TRAYVON MARTIN UPDATE QUESTIONS

These past few weeks the nation has been riveted by the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, a 17 year old black youth visiting family in Sanford, Florida. He was confronted by George Zimmerman, a white looking Hispanic, who it's reported is a Citizen Patrol member in his community.

Trayvon Martin & George Zimmerman

As the story unfolds, lots of theories emerge. The fact is that Trayvon is dead and George shot and killed him. The legal issues are being analyzed by the various experts from the community or even the television pundits. All experts are without facts. They're on either side of the argument. This has become a racially charged shooting death. The State of Florida's "STAND YOUR GROUND" law of no retreat is under microscopic review. This law allows State of Florida individuals to "NOT" retreat from confrontation, but rather justifies a deadly shooting, when the opportunity to retreat from confrontation is another choice.

The law appears to be an EXTENSION of the CASTLE LAW, which allows a person to defend his home, family and property from intruders by the use of Deadly Force. The test of the "Stand Your Ground" law will have a definite affect on many other States which followed Florida by passing similar laws.  It appears that this is a sign of our time, when individuals must arm themselves to protect themselves and family even out on the street.

The increase of "Home Invasions", "Strong Armed Robberies", "Carjackings", "Theft" and "Confrontations" on the streets, at shopping malls, on highways and at restaurants has led to such a law. It's time communities take the responsibility to clean-up their community of criminal enterprises, gangs, gun drive-by's, drugs and other related offences.

This past week the States Attorney responsible for the Zimmerman prosecution released to the media and public specific evidence gathered for the trial. These included photo's of Zimmerman's cuts and broken nose. It is quiet different than what the media frenzy showed in the first hours of this tragedy. These photo's do not suggest that Zimmerman was justified, but does display a more violent confrontation than what had been initially reported.

9 mm
(not the same gun)

I do not justify Zimmerman's behavior or action, but rather question the other elements of the crime scene, forensics and even the initial police reports. This was a confrontation which did not have to happen, it wasn't with initial intent, but rather a series of events that culminated in the shooting death of a 17 year old who was only guilty of "WWB" "Walking While Black" on a rainy night in a community that has experienced numerous crimes during the evening.


Was it Zimmerman's responsibility to retreat upon the direction of the 911 operator?  Did young Martin confront Zimmerman, questioning why he was being followed? The wording that Zimmerman used in the 911 phone call suggests that he has a problem with racial issues, or was he just trying to describe the situation that he has encountered? Which ever way one's looks at the confrontation, it's true that Trayvon Martin is dead from a gunshot by Zimmerman!

The question about the "Stand Your Ground" law should be legally connected to the requirement of Concealed Weapons Permit requiring proper training and a 3 year review of licensed holders.