Trayvon Martin was not a sweet innocent child

[Anthea]

BBC News

George Zimmerman not guilty of Trayvon Martin murder. George Zimmerman, the Florida neighbourhood watchman who shot dead an unarmed black 17-year-old male last year, has been found not guilty.



Lawyers for Mr Zimmerman, 29, argued he acted in self-defence and with justifiable use of deadly force in the death of Trayvon Martin.

The jury retired on Friday to consider its verdict on charges of either second-degree murder or manslaughter.

The case sparked a fierce debate about racial profiling in the US.

Protesters are gathering, reports the BBC's David Willis, in Sanford, the Florida town where the shooting took place.

Police and community leaders have appealed for calm.

'No further business'

After the verdict, Judge Deborah Nelson told Mr Zimmerman he was free to go.

"Your bond will be released. Your GPS monitor will be cut off when you exit the courtroom over here. And you have no further business with the court," Judge Nelson said.

Mr Zimmerman showed little reaction as the verdict was read out.

"Hopefully everyone will respect the jury's verdict," his lawyer Mark O'Mara told reporters after the case.

He said Mr Zimmerman would now have to be "very cautious and protective of his safety because there is still a fringe element who have said that they would revenge - that they would not listen to - a verdict of not guilty."

Our correspondent said the case brought into sharp relief some of the most divisive issues in the United States: race, gun control and equal justice under the law.

Florida police did not arrest Mr Zimmerman for six weeks after the shooting.

Under the state's controversial "stand your ground" law, the use of lethal force is allowed if a person feels seriously under threat.

Hooded sweatshirt

As the jury retired on Friday, the judge told the panel of six women to consider whether Mr Zimmerman, 29, acted in self-defence and with justifiable use of deadly force.

Without explicitly discussing race, the prosecution had suggested Mr Zimmerman assumed the African-American teenager, who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt as he walked in the rain, was up to no good.

But the defence said Trayvon Martin punched their client, slammed his head into the pavement and reached for Mr Zimmerman's gun.

The accused, who was legally armed with a pistol, had been sitting in his vehicle on a dark street when he saw Martin.

Mr Zimmerman telephoned police to report a suspicious person, then left his vehicle in apparent pursuit of the teenager.

Shortly afterwards, Martin was found dead, shot in the chest.

Earlier, Mr Zimmerman's lawyer said he had proven his client's "pure, unadulterated innocence" in Martin's death.

But prosecutors said the accused had told a series of lies.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23304198

[Anthea]

Briefly:

A gated community is a form of residential community or housing estate containing strictly controlled entrances for pedestrians, bicycles and cars - often characterised by a closed perimeter of walls and fences.

These communities normally have private security guards of volunteer security guards.

These guards are there to protect the people and properties within that community

Someone breaking into a private gated community is akin to someone breaking into a private home

George Zimmerman saw someone who was illegally within the gated community

The young man had no right to be there

George Zimmerman had the same rights to protect himself as he would have should someone broke into his own home

George Zimmerman saw the hooded man on private property

Could not see his age due to hood hiding his face

George Zimmerman phoned the police then chased the man

George Zimmerman had no idea if the man had come to steal, damage of murder

The young man did not stop and a fight ensued and the young man was killed

George Zimmerman should NEVER have been tried in the first place

If someone was in your home would you wait to see if he was going to steal or kill your family before you took any action

NO YOU WOULD NOT

[Piling]

If it allows to shot anyone 'just in case' Florida will be worse than Syria !

[Anthea]

If it allows to shot anyone 'just in case' Florida will be worse than Syria !

If someone breaks into private property - the law used to be that you should run away and escape from them if possible

Now the law has changed and says do not run away but STAND YOUR GROUND and defend yourself and your property

I am not certain if that law only applies to that particular area - or if it is all over America

In America young people are often used to case an area or building before others break-in (case meaning to check on security and layout etc)

Would-be burglars will send someone into an area who looks young and innocent - if caught the young person would just apologise and make an excuse for being there - and being under-age that person will not get in very much trouble

In the American drug scene - young people - even children are used to carry drugs - because if they are caught there is very little the law can do to punish them

[Piling]

In that case, it sounds like " At first, shot, and then go to see if the dead is innocent or guilty". Not surprising if USA has a higher score of crimes than in Europe.

[Anthea]

In that case, it sounds like " At first, shot, and then go to see if the dead is innocent or guilty". Not surprising if USA has a higher score of crimes than in Europe.

If someone is on private property and have no right to be there - they are already guilty of a crime

In England - if someone breaks into your home you have the right to use reasonable force to prevent him from stealing your belongings - or injuring you or your family

The answer is simple: do not break into someone else's property

One place I lived in I had my home broken into twice while I was out - if they had broken in whilst I had been at home I would have KILLED them

[Anthea]

America black people account for:

30 percent of the population

60 percent of the crime

1 in every 15 black men are in prison

1 in every 36 Hispanic men are in prison

1 in every 106 white men are in prison

Many years ago I met with BLACK community leaders and politicians when they visited England - they came to speak to people about black crime in America and England - I learnt a lot from them

I am a real person NOT a number (no 6)

[Anthea]

Picture that the media show of Tryvon Martin



But this photo is misleading. At the time of his death, Trayvon was actually 17 years old. And he was far from the innocent-looking 12-year-old shown above. He had a history of violence, drug abuse, and suspension from school. Here is what Trayvon actually looked like at the time of his confrontation with George Zimmerman. These are the photos you will never see in the mainstream media:



Nothing sweet and innocent about him in picture above



Look at his hand signals above - they are gang recognition signs

Trayvon Martin was not a sweet innocent child

[Shirko]

Come on Anthea, what is your trip?
This teenager did not deserve to get shot, even if he is acting like thug. Zimmerman is a rent a cop with a severe little man comlex, he should not even carry a gun, and he is probably scared of black men that is why he over reacted. I bet that he found out that his girl friend was sleeping with a black man, that why he has it in for them. He is half Jewish and half Mexican, not a good mix, that means he is the panicky (Jewish), vengeful (Mexican) type. Just look at Zimmermans face, he looks like an asshole that everone would love to beat up.

I can't believe that you are actually standing up for this creep. I would love to see him put in prison with the general population.

Picture that the media show of Tryvon Martin



But this photo is misleading. At the time of his death, Trayvon was actually 17 years old. And he was far from the innocent-looking 12-year-old shown above. He had a history of violence, drug abuse, and suspension from school. Here is what Trayvon actually looked like at the time of his confrontation with George Zimmerman. These are the photos you will never see in the mainstream media:



Nothing sweet and innocent about him in picture above



Look at his hand signals above - they are gang recognition signs

Trayvon Martin was not a sweet innocent child

[Anthea]

I followed the case because a black friend of mine was shot and killed by a Jamaican drug gang in South London

I watched much of the actual court case live while working on my puta

Gated communities are becoming common for some parts of America

Zimmerman was chosen to be the security

Zimmerman had called the police when he saw Martin - Zimmerman followed him in case he was about to commit a crime - it Zimmerman had not followed him and Martin had commited a crime everyone would have blamed Zimmerman - he had no choice other than to follow Martin

True that we do not know exactly what took place - we do know that Martin would not wait for the police and Zimmerman was injured in the fight

If anyone is to blame it is the American law of stand your ground - in England we are supposed to try to run from murderers and burglars - also in England we only allowed to use reasonable force to - in America they are allowed to use more force - as he see Zimmerman had a legal weapon - he did not have a history of violence - Martin did

As you saw from the photos - the media is showing Martin to be sweet and innocent - gang members are NOT sweet and innocent - the main cause of death of young black men in America is being killed by other young black men

[Shirko]

Nah, you are wrong. Gated community or not, Zimmerman was supposed to observe and call the police, and he should only get involved if he actualy sees a violent crime in progress, like someone getting attacked. He is not supposed to confront anyone, that is not his job, he is NOT a police officer. Obviously, he is not supposed to shoot am unarmed teenager that was not doing anything wrong. But since Zimmerman is a "Zimmerman", he is able to get away with murder. Look if Martin was actualy commiting a crime, I would say that Zimmerman might be right, but Martin did not commit any crime. So if we let these rent-a-cops go around attacking people for the way they look, this society is finished, because most young teenagers look lime thugs these days.

I followed the case because a black friend of mine was shot and killed by a Jamaican drug gang in South London

I watched much of the actual court case live while working on my puta

Gated communities are becoming common for some parts of America

Zimmerman was chosen to be the security

Zimmerman had called the police when he saw Martin - Zimmerman followed him in case he was about to commit a crime - it Zimmerman had not followed him and Martin had commited a crime everyone would have blamed Zimmerman - he had no choice other than to follow Martin

True that we do not know exactly what took place - we do know that Martin would not wait for the police and Zimmerman was injured in the fight

If anyone is to blame it is the American law of stand your ground - in England we are supposed to try to run from murderers and burglars - also in England we only allowed to use reasonable force to - in America they are allowed to use more force - as he see Zimmerman had a legal weapon - he did not have a history of violence - Martin did

As you saw from the photos - the media is showing Martin to be sweet and innocent - gang members are NOT sweet and innocent - the main cause of death of young black men in America is being killed by other young black men

[Piling]

Weapons should be hold only by professionals, like policemen, who had a psychological formation to face danger and identify danger and learning how to disarm someone without shot. In France, even our municipality police had no right to use guns. That's a serious and dangerous things.

Probably Zimmerman did not want to kill a young boy, but he lacked of cold blood. In fact the real guilty person are those who made and voted such laws allowing to give guns to everybody and to use armed guardians for that watching job (a Dutch hound would have been more efficient and less mortal).

[Anthea]

Weapons should be hold only by professionals, like policemen, who had a psychological formation to face danger and identify danger and learning how to disarm someone without shot. In France, even our municipality police had no right to use guns. That's a serious and dangerous things.

Probably Zimmerman did not want to kill a young boy, but he lacked of cold blood. In fact the real guilty person are those who made and voted such laws allowing to give guns to everybody and to use armed guardians for that watching job (a Dutch hound would have been more efficient and less mortal).

French laws sound similar to English laws - in America guns are easy to buy and in some areas most people have them at home - and in US most of the criminals carry guns - in England most farmers have guns to kill the poor little fluffy bunny rabbits with

I say I think I have just worked out why there are no break-ins around here - too many big strong farmers with double barrel shotguns - I have to admit - like it or not - guns are a deterrent

I am a pacifist - squeezy tomato bottles sauce at ten paces is about my level

If it is in America they would have to use American hounds - if the used a Dutch hound in America they would be accused of being RACIST

[Shirko]

The firearm laws pertaining to ownership are not important in this case because the shooter was a hired security guard. The issue is why did he posses a gun and when is he required to use it, as he did.

Weapons should be hold only by professionals, like policemen, who had a psychological formation to face danger and identify danger and learning how to disarm someone without shot. In France, even our municipality police had no right to use guns. That's a serious and dangerous things.

Probably Zimmerman did not want to kill a young boy, but he lacked of cold blood. In fact the real guilty person are those who made and voted such laws allowing to give guns to everybody and to use armed guardians for that watching job (a Dutch hound would have been more efficient and less mortal).

French laws sound similar to English laws - in America guns are easy to buy and in some areas most people have them at home - and in US most of the criminals carry guns - in England most farmers have guns to kill the poor little fluffy bunny rabbits with

I say I think I have just worked out why there are no break-ins around here - too many big strong farmers with double barrel shotguns - I have to admit - like it or not - guns are a deterrent

I am a pacifist - squeezy tomato bottles sauce at ten paces is about my level

If it is in America they would have to use American hounds - if the used a Dutch hound in America they would be accused of being RACIST

[Anthea]

The firearm laws pertaining to ownership are not important in this case because the shooter was a hired security guard. The issue is why did he posses a gun and when is he required to use it, as he did.

The fact that there is such widespread ownership of weapons does make a difference. In England and I imagine in France also - because there is very little gun ownership our security guards do not need to carry guns as our villains are for the most part unarmed

In America - with the large number of guns in the public domain - it is far easier for villains to get their hands on them - there is no such thing as an unarmed security guard especially in that part of America

In England we do have special armed units - they are not on normal patrol - when my friend was killed it took almost an hour for the armed response team to get there because they are so few and far between - I believe that they are only allowed to open fire if the villain is about to shoot them or someone else

In America - and I am not positive about this - I think police and security guards are actually allowed to shout stop or I fire - if they believe the villain to be in possession of a weapon and that person does not stop - they are allowed to shoot - I am really not certain because the gun laws are so different there