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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums2 eyewitnesses put together could make Trayvon's killing a hate crime
They were interviewed in the immediate aftermath, so knew nothing except what they saw and heard.
One witness heard someone yell, "I've got a gun. I've got a gun. Take my gun from me."
The other one is adamant that there was no physical fighting going on when the gunshot went off.
That sure sounds like Zimmerman taunting Martin before shooting him.
Add in a 3rd witness who saw/heard an "unidentified neighbor" asking someone on his back if he needed help and the person on his back replied "Call 911" and then, seconds later heard the gunshot... I can't help but wonder if Trayvon stopped punching Zimmerman when it was clear he won the fight, asked him if he needed help, and that gave Zimmerman a chance to pull out his gun, taunt him and shoot him.
If that witness had seen Martin around, his face would have looked familiar. But she wouldn't have been able to identify him because he didn't live there so she didn't know him.
Jumping John
(930 posts)officer approaching the crime scene.
People who carry concealed are taught that the first thing to do when approached by police is to inform the police that they have a firearm.
http://justoneminute.typepad.com/
magical thyme
(14,881 posts)libodem
(19,288 posts)Absolutely, pure and simple. Zimmerman said "fucking coon" on the phone, just before the shooting. That stands for something.
spin
(17,493 posts)CNN has some real audio experts with years and years of experience who analyzed the tape of the 911 call.
Shooting of Trayvon Martin
***snip***
Reporting on Zimmerman call to dispatcher
***snip***
After the audio of the call was released, CNN[230] and other reports alleged Zimmerman had exclaimed "fucking coons," two minutes and twenty-one seconds (2:21) into the call. Two weeks later on April 4, 2012, CNN claimed that enhanced audio revealed the word to be "cold".[231] The following day, April 5, 2012, CNN's Martin Savidge reported that forensic audio expert Tom Owen claimed it was "punks".[232] It is said to be "punks" in the affidavit of probable cause, dated April 11, 2012.[161] Other reviewers of the call have offered alternate interpretations of what was said, including "unintelligible". According to the Associated Press, the alleged racial slur "fed growing outrage over the police department's initial decision not to arrest Zimmerman".[233][234][104][235]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Trayvon_Martin#Aspects_of_coverage
I heard last night that the FBI was unable to determine exactly what Zimmerman said as the quality of the tape was too poor.
I'm not defending Zimmerman but I am pointing out that replacing our system of justice with all its faults and trusting in the 24/7 news media would be foolish.
The media often has an agenda. They don't always let facts get in the way of that agenda.