Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

muntrv

(14,505 posts)
Wed Jul 17, 2013, 10:45 PM Jul 2013

6 decisions that could have saved Trayvon Martin's life.

It's impossible to know whether it was Trayvon Martin or George Zimmerman who threw the first punch in the confrontation that ended Martin’s life. The jury apparently relied on that ambiguity to acquit Zimmerman of murdering Martin, because he said he killed the 17-year-old in self defense. But despite the confusion, there are plenty of facts that both sides can agree on. While Zimmerman may have been found not guilty, that doesn't mean he wasn't responsible. Trayvon Martin would be alive today, but for at least six decisions made or not made by Zimmerman and the state of Florida.


1. Zimmerman could have decided not to follow Martin.
For starters, George Zimmerman is not a law enforcement official trained in spotting suspicious or criminal behavior. Zimmerman told a 911 operator that Martin seemed suspicious and appeared to be "on drugs or something. It's raining and he’s just walking around, looking about." It was not 3 a.m. when Zimmerman spotted Martin. Rather, it was early evening, a time when people typically "walk around, looking about." Had Zimmerman simply gone about his business, we never would have heard about either of them.


2. Zimmerman could have listened to the 911 operator and not followed Martin.
Talking to an operator, Zimmerman complained, "These assholes, they always get away." He later narrated, "Shit, he's running.”

"Are you following him?" the operator asked.

Zimmerman confirmed he was. "Ok, we don't need you to do that," the operator told him. If Zimmerman had simply let Martin run away, he'd be alive today. Martin, it later emerged, found Zimmerman as deeply suspicious as Zimmerman found him. Only one of those judgments turned out to be correct.

SEE MORE AT LINK BELOW

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/15/6-decisions-trayvon_n_3600690.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
6 decisions that could have saved Trayvon Martin's life. (Original Post) muntrv Jul 2013 OP
the comments after that piece are truly disgusting. niyad Jul 2013 #1
I read just a handful of them YarnAddict Jul 2013 #4
Zman didn't have to shoot and I don't think most people would have. Hoyt Jul 2013 #2
+1 darkangel218 Jul 2013 #3

niyad

(113,527 posts)
1. the comments after that piece are truly disgusting.
Wed Jul 17, 2013, 10:54 PM
Jul 2013

the article itself also talks about a fight that we do not know for a fact happened.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
2. Zman didn't have to shoot and I don't think most people would have.
Wed Jul 17, 2013, 11:02 PM
Jul 2013

Thus, I believe Zman did not act as a reasonable person . Basically he acted as a callous, cold hearted, bigot with a gun. If that is reasonable.......

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»6 decisions that could ha...