The Trayvon Case

[Cicero]

Do you think that everything kinda got blown out of proportion? When I heard that some guy randomly shot the kid and when I heard it was a racist thing, I didnt really believe it. Do you think that the Zimmerman killed him in self defense or for racist purposes? What do you think of everything? What do you think of SNL making fun of the case?

I believe that Zimmerman killed him in self defense and it wasn't out of racism.

[Sugaree]

Media circus waiting to happen. Let the justice system take its course and leave it.

[Stryker125]

eh, I don't think it was as big a thing of racism as people made it out to be though. That said though, Zimmerman is still in the wrong. You don't get to call self-defense when you go out with a gun looking for trouble. Dude needs to be put away for a long time.

[MaximumR]

I don't really think it had to with racism but it was definitely not self defense. Trayvon was unarmed and wasn't even doing anything to him so I think he should be locked up

[ImCoolBeans]

Media circus waiting to happen. Let the justice system take its course and leave it.

Thank you.
Things like that are bound to get blown out of the water, regardless if it "should" or "should" be left alone, however. Kind of sucks, pretty annoying.

[Mirage]

What is this case? I've not hear of it before. Did it happen recently?

[Cicero]

What is this case? I've not hear of it before. Did it happen recently?

Trayvon was a black kid who got shot by a Mexican named something Zimmerman, people in the community said it was about racism. Then the news heard about it and they said it was racism. A whole bunch of black kids started taking pics trying to look like Trayvon in remembrance of him. People are upset about the Florida legal system. SNL made a skit about Trayvon with Kim kardashian and Kanye west. Msnbc (or NBC) commented on the skit saying it was innapropriate and that skit has been on the news.

So basically, Zimmerman shot a black kid in "self defense" and the black community say it was out of racism. Everyone who knew Trayvon said he was a great kid and wouldn't hurt anyone. Now Zimmerman is going to court for the murder of Trayvon while most of the nation is Haten Zimmerman cause he shot a black kid. Media is all over the case.


(if I sounded really dumb I'm sorry, I'm listening to music while saying this. I can't do two things at once, apparently :P)

[Korashk]

The shooting didn't seem to be in self-defense. If the "Stand Your Ground" law hadn't been in place there wouldn't even be an issue. It's a terrible law that basically allows second degree murder because it can be applied in too many situations.

Also, it wasn't a race issue. The news media falsely turned it into one with some creative tape editing.

[Smeagol]

The possible racial slurs detected in the 911 calls and Trayvon's call to his girlfriend suggest to me that yes, it was racist. Zimmerman shouldn't get away with this. He killed an unarmed kid, even if it wasn't a hate crime it's still terrible.

[Professional Russian]

Will everyone just shut the fuck up about this... There was one in the chronicle which i left 1(because my computer broke and 2(because people are stupid

[StoppingTime]

Will everyone just shut the fuck up about this... There was one in the chronicle which i left 1(because my computer broke and 2(because people are stupid

That was a good argument. :yes:



Anyway, I think the media has blown this way out of proportion, and let's just let the courts decide.

[BFG9001]

Fucking skittles...

[viper]

like i said before its only a big deal when a white guy kills a black guy. i live in metro detroit and about every week someone gets killed and nobody cares. i guess everone is used to a black guy killing a white guy or something. over hear a baby got kidnapped recently and this week a kid killed his dad and put his mom and brother in critical condition. none of that was on the news. there are people that kill people for no reason here to but that doesent make the news, nobody cares. why?

[Sugaree]

The possible racial slurs detected in the 911 calls and Trayvon's call to his girlfriend suggest to me that yes, it was racist. Zimmerman shouldn't get away with this. He killed an unarmed kid, even if it wasn't a hate crime it's still terrible.

The 911 tapes that we've heard being played from media outlets were all edited. It was pretty clever editing and I've got experience in editing audio. It was the 911 operator who asked what Trayvon looked like and Zimmerman said "He looks black." Race is not as strong a factor as it was in the beginning of the case, but it's still going to loom over it until the end.

I support Zimmerman in his claim for self defense, because the enhanced police department security video DOES show that he had injuries to the back of his head. However, if Zimmerman was the one who instigated the fight, and not Trayvon, then Zimmerman can't use the self defense claim and should be found guilty of first degree murder.

Fucking skittles...

Unrelated, but damn that's funny.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

Honestly I think it got WAY too much attention. Racial killings happen all the fucking time. Sure the guy almost got away with it, but that happens all the time also. The fact these two common occurrences linked together doesn't bother me. This is something that should have been on state level news, I definitely don't understand why it made it to a national level. Shit like this distracts us from the stuff that actually matters.

As far as SNL making fun of it goes... they make fun of shit like this all the time. They only did it because of all the attention the story was getting. It obviously didn't bother too many of the fans either. Otherwise I'm sure they would have lost A LOT of their viewing audience. Considering SNL is still running I assume people weren't THAT bothered by it. I personally don't watch SNL and have never seen this skit, but judging on how the rest of their audience reacted it obviously wasn't that bad.

[MisterSix]

Everyone who knew Trayvon said he was a great kid and wouldn't hurt anyone.

of course they will say that. No one says bad things about dead kids

[Professional Russian]

Fucking skittles...

Fucking tea...

[lesplezzin]

Ok, I'm starting an auction.. I will put a hit on zimmerman for the highest bidder. Hahaha

[Sugaree]

of course they will say that. No one says bad things about dead kids

No one says bad things about any dead person. Apparently being dead makes you some type of saintly figure.

[jackson94]

Kind of shocked that no one here is mentioning the part that is what is actually important. The thing that got the New Black Panthers so mad, which Al Sharpton used to rally, and is what MSNBC and CNN are reporting (Fox never mentions it).

The outrage, (on the part of people who are outraged correctly) is not aimed at Zimmerman. Zimmerman is one guy. Maybe he was a racist, maybe he wasn't. Maybe it was in self-defense, maybe not. The thing that people think is a real problem in our country is racism by the judicial system, and racism by our law enforcement.

The argument coming from the African American community, at least the logical one, is that had the tables been turned. Had the cops shown up with a 30 year old large black man, and a 17 year old unarmed kid of a differant ethnicity, blacks are argueing that the 30 year old black man would not have recieved the benefit of the doubt. Zimmerman shot a kid, said it was in self-defense (despite huge amounts of questionable activity before the shooting, plus documented violent and paranoid behavior) and was allowed to go home a few hours later with the very gun he used to shoot a kid earlier that day.

Another point of emphasis by the anger has been this Stand-You-Ground law, and how many see it as a license to kill, especially minorities if the anger about possibly racism in the Florida system is true.

And, to people annoyed about the media coverage. It is that very media coverage that got this a fair case. If simply Zimmerman was allowed to leave that day, and no one cared, than the local Sanford Police may or may not have even investigated it any further. Probably not. However, because news channels like MSNBC and CNN questioned the activity every single day for the next 42 days, it got a fair investigation. The state of Florida took over the investigation, they decided to make an arrest, and now it gets to be tried in a quite fair judicial system.

I have no problem with the media coverage. I have a problem with people either simplifying the issue, or ignoring things that actually matter.

[Jupiter]

once you die, you are a perfect person.

[JackShephard]

I think that of anything was racist about it, Zimmerman shot him because he assumed a black kid was going to do something. I doubt someone would just shoot somebody because they are black if all those people are around. They where in a gated community. If this was really out of hate, I would think that Zimmerman would be more careful in killing that poor kid. What probably happened is that Zimmerman didnt trust him because he was black and got a little trigger happy because he was "threatened" in some way. However, I am not letting Zimmerman off the hook. I think that this should not go unpunished. He killed someone who had his whole life ahead of him. Unforgivable!

On the flip side, who knows. Maybe Zimmerman really did commit a hate crime and hoped people would buy his story. Really, it's hard to say for sure until more evidence is gathered. I think the media blew this out of proportion. People die every day and the news is shoving this down everyone's throat because there is a hint of racism in the air and they know this is going to provoke widespread reaction. They want their ratings one way or another. Selfish if you ask me. Taking advantage of somebody death for money? Seriously greedy. There is a difference between a story on the news and a story made into a tabloid.

[Electra Heart]

How about we back the fuck off because he's gonna go to jail most likely. This'll just blow the fuck over like Casey Anthony.

[jackson94]

How about we back the fuck off because he's gonna go to jail most likely. This'll just blow the fuck over like Casey Anthony.

...who didn't go to jail.

[Electra Heart]

...who didn't go to jail.

I know. I'm saying that we all made a big mother fucking deal about her. She was acquitted, and she was forgotten. I'm saying the same thing will probably happen to this fucker, so why bother?

[Navi]

I'm from Florida and I don't even know what to make of this story.
Yeah, it's sad someone died. The media around here kept it on the down-low for the first couple days after the shooting, then Al Sharpton and all the other activists came around, and it seemed to go downhill from there. Whatever corruption happened with the Sanford Police, I don't know, because I didn't pay attention.

He might be posting bail before his trial from what I've heard.... I don't even know if he'll eventually wind up acquitted. It reminds me of the Casey Anthony case not so long ago. I think the legal and justice system needs its time, and everyone shouldn't be so quick to be on one's side, especially when no one knows the full and complete truth.
(damnit, this shit makes Florida look like a dangerous place or whatever)

[jackson94]

I think the legal and justice system needs its time, and everyone shouldn't be so quick to be on one's side, especially when no one knows the full and complete truth.
(damnit, this shit makes Florida look like a dangerous place or whatever)

Well, it could be argued that if it weren't for the media outrage, there WOULD be no legal and justice system acting on this case.

And, in my opinion Florida deserved a bad reputation till the Stand Your Ground law is repealed.

[Church]

Everytime someones ask me about cases like these I always answer the same thing, "Innocent until proven guilty by a jury of your peers."

But if I were to draw a conclusion on what happened self-defense seems to be the case here and Zimmerman under law was in the right.

[Professional Russian]

Heres what G&A Think:

When Florida neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman approached a young man he had never spotted in the area before, little did he realize the events that were about to unfold would potentially ruin his life and end another. By now, we all know the details of what played out on that February night that led Zimmerman, allegedly in self-defense, to shoot an unarmed, but allegedly attacking, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

Or do we?

Since the story made news, it has taken on a life of its own, with people from every corner of our society weighing in through protests, message boards, blogs, radio shows, social media and around office water coolers. At first blush, according to news reports, the case looked like a cut-and-dry case of an overeager citizen taking the law, perhaps mistakenly, into his own hands and shooting a teenager carrying nothing more than a pack of Skittles and a bottle of iced tea.

The case was shocking not merely for the crime itself, but because the police didn’t even arrest Zimmerman, who in claiming self-defense, and supported by their investigation to that point, was protected by the state’s Stand Your Ground laws. Those laws say citizens don’t have to retreat in the event of an attack, but are within their rights to defend themselves with deadly force when necessary — a philosophy few gun owners and self-reliant individuals would argue with. However, much of the public seemed incredulous, and rightfully so, if what the news reported was indeed fact.

Fanning the flames of public outrage was the fact that young Trayvon was black and Mr. Zimmerman was Hispanic — half Hispanic and half white, to be specific. As such, the debate quickly rotated on the axle of race, and just as quickly drew all the usual players, including Al Sharpton, who has cleverly positioned himself as the most vocal voice of indignation over the shooting. Right behind him has been the ever-present Jesse Jackson, who has wrestled somewhat clumsily throughout his life to carry the mantle of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy since standing beside the fallen hero on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel on that epically tragic day in 1968. Even film director Spike Lee jumped head first into the headlines, only to land in the shallow end of the pool. He had to offer a sheepish public apology after he tweeted the wrong address in trying to tell the public where Zimmerman lived. One can only surmise what Lee hoped to incite by his actions. But the story is far from done — and for gun owners, it may just be the beginning.

Since the Martin story soared to the top spot on most national news programs, other facts have come to light. Facts that at least suggest maybe the public shouldn’t be so quick to judge, and that we should allow the judicial system, both investigative and prosecutorial avenues, to work as it is designed. Witnesses have stepped forward to say it was indeed Martin attacking Zimmerman and getting the better of him, too, before the armed citizen resorted to gunfire.

At the same time, the public veneer of Martin as a happy-go-lucky, Skittles-eating innocent child is beginning to peel away under blogger scrutiny — the mainstream media has had less to report on this. Martin was staying with his father’s fiancee in the unfamiliar neighborhood because he had been suspended from school for 10 days after marijuana residue was found in a bag he was carrying. It was his third suspension, the other two being for other reasons. On a now deleted Facebook profile, young Martin also appeared to celebrate and emulate the gangster lifestyle, complete with photos of tattoos and a gold grill on his teeth. To be sure, that certainly doesn’t mean he deserved to be shot or even accosted by Zimmerman. Plenty of teenagers — black, white and Hispanic — identify with the tougher, rougher elements of their peers in an effort to be cool and stand out, and generally to the disapproval of their parents. What it does suggest, however, is how a young black man might have taken an affront at being hassled by an older man of another color when he was minding his own business and how things could have spun horrifically out of control in the ensuing argument.


any one else have anything to say?

[jackson94]

^^ You act like that was a conversation ender. It didn't really have much to say, just summarized the case, and said that it was complicated. So, err,...yeah? I'm pretty sure people will have more to say.^^

and dear science I hope you have Ted Nugent on there sarcastically...

[JackShephard]

Heres what G&A Think:



any one else have anything to say?

Yeah, what was all that? You summarizing the case for us? And I suppose you must think that whatever slant was in the quoted text was superior to any other opinion.

[Texas warrior]

I think it was self defence, just because a white man killed a black man does not mean it was racist.

[Professional Russian]

I think it was self defence, just because a white man killed a black man does not mean it was racist.

Thats what i said..then i was automatically a racist

[Smeagol]

I think it was racist because of the racial slurs detected in the calls.

[AppealToReason]

The last I remember of the supposed "racial slurs" was that there were none.

[ryan2000]

I can ramble like a pro, so this might get kind of lengthy. Hold on to your hats.
Well, to start, I would like to point out that Trayvon Martin was not the "pure little angel" that the world makes him out to be. Just 3 days prior to the killing, he was suspended for 2 weeks for possession and use of Marijuana, and has had a record of fights and other violent behavior. Next, I would also like to point out that when George Zimmerman was found, he had multiple head contusions on the back of his head, as well as the front, obviously indicating assault. This shows that Zimmerman was attacked, but as to whether he deserved the beating is the most controversial part of the whole thing, in my opinion. It is known that Zimmerman followed Trayvon because he looked suspicious, which created alarm in Trayvon, and ultimately resulted in Trayvon beating Zimmerman's ass. XD Anyway, the question is, who is to blame? Is it George, for following Trayvon, in the process of trying to keep those in his neighborhood safe and not calling the police to investigate instead, or is it Travon's? For jumping right into the fray, instead of calling the police, which would have also made sense in this situation. Next, I would also like to point out that in the state of Florida, there is a law stating that if one feels as though their life or physical well-being is endangered, they can use lethal force; Zimmerman was practicing this right. He felt that his life was in danger, (which it probably was) and shot Trayvon. Now. Down to the idea of racism. I find the whole idea that this case had ANYTHING to do with racism is ludicrous, or ridiculous to say the least. Zimmerman was questioned, as were his friends and family. They all testified that Zimmerman not ONCE in his life showed any racism, and was a very kind and caring person. The people who flagged Zimmerman as a racist are what i like to call Zaelots. Thes Zaelots exist in different contexts, such as religion, or in this case, race. They feel that as soon as there is the slightest "challenge" toward their race, (in this case, a white man killing a black kid) they must react as violently as humanly possible. In conclusion, i believe that George should have been released with no consequences. I'm finally finished. I applaud those who had the attention span to read this whole thing. XD

[Professional Russian]

I can ramble like a pro, so this might get kind of lengthy. Hold on to your hats.
Well, to start, I would like to point out that Trayvon Martin was not the "pure little angel" that the world makes him out to be. Just 3 days prior to the killing, he was suspended for 2 weeks for possession and use of Marijuana, and has had a record of fights and other violent behavior. Next, I would also like to point out that when George Zimmerman was found, he had multiple head contusions on the back of his head, as well as the front, obviously indicating assault. This shows that Zimmerman was attacked, but as to whether he deserved the beating is the most controversial part of the whole thing, in my opinion. It is known that Zimmerman followed Trayvon because he looked suspicious, which created alarm in Trayvon, and ultimately resulted in Trayvon beating Zimmerman's ass. XD Anyway, the question is, who is to blame? Is it George, for following Trayvon, in the process of trying to keep those in his neighborhood safe and not calling the police to investigate instead, or is it Travon's? For jumping right into the fray, instead of calling the police, which would have also made sense in this situation. Next, I would also like to point out that in the state of Florida, there is a law stating that if one feels as though their life or physical well-being is endangered, they can use lethal force; Zimmerman was practicing this right. He felt that his life was in danger, (which it probably was) and shot Trayvon. Now. Down to the idea of racism. I find the whole idea that this case had ANYTHING to do with racism is ludicrous, or ridiculous to say the least. Zimmerman was questioned, as were his friends and family. They all testified that Zimmerman not ONCE in his life showed any racism, and was a very kind and caring person. The people who flagged Zimmerman as a racist are what i like to call Zaelots. Thes Zaelots exist in different contexts, such as religion, or in this case, race. They feel that as soon as there is the slightest "challenge" toward their race, (in this case, a white man killing a black kid) they must react as violently as humanly possible. In conclusion, i believe that George should have been released with no consequences. I'm finally finished. I applaud those who had the attention span to read this whole thing. XD

1. He was Hispanic..I couldnt be racist
2. YOu are right
3. Im surprised you didnt say that he shot to kill him and if you did i would have answered "One shot one kill" Or "You Shoot too kill not to injure.


Over all this is very good though and i like the way your thinking

[jackson94]

People continually misunderstand why people are saying there may be hints of racism in this case. Most people are saying it was by the law enforcement, NOT Zimmerman. Who the fuck cares if there's a racist guy in Florida? That's one guy.

[Professional Russian]

People continually misunderstand why people are saying there may be hints of racism in this case. Most people are saying it was by the law enforcement, NOT Zimmerman. Who the fuck cares if there's a racist guy in Florida? That's one guy.

Georgia aint to far away...lets just say ive seen what happens down there...

[NotYourSombrero]

I believe he was racially profile but he killed him in defense.

[Professional Russian]

I believe he was racially profile but he killed him in defense.

He did kill him in self defense....people just dont want to believe that because they believe anything again different races is racist. thus leading to why people think it was racial which it wasnt....but there were some racial slurs in the call to 911

[jackson94]

Your logic is infallible :D

[Gaybaby94]

George Zimmerman = Racist

[Professional Russian]

George Zimmerman = Racist

Thanks for the Info i think we already got over this.

[James995]

Are you absolutely sure he's racist? Are you basing this claim on the thought that he said "He's black" when the operator asked what the kid looked like, when in fact he said "he LOOKS black"?

[Truth]

Are you absolutely sure he's racist? Are you basing this claim on the thought that he said "He's black" when the operator asked what the kid looked like, when in fact he said "he LOOKS black"? There was a 911 recording, you could clearly hear Zimmerman shoot Travyon after Travyon begged for mercy.

Now this could have been staged, but if Zimmerman was beaten to a pulp on the ground, why was Travyon begging for his life according to the 911 call recording?

I am glad he was charged with murder.

[Sugaree]

George Zimmerman = Racist

Oh yes, please ignore evidence on the contrary and any opposing stories.