ZIMMERMAN VERDICT PART 3: “WHO STARTED IT?”

Backwoods Home ^ | July 17th, 2013 | Massad Ayoob

[Sopater]

Welcome to the new commentators here, many of whom seem to feel that Zimmerman started the encounter, a concept that concerns many of our regulars as well. Whenever there’s a fight, no matter the degree of consequences, the first question is always “who started it?”

Zimmerman took the first action, calling police when he observed Martin. He said that he was concerned because the man in the hoodie appeared to be wandering slowly and aimlessly in heavy rain. This is more consistent with what might be called “casing the joint” than with someone in a hurry to get somewhere dry. He didn’t mention Martin’s skin color until expressly asked about it by the call center operator.

The evidence indicates that Zimmerman didn’t get out of his car until the operator asked where the suspicious person was, and where the police should meet Zimmerman, the complainant. Taking that as a request for information, Zimmerman obligingly got out of the car to gather the intelligence that seemed to have been implicitly requested of him. He was, after all, the elected (not self-appointed) captain of Neighborhood Watch, and his function as Eyes and Ears of the Police had been drilled into him and the other Watch members through the Police Department itself. When the call-taker asked if he was following the man, Zimmerman replied in the affirmative. He was then told, “You don’t have to do that.”

[Sopater]

Within the totality of the circumstances presented in court by the prosecution itself, it would seem that saying “Zimmerman started it” is like saying that a woman was raped “because she asked for it.”

I was thinking the same thing.

[wideawake]

So much of the rhetoric is: "Trayvon had every right to walk down that street!"

George Zimmerman did too, people. Trayvon Martin didn't own the street.

[marron]

Zimmerman took the first action, calling police when he observed Martin.

He was Neighborhood Watch. Communities establish "Neighborhood Watch" for a reason. He was doing his job.

He was keeping an eye on the guy because he didn't recognize him as being from the neighborhood, and because his behavior didn't match someone just walking through to get somewhere. And, in keeping with his job, he was on the phone with the police.

One important lesson here: when he was jumped, and calling for help, no one came. No one even was willing to step out on the porch and shout, "I'm calling the police". Had anyone done that, the kid would still no doubt be alive.

But they didn't. So its a very good thing Zimmerman was armed. Because like they say, when seconds count, the police are minutes away. And sadly, you can't count on your neighbors to come running to your aid.

[MestaMachine]

“WHO STARTED IT?”

lyndon johnson

[fireman15]

For those who are not familiar with the author... “Massad F. Ayoob (born 20 July 1948) is an internationally-known firearms and self-defense instructor. He has taught police techniques and civilian self-defense to both law enforcement officers and private citizens in numerous venues since 1974. He was the director of the Lethal Force Institute (LFI) in Concord, New Hampshire from 1981 to 2009, and now directs the Massad Ayoob Group (MAG).[1] Ayoob has appeared as an expert witness in several trials. He has served as a part-time police officer in New Hampshire since 1972 and holds the rank of Captain in the Grantham, New Hampshire police department.[2]”, from wikipedia.

[MrB]

Martin might not have stopped pummeling George in his drug addled rage when someone shouted “I’m calling the police”.

But... we’ll never know.

I’m just saying it isn’t a certainty.

[Uncle Chip]

Check the 8:00 minute mark for Tracy Martin’s big promo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MEfqX9aPJyg

“Some of the missions of our [Trayvon Martin] foundation is to mentor, do scholarships, educate communities on the law, and to advocate for senseless violence.”

Yep — he did say it:

“and to advocate for senseless violence.”

[Shelayne]

One important lesson here: when he was jumped, and calling for help, no one came. No one even was willing to step out on the porch and shout, "I'm calling the police". Had anyone done that, the kid would still no doubt be alive.

Yes. Zimmerman repeatedly told the police that he screamed for help and nobody came. It was apparent he didn't want to shoot the thug beating him, but not a single person came to his aid. He screamed for help for 40 seconds. I cannot imagine how terrified he must have felt.

[Sopater]

LBJ!
LOL!

[GeorgeWashingtonsGhost]

I think a neighbor DID say that.

All I know is, if Trayvon had survived, he'd been charged with 'Assault & Battery'. This is a felony, and I believe since Trayvon was on suspension at the time of his crime, he'd not escape this charge in the courts.

[tpmintx]

Put yourself in Mr. Zimmerman's shoes.

If Mr. Zimmerman had intended to do harm to the young kid wandering around the neighborhood, do you think he would have called the police first?

[agere_contra]

The drug in question appears to have been DXM

[Dilbert San Diego]

In today’s politically correct environment, anyone who tried to intervene in the fight might have ended up being sued in court themselves.

[Red in Blue PA]

We need to ban neighborhood watches and make it illegal to profile/s

[Beagle8U]

John Good told him he was calling the cops, and he told Crayon to stop, Crayon didn’t.

[soozla]

Who started it?????......well Ms. Rachel says Trayvon started it:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2013/07/17/rachel_jeantel_travyon_hit_first.html

[RAY]

AMEN!!

[JoeProBono]

[Bob]

One of the neighbors, I believe his name was ‘Good’, did just that. He was the guy who testified that TM was on top of GZ.

[marron]

One of the neighbors, I believe his name was ‘Good’, did just that. He was the guy who testified that TM was on top of GZ.

Thanks, I think you're right.

Which means there was no stopping the kid short of a bullet.