It's Watch!... Neighborhood Watch. Not shoot.

Zimmerman had wet grass all over his back while Martin had grass stains on the knees of his pants only. The forensic evidence proved the gun was in contact with Martin's shirt when he was shot, but not in contact with his chest...is that possible unless Martin is on top of Zimmerman and his clothes are hanging down?

I know people think they are entitled to their own facts around here, but are you going to argue against the laws of gravity as well?

 

Isn't it at least clear that Martin was getting the better of Zimmerman in the confrontation?

Martin had no injuries other than the gunshot wound (and the slight scrapes on his left hand knuckles).

Zimmerman's injuries may not have been "life threatening", but he did have cuts on his head, and a (maybe) broken nose. Martin did not have similar injuries.

 

Of course that's clear.

What isn't clear is who started the physical confrontation. (Yes, Zimmerman told the cops Martin attacked him. But that's his version. I wish a witness had seen the whole thing.) If Zimmerman started it, then he had no right to go for his gun once he started losing the fight.

Also, I'm not entirely convinced he was in a life-threatening situation. I think he overreacted.

 

I'm not sure the law agrees with you. Self defense is self defense. Who "started the fight" isn't really relevant. You don't get permission to kick someone's ass just because "they started it".

And, since we'll never know "who started it", it's going to be tough to convict based on this basis anyway.

Based on what? When you're getting your ass kicked, and there's no end in sight, how do you determine if it's life threatening?

He (at least according to him) called out for help, and no one came to his aid. There was no one there to break up the fight, and no indication that was going to stop.

And, legally, it's the perception of the person who chooses to defend himself/herself that matters. Maybe you don't think it was life threatening, but could Zimmerman have reasonably perceived his life to be in danger?

 

Oh sure, Zimmerman probably did think he was in a life-threatening situation. But that doesn't mean he wasn't overreacting.

 

Judge allows jury to consider manslaughter charges, opening the door for a "compromise decision":

Prosecutors also asking the judge to allow jury to consider 3rd degree murder, based on "child abuse".

Defense is flipping out on the Judge, who doesn't appreciate it.

 

I saw that video where the judge was insistent that Zimmerman tell her whether he was testifying or not, and kept swatting away his lawyer's objections. I wasn't under the impression that the judge needed to know that beforehand and make a big freaking deal about it. Isn't it enough for her to know that he's not testifying when the defense rests and he wasn't called?

 

Didn't Zimmerman say Martin slammed his head into the sidewalk? If that is true, by definition, that is life-threatening since having your head smack into a concrete barrier can in fact kill you.

 

He said it, but his injuries are not consistent with it.

One scratch of 2 cm, one of .5 cm. Neither required stitches.

 

It's pretty clear at this point that the judge is following the orders of her political masters and not the law.

She's in the bag for the prosecution.

 

OK, they were small. How did they get there though?

And, I'm still confused by the whole "he had no DNA on him" line? If we agree that Martin was getting the better of Zimmerman, what is the point of this statement. It makes it sound like you are arguing that the lack of DNA suggests that he never hit Zimmerman. But, you acknowledge he did.

So, what does the "no DNA" mean? What does it tell us?

 

Based on the testimony of the expert posted above it's not as relevant as the professional race-baiters want it to be.

I'm with Hokie on this. It's horrible this kid is dead and Zimmerman is no hero and not a sympathetic figure as far as his actions went that night.

But this trial has been a railroading from Day One and anyone who doesn't see that is a fool. The attempts by pimps like Sharpton and other racists to make this a "Get Whitey" situation are disgusting as well.