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Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Stand Your Ground?


Much of the talk about the tragic death of Trayvon Martin centers on Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. As for as I can tell from news reports, this had nothing to do with “Stand Your Ground” so whether or not it is a good law is irrelevant to this situation.

From the 911 call that I assume was factual information, Trayvon Martin was doing nothing wrong, was where he had a right to be and he was genuinely concerned when he saw he was being stalked by someone in a van. From the cell phone call he made to a friend he was obviously frightened and we now know it was with good reason.

George Zimmerman, on the other hand, apparently told the 911 Operator he planned to follow the young man and when he was told not to do so, he ignored correct and official advice from the police and continued with his unlawful behavior. If there was a struggle between the two men, that means George Zimmerman not only followed, but got out of his van, so the stalking behavior was amplified. If he had a gun with which he shot Trayvon Martin, there was even more reason for Trayvon to be concerned. Whether or not he knew it, he was being stalked by a man with a gun and his life was in danger. If George Zimmerman was genuinely concerned, he still should have stayed in his van and left Trayvon Martin for the police after he made that 911 call.

George Zimmerman may have made an honest mistake, but what an awful and heart-breaking tragedy his behavior caused Trayvon Martin and his family.

I'm Rick Blumenberg . . . and that's My View from Tanner Creek.
 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rick in America a person is innocent until proven guilty, I have heard enough so called evidence that i believe Mr. Zimmerman could be innocent of committing a murder but not innocent of accidentally killing a 17 year old young man out in a gated community on a rainy night dressed like most burglars when they are looking for a place to rob. Mr Zimmerman had every right to be there, he was the security guard.We don't know what happened

Ren Baldwin said...

I totally agree with you Rick. "IF" the details you are are truly factual. I believe all we have heard so far are "various" reports from "various" sources, none of which have been validated by sworn court testimony. I feel that it is much to early for anyone outside of a court room to draw any conclusions. Just my take.