This isn't really about the Zimmerman case anymore (in my mind at least). Based on the law, even in duty to retreat states, the force used to defend yourself doesn't have to be proportional to the force being used against you. If you feel that you are in jeopardy of suffering serious injury, and a reasonable person would agree with you, then you can escalate to deadly force regardless of what is being used to hurt you.

Since none of those things are necessarily illegal, my guess is it probably isn't justified. YMMV, try it an post trip report?

Of course it's possible.

man who the **** is responsible for this ****ing ****?





god damn idiot.

It's possible he did overreact. I know I've been in that position exactly once and that's the only time in my life I've ever drive stunned someone with a taser while pepper spraying them in the face.

It's incredibly easy to overreact and feel you're at more risk than you are in that position.

Now, if he wasn't on his back at all, or wasn't on his back during the shooting, the chances he deserves to walk diminish to near zero.

Define race.

b

How do you know for a fact Zimmerman's gun wasn't visible? For the sake of this sub-discussion, assume it was visible, since neither of us can know that for a fact either way.

Note: I'm not suggesting that "run like hell" isn't a BETTER option at that point, but I'm not asking about what a better option is, I'm asking about whether it's reasonable to assume Martin would have had a self-defense case of his own in this situation. No duty to retreat after all, even if it's the smart move -- and maybe he figured "I've tried getting away from this guy, but it didn't work, he is either faster than me or knows the area better. Running isn't an option."

I think it's entirely reasonable to say yes he would have a good self-defense case -- at which point either Zimmerman doesn't get self-defense too, or the law allows "self-defense" for BOTH parties for merely getting themselves into a situation where they're both afraid, which is just antithetical to common sense.

They will never charge him with murder in a million years. They better take a plea if he gives them one for manslaughter and run.

Aren't you studying to be a lawyer?

One more time:

Yeah...setting up a trap for me here? Let's jump to the conclusion plz.

GTry proving me wrong instead of the personal attacks.

Or is the personal attack the result of you scouring the Internet to find something that refutes my definition, realizing it wasn't there and saying "**** it, I'll take the low road"

Seriously - what's your argument for the perception of imminent death or permanent injury despite no actual injury?

I'm not familiar with Florida, specifically, but Zimmerman probably also has the opportunity to speak in his own defense before the grand jury.

The delay is from the DA deciding when to send the case to the grand jury...

Don't want to offend DBJ buy appearing to white knight him, but do your friends find your views mainstream? I appreciate your voice but you gotta recognize your more than a standard deviation or two away from the norm, right?