I'm not following. Martin paid a big price. Who did he beat up?

I admit I didn't really follow this much but know enough to have strong opinions.

You have to understand FL law to understand this verdict.
Hopefully the law will be reviewed/revised - but not likely.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand-your-ground_law

The jury found him not guilty of either manslaughter or 2nd degree murder.

To say he is innocent does not reflect my understanding of the word.

Dead man don't talk. It was a one sided story, as the crown witness is dead. But the end of the day the guy take a 9mm with him in to a fist fight. He disregarded the dispatch instructions. KILLED a kid and walking. Shame , shame and more shame for the verdict!

Yeah, now he'll put his name on his story that someone else will ghost write and he'll make loads of money.

Who said crime doesn't pay in this country?

This whole thing amazes me. I live close to east St. Louis black on black crime is crazy here. Teen killing each other every day. But not one bit of media coverage. I truly believe the media is trying to start race wars in America.

I am shocked at his verdict.

Play loud.

Bob Marley - WAR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loFDn94oZJ0

Until the philosophy which hold one race superior
And another
Inferior
Is finally
And permanently
Discredited
And abandoned -
Everywhere is war -
Me say war.

That until there no longer
First class and second class citizens of any nation
Until the colour of a man's skin
Is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes -
Me say war.

That until the basic human rights
Are equally guaranteed to all,
Without regard to race -
Dis a war.

That until that day
The dream of lasting peace,
World citizenship
Rule of international morality
Will remain in but a fleeting illusion to be pursued,
But never attained -
Now everywhere is war - war.

And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes
that hold our brothers in Angola,
In Mozambique,
South Africa
Sub-human bondage
Have been toppled,
Utterly destroyed -
Well, everywhere is war -
Me say war.

War in the east,
War in the west,
War up north,
War down south -
War - war -
Rumours of war.
And until that day,
The African continent
Will not know peace,
We Africans will fight - we find it necessary -
And we know we shall win
As we are confident
In the victory

Of good over evil -
Good over evil, yeah!

Thats what I meant. the 17 year old paid the price. BUT,
Liberal media tried to turn it into a civil rights case.

It was a disgusting misuse of public resources, for want of a scapegoat.
If the defendant were black, the case wouldnt have ever been prosecuted.

Does anyone here know why most 17 yr olds are tried as adults in violent crime cases?
Has anyone here had a 17 year old "child" sit on top of you and beat you while you shrieked for help??

In the streets I grew up in, if you tried to physically hurt someone...you pay piper. If you get maimed or killed, you signed up for it the minute you raised your hand in violence. The defendant was not tiny. How did a 17 year old "child" minding his own business end up on top of the defendant?
There were witnesses...all for the defence. The prosecution failed to do their job because they tried this case based on media outcry for a scapegoat. Not facts.

I agree,#10

Shadowdance - Trevon didn't live there but he was visiting FAMILY who did! He every right to be there.

Kat - Zimmerman's defense was self-dfenese that Treyvon beat him up.

However, for me the crux of the case is that if Zimmerman did what he was instructed to do, and taught to do, and retreated and waited for the police, NONE of this would have happened.

I agree with reminder (#4) and Dragonars (#6).

The famous line "why do you following me?" what is recorded in his conversation. He had to caught up with him, face to face...he didn't just fallowed him from a distance like 20 feet, with the full knowledge he had the gun as a protection. He could of grabbed him, and Trayvon through a punch.He wanted to hold him until the cop arrives. Otherwise he could have just walked away, go back to the parents house. Dead man don't talk we could never find out Treyvon side of the story. What Zimmerman did is shoot ti kill, and not to disable. he know what he was doing very well.

A gated community! Where George Zimmerman was not hired as an armed guard,rather a neighborhood watch. You do not need a 9mm to watch the neighborhood. The armed protection were on their way. Again...he had a chance to follow him from a distance. he choose to creep up on him. he would never been punched if he wont get face to face. And the police dispatch told him to stay away. Mr Gong Ho little fat out of shape wanna be cop.He must had a lots of time on his ass to become the captain . Yeah maybe he was the only watchman in the hood , so he named himself the captain.

A couple of weeks ago, 2pm on a beautiful Sunday, I used the ATM in our lovely town. The outside window type atm - no drive up or lobby. I carefully looked around before exiting vehicle. A homeless bicyclist approached - he'd been waiting - and asked me for money.
When I'm scared or angry, you are not gonna mess with me. When you are cornered, you can't dial cell phone fast enough. I ran him off & reported to police & bank. I purchased a loud whistle on string but will never use that type ATM again.
I live in FL - gunslinger territory. I do not care to be armed but will take greater precautions. Got out of this one unscathed.

Maybe, could have, would have, what if?

Thats what fuels this whole thing.

Honesty and facts: almost everyone would shoot to STOP. Not disable or kill. Police are taught the same. If you are about to lose consciousness and you are convinced your attacker will not show you mercy....boy howdy, yer gonna shoot. I was taught that when your attacker is down...it's over. You dont keep banging his head on the ground. No one wants to lose their child. It is heartbreaking.
BUT. Who the hell taught the 17 year old to ignore shrieking pleas for help? Who taught him to be merciless and without honor?

What if? Most red blooded human beings in neighborhood watch would have followed him. Profiled him. Most with any sand would have asked him what he was doing there.

Oh, I'm visiting family over on blah blah lane. Simple, right?

Search deep. you would have shot him too. It's a human response to survival. As the last light of consciousness begins to ebb from your eyes...you will risk anything to wake up one more time.

I'm really surprised at some of the responses here. Over all, it restores my faith in humankind.

Stay smart and safe everybody. Few if any would have died for a stupid idea like: he doesnt have a gun...I should let him beat me to death.

Shadow, Joe T. and ptriss....wonderful even handed contributions.