Will Florida Prosecute Holder's People?

American Thinker ^ | 3-30-12 | Russ Vaughn

[SJackson]

For those of you who have been wondering, yes, it is probably illegal for the New Black Panthers to offer a 'dead or alive" reward for George Zimmerman. Over at Pajamas Media, J. Christian Adams, the former justice department lawyer who resigned in protest against Eric Holder's refusal to prosecute this same NBPP organization for voter intimidation in Philadelphia, has spelled out just how the hate group's actions may be prosecutable by Florida authorities:

So what crimes may have the New Black Panthers committed in Florida with their threats toward George Zimmerman?

[Former Proud Canadian]

From the article:

Additionally, according to Adams, Trayvon Martin, himself, may have been in violation of an "oddball" Florida law which accords protections to those individuals engaged in neighborhood watch activities. The existence of such a law carries with it the possibility that Martin, whether or not he was otherwise innocent of any criminal intent, violated Florida law by aggressively challenging Zimmerman's inquiries.

I guess Tray can't be charged now.

[hoosiermama]

Did you know about this law?

[Above My Pay Grade]

Maybe they can charge the thousands of idiots who have claimed, “I am Trayvon”.

Looks like his mother might sue them for trademark infringement, as she has filed for a trademark on the phrase. I guess the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

[muir_redwoods]

So far, the NBPP is playing with house money. They cannot lose no matter what they do or say. Should one of their outrages result in counter-violence by their intended victim, we’ll see how fast they run to the (in)Justice Dept. looking for protection.

They are loud and mouthy because no one has hit back yet. If and when it happens they will begin to learn the virtue of silence. A long overdue lesson, IMHO.

[GOPJ]

In announcing a reward for the seizure of Zimmerman, the New Black Panthers may have violated Florida Code 787.01. It makes it a felony to "by threat, confining or abducting, or imprisoning another person against his . . . will without lawful authority with intent to . . . terrorize."

Local newspapers are standing firmly with the lawless lynch mob - a group no different than the KKK. Why? Because just like newspapers did in the South's racist past, they STAND WITH THE "IN" MEME. When white racists ideas ruled - they backed white racists. When black racists ideas rule, they stand with them. Lowlifes.

[Cboldt]

-- Additionally, according to Adams, Trayvon Martin, himself, may have been in violation of an "oddball" Florida law which accords protections to those individuals engaged in neighborhood watch activities. --

Here is that law:

843.20 Harassment of participant of neighborhood crime watch program prohibited; penalty; definitions.--

(1) It shall be a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, for any person to willfully harass, threaten, or intimidate an identifiable member of a neighborhood crime watch program while such member is engaged in, or traveling to or from, an organized neighborhood crime watch program activity or a member who is participating in an ongoing criminal investigation, as designated by a law enforcement officer.

(2) As used in this section, the term:

(a) "Harass" means to engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific person which causes substantial emotional distress in that person and serves no legitimate purpose.

(b) "Organized neighborhood crime watch program activity" means any prearranged event, meeting, or other scheduled activity, or neighborhood patrol, conducted by or at the direction of a neighborhood crime watch program or the program's authorized designee. History.--s. 2, ch. 2004-18.

2011 Florida Statutes - Chapter 843 OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE

If Zimmerman's account is true, Trayvon was in the process of committing felony battery.

Trayvon was probably not committing an infraction against 843.20, because Zimmerman was not engaged in the organized neighborhood watch, nor investigating pursuant to an ongoing investigation designated by a law enforcement officer.

[muawiyah]

Right off hand did anybody find this 'oddball florida law'?

I hate references like that ~

[MrB]

So, how is that USAG’s investigation into the solicitation of kidnapping and murder going?

I’m holding my breath over here....

[thump]

[Snow Eagle]

For anyone interested, the phone number to the Fla AG, Pam Bondi,is 850-245-0150. There is also an email form on her website to submit a complaint.... not enforcing the law is certainly grounds for a complaint.

[Texas Fossil]

Local newspapers are standing firmly with the lawless lynch mob - a group no different than the KKK. Why? Because just like newspapers did in the South's racist past, they STAND WITH THE "IN" MEME. When white racists ideas ruled - they backed white racists. When black racists ideas rule, they stand with them. Lowlifes.

I have a couple of issues with what you just stated.

First: You mentioned "local newspapers". In my humble opinion it is the "local newspapers" who are much more accurate in coverage of the events surrounding Trayvon's death. The National Main Stream Media are the people who are race baiting and intentionally distorting and inflaming this issue.

Second: Just what time period are you referring to about the Souths racist past? And the "South" in not the same in all locals. Such a broad brush painting of the South as racists is a distortion of reality.

[Cboldt]

784.03 Battery; felony battery.--

(1)(a) The offense of battery occurs when a person:

1. Actually and intentionally touches or strikes another person against the will of the other; or

2. Intentionally causes bodily harm to another person.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person who commits battery commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(2) A person who has one prior conviction for battery, aggravated battery, or felony battery and who commits any second or subsequent battery commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. For purposes of this subsection, "conviction" means a determination of guilt that is the result of a plea or a trial, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld or a plea of nolo contendere is entered.

2011 Florida Statutes - F.S. 784.03

Or, if Trayvon was attempting to disarm Zimmerman, see this statute:

784.045 Aggravated battery.--

(1)(a) A person commits aggravated battery who, in committing battery:

1. Intentionally or knowingly causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement; or

2. Uses a deadly weapon.

(b) A person commits aggravated battery if the person who was the victim of the battery was pregnant at the time of the offense and the offender knew or should have known that the victim was pregnant.

(2) Whoever commits aggravated battery shall be guilty of a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

2011 Florida Statutes - F.S. 784.045

If Trayvon was alive, he'd be charged with a crime.

[dirtboy]

Yeah, I don't think the law applies to Zimmerman in this case since he was not clearly identifiable as being part of a neighborhood watch, as he had no shirt or hat conveying such. However, it does mean that those engaged in watching over the neighborhood do have legal protections under Florida law, and diminishes the arguments of some that Trayvon had special legal cause to be aggreived by being monitored by Zimmerman.

But I doubt the shysters will be put off by these concepts. They are too busy pretending a man with a Spanish-speaking Peruvian mother is not a true Hispanic and that bashing someone's head against the sidewalk is not potentially lethal force.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Pam Biondi is a hottie AG with higher aspirations. It will be interesting to see what she does(or doesn’t).

[Cboldt]

Your application of the law to the uncontested facts in evidence is incorrect. You can bluster and crank all you want, it just makes you look more and more foolish.

You've earned all the ridicule you get, and for every person reading your posts who comments, there are ten or more that detest you behind your back. You are a thug enabler. A bad person. Somebody that no decent person would want to associate with.

[trebb]

If Zimmerman's account is true, Trayvon was in the process of committing felony battery. Trayvon was probably not committing an infraction against 843.20, because Zimmerman was not engaged in the organized neighborhood watch, nor investigating pursuant to an ongoing investigation designated by a law enforcement officer.

Agree with both assertions. Some are saying Zimmerman had no rights because he wasn't "officially" on-duty, but I don't see how a concerned community RESIDENT would not be allowed to watch strangers hanging around their home turf.

Hopefully (if you believe Zimmerman) It can be demonstrated that he made no hostile moves before Martin attacked him. What has come out so far seems to tip things in Zimmerman's defense.

[ZX12R]

There is also an email form on her website to submit a complaint.... not enforcing the law is certainly grounds for a complaint.

I filed a complaint about this through her website yesterday morning. Waiting to see if I get any reply.

[Cboldt]

-- ... and diminishes the arguments of some that Trayvon had special legal cause to be aggreived by being monitored by Zimmerman. --

Well, the people who argue that Trayvon has some sort of legal protection are wrong. Clearly wrong. The law takes a VERY dim view of the person throwing the first punch, and being followed at a distance is certainly not justification for approaching that person and cold cocking them.

Trayvon was committing a felony. Would likely have been plead down to misdemeanor battery, had he survived.

And there are people, I agree, who think the battery law should be stricken so people have a right to hit first, out of being annoyed or angry.

[Cboldt]

-- Pam Biondi is a hottie AG with higher aspirations. It will be interesting to see what she does(or doesn't). --

She can choose the Nifong route, or she can choose to be objective. The facts that she is privy to will come out if she decides to try Zimmerman, and she will be as much in the spotlight as Zimmerman is now.