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<p>In states with the death penalty and super lengthy sentences, it is frightening when you think how few defendants can afford to mount a real defense to the case of the State.</p>
<p>[Expert</a> says evidence jibes with Zimmerman’s story in murder trial | The Detroit News](<a href=“http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130709/NATION/307090053/1361/Judge-considers-animated-depiction-of-fatal-struggle-at-Zimmerman-trial]Expert”>http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130709/NATION/307090053/1361/Judge-considers-animated-depiction-of-fatal-struggle-at-Zimmerman-trial)</p>
<p>The defense is proposing an animation that shows what happened from the defense view.</p>
<p>Just in from Illinois. As we hash out this on CC, it looks like another state will join the ranks of concealed carry.</p>
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<p>no humor or sarcasm…and no, I’m not defending GZ, just trying to show that what happened that night may be different than what the majority here are posting. I realize that most who post here do not want to hear any other possibilities, their minds are made up. GZ was carrying a gun, he must be guilty according to CC posters…some are even suggesting he set out to kill TM in cold blood. I guess you have no problem with those opinions…but felt the need to call me out for suggesting a different scenario??</p>
<p>I have no problem with guns I have a problem when they are used poorly. So if a 17 year old gets followed, reacts to be followed and ends up dead it concerns me.</p>
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<p>I completely agree. There is no way that GZ can reasonably claim self-defense in an encounter THAT HE INTITIATED with no provocation at all from his victim. If TM struggled with him physically, TM was the one acting in self defense.</p>
<p>Concealed carry is what made the difference here. If GZ hadn’t had that gun, he wouldn’t have gotten out of the car to follow TM. TM would be alive today.</p>
<p>BTW, anyone check out the story of the man who was shot dead on a friend’s front porch wielding a hose? Some neighbor called 911 because he thought he saw a drunk with a gun on the porch. The cops arrived, and when the inebriated man made an obviously joking shooting motion at them with hose nozzle, they riddled him with several shotgun blasts and handgun rounds. Never spoke to him, never told him to put whatever it was down, nothing. When even the police can’t handle this kind of situation, it is insane to have random people walking around with concealed weapons.</p>
<p>Consolation, the police may have been tipped that the water supply was contaminated with the Ebola virus.</p>
<p>Read the story and look at what “the hose” looked like. I’m pretty sure he would have been shot in many jurisdictions, not just California.</p>
<p>[Douglas</a> Zerby was shot dead by police while holding a GARDEN HOSE nozzle not a gun, chief admits | Mail Online](<a href=“Douglas Zerby was shot dead by police while holding a GARDEN HOSE nozzle not a gun, chief admits | Daily Mail Online”>Douglas Zerby was shot dead by police while holding a GARDEN HOSE nozzle not a gun, chief admits | Daily Mail Online)</p>
<p>Sally, I’m not sure I understand your point about GZ not really planning to go to Target. Are you saying that you think GZ left the house specifically to look for TM or that he was looking for the burglars, the most recent of which had been caught? If the latter, why would he pick 7 p.m…</p>
<p>I think GZ got out of the car and pursued TM with the intention of, at minimum, detaining him and continued to do so after the non-emergency operator told him not to. I think this because I think that “looking for a street sign” is a bald face lie and because the location of the struggle and TM’s body don’t reconcile with GZ’s re-enactment. </p>
<p>Once the two met, I think GZ did something that caused TM to fear for his life. Frankly, I don’t think it would have taken much. I consider myself a reasonable person, and someone who followed me in a vehicle and then on foot, into a dark isolated area of an unfamiliar neighborhood would create a great deal of fear in me. Having said that, I think the most likely thing that GZ did was draw his weapon. If you watch the re-enactment, GZ looks to his right hip after TM asks why he was following. He describes it as looking for a cell phone, even though his phone was not in that pocket. </p>
<p>At that point, I think a struggle began. TM may have started the physical engagement by throwing a punch, but he did so in response to a reasonable fear of death. The two struggled, GZ was able to aim the gun and TM moved from scared to terrified and started screaming, or GZ recognized the possibility that he could lose the fight and began to scream.</p>
<p>Under Florida law if TM acted in self defense, then GZ can’t also claim self defense unless he took every step to stop the fight including telling TM that’s what he was doing. I see no evidence of that.</p>
<p>It baffles me that die hard TM supporters refuse to acknowledge that it was TM who had the racist attitude towards GZ (his friend testified to that) and it was TM who INITIATED the situation with GZ when he jumped him and pounded his head into the concrete. </p>
<p>GZ will likely be acquitted, I just hope there won’t be any riots like there were after the Rodney King trial.</p>
<p>TM had THC in his his system and from his text messages before the incident, he was in an agitated state over another incident.</p>
<p>Under the circumstances, it’s conceivable that he could have attacked GZ without provocation.</p>
<p>I would disagree with TM initiating, To me following created the initiation of all future events. I also do not think the abrasions indicate pounding.</p>
<p>I want responsible gun owners not those that create situations where 17 year olds die.</p>
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<p>you really can’t imagine that the following MAY have occurred? </p>
<p>when GZ and TM meet…GZ asks “what the heck are you doing here?” Probably was not happy and TM certainly didn’t like his tone. </p>
<p>TM responds…“none of your freaken business”. Both are irritated.</p>
<p>Now …what if at this point, with both upset and irritated, TM throws the first punch? What if TM is on top of GZ and slams his head into the pavement. What if at this point GZ in fear for his life, shoots TM. Is there no way you can’t possibly see this as self defense?..or is that fact the GM was a carrying a gun make him automatically guilty in your mind?</p>
<p>That’s all I’m saying folks…</p>
<p>“The defense is proposing an animation that shows what happened from the defense view.”</p>
<p>I’ll bet it’s pretty good … I think Atty O’Mara has done an excellent job.</p>
<p>Who do you expect more from a 29 year old walking around with a gun or a 17 year old being followed in the dark by a stranger?</p>
<p>I personally don’t see how they can introduce animations as evidence. I thnk they are too prejudicial. Seems more like argument. But it would be interesting to look at. Guess we’ll see what the judge rules.</p>
<p>Geeps 20, it could very well have happened like that. In fact, I think it’s likely.</p>
<p>Sorry, long Conference Call. Where on GZ was TM’s DNA found?</p>
<p>Re: riots</p>
<p>[Police</a> in Florida town where Trayvon Martin was killed prepare for possible riots if George Zimmerman is acquitted | Mail Online](<a href=“Police in Florida town where Trayvon Martin was killed prepare for possible riots if George Zimmerman is acquitted | Daily Mail Online”>Police in Florida town where Trayvon Martin was killed prepare for possible riots if George Zimmerman is acquitted | Daily Mail Online)</p>
<p>If the riots turned to violence against citizens, isn’t that proof positive that there is a reason for citizens to lawfully arm themselves and for self-defense and SYG laws?</p>
<p>I hope the Judge does allow it. Time to get trial justice into the 21st Century. Saves time, saves money, and it’s a heck of a lot easier to visualize a scenario this way than to assemble it from witness testimony … especially where witness testimony isn’t consistent.</p>