Allen West Calls Trayvon Martin Shooting an ‘Outrage’ and Endorses Federal Investigation

The Blaze ^ | March 22, 2012 | Mytheos Holt

[Free ThinkerNY]

Ever since his CPAC Keynote Address in 2010, Rep. Allen West (R-FL) has been one of the gold standards of modern American political conservatism. He has also been widely hailed as a political model for conservative African American politicians. And now, following recent revelations surrounding the highly suspicious shooting of Trayvon Martin, Rep. West has joined a growing bipartisan consensus calling for the case to be reopened, possibly even with Federal assistance. West’s statement, put out today by Talking Points Memo, resonates with controlled fury (emphasis added):

itself in Sanford, Florida involving the shooting of 17-year-old Treyvon Martin. First of all, if all that has been reported is accurate, the Sanford Police Chief should be relieved of his duties due to what appears to be a mishandling of this shooting in its early stages. The US Navy SEALS identified Osama Bin Laden within hours, while this young man laid on a morgue slab for three days. The shooter, Mr Zimmerman, should have been held in custody and certainly should not be walking free, still having a concealed weapons carry permit. From my reading, it seems this young man was pursued and there was no probable cause to engage him, certainly not pursue and shoot him….against the direction of the 911 responder. Let’s all be appalled at this instance not because of race, but because a young American man has lost his life, seemingly, for no reason. I have signed a letter supporting a DOJ investigation. I am not heading to Sanford to shout and scream, because we need the responsible entities and agencies to handle this situation from this point without media bias or undue political influences. This is an outrage.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Are you aware that after Trayvon ran off into the darkness that Mr. Zimmerman ended his call to 911 and headed back to his truck? Only problem was Mr. Zimmerman didn’t make it back to his truck because Trayvon came back and attacked him.

If someone ambushed you in the dark, was on top of you punching you in the face, you’re screaming for help and no one will come out to help because they are all too scared to do so, what are you going to do? Sit there and just let it happen and possibly die in the process of the beating? Or are you going to defend yourself with the knife or gun you might be carrying?

[Jack Hydrazine]

The place where the confrontation took place was between condo buildings a little ways away from the street where there probably was not that much lighting as on the street.

[ZX12R]

Seeing this story this morning, I have to say that I am pretty disappointed in Mr.West. I used to hold him in the highest regard concerning his holding a government political office, and his future in the republican party. However, his jumping on the bandwagon of drawing conclusions before the actual investigations are complete, is unfortunate. Especially since anyone that is being objective has to admit that there seems to be no real evidence to support either a criminal charge or an arrest, thus far. Thinking otherwise at this point reveals a personal bias, a political agenda, or a simple disregard for how the legal system works. His comments about an investigation don’t bother me, but his comments beyond that change my impression of him considerably.

[Clock King]

For those who can’t see past the race angle here on FR, West is a FL representative. He has to say something and all he’s saying is that justice must prevail. We conservatives need to stop being so kneejerk in response to stories like this.

[Molon Labbie]

After listening to the voice yelling for help call, and Zimmerman’s statements that he was indeed calling out for help, I believe he was in severe stress, was being assaulted, and responded to save his life.

None of this will matter.

The media and the race baiters have already convicted him in the court of public opinion.

If Zimmerman faces charges, then NONE of us will be able to use the argument of self-defense with any degree of reliability.

If he is not charged and convicted, there may very well be race riots nation wide over this.

[kabar]

The physical evidence you put so much stock into is what exactly? The witness statements explain what exactly? NO ONE saw the initiation of the confrontation. The physical evidence that Zimmerman had a bloody nose does NOT preclude the possibility that Zimmerman initiated the confrontation with the 17 year old.

The physical evidence is all that we have along with the 911 tapes. The physical evidence would include not only the injuries suffered by Zimmerman, but also, other evidence gleaned from Martin, e.g., blood, skin, condition of clothing, position on the ground, angle of entry/exit wound, forensics, etc. Those are all part of the physical evidence, which you and I don't have, but the police do. It was on this basis that they did not arrest Zimmerman.

It amazes me that the FACT the 17 year old was not doing anything wrong; had NOT been involved in the burglaries; that Zimmerman had been essentially stalking the 17 year old due to an unfounded suspicion isn’t being taken into consideration. Why is it not appropriate to even consider that Zimmerman used poor judgement? Are you suggesting that you would not, if being followed by someone, take steps to get that person to end their actions against you? Sorry, but I’m not willing to take Zimmerman’s word simply because the person he shot is unable to tell his side of the story. And, neither should anyone else.

You are making a lot of assumptions, e.g., Martin was not doing anything wrong. If you believe the contemperaneous description from Zimmerman on the 911 tape, Martin was acting suspiciously in a gated community that had suffered a recent rash of crime. Why was Martin there? Why did he run away and then. according to Zimmerman, attack him? Any investigation would determine the chronology, the physical circumstances, geography, etc. In the final analysis, you can only rely on facts not conjecture.

I sat on a jury that convicted someone of murder and we recommended a 30 year, no parole sentence. It certainly opened my eyes to how murder investigations are conducted and the proof that is needed. You can't convict someone just because you don't accept their word. Our system protects the individual placing the burden on the state to prove that someone is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

You seem to be caught up in this manufactured hysteria and rush to judgment. Sharpton, Martin's parents, and some in the MSM are calling for Zimmerman's arrest and conviction. Our system of justice does not work that way nor should it. What do you want to happen beyond the investigation, much of it already completed? Under FL law, Zimmerman had a concealed weapons permit and he was acting in self-defense. So far, there have been no facts to say that he is guilty of a crime. Will you accept that verdict or do you want him to pay some sort of price beyond that which he is already suffering along with his family.

I view this as a tragedy, but I am not calling for Zimmerman's arrest and conviction. Given your comments, it is painfully obvious that you have already made up your mind as to Zimmermman's guilt. Fortunately, our justice system doesn't work that way. I will accept Zimmerman's guilt or innocence based on the facts and evidence, nothing else.

[kabar]

According to this report, Martin had non-violent behavioral issues in school and on the day he was shot, had been suspended for ten days for "being in an unauthorized area [on school property] according to his father."

Perhaps Martin was not in the best of moods that day given the earlier suspension from school.

[kabar]

Zimmerman wasn't on neighborhood watch duty. He had just returned from an errand and saw Martin acting suspiciously. He called the police for assistance. He denies that he followed Martin and said he was returning to his truck when Martin attacked him. He killed Martin in self-defense. The physical evidence and witness testimonies seem to support that assertion.

It is easy to say that Zimmerman didn't practice good sense in hindsight, but unless you have some other information the police don't, then it is understandable why the police could not arrest him.

[chris37]

I did listen to the 911 tape, and I don’t give a sh*t what you think.

Zimmerman had a right to watch his neighborhood unmolested by a neighborhood thug.

Martin got justice is what Martin got.

Ask the police.

[kabar]

You are speculating. I don’t have a map of the gated community to determine the veracity of Zimmerman’s statement. Fortunately, the police do have such knowledge and based on the physical evidence and testimony, they felt that they could not arrest Zimmerman. Those are the facts.

[Ratman83]

But he sure found him, didn't he? Zimmerman left his vehicle on the road and followed him on foot down the walkway.

Actually we do not know if Zimmerman found him or if Zimmerman was found by Martin. Way to many questions still unanswered.

The report of the call with the girlfriend came from the lawyer for the Martin family but I think he had phone record to support.

[dragnet2]

“”Reports I’ve heard indicated that the firearm was NOT taken and processed. If true, there’s a problem. If not true, then that needs to be dispelled. There is conflicting information.””
____________________________________________________

The only one making conflicting statements and spreading false rumors is you.

The preliminary report was posted here a *dozen* times on this very thread slick.

_____________________________________________________

http://www.sanfordfl.gov/investigation/docs/Twin%20Lakes%20Shooting%20Initial%20Report.pdf

See page 4 of 4.

If you stop being so damn hysterical, and read what is right in front of your face, you see it clearly stated the weapon was “Collected and placed into evidence”.

If fact, you strike me as possibly being racist against Zimmerman.

[Myrddin]

Any suspension is indicative of bad behavior. Most people complete the entire educational process with zero detentions, suspensions or expulsions. There was always a small group of miscreants that were chronically serving detention. A smaller group experienced a suspension. A very small number were expelled. The fact of the suspension puts Trayvon in that minority of students who require more serious disciplinary action than a verbal warning from a teacher in the classrrom.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Considering that Martin’s body was found in the backyard of 2831 Retreat View Circle, what evidence do you have that Zimmerman obeyed police instructions, remained with his truck, and did not follow Martin?

In Mr. Zimmerman’s call to 911 he states that his location is past the clubhouse, past the mailboxes, that he is parked by the cut-thru (walkway). He also states that Martin was walking towards him, towards the back entrance of the complex, then Martin disappeared from view (on the walkway behind the houses). We do NOT know that Zimmerman stopped the chase. Rather, the opposite likely happened.

After first agreeing to meet the police at the mailboxes, Zimmerman amended that, requesting that the responding officer call him for an exact location. That would not have been necessary if he intended to remain with his vehicle and indicated that he intended to leave his vehicle parked on the street and follow Martin on foot.

Are you contending that Martin is to blame because he didn’t get back to the apartment quickly enough?

[McGruff]

Very disappointed in Col. West for jumping to conclusions in this case.

[Molon Labbie]

Don’t know why this was directed to me but nonetheless I know a lil bit about evidence collection and I assure everyone that the firearm was seized and will not be released for a LONG time, as in years.

Considering the notoriety of the case, Zimmerman will not want it back and it will wind up melted down or part of an artificial reef.

[dragnet2]

what evidence do you have that Zimmerman obeyed police instructions, remained with his truck, and did not follow Martin?

That was not some lawful police instruction/command, but a cubicle worker/dispatcher, employed by the city or possibly a private entity, who wasn't even on the scene.

[aruanan]

Zimmerman had a right to watch his neighborhood unmolested by a neighborhood thug.

When you reinterpret what actually is by what you think it ought to be, you're heading for a world of hurt. Most people have learned that lesson by the time they got out of the terrible twos.

Zimmerman had a right to watch his neighborhood. Period. He deliberately went beyond the bounds, violated the guidelines of Neighborhood Watch, disobeyed the instructions of the 911 personnel, precipitated a violent encounter with someone (not a thug as you say to try to legitimize your faulty characterization of the facts) who had every reason to fear for his life from a stranger aggressively following him at night, and every right to elude the pursuing stranger and, when accosted by him, to defend himself. But you seem to be intent on defending the indefensible, so it's not surprising you "don't give a sh*t" what anyone says. Something to think about though is that Zimmerman was unconcerned about being recorded by 911 saying things like the a-holes are always getting away with it and referring to "them" as "f-cking coons." This points directly to his state of mind and it wasn't a good one.

Furthermore, when misery pimps try to highjack this incident for their own political ends, the correct response is to draw attention to their opportunism, not to make the completely illogical conclusion that the facts of the case must be 180 degrees different than what they are complaining about because you don't like their misuse of the situation.

[dragnet2]

I assure everyone that the firearm was seized and will not be released for a LONG time, as in years.

It was Mr. SoldierDad who questioned if this was done, even though the preliminary report, which was posted on this thread a dozen times, clearly indicated this.

In fact, anyone even suggesting or implying this was not done in a case such as this, are intentionally spreading false rumors IMO.

Anyone capable of critical thought would know this was always done in cases such as this.

BTW, your moniker was accidentally posted along with a few others. My apologies.

[Molon Labbie]

No worries.