Thread: Zimmerman found not guilty in Martin death

Zimmerman found not guilty in Martin death

A six-woman jury has found neighbourhood watchman George Zimmerman not guilty of murdering unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, in a racially-charged trial that transfixed the US.

"Mr Zimmerman, I have signed the judgment that confirms the jury's verdict. Your bond will be released. Your GPS monitor will be cut off when you exit the courtroom over here. And you have no further business with the court," Judge Deborah Nelson said soon after the decision was read on Saturday night.

Zimmerman smiled briefly but did not appear emotional as the verdict was read.

His family was grinning broadly as they sat behind him in the courtroom.

The family of Trayvon Martin was not present.

Scores of journalists and crowds of demonstrators had gathered outside the courthouse in the dark, awaiting the verdict.

Many of the demonstrators were chanting, "no justice, no peace".

The jury had deliberated for more than 16 hours since Friday.

Zimmerman, 29, had been accused of pursuing Martin through a gated community in Sanford, Florida and shooting him during an altercation.

Defence lawyers insisted Zimmerman acted in self-defence after Martin, 17, wrestled him to the ground and started bashing his head into the pavement.

Zimmerman faced possible life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder.

The jury was also instructed to consider an alternative charge of manslaughter, which carries up to a 30-year sentence.

The February 2012 killing ignited widespread controversy after police initially declined to press charges against Zimmerman.

Community leaders on Friday had called for calm regardless of the eventual verdict.

"If Zimmerman is convicted, there should not be inappropriate celebrations, because a young man lost his life," Rev Jesse Jackson, a veteran civil rights activist, said.

"If he is not convicted, we should avoid violence because it will only lead to more tragedies."

This is turning into a cry of racism. But, not having heared every word of the trial I don't want to second guess the jury. My problem with the Zimmerman had to do with his actions that night as a neighborhood watch member. My husband patrolled with the neighborhood watch. They worked with police.

They were not allowed to carry and were never to confront a suspect. Certainly, if someone's life was in jeopardy that would be an exception. The neighborhood patrol would observe and contact police if warranted. Zimmerman would have known he was not to carry a gun or pursue a possible suspect as a neighborhood patrolman and the dispatcher clearly instructed him not to pursue Trayvon Martin. That being said I was expecting a manslaughter verdict. If he hadn't followed Martin than Zimmerman would not have been in any altercation.

I am anxious to hear what the jury based their decision on. My heart goes out to Martin's family. How do you accept that a rogue neighborhood patrolman pursued your son, got in a fight with him and then blew him away when he was just out buying a soda?

Originally Posted by Soapboxmom

If he hadn't followed Martin than Zimmerman would not have been in any altercation.

I think this sets a very dangerous precedent. On occasion I have been followed by someone with "road rage" over some perceived slight. The last thing I have ever done in that situation is drive to my house. Why would I put my family in danger by allowing some nut to follow me home? What I have done is pulled into a parking lot and once to a side street and got out of my car. This has always been enough to end it without violence, but what if it wasn't?

Seems to me if I am being followed I have a right to defend myself, but if I defend myself "too well" then I can be shot and killed.

Originally Posted by Soapboxmom

This is turning into a cry of racism. But, not having heared every word of the trial I don't want to second guess the jury. My problem with the Zimmerman had to do with his actions that night as a neighborhood watch member. My husband patrolled with the neighborhood watch. They worked with police.

They were not allowed to carry and were never to confront a suspect. Certainly, if someone's life was in jeopardy that would be an exception. The neighborhood patrol would observe and contact police if warranted. Zimmerman would have known he was not to carry a gun or pursue a possible suspect as a neighborhood patrolman and the dispatcher clearly instructed him not to pursue Trayvon Martin. That being said I was expecting a manslaughter verdict. If he hadn't followed Martin than Zimmerman would not have been in any altercation.

I am anxious to hear what the jury based their decision on. My heart goes out to Martin's family. How do you accept that a rogue neighborhood patrolman pursued your son, got in a fight with him and then blew him away when he was just out buying a soda?

Yeah. This was a travesty. Especially since they asked for clarification on the manslaughter charge, were told to be more specific in their request, then never sent anything back out. Just rendered a verdict. Gotta wonder why it took them 16 hours for an acquittal.
The State prosecuted this case poorly - especially after seeing how confident and precise they were in the hearings leading up to this. Their hands were also tied as there is still an investigation on the federal level into how this case was initially handled by sanford pd. Ofc Serino - who testified - originally wanted to file manslaughter charges but was told not to. Then he got up on the stand and said he didn't see any issue with the lies zimmerman told and never mentioned his wanting to charge him.....and then it was never asked about. The defense wanted to thugify Trayvon to justify zimmerman's actions while zimmerman has the history of violent behavior and MMA training. The whole thing was a joke. Will be interesting to see if the feds go after him for a hate crime.

Trayvon Martin.jpg

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This says it all about, ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN! Do you know who this is? It is Little Trayvon Martin...! At 17 yrs of age. Don't know how much coverage this story has had in your area, but, if it has, here's a new look at it! For those of us who thought we were well informed and weren't.....quite the realty check. That old adage applies here: "there are two sides to every story." We don't always get the truth from the media. One of my favorite rants - the liberal controlled media, television news, newspapers, magazines, radio; all continue to show 12 year old Trayvon; NOT 17 year old Trayvon. They continue to show the 5 year old picture BECAUSE it helps to cement in your mind the cute, little, hoodie-wearing youngster who was stalked by this monster . In reality "little Trayvon" at the time of his death stood almost 6'2" tall and weighed 175 muscular pounds. He had numerous run ins with authorities (both at school and local police), had been stopped and almost arrested two days before his death for smacking a bus driver in the face, because the driver refused to let him ride for free. He was released because the driver was told not to press charges by the bus company and to continue on his route. When "little Trayvon" was suspended at school it was not only because he tried to bring a little marijuana in with him, he was in possession of wedding rings and other jewelry, watches, etc. that he said he "found" along with a large screwdriver while on the way to school that day. The jewelry was turned over to the Police by the school. I am not trying to say this was a good shooting. I am not trying to say this kid deserved to die. I am saying the media in the USA is controlled by liberals who twist and distort what you see and hear in order for you to see things their way. >Not a single paper has printed RECENT photos of this kid, because it would not keep your interest in this case. Not a single paper will admit that this kid was a marijuana dealer. >His friends on Facebook all say he had the "best plants". Not a single paper will show you any of his recent photos where he shows off a mouthful of gold teeth and all of his tattoos. Not a single newspaper will tell the news like it really is....and NOT how they want you to think it is... President King Obama looked at the FIVE year old photo the media chose to show the Nation and said, "If I had a son...he would look like Trayvon.." So from that comment should I assume you did not bother to look for the facts in this shooting..or should I assume you want a son who is a 17 year old drug dealing, gold teethed, tattooed thug whose name on one of his facebook profiles was "Wild Nigga" who 'finds" jewelry and burglary tools on the way to school? A fair and impartial news media in the USA ? One that does not follow the liberal agenda? Is NOT looking to further divide this already fractured Nation? I didn't compose this. I'm only passing it on. Never trust the news media for anything. Trayvon at 12 yrs of age.

Clearly, Zimmerman was not pursuing a kid as it has been portrayed in the media. But, again why was Zimmerman pursing Martin? Martin was not doing anything that would warrant being pursued from what I have read.

Originally Posted by Soapboxmom

Clearly, Zimmerman was not pursuing a kid as it has been portrayed in the media. But, again why was Zimmerman pursing Martin? Martin was not doing anything that would warrant being pursued from what I have read.

This ruse was started by a messageboard of racists that thought they could dox Trayvon's friend and ended up doxing the wrong people.
It is also where the Trayvon fought MMA story came from. That top pic is of a Trayvon Martin from Georgia - not the same Trayvon Martin. Anyone that reads the autopsy report will see that by the 2 (yes, only 2) tattoos noted by the coroner. The Hollister pic he had actually just turned 17 - is not 12 as the conspirators want people to believe. The media ran with misinformation produced by the defense in this case. The defense even argued and filed motions based on conspiracy theories produced by the racist website! His jackass brother polluted the airwaves with even more misinformation.

Do you know zimmerman attacked an officer that showed up at a party zimmerman was a 'bouncer' at because the officer was trying to remove an underage drinker?
Or that he threw a woman across a room and injured her ankle?
Or that he molested his cousin for a number of years?
Or that he harassed a middle eastern co-worker at a job that he was eventually terminated from?
Or that he placed many calls to 911 to report African American people only in the complex where he lived on his parent's dime that were renting from the owner?

Originally Posted by Soapboxmom

Clearly, Zimmerman was not pursuing a kid as it has been portrayed in the media. But, again why was Zimmerman pursing Martin? Martin was not doing anything that would warrant being pursued from what I have read.

He had probably seen him on other occasions also. I agree Zimmerman should have called for backup and never approached this "kid". Yes, the media has made sure the man is shown as a young defenseless teen but it was much different. It is all over FB today screaming Racism and Discrimination!! Bring them all out, NAACP, the King's, the Jackson's, of course Al Sharpton. Lived in the SE and have lived through some of the same type thing. Could we just accept the jury's decision and move on?? Zimmerman will serve his time because it will be with him for the rest of his life.

I do know how our children can be treated by the pompous campus police. They hire some little non-college smart a** and give him a badge to patrol a college campus. He has an attitude against college male students already. My son was picked up, handcuffed, read his rights and placed in jail without evening knowing what was going on. They accused him of being across campus doing something suspicious just because he was riding a bike and had long hair which matched the description of the person on the other side of campus - too far for him to have ridden on his bike. Yes, I do know about campus cops. Oh, not because he was Black, he is very White!

Lawyer: After verdict, Trayvon Martin family is 'heartbroken' - TODAY.com

Prosecution uses Zimmerman's own words against him - CNN.com

....And, de La Rionda argued Thursday, Zimmerman account that he was attacked and fired his gun because he feared for his life doesn't hold up. "He brought a gun to a struggle, to a fight that he started ... wanting to make sure the victim didn't get away," the prosecutor said. "And now he wants you to let him off because he killed the only eyewitness, the victim Trayvon Martin, who was being followed by this man.".....

Why would a scared man get out of his car and walk around, after being told by a 911 dispatcher not to follow a man he thought was suspicious? Did Zimmerman walk toward Martin, or did Martin come after him -- as he seemingly said both?

The article goes on about more parts of Zimmerman's story that seem highly implausible. I wouldn't be surprised to see federal charges for civil rights violations. There is a huge firestorm surrounding this verdict.

Originally Posted by scratchycat

He had probably seen him on other occasions also. I agree Zimmerman should have called for backup and never approached this "kid".

No, he had never seen him as Trayvon was with his father visiting his father's girlfriend. And he did call the police. They were on their way. They got there within a minute of the gunshot. The operator even asked him if he was following him because you can hear him get out of the vehicle and him huffing and puffing on the call. The operator told him 'we don't need you to do that' to which he even replied 'OK'.
The defense and his supporter want everyone to ignore the non emergency 911 call where he states 'these assholes always get away' and '******* punks' and just jump to the alleged confrontation. The call goes directly to depraved mind and ill will which is why murder 2 was charged along with it's lesser offenses of manslaughter.

pic.twitter.com/Tg75X4pRwl

Originally Posted by scratchycat

[COLOR="#006400"]I do know how our children can be treated by the pompous campus police.

I happened on this thread over at Quatloos. http://www.quatloos.com/Q-Forum/view...ndment#p158972

The first article from the plaintiffs side is very shocking, however the second article with the police side of things is a plausible scenario. I suspect like many things the truth lies somewhere in the middle. But would say I find the abuse of power by some officers very troubling, and seldom corrected the way it should be.

Originally Posted by Soapboxmom

There is a huge firestorm surrounding this verdict.

I hope, but remain extremely skeptical that our country could have a meaningful discussion about the ramifications of this verdict.

No, this is not a photo of Trayvon Martin - KansasCity.com

Found this photo (graphic warning) of Trayvon before they covered him. Most of the Google pictures have been removed or page not available. For the time being, this one is still up.

http://gawker.com/this-courtesy-of-m...body-753370712

I don't know, I was not on the jury (Thank Goodness!!). As mentioned there probably will the a civil suit against Zimmerman.

Originally Posted by scratchycat

No, this is not a photo of Trayvon Martin - KansasCity.com

Found this photo (graphic warning) of Trayvon before they covered him. Most of the Google pictures have been removed or page not available. For the time being, this one is still up.

This, Courtesy of MSNBC, Is Trayvon Martin's Dead Body. Get Angry.

I don't know, I was not on the jury (Thank Goodness!!). As mentioned there probably will the a civil suit against Zimmerman.

This whole thing was a farce from start to end. A comedy of errors and stories.

The sad and basic reality is that this should never have happend no matter how good or bad of a kid martin was there was ZERO reason for Zimmerman to have been chasing after him. It's pretty obvious from the start that Zimmer had decided that martin was guilty of something for whatever reason right from the start.

The even greater reality is that if Zimmerman wasn't running around with a gun than no-one would be dead. The only reason that zimmerman feared for his life was because he thought Martin was reaching for the weapon that he brought. Had he just left it at home than at worst you'd have 2 beat people.

All Zimmerman had to do right from the start was say "hey i'm neibourhood watch" and this whole thing could have been avoided.

Or ride down to the end of the street and wait for martin to either exit the area or the police to show up. (the area wasn't that big there were obvious locations that some could park and see anyone who entered or left)



To further add to this tragedy the police declined to charge him. Due to the stand your ground law that i'm sure zimmerman clearly laid out for them. Personally in any case involving the death of another person with a weapon charges should be laid. They should expecially be laid when the other person is not in the commision of any crime. They can of course be dropped after further investigation. However, the complete lack of charges certainly set this firestorm going. The family had the right to expect someone to be charged in the death of there son.



Next you had the media hamming it up and fanning the flames by using doctored and misleading photo's.

and the NRA got involved because you can NEVER ever suggest that running around with a gun is a problem. It must be the victims fault.

martin never went for zimmerman's gun. he already had it out. you can hear him chamber check it in his NEN call and why you hear Trayvon screaming in the background of the 911 call. This was a huge drop of the ball by the State.
Zimmerman had Trayvon by the bottom of his hoodie as Trayvon was trying to get away as evidenced by zimmerman (I believe bloody) DNA hand print and why the hole in the hoodie doesn't match right over the wound when the clothing is in a relaxed state.

According to the FBI, thousands of people are murdered every year in the US.

Is it strange that the media is so obsessed with this one case?

Originally Posted by Blue Wolf

According to the FBI, thousands of people are murdered every year in the US.

Is it strange that the media is so obsessed with this one case?

I would think it's because the parents wouldn't let this get swept under the rug like sanford pd wanted to do and not when the defense has been trying the case in the media for a year.
The Orlando Sentinel was the defense's personal newspaper to release misinformation to through rene stutzman.
The State filed motion for gag order 3 times and was denied all 3 times.

Originally Posted by Whip

martin never went for zimmerman's gun. he already had it out. you can hear him chamber check it in his NEN call and why you hear Trayvon screaming in the background of the 911 call. This was a huge drop of the ball by the State.
Zimmerman had Trayvon by the bottom of his hoodie as Trayvon was trying to get away as evidenced by zimmerman (I believe bloody) DNA hand print and why the hole in the hoodie doesn't match right over the wound when the clothing is in a relaxed state.

I don't remember any of that being in the evidence.

Originally Posted by Blue Wolf

According to the FBI, thousands of people are murdered every year in the US.

Is it strange that the media is so obsessed with this one case?

If you want "strange" you should try watching the story from another country.

The whole thing is beyond "strange" and into un-bloody-believable, ESPECIALLY the media reporting.

Originally Posted by BoBosworth56

I don't remember any of that being in the evidence.

It was brought up briefly by the State and never expounded upon like many, many other things. They did a terrible job prosecuting this case. Many believe the fix was in as sanford pd would have looked really, really bad for taking jumbo's word for what happened. Did you know Serino wanted to charge him with murder 2 originally then was told to only charge manslaughter, then was told - we aren't going to do anything' (paraphrasing)? That's why Serino originally got a lawyer.
He even said in the interviews right to zimmerman that he didn't believe him as there were too many inconsistencies yet lies on the stand and says there weren't any!

There is a lot in discovery that was never introduced. The alleged 'broken nose' pic wasn't turned over to the investigation until 3 weeks after it was taken and was put through the GIMP software by the officer that took it (based on the image properties). That pic should never have been admitted as it couldn't be authenticated with the original since the officer deleted it from his phone. Yet, the State stipulated to it being accurate.

Originally Posted by littleroundman

If you want "strange" you should try watching the story from another country.

The whole thing is beyond "strange" and into un-bloody-believable, ESPECIALLY the media reporting.

What is your opinion of the case? Did you look at any of the discovery? I followed this for the last year and can't believe how poorly the State presented this case.

Originally Posted by Whip

It was brought up briefly by the State and never expounded upon like many, many other things. They did a terrible job prosecuting this case. Many believe the fix was in as sanford pd would have looked really, really bad for taking jumbo's word for what happened. Did you know Serino wanted to charge him with murder 2 originally then was told to only charge manslaughter, then was told - we aren't going to do anything' (paraphrasing)? That's why Serino originally got a lawyer.
He even said in the interviews right to zimmerman that he didn't believe him as there were too many inconsistencies yet lies on the stand and says there weren't any!

There is a lot in discovery that was never introduced. The alleged 'broken nose' pic wasn't turned over to the investigation until 3 weeks after it was taken and was put through the GIMP software by the officer that took it (based on the image properties). That pic should never have been admitted as it couldn't be authenticated with the original since the officer deleted it from his phone. Yet, the State stipulated to it being accurate.

Could you provide some sources to that please?

Originally Posted by BoBosworth56

Could you provide some sources to that please?

Don't know exactly which part you are looking for but here is a very good resource for original document/discovery releases:

JusticeQuest

JusticeQuest

Originally Posted by Whip

Don't know exactly which part you are looking for but here is a very good resource for original document/discovery releases:

JusticeQuest

JusticeQuest

I want to know where the stuff you said was entered into evidence. I couldn't log into that site. Is that the only site that has proof that Zimmerman held him by his hoodie?

Originally Posted by BoBosworth56

I want to know where the stuff you said was entered into evidence. I couldn't log into that site. Is that the only site that has proof that Zimmerman held him by his hoodie?

You should join the site.
I'm not sure it was during the ME's testimony:

A8iTvOT82RO

Or FDLE testimony:

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or it may have been brought up during DiMaio's testimony. It's a 3 part you tube:

Dr. Vincent Di Maio (Pathologist) pt. 1/3 - 7/9/2013 - Trayvon Martin George Zimmerman Trial - YouTube

If not in either of those, I'll try and find it when I get time.
The problem was the hole in the shirt and hoodie not matching the wound location and the defense's pathologist tried to say it was because the Arizona iced tea was weighing the hoodie at quite an angle. But that doesn't account for the shirt underneath.

[QUOTE=Whip;58478]I'm pretty sure it was during the ME's testimony:

[youtube]A8iTvOT82RO[/youtube]

or it may have been brought up during DiMaio's testimony. It's a 3 part you tube:

Dr. Vincent Di Maio (Pathologist) pt. 1/3 - 7/9/2013 - Trayvon Martin George Zimmerman Trial - YouTube

If not in either of those, I'll try and find it when I get time.
The problem was the hole in the shirt and hoodie not matching the wound location and the defense's pathologist tried to say it was because the Arizona iced tea was weighing the hoodie at quite an angle. But that doesn't account for the shirt underneath[/QUOTE

Yeah I don't think that is clear cut evidence that Zimmerman had Martin by the hoodie.