I think it's an unfortunate situation for him, but I don't feel sorry for him. He did everything in his power to take the law into his own hands. He didn't need to follow Trayvon, he didn't need to get out of his car. Frankly, he didn't even need to call the police. But instead, he acted like a police officer, so whatever came of it was entirely his own doing. What did he think was going to happen?
I'd give him a few years in jail for manslaughter, but here's what I would say: he should never be allowed to own a gun throughout the rest of his life. He's shown he can't be trusted with a weapon, because he thinks it gives him the right to play pretend policeman.
I'd sentence him for reckless endangerment or something. He initiated the actions that killed Martin. He behaved recklessly and stupidly, he fired a gun in a public place, he could've hit a bystander or caused property damage.
The defense hasn't even had any witnesses yet and the general consensus is that GZ is not guilty. Should be an easy week.
I'd sentence him for reckless endangerment or something. He initiated the actions that killed Martin. He behaved recklessly and stupidly, he fired a gun in a public place, he could've hit a bystander or caused property damage.
What sentence would you give him?
Yes, I know it's not over yet. From what you know already...... vote.
That would be "no jail time".
Actually they started last week with their witnesses. GZ's mom and uncle.
It is notable that the OP left "not guilty" off the list.
It is notable that the OP left "not guilty" off the list.
I've actually seen people online say he deserves the death penalty. Either they aren't watching the trial or they are, but they're incredibly ignorant.
I don't think it's ignorance at all. A lot of people really believe (or seem to want to believe) that this nation is seething with a hatred of blacks and that Zimmerman went after Martin simply because he was black. They see this as a race crime and absolutely nothing will change their mind about it.
Just my opinion but I think you're being unnecessarily hard on the guy.
He saw something that her perceived as being out of place and took it upon himself to investigate including calling the local authorities. If more people in more neighborhoods did the same we'd probably have a lot less crime. I mean, seriously, do you really believe that the Neighborhood Watch program is a bad thing?
As far as what happened Zimmerman's story is absolutely plausible. If he acted in the way he says he did and with the intent he testified to then he was simply being a diligent citizen. A mindset such as those who suggest that he never should have followed or got out of the car express allows criminals a free pass. What if Martin was stalking an ex girlfriend or something? Zimmerman's actions could have saved an assault or worse. The fact that things went to hell in a handbasket is, if Zimmerman's story is the truth, the sole responsibility of Trayvon Martin.
I call that ignorance, don't you?
I strongly disagree with all of this. You think we'd have less crime if everybody called the police every time they saw somebody they didn't know walking down the street? We'd have more crime because real criminals would be looting Best Buy while the police made sure there were no knives hidden inside those skittles wrappers.
Here's a question: have you ever had somebody follow you in their car because you were walking down the street? Has anybody ever followed you in their car, then stopped, gotten out, and gone after you? Let me tell you that has never, ever happened to me, and the only stories I've heard that include actions like those end in somebody getting mugged or abducted. What ordinary person does what Zimmerman did? Do you follow people and try to apprehend them yourself? That's crazy!
And you say that not condoning Zimmerman's actions gives criminals a free pass. Had Zimmerman seen somebody climbing through a window at 4 AM, it might make a little more sense to call the police. He saw a teenager walking down the street at 7 PM, and the most suspicious part of it was that he was walking slowly. I have really severe arthritis, so I hope Zimmerman is never in my neighborhood, because I'll surely get a visit from the 5-0 for being "very suspicious."
They see this as a race crime and absolutely nothing will change their mind about it.
10-15 out out in five for good behavior...for being a lying SOB.