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The full information from the tapes show that he got out of the vehicle, pursuant to a conversation he had with the dispatcher in which he could not give the addrezs, to obtain the address. There is no evidence that he got out of the vehicle for any other purpose. I believe that you are engaging in an unwarranted assumption.

But assume, arguendo that he did get out of his vehicle to see more closely what Martin was up to: How is that a criminal act or an element of a criminal act? How is it an element of manslaughter, even were the judge to get away with injecting manslaughter into the case at the eleventh hour, after the defense had presented its case?

The only assumption I make is that Zimmerman got out of the car to get a good address. This was a very dumb idea with a “suspicious person” around. He could have driven a couple of yards further and obtained an adequate address without leaving his car.

As to your second point. Zimmerman had every right to get out of the car for any purpose, but just because you can do something, should you do it? I should be able to walk through South East DC. at night with wads of money hanging out of my pockets, but is that a wise thing to do?

My whole point here is that carrying concealed should make the person carrying be more cautious than normal to avoid confrontations. Zimmerman did not exercise caution and he got into a situation that required him to use justified deadly force. He should not have been charged and should not have spent one day in jail, but this is the sort of trouble you can get into if you put yourself in dangerous situations or you are not aware of your surroundings.

"But assume, arguendo that he did get out of his vehicle to see more closely what Martin was up to: How is that a criminal act or an element of a criminal act? How is it an element of manslaughter, even were the judge to get away with injecting manslaughter into the case at the eleventh hour, after the defense had presented its case?"

I say not guilty and prosecute rioters. Jurors take their families on vacation.

Something occurred to me while reading your post. GZ turned down a uniform, a car with yellow lights and a computer, I think.

Since he did not have these identifiers as neighborhood watch, maybe TM thought it was something personal - you know, the "crazy ass cracker".

It might not have occurred to TM that GZ was neighborhood watch and might have a gun.

No excuse in TM circulating back to smack down GZ. At that point, I think TM made a very stupid assessment - he didn't count on GZ being armed even though any Floridian can "conceal carry", right?

After he was shot, TM said "you got me". I know what it means but I'd like to know what that meant to TM at the time. Just a small detail that sticks in my mind. No big deal in the big picture.