respect tomorrow.)
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To: Pox
Scary thing being at the center of a feeding frenzy and being used as a high stakes political pawn. Wonder if there will be apologies if he is found innocent?

If they think that he is guilty, then prosecute him. And there will be a trial if there is enough evidence.

13 posted on 03/26/2012 3:14:45 PM PDT by dhs12345
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To: Altariel

It seems pretty clear that the stand your ground law doesn’t apply. If it did, though, the legislature would probably amend it to make sure it doesn’t any more.


14 posted on 03/26/2012 3:18:16 PM PDT by Brilliant
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To: Venturer

Good point.


15 posted on 03/26/2012 3:21:05 PM PDT by Altariel ("Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!")
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To: M. Thatcher

BINGO!!


16 posted on 03/26/2012 3:29:05 PM PDT by BilLies (Ass.Press ABCBSNBCNN, NYTimes, WaPOSt , etc., hate your Traditional American guts!)
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To: Altariel

How can one disagree with that?


17 posted on 03/26/2012 3:54:59 PM PDT by DallasSun (Courage~Fear that has said its prayers.)
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