Media

Al Sharpton Dismisses Self-Defense Argument in Shooting of Teen

Check update below.

Rightly or wrongly, people frequently criticize Al Sharpton for being too willing to exploit racial controversy. Yet that may be precisely what he’s doing now, following a controversial shooting in Florida, where Hispanic neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman shot black youth Trayvon Martin, allegedly out of self-defense.

Zimmerman has not been arrested because of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” laws, which state that as long as someone is on their own property, if they have a reasonable suspicion that their life is in danger, they are allowed to use deadly force, even if doing so requires them to pursue their attacker. Under Florida law, therefore, Zimmerman did nothing wrong, assuming Trayvon Martin actually aggressed against him.

Naturally enough, the fact that Zimmerman is himself a racial minority has done nothing to assuage accusations that he shot young Martin out of subconscious racism, making this possibly a hate crime. Moreover, the fact that Zimmerman hasn’t been arrested has also been seized on as evidence of racism. While not outright making the accusation, Sharpton certainly went for the outrage angle. Mediaite picks up the story:

“I can’t for the life of me understand how they can justify not making an arrest!” Sharpton exclaimed. “Arrest does not mean conviction, but there is probable cause here even with this law that we would question. This is a national outrage to many of us.”[...]

“There was nothing threatening that we have seen in any of this from your son and for this young man to be dead, and this man to pursue him, he’s not a policeman, we don’t even know if your son know who he was, or what he was, or if your son felt threatened. To turn around and make him the victim is something that we cannot sit by and allow to happen. We have to stand with your family.”

“And to call Mr. Zimmerman the victim is a slap in the face to me and my family,” Martin opined. “It’s a slap in the face to our community.”

Which “community” Martin is talking about isn’t immediately obvious, but see if you can figure it out watching the video:

The audio of Zimmerman’s call to 911 has been released to the public. You can listen to it here. If nothing else, the audio weakens the racism charge, as it shows that Zimmerman was already suspicious of the teen before he could tell what race he was.  He complains about the Florida justice system in the call, claiming “These (beep) always get away.” The dispatcher still tells him, “We don’t need you to [follow him].” Zimmerman apparently did pursue the teen anyway. There had reportedly been suspicious activity in the neighborhood.

In a second call, one of Zimmerman‘s neighbors says ’the guy’s yelling help,’ without identifying which person is yelling. In the third call, a high pitched wail can be heard from away from the phone, followed by gunshots, which cut off the yelling. The fourth call doesn’t add any new information.

The US Department of Justice’s Civil Rights unit has gotten involved at this point, as has the FBI. George Zimmerman also reportedly had a habit of “calling in everything.” In other words, this story looks increasingly like it may have been the work of an overzealous vigilante, though still probably not an illegal act. In this, it is similar to another racially charged case known as People v. Goetz, from the 1990′s. In it, a man who was approached by four black young people, one of whom demanded five dollars, and shot all of them with a revolver. Goetz was cleared of all charges (charges which included attempted murder) except for illegally carrying a firearm. Whether Zimmerman will be similarly cleared is another story.

We’re also learning more about Trayvon Martin. According to reporters he had been suspended from school. The International Business Times says Martin’s suspension was due to last for 10 days. But what exactly was he suspended for in the first place? Sources sympathetic to Martin say he was suspended for “excessive tardiness.” However, a quick review of both the local policies for Martin’s school, the Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School, and of the Miami-Dade school district’s district-wide policies, raise some doubts. According to Miami-Dade policy, in order to get a suspension of 10 days, Martin would have had to either commit “repeated, serious or habitual” acts of the following:

• Cheating/Misrepresentation
• Confrontation with a staff member
• Defiance of school personnel
• Distribution of items or materials that are inappropriate
for an educational setting*
• Failure to comply with previously prescribed corrective
strategies
• False accusation
• Fighting (minor)
• Harassment (non-sexual or isolated)
• Instigative behavior
• Leaving school grounds without permission
• Joining clubs or groups not approved by the School Board
• Libel
• Petty theft (under $300.00)
• Use of profane or provocative language directed at someone
• Prohibited sales on school grounds (other than
controlled substances)
• Possession and/or use of tobacco products
• Slander
• Vandalism (minor)

Or even occasional offenses from the following:
• Assault/Threat against a non-staff member
• Breaking and Entering/Burglary
• Bullying (repeated harassment)*
• Disruption on campus/Disorderly conduct
• Fighting (serious)
• Harassment (Civil Rights)**
• Hazing (misdemeanor)
• Possession or use of alcohol and/or controlled
substances
• Possession of simulated weapons
• Sexual harassment**
• Trespassing
• Vandalism (major)

Or of the following:
• Grand theft (over $300.00)
• Hate crime
• Hazing (felony)
• Motor vehicle theft
• Other major crimes/incidents
• Sale and/or distribution of alcohol and/or controlled substances
• Sex offenses (other) (including possession and/or
distribution of obscene or lewd materials)

Or possibly even of the following, each of which carries a minimum suspension of ten days:

• Aggravated assault
• Aggravated battery against a non-staff member
• Armed robbery
• Arson
• Assault/Threat against M-DCPS employees or persons
conducting official business
• Battery or Aggravated battery against M-DCPS employees
or persons conducting official business*
• Homicide
• Kidnapping/Abduction
• Making a false report/threat against the school*
• Sexual battery
• Possession, use, sale, or distribution of firearms, explosives,
destructive devices, and other weapons.

But whatever the reason, it‘s a case that you’ll probably be hearing more about in the future.

This story has been updated for clarity.

Comments (210)

1 2 3 ... 5
  • Pro-Palin
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:22am

    here we go again

    Report Post » Pro-Palin  
    • USAMEDIC3008
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:41am

      I will reserve comment untill all the facts are in.
      I have no problem with the gun
      Neighbor hood watch , good
      Playing cop , Thats a no no…………..

      Report Post » USAMEDIC3008  
    • Spexx
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:01am

      @USAMEDIC3008
      I completely agree

      Report Post »  
    • lordjosh
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 6:51am

      There is something wrong with this story. I will wait also. However, it is ones duty to protect their neihborhood. We ne more people “playing cop”, as you would put it.

      Report Post » lordjosh  
    • Bill Rowland
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 7:22am

      USA Medic – you are so right.
      When the guy started playing cop and caused the confrontation he crossed the line.

      OMG

      Report Post »  
    • Godfather.1
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 8:30am

      Way to go Blaze!!! The first time you report on this story you insinuate the victim was a bad guy. However, you conveniently fail to mention that Zimmerman has a violent past. You also conveniently forget to include the fact that the 911 operator told him not to follow the child, a direction which he did not follow. Instead, you imply that because the killed child had received a 10 day suspension from school that he must have done something wrong. Again, this so called “news source” forgets to cite facts and instead just makes up BS.

      You claimed that Zimmerman was actin within the law, but failed to mention that he was the one that followed the kid, he had a car, he was much bigger and older than the victim, and he had a gun. Furthermore, an aggressor cannot later claim self defense. I know that is probably too complex for employees of the blaze, but you could at least try to understand the law before writing an article.

      Also, thank you for getting rid of my last comment and then changing the last line of the article and then simply state it has been updated. You Blaze “journalists” are sorry excuses for human beings.

       
  • bbhatbb
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:11am

    Is this the same Al Sharpton that’s defendeds COP KILLING BRUTAL MURDERS & demanded they go FREE because of the fact he’s African American & not “enough” evidence to satisfy Mr. Sharpton? Is this the same guy? Is it the same race baiting nasty human being claiming self serving justice for his people (people = his liberal friends & anyone who kisses is ass), his liberals & demonizes every other person if there white, republican, (both male & female republicans & African American Republicans whom he calls “oreos”) ? Same guy?

    What ever happened to innocent till proven guilty? I mean Al says there is no election fraud, or no such thing so why would he think that a person wouldn’t be charged if there was enough evidence? Doesn’t he trust the system? I have no doubt if this was ( to be clear I’m not defending anyone here) a case of an African American shooting a white child that Mr. Al would be scream and yelling at anyone purposing to charge the shooter & crying for everyone to leave the devestated man alone, while all along preaching the law of “innocent till proven guilty”. I have no doubt he WOULD NOT be call for any investigation but calling racism if the thoughts cross anyones mind! Hypocrite!

    Report Post »  
    • eliwhit
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:07am

      Last word of Post says it all about Sharpton! Hypocrite! He doesn’t even have all the facts yet and he starts shooting off his mouth! If proven wrong I will bet 100 billion of obamas tax dollars that sharpton will not correct himself publicly either! He will let his initial and aggressive actions coming into this stand! He is also a Jack Ass!

      Report Post »  
  • godhatesacoward
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:10am

    What was kid the actually doing when he got shot? Was he somewhere he is not supposed to be? You come on my property, when I ask you, you have 1 chance to give me the right answer!

    Report Post » godhatesacoward  
    • godhatesacoward
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:13am

      the kid. sorry.

      Report Post » godhatesacoward  
    • Nick84
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:58am

      The kid was walking home from a convenience store where he purchased a bag of Skittles for a snack. He was returning home to watch the second half of a basketball game at his dad‘s fiance’s house. He was near his dad‘s fiance’s house when he was shot. Maybe you should worry about what the shooter was doing following him. This man has called the police 46 times in the last 11 years. He was previously arrested for battery of a police officer (charges were later dropped for unknown reasons).

      Report Post »  
    • proliance
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 7:24am

      Just imagine if your kid was walking home from the candy store and some guy with a gun was stalking him.

      BTW, the person heard yelling on the 911 tape is the kid. So to answer your question about what was he doing, he was yelling for help because he got jumped by a man with a gun.

      proliance  
    • Monkeypeaches
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:52pm

      He was going to the store to buy some skittles, which they found in his pocket

      Report Post »  
  • BackstepAndShift
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:00am

    OH!! AND HE GETS TO PLAY THE VICTIM!!
    MUST BE NICE TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER…
    He had NO right to confront this young man.
    I would be enraged!!! if this was my son.
    I want justice done for this family and young man.
    This guy will KILL again if he is left out on the streets to do so.. he has an excuse that works for him now and will be under the immpression what he did was LEGAL AND ALRIGHT to do.
    IT WAS NEITHER!!
    Lets see? NOT IN MARKED CAR, NO UNIFORM, TOLD NOT TO FOLLOW, SAY IT AGAIN.. TOLD NOT TO FOLLOW!! CARRYING A GUN AND YELLING AT ME.. ?
    HUMM?? I WOULD HAVE FLED THEN FOUGHT FOR MY LIFE AS WELL IF THIS WAS HAPPENING TO ME JUST AS THIS YOUNG MAN DID. I’LL TAKE THE CASE!!
    WHO’S IN THE RIGHT? ONE PERSON LEFT TO SPEAK AND (THE CALLS SAY IT ALL).
    PROSECUTION OWES ME FOR THAT LINE IF IT MAKES IT TO TRIAL.
    GUILTY OF MURDER!!
    OH!… HAS THIS GUY GOT HIS GREEN CARD?

    Report Post »  
    • Really101
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 2:47pm

      Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” Law

      A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity, and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.

      F.S. §776.013(3)

      We must submit to the facts. The statute which Mr. Zimmermen has referenced to as sayin the killing was just does not allow for him to follow the person who he might have believed to be dangerous. He is allowed to stand his ground and not retreat before he uses deadly force but he cannot go after the “suspicious individual.” This is not about race, this is about the Sanford police departments mishandling of a killing. Mr. Zimmerman should be required to stand trial and have his attorney represent his side versus a Florida prosecutor. If this case was handled properly this story may not have had the sting which it now does.

      I AM TRAYVON MARTIN

      Report Post »  
  • ICRedifURBlue
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:57pm

    The Mexi-Am is just like the demoncrats……cause a problem – “fix” it the worst possible way – then wonder why all the good people point out the stupidity of their actions.

    Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:49pm

    I read that some dude whose name sounded like he might be a Black Muslim was going to Florida to make a citizen’s arrest of Zimmerman . Did anyone see any more information about that episode ?

    Report Post »  
  • blazingaway
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:38pm

    Sharpton, is nothing more then a bais, prejudice, bigoted raciest who will always spin anything and everything into a black cause of justice and injustice. … It truly look forward to the day when god judges this man and he comes face to face with who and what he truly is … I doubt it will be much if anything

    Report Post » blazingaway  
    • KJSnyder
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 3:30pm

      Those darn Liberals, always calling people racists!!

      Report Post »  
  • Spexx
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:37pm

    Anybody that calls this “self-defense” is out of their mind. I‘m all for self defense laws and I’m all for Americans being able to carry guns. What I‘m not for though is some paranoid vigilante going around acting like he’s a cop, this guys wife seems just as unbalanced as he does, she said that he’s helped “solve alot of crimes”.
    I like people who will watch out for their neighborhoods but this went far beyond that. This man PUT himself in a situation that he never should have been in. I heard the 911 call where you can hear that boy screaming for help, it sounded to me like he was scared for his life. I mean how would any of us feel if we‘re just walking along and some jerk starts falling us and he’s got a gun holstered on his hip (im just guessing it was holstered, he may have had it out already). I know if that had happened to me I‘d have run for it or confronted the guy and asked him why the hell he’s following me. I hate that most Americans now days dont feel the need to help someone when they are screaming for help, we all just go call the damn government and hope for the best. I cant say for certain i‘d have done differently then those people but I pray that if I’m ever in that position to go to the aid of someone screaming for help that i’ll have the courage to do the right thing. I will say though that people like Sharpton always take situations like this and make it worse, make it all about race. It has nothing to do with race, has to do with righ

    Report Post »  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:51pm

      i live in florida and have a carry……..so far i see this as an idiot killing someone …not self defense……….i would never chase someone to kill shoot them unless they shot first…..if they didn’t hit anyone i would be in cover, not chasing p.s. i have laser grips and rarely miss..no need to chase

      Report Post »  
    • GodWillPrevail
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:59pm

      Do you know only one side of this story? If so how dare you judge.

      This “17 year old child” assaulted this man without a doubt. He had grass stains on the back of his clothing and other signs of a fight. People heard screaming before the gun fire.

      This man is not a flight risk and I have no idea how many stories I have heard of heroes that followed criminals and stopped crimes because they ignored police that only clean up after the damage is done. The police will always say do not follow so it is meaningless just standard procedure to protect themselves against lawsuits. Most police officers could care less about victims or at least care far less about victims than fellow officers. Better to let the shooting stop then show up. I am sorry but by 1960 or before standards all police are cowards now days not their own doing but their supervisors doings. I respect police but unions and officers have destroyed their ability to protect.

      Thus we need people like this willing to step in and make neighborhoods safer. I bet when the facts are in this man is innocent. But if not I hope he gets the harshest sentence possible. But give some time for a case to be made. Arrest him too soon and if guilty he may be acquitted. Many cases are lost because cops arrest before the facts are all in,.

      Report Post »  
    • Constitutionalist Lineman
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:00am

      Couldn’t agree with you guys anymore. This is the kind of idiot with a gun that ruins gun rights for all law abiding carriers everywhere. I feel for this boys family and hope an arrest will follow shortly. I have had my home broken into and I’m all for protecting you life and property but this is going entirely to far. However for this to become a race issue is wrong.

      Report Post » Constitutionalist Lineman  
    • Spexx
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:14am

      And how do you know who assaulted who? How do you know that zimmerman didnt tackle the kid when the kid was just trying to get away from some freak who was following him? I heard zimmermans 911 call and i heard the call where you can hear someone crying out for help and it wasnt him yelling. I can tell you right now that if it was my son that had been shot and killed all because someone thought he looked “suspicious” then I’d be losing my mind. It may have been a complete accident that the gun went off or he might have shot him thinking the kid was gonna harm him but the point is, he put himself in a situation that he never should have been in..and a young man lost his life because of it.

      Report Post »  
    • creepshow
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:29am

      I support “stand your ground” laws 110%. I support 2nd Amendment rights 110%. That being said, unless Zimmerman was witnessing Martin in the process of assaulting someone or breaking into his house, Zimmerman had no justification for confronting Martin. The cops had been called. If Martin was simply walking through the neighborhood, “looking suspicious” isn’t justification for initiating an armed confrontation immediately after calling 911.
      Given the reported facts, Zimmerman‘s actions aren’t protected by any law in this case. The problem here doesn’t appear to be with the “stand your ground” law, but rather the shocking simple-mindedness of the cops interpreting the law as written.
      Either critical info has been omitted in the reporting of this story, or the cops involved are stupid to the point of being a danger to the community at large.
      At any rate, Zimmerman sounds like a dim bulb with a hero complex who has no business cruising the neighborhood armed.
      Al Sharpton is a demogogue, but he may be right in this case.

      Report Post »  
    • Crazyotto
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 12:35am

      Who knows what happened for sure.. One thing is sure Zimmerman is entitled to his day in court…But that doesn’t fit the liberal Self loathing white America nor does it help racial con-artists like Sharpton fill their coffers. Sharpton, Jackson, the silly new Black Panther party, The extremely bigoted DOJ and even Barry need this event to fan the flames … their peeps were getting complacent they need to stoke the fires.. in order to gin up their base and they need to get white folk worried about appearing racist ..At the end of the day Zimmerman needs his day in court.. Once Sharpton got involved I stopped caring about this kid and sure enough it turns out his parents are making money off his name… his record shows he was a punk.. Sharpton is my compass if he is against it I am for it ….if he supports it then it must be a scam.

      Report Post » Crazyotto  
  • TheReasonableLib
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:18pm

    Leave it to theblaze to completely twist this story. In a case where a minor was shot after the shooter was ordered to not follow him where multiple sources confirm that it was said minor screaming for help there is no drug test done, no background check, nothing. And you writers still believe that self-defense crap? That a 17 year old could threaten a man at least 10 years his senior and 100 pounds heavier to that point is ludicrous. This man has a history of aggression even against police whereas the child had none, an A, B student who was known for his pleasant demeanor. You’re doing more to make this about race than Sharpton, but since you‘re on the issue let’s play your game, neocons. This office has a history of this crap. A black homeless man was beaten and nothing was done and 2 cops shot a black teen in a mall area claiming self-defense. This is an issue where there is an egregious miscarriage of justice because the “aggressor” is black. Nothing was done. If you see nothing messed up about this case then there’s something wrong with you. I guarantee if the roles were reversed you‘d be calling for the black guy’s head feeding red meat to your base.

    Report Post »  
  • LBRTYorDTH
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:08pm

    “Once the fat slob left his vehicle and approached the kid he became the aggressor. Anything that kid did afterward was in self defense. Especially when the slob disregarded dispatches recommendation/oreder to stay in his vehicle.
    The only justification for this shooting is if the kid went over and dragged the piece of garbage from his vehicle. Case closed! Take him out and shoot him.
    Tom”

    Report Post »  
    • trappedinwv
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:13am

      NO ONE here really knows what happened. I thought the helps came from the guy and not the kid, but what do I know.

      The one thing about this case I do know is that no citizen is bound to do what a dispatcher says/recommends. Dispatchers only repeat what they are told to say by the lawyers. It is generally the best advice, but the fact that this guy ignored the dispatcher does not automatically make him guilty of everything else.

      Report Post »  
    • Monkeypeaches
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:16pm

      So because he was suspended from school for 10 days he deserved to be shot. I agree with some this should not be a race thing, making this about race takes away from what really happene. Take race out of this and see it for what it really is. A grown man with a gun hunted a 17 yr old kid down and took his life. What more do you need to find the facts are already out. Zimmerman followed Martin and not because he saw the kid doing something wrong. What if he were your son, could you imagin. A boy lost his life,his family is hurting and all some people can talk about is his race and why he was suspended from school or how you blame someone other than the person who did it. White people didn‘t do Mexicans didn’t do it a man did. Open your eyes and grow up

      Report Post »  
  • spirited
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:02pm

    Al, did ya ever hear of innocent until proven guilty?

    Wait ! …gonna pull the magic trick, “But, …if the shooter was African-American ???”,
    — with that shocked facial expression ?

    >No, don’t do it.

    Report Post » spirited  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:01pm

    no one will ever no what happened except the 2 that were there that night. the resurgence of this story has nothing to do with anything but the brady campaign trying to blame this on the nra who helped pass the stand your ground law. guess what folks, guilty people dont run away I sure as hell never have. I stand my ground. unfortunately that “kid” was out late at night up to no good and ran…where was his folks then to put him to bed and adult chose to pursue a kid who may have previously stolen things (why pursue what an idiot I wouldn’t) both made some bad desicions and one is dead. however like I said this is all new manufactured outrage by the brady campaign.

    Report Post »  
    • GodWillPrevail
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:13am

      Not at all sure about that.

      Sounds like this kid ended up on this mans property. If so he walked there himself why? Was he followed or did the man just drive home.

      Many 17 year olds are quite capable of killing people without a gun or knife. Many murder victims are choked to death. This 17 year old at least struggled with this man before getting shot. The mans clothing was damaged at least could have been bruising but everyone is rushing to judge just days after it happened. He was taken down to the station and interviewed photographed clothes in evidence. There is a real investigation. I would really want to see it before judging further.

      But no jump to conclusions in a couple of weeks. This man is not going to flea so why worry about it? Give the police time to do their jobs right.

      Report Post »  
    • Nick84
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:18am

      GodWillPrevail
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:13am

      “Not at all sure about that.

      Sounds like this kid ended up on this mans property. If so he walked there himself why? Was he followed or did the man just drive home.”

      Where did you get that information? The kid was walking home from a convenience store. He was nearly on his dad‘s fiance’s property when this happened. This clearly wasn‘t on Zimmerman’s property, as he was driving around and GOT OUT OF HIS CAR to confront the child. Quit making up “facts” to justify your hateful opinion.

      Report Post »  
    • Kriggens
      Posted on March 21, 2012 at 6:05pm

      Oh yes, buying a bag of skittles, some tea, and walking back to his dad’s is “up to no good”.

      Report Post »  
    • mhunterjr
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 10:35pm

      I’m sorry buddy. It may be true that innocent people don’t run from police. But if i’m a 140 pound kid armed with only a can of iced tea, and some unknown, 250 lb man with a gun was following me, that is certainly reason to run. Zimmerman had no authority what so ever, so the kid had no reason to Zimmerman’s pursuit was of good intentions.

      I hope you wouldn’t advise your children to “stand their ground”, unarmed, while threatening figures approach them in the dark…

      Report Post »  
  • IL_Conservative14652
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:00pm

    I’m an NRA Life Member and when I lived in the free state of Indiana, I carried a firearm daily. I do not have all of the details in this case, but I think that the shooter may have over reacted. It may be that they will charge him as the investigation plays out. And for the record, there should be an investigation.
    Of course, Sharpton would jump all over the race issue…. If you only have one crayon, that is the one that you use.

    Report Post »  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:21pm

      The law is sketchy. If you are on YOUR property and have a reasonable thought that you are being threatened, you can stand your ground and defend yourself. I am armed, I really never will come to a thought that i think i am threatened , because I am armed…so I guess they could arrest me if i shot someone…That’s the trouble with making laws based on feelings…This guy could have reasonably thought he was being threatened…who the hell gets to decide what reasonable is???

      A law written like this is just plain dumb…Better…you set foot on my property and i dont like you…You get one warning, then you are free game…Run fast!! LOL

      Baddoggy  
    • UnGreen
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:17am

      What I see here is a bunch of libs trying to justify Al Sharpton. Half of you who declare your NRA are frauds. The law is well written. If you feel that a person is a threat to your life or others, then you have a right to defend yourself. What is so hard about that to understand? What was the kid doing in this neighborhood? What were the words spoken between the two? Is Zimmerman a Hispanic name? How many of you took the time to listen to the recorded audio? What a “bunch of jerks” (Not acting like a like a bunch of Jerks as Kathleen Sebelius would prefer.
      For those of you that are not libs and you know who you are, respond to these losers as I have.

      Report Post » UnGreen  
    • eliwhit
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 4:00am

      I agree Baddoggy, but the way I read the law you have to be on your property and threatend not chasing someone down the road and killing them after the fact! Right now the facts would show Zimerman in the wrong! But I feel a lot is missing in this report and that it was written to lift up holder and his daddy obamas anti-gun cause.
      I sure would like to konw a lot about the writer of the Article may be an obama ass kisser! also more about the police repoted facts, sounds as though their is a lot left out and a lot of conjecture is being gone on here. An this is the kind of thing that Riots are made of and who benefits obama the facist!

      Report Post »  
  • sasquatch08
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:55pm

    Cops shoot unarmed people all the time.

    All I hear then is “They [police] have a hard job, the guy could have been a dangerous wacko trying to take the officers gun”

    Is that not possibly the case here?

    Report Post »  
  • Blinda
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:54pm

    I am all for waiting until the investigation is complete to be sure. I look forward to seeing exactly what they discover. But it does seem that this is not really an open and shut case of self defense from what I have read from numerous different sources. While I am not ready to call the Zimmerman a criminal, it seems premature to call him a victim.

    Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:09pm

      he totally chased the kid. in my opinion they were both at fault. I heard all of the tapes and the shooter has a self righteous way about him and litteraly chased the kid down and shot him on the 911 tape. however what is this “innocent victim” doing out late at night in a neighborhood that is not his just hanging out and then running from the man before he showed his firearm. This entire thing stinks. the shooter is a total complete idiot and should lose his firearm permit you just dont go hunting folks down unless they have harmed you. this guy isnt doing gun owners any favors.

      Report Post »  
    • TheReasonableLib
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:22pm

      @ Horsecrazy:
      He went out for snacks which he had in his hands at the time. Also it was his community. His parents aren’t together and he was with his father and his girlfriend of the time who lives there.

      Report Post »  
  • Frogginit
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:51pm

    Just the facts Ma’am. If you don’t have the facts, don’t pass judgement. We will never get the facts from Al Sharpton or anybody on the looney left.

    Report Post » Frogginit  
  • lel2007
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:50pm

    No. Can‘t make sense of that ’Sharpton-Speak’. I wonder if he writes like he talks.

    Report Post » lel2007  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:47pm

    .
    Well Al you gett’em all rilled up, and out in the street, and I think Ya’ll ought to Burn Down your own Neighborhood in Protest……..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • Dougral Supports Israel
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:45pm

    I don’t think the facts are in in this case. It could very well be that Zimmerman is the real aggressor here. I am a big supporter of gun rights but I am also a huge proponent of gun responsibility.

    Report Post »  
    • USPATRIOT101
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:54am

      Agreed, all the present evidence points to Zimmerman approaching the teen after being advise not to by the dispatcher.

      Report Post » USPATRIOT101  
  • SpeckledPup
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:41pm

    obviously the VICTIM felt heavily threatened when he had to shoot the PERP in self defense.

    Report Post »  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:40pm

    This stinks, the smell is pungent in the air. Shouldn’t matter racial makeup…yet, I‘m still glad Zimmerman isn’t a white guy.

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
    • Southerner01
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:54pm

      Yeah, but this is the first site to actually point that out. Nearly every other site calls him white, not hispanic.

      Report Post »  
  • cuinsong
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:38pm

    Is any one still listening or give a crap what this guy says? I don’t!
    This is his song. “The Devils Song” http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_10789987

    Report Post » cuinsong  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:37pm

    Arrest we much.

    Our community yutes are discombobulated and disfused with violence to the extremities that is our communities. We demand that this racist minority that caused undue restriction of life to this young person must face the vengence….er….justice that we must implement against our hispanic persecutors and brown bigots….er, brother brown skins….er, homies. and while we are construed in interwining pursuits against the white man, we must persecute ourselves so this racist act will not go unpunished, amongst us communities.

    This is Reverand Al, request we will, resist we much, The producer wants to see you Al, we think thats vodka in your water bottle….Idiot you aren’t supposed to read that…..stop reading the teleprompter……Al, sign off, shut up…….go to commercial.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • Mateytwo Barreett
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:18pm

      Very good! Poor Ol’ Al got his juices flowin” and found out he didn’t have a urinal!

      Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
  • NeoKong
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:34pm

    He shot an unarmed kid to death.
    Unarmed people do not challenge somebody with a gun.
    This stinks to high heaven.

    Report Post » NeoKong  
    • sasquatch08
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:52pm

      Actually sometimes they do. Happened to my dad on his own property. Guy was trespassing with an unleashed dog that got aggressive with my dad. My dad pulled his sidearm and pointed it at the dog.

      The guys flies off the handle and starts screaming at my dad, says he’s gonna kick my dads butt and take his gun then execute him with it (in my dad’s own driveway). Then he starts coming towards my dad.

      So my dad ***** the hammer and tells the guy he’ll shoot the dog, then the guy. The guy finally gets the point leashes his dog and goes to leave. All the while screaming that my dad is insane and lobbing obscenities.

      Fortunately he didn’t shoot the guy, but the guy still called the cops and tried to press charges. They convened a grand-jury and everything for “assault with a deadly weapon”.

      The grand jury found no evidence to support going to trial against my father.

      Some people are just crazy, on drugs or really think you won’t shoot them.

      Report Post »  
    • Spexx
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:44pm

      Well if some hispanic guy is chasing me with a gun and I feel I cant get away chances are I’d have to turn around and confront him…

      Report Post »  
  • sethlevy
    Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:31pm

    Wow, this time you are on the wrong side of history The Blaze. This man shot an unarmed minor for no apparent reason. He deserves to be thoroughly investigated and at the very minimum have his right to bear arms taken away.

    Report Post »  
    • Lando
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:39pm

      Hmm, that’s funny, I didn’t know reporting a story means you are taking a side

      Report Post » Lando  
    • Lando
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:47pm

      actually, I guess the title is a little one sided. But no matter what the evidence, we know what side Al would still be taking

      Report Post » Lando  
    • Southerner01
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:56pm

      How do you know there is no apparent reason? The cops thought there was one. Also, why should his second amendment rights be taken away when he has not been convicted, much less charged, with any crime?

      Report Post »  
    • sasquatch08
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 10:56pm

      “He deserves to be thoroughly investigated and at the very minimum have his right to bear arms taken away.”

      Would that taking away of his rights happen before or after trial?

      Report Post »  
    • IL_Conservative14652
      Posted on March 19, 2012 at 11:04pm

      Thoroughly investigated, Absolutely!
      Let’s not take his guns until after the investigation.

      Report Post »  
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