The defense team for Zimmerman (the 28 year old, overzealous neighborhood watch, trigger man in the Trayvon Martin murder case), posted on the defense fund website, “The George Zimmerman Defense Fund is down to $5,000.” That’s down from $315,000 in January. They calculate “that Zimmerman needs another $120,000 to put on a good defense or even another $75,000 to give him a fighting chance.” The attorneys who state they haven’t accepted a dime thus far, state the additional money will be needed in upcoming weeks to pay for experts and transcript depositions. Yeah, right!
“Lady Justice may be blind,
but she sure knows the value of a dollar.”
So let me see if I've got this right … $315,000 to dig up dirt on Trayvon smoking pot, spray painting “WTF” on a wall, text messeging about
gangs and generally doing the dumb things a teenager does. Plus another $250,000 to pay for expert opinions, depositions and lawyer’s fees. That’s about $600,000 conservatively. And they say time doesn't pay. Kind of sounds like the Lottery Jackpot to me.
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| Trayvon Martin Now famous personal photo |
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| George Zmmerman AP |
On February 26, 2012, Zimmerman, in his non-emergency call to the local police department, described Martin (a 17 year old African-American) as
looking “like he was up to no good or on drugs or something.” Martin was walking through a gated community he was temporarily residing in. Zimmerman also resided in the community and served as the community’s neighborhood watch coordinator. After a police dispatcher advised him to stay in his vehicle, Zimmerman proceeded to follow Martin. Shortly after the call ended, Zimmerman confronted Martin, a scuffle ensued and Zimmerman’s handgun was discharged. Martin was fatally wounded in the chest. He was 70 yards from the residence he and his father were visiting. He had committed no crime, was wearing a hoodie because it was raining, and he was armed with some Skittles and a soft drink.
After the incident, Zimmerman was questioned for 5 hours and released. He was finally arrested some 45 days later, amidst allegations of racial bias, federal inquiries, and the appointment of a special prosecutor. Zimmerman is charged with 2nd degree murder and is pleading not guilty. The trial is slated to begin with jury selection June 10, 2013.
After the incident, Zimmerman was questioned for 5 hours and released. He was finally arrested some 45 days later, amidst allegations of racial bias, federal inquiries, and the appointment of a special prosecutor. Zimmerman is charged with 2nd degree murder and is pleading not guilty. The trial is slated to begin with jury selection June 10, 2013.
Outraged Seminole County citizens scream for
justice for Trayvon.
Associated Press
Now if I was a betting man, I would put my money on Zimmerman going to prison for a very long time. There is no evidence Martin did anything illegal. Had Zimmerman stayed in his vehicle as instructed by the police dispatcher, there would have been no confrontation. Zimmerman was not a law enforcement officer or even a security guard. He was a “neighborhood watch volunteer” who had racially profiled Martin and violated his civil rights. Trayvon Martin is dead because George Zimmerman was playing “cops and robbers” and the state of Florida allowed him to carry a firearm. This is an open and shut case, right?
Or is it? We are talking about Florida. The state that demonstrated in two consecutive presidential elections, an inability to properly count votes (we’ve only been counting voting in this country for 238 years).
Also on trial will be Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law.” This controversial law, which is backed and sponsored by the National Rifle Association (NRA), justifies the use of deadly force in self-defense (in Florida self-defense refers to your home or your person). According to David Kopel (author, attorney and political science expert), if defense attorneys can prove Zimmerman feared for his life in pre-trial hearings, under Florida’s Stand Your Ground laws, a judge can throw this case out and Zimmerman will go free.
Trayvon’s mother and Floridian Democratic leaders entered
legislation to repeal Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” laws in January 2013. In
light of public indignation and the outcry for justice for Trayvon, the NRA
remains adamant about keeping this law from being overturned.
In states like Texas or Florida where the “Stand Your Ground, Line in the Sand or No Duty to Retreat” laws prevail, it seems to me the common citizenry is reduced to “old west justice.” Where is Wyatt Earp when you need him? At least he had the common sense to outlaw the carrying of firearms in town limits.
Wyatt Earp
Historic Photo from Wikipedia
The trial of George Zimmerman, charged in the murder of Treyvon Martin begins today.
ReplyDeleteSet to be televised, the eyes of the nation and firearms enthusiast will focus on this Florida community.
Many will be looking and wondering if Treyvon will receive justice, while others will be looking for precedence allowing the transformation of the average American city into a Dodge City or Tombstone of a bygone era.