Quote:
Originally Posted by valo403
Well if you're asserting that SYG was wholly inapplicable and a SYG instruction was given to the jury I'd say that's pretty good grounds for an appeal.
OR
SYG was applicable, hence the instruction being given by the judge, who likely has a bit more experience with Florida law than either of us.
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You're wrong:
http://mediatrackers.org/florida/201...our-ground-law
Quote:
The single reference in the 27 pages of jury instructions to “Stand Your Ground” forms the basis of nearly all claims that the law was key to Zimmerman’s acquittal. The relevant language from the jury instructions is quoted below:If George Zimmerman was not engaged in an unlawful activity and was attacked in any place where he had a right to be, he had no duty to retreat and had the right to stand his ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he reasonably believed that it was necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.
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The law of Florida has also adopted an expanded version of the "Castle Doctrine", which is the above.
That being said, even the Castle Doctrine is not applicable to this case, which is why it was referenced only once in the jury instructions. In the present case, Zimmerman's story was that he was pinned on the ground at the moment he decided to use his gun. That's hardly a scenario where an ability to retreat exists.