Quote:
Originally Posted by tendulkar23
I just don't see a case for defending Zimmerman's actions. He could have just pulled his gun out and the kid would have run away. He wasn't on the brink of life or death, he didn't have to kill the kid.
If Zimmerman gets away with this, it sets a dangerous precedent in Florida. Some idiots will carry guns and not hesitate to use them in physical altercations. Self defence is valid in some cases, but if you're following someone, it can be taken as a sign of aggression and it might make them feel threatened. Therefore, it could be argued that Trayvon was acting out of self defence. Zimmerman does not belong to any official neighbourhood watch group, he did not have any uniform on that conveyed he was patrolling the neighbourhood. It's normal for someone to feel threatened when being followed by a stranger.
The stuff cowperson has been posting is just outrageous. If anyone that has been suspended gets killed, we shouldn't feel bad because that person wasn't an angel. I know every time there is a tragedy, I look over every person's school records and I only mourn the loss of the people who weren't suspended.
It's just stupid that cowperson expects Trayvon to act in this perfect manner. He is supposed to flee when being followed, he is not supposed to ask why someone is following him, he is not supposed to wear a hood in the rain, etc. Why couldn't Zimmerman follow the instructions of the 911 dispatcher? Why couldn't he act like an adult and explain to Trayvon in a calm manner why he was following him?
Regardless of any of that, Zimmerman should not have shot and killed Trayvon. If a small gash on your head and a broken nose are the criteria for killing someone in self defence, then someone should be killed in every bar on saturday night.
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While I agree with most of what your saying, when you start talking about the criteria and legalities for killing and self defense you are looking at it through our laws and our morals. I can tell by the way you are speaking that you are. The laws are different in Florida and a lot of peoples view on the matter are too. Do we up here agree with them? No. I'm as sick about it as many hare. And I think even many people down in Florida and the US in general will say things have gone too far in one direction. But to say it will open up dangerous precedents or there will be a rise in problems might be overstating the position a bit. Besides, the fallout around the situation has already been heightened in the States. It's not like the lens HASN'T been turned on the situation. It is bigger than the average news story. I guess we will see how long it continues to be.