Zimmerman was the instigator of this tragedy. He followed Martin first by vehicle and then on foot. When Martin asked Zimmerman why he was following him Zimmerman refused to identify himself or explain his actions:
Zimmerman told them he lost sight of Trayvon and was walking back to his SUV when Trayvon approached him from the left rear, and they exchanged words.
Trayvon asked Zimmerman if he had a problem. Zimmerman said no and reached for his cellphone, he told police. Trayvon then said, “Well, you do now,” or something similar and punched Zimmerman in the nose, according to the account he gave police.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/mar/27/trayvon-attacked-first-says-shooter/
I would certainly consider the actions of someone who stalked me first by vehicle and then on foot in the dead on night and then failed to identify himself or state his reasons for following me to be a threat. Even a police officer must identify himself under such circumstances according to Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law :
CHAPTER 776, JUSTIFIABLE USE OF FORCE
776.032 Immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action for justifiable use of force.—
(1) A person who uses force as permitted in s. 776.012, s. 776.013, or s. 776.031 is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force, unless the person against whom force was used is a law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 943.10(14), who was acting in the performance of his or her official duties and the officer identified himself or herself in accordance with any applicable lawhttp://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0776/0776.html
If police officers must identity themselves in such circumstances it would seem reasonable that any cop wannabe should be held to at least the same standard. But Zimmerman did not identify himself or say that he was acting as a member of a Neighborhood Watch. At that point any reasonable person would consider fight or flight. Martin chose to stand his ground as the law permits.
Much has been made of Martin’s record of school suspensions but they appear to have no bearing on this case. No drugs, spray paint or “burglar tools” were found on Martin. Furthermore, it is Zimmerman who has a history of assault, not Martin. In 2005 Zimmerman assaulted a police officer and later claimed that it was the officer who provoked him. Also in 2005 Zimmerman got into a fight with his girlfriend after going to her residence. He then claimed that she wanted him to go there and fight with her despite the fact that she had asked him to vacate her property.
In 2005, according to an arrest report, a state agent arrested Zimmerman for battery on a law enforcement officer and obstructing justice. According to the report, authorities were arresting several employees near the University of Central Florida.
Agent Paul Fleishman wrote that Zimmerman walked up to a pal under arrest and began chatting, refusing to leave. Zimmerman cursed him, Fleishman wrote, before pushing him and causing a “short struggle.”
The charge was later dropped when Zimmerman entered a “pre-trial diversion” program, which is not unusual for first-time offenders.
Zimmerman – in applying to enter the citizens’ police academy – later disputed the official version of the event, insisting that the agent never identified himself. Before the case was resolved, he was also involved in a domestic dispute with his ex-fiance, Veronica Zauzo.
Zauzo claimed Zimmerman was trolling her neighborhood to check on her. At her apartment she asked him to leave.
A pushing match ensued and her dog bit him on the cheek, Zauzo claimed. Zimmerman, in a petition filed the next day, painted her as the aggressor, wanting him to stay the night.
In 2012 Zimmerman stalked Trayvon Martin whom Zimmerman considered to be suspicious because Zimmerman said he didn’t recognize him as being from the area despite the fact that Zimmerman also claimed that he did not know what street he was on at the time. We know what happened next. There is definitely a pattern of George Zimmerman becoming involved in violent incidents and then blaming the other party. He also has a nasty habit of vilifying individuals based on collectivist stereotypes. In the following audio recording of Zimmerman’s 911 call ( 2 minute and 22 second mark) he can be heard mumbling, “Fucking coons.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgR7gCxXQYg
If this incident is to be discounted due to a unreasonable interpretation of the “Stand Your Ground” law then that good law will be condemned and likely amended or overturned. Zimmerman’s actions made no one safer and any justification of his actions also makes every one of us who claims the right of legitimate self defense less safe from actual criminals and the government as well.
