As we move toward the One Year Anniversary of Trayvon Martin being murdered by George Zimmerman, I wanted to take this time to reflect on a few things as we go Hard In The Paint. Leggo.
It was about a year ago when this shameful crime was committed. George Zimmerman, a 28 year old “Neighborhood Watch Organizer” pursued, confronted and killed 17 year old Trayvon Martin. What has caused so many furors regarding this case? Well, while Zimmerman is of mixed Hispanic heritage, Martin is a clear cut African American. Young African American males being targeted (profiled) by law enforcement officials in America and then being somehow justifiably killed has been an ongoing issue in this country since forever. The question we must now ask ourselves is when do we stop? This case appears to be the turning point in this hotly debated issue.
At issue here is the fact that Zimmerman claims the “Stand Your Ground Law” as his defense. I had a debate this past Friday with a barber at the place where I go get my hair cut. His stand was that because his wife is an attorney and this law is unprecedented, that by trying George Zimmerman…we are in fact trying the law. I found this to be laughable to say the least because that suggests that we as a judicial system have no clear cut understanding of a bill we passed into law. That’s ludicrous and bears further looking at. Are we actually voting bills into laws without having a definitive understanding of them? Furthermore, while I explained to the barber that I had actually read the law (he stated he had not) coupled with the “911 recording” of Zimmerman’s call to the local authorities…he (Zimmerman) should never have been able to claim this law as self defense.
If you have any questions about the law, I have a link (http://www.husseinandwebber.com/florida-stand-your-ground-statute.html) as well as a link (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57401619-504083/author-of-stand-your-ground-law-george-zimmerman-should-probably-be-arrested-for-killing-trayvon-martin/) to a statement given by the author (former Senator Durell Peaden) of the Florida “Stand Your Ground Law.” Please read it. I know I have. Please listen to this gentleman. I know I have. Then ask yourself based on all of the above information, although deceased…why does this law not apply to Trayvon Martin?
I know I’m no attorney (I was a Legal Specialist in the Marine Corps for 6 years) but this doesn’t take too much thought from those capable of understanding the printed word. Let’s go over the facts (and these in particular have not been questioned, i.e. refuted). Zimmerman noticed Martin. He called 911 and told them Trayvon looked suspicious. He was told by the 911 Operator to stand down. He was told not to follow Martin. You hear him out of breath on the phone stating that he was continuing his pursuit of Trayvon. We also have audio tape of Martin on the phone with his girlfriend stated that he was being followed. These points are irrefutable. What happens next is up for debate but for lack of better terminology, what happens next is not my point nor should it be anyone else’s for that matter.
Florida Statute 766.013(3) states that “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.” Please read this as many times as you deem necessary. I’m sure after awhile it will start to sink in. You make not like it but it is what it is.
Here’s what we know. Zimmerman killed Martin in a gated community where his father was living. Martin was temporarily staying with his father so at the very least, temporarily…he (Martin) had the right to stay there. According to the Sanford, Florida Police Report, there is no indication that Martin was involved in any criminal activity at the time of the encounter. Please feel free to reread this portion of my segment as well. I want all of this to marinate, to sink in per se. Once again, Zimmerman was told to stand down. Why? Because he’s not a trained professional to deal with such issues. As serious as he may take his job, he is basically a civilian with a badge and Martin was not engaged in any criminal activity.
See where I’m headed with this? Once he chose to disobey a lawful order given to him by the 911 Operator (no it was not a suggestion) and chose to pursue Trayvon…Martin then became the one allowed to stand his ground. Based on the police report, the 911 call and the audio tape between Martin and his girlfriend…we’ve been able to ascertain that Martin was the “Pursuee” while Zimmerman was the “Pursuer.” Since the Police report states that Martin was not involved in any criminal activity once Zimmerman confronted him…Trayvon, was the one allowed to defend himself using deadly force if necessary.
Forget black or white. This is a matter of wrong or right. Once Zimmerman chose to pursue Trayvon…he put himself and that young man in danger. Zimmerman is an amateur when it comes to being a law enforcement officer and his amateurish tactics, amateurish behavior and amateurish understanding of the “Stand Your Ground Law” resulted in the death of Trayvon Martin. I hope and pray the Professional Law Enforcement Officers get it right. I’m out.
HARD IN THE PAINT 