Just wish I could find some acceptable logic in your insistence on the importance of who "started it".
Also just wish I could find some fact base for your continually calling GZ a "effup".
I can accept GZ could maybe even should have made some better decisions that night. Gosh, I'd hate to have to examine my life in hindsight. I'd FAIL that bar.
I first "heard" of this case driving through Columbia SC. The radio station had two African-American "dj's". Without presenting any fact, they immediately when into an on air rage of "whitey killed a unarmed black kid". An aside, I'm abhorred that sentiment is still widespread in our Nation. I've not drilled into this case until the trial started. Sure I saw the headlines and heard comments. I wanted however, to view the trial, with as unobstructed mind as possible. The most important question I felt needed to be answered was, were GZ's actions first believable, and second legal.
My first impression as I started watching the actual testimony, was almost shock, the prosecution was putting on witnesses that in effect supported GZ's version of the events. Again, realize, I admit he could have made better choices, I admit there are expected inconsistencies, but the "core" of his recollection stands up to legal, factual examination. We may not LIKE it, we may not like HIM, but it stands up to rigorous legal examination.
As the trial progressed it became abundantly clear, this case should never have gone to trial. As more facts become known, we realize NON law enforcement officials, based more on "racial" components were responsible for this trial. TM is dead, that's a tragedy. GZ's life is forever negatively altered. Why? Not because he broke a law or COULD have made better decisions, but because of "race baiters". It's easy to say, so what, GZ deserves it, he's a douche. The question I ask is, if that's how you really feel, are you TRULY a compassionate person? Does having compassion for TM require that you have NONE for GZ??
It's fair to say GZ could have avoided all of this. It's also fair to say TM is alive today if he'd just went home. I've heard many say what if GZ followed your child. Well first of all, our children know if they are in an area they don't or haven't lived, and someone approaches them, if they are scared, KNOCK on the nearest door, SCREAM, make NOISE, call us, blow the whistle you have. Our children would never attack them. Of course than again we're probably considered paranoid by many, our children even at 17 won't be walking to and from the corner store at night, raining or not. In fact if our children had been expelled from school, they'd probably not be anywhere without one or both of us.
Was it logical, reasonable and legal for GZ to "notice" TM? Yes. Some say it was wrong to be suspicious of him. Difficult to imagine a <ahem> neighborhood **WATCH** that wouldn't notice.
Was it logical, reasonable and legal for GZ to get out of his vehicle? Yes. I know many who think GZ lied about all deviate here. That's opinion not based on law. It's valid but not relevant.
From here it gets murky. True only two people know the actual events and only one is still able to relate their version. However, that version holds up to the above mentioned examination.
If it happened in the manner of GZ's version, and there are no FACTUAL or LEGAL points that are provable beyond a reasonable doubt to disqualify GZ's version and he didn't break a law, I have to say put in the same position, I'd do the same.
