Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Like many in America and around the world, my heart went out to Trayvon Martin's parents in their pursuit of justice in an area of the country where it proved to slip away. Many laws are developed and legislated for the sake of modifying, controlling, and preventing criminal behavior. In George Zimmerman's case in Sanford, Fla., color-blind justice in America was on trial.
As I see it, a 17-year-old African-American minding his own business was followed and killed by a man with no authority to pursue him. When Zimmerman made a 911 call to report that Martin was in the area, the dispatcher told Zimmerman not to follow Martin; Zimmerman followed Martin anyway; whether Martin turned to defend himself or chose to run, he was unarmed.
Justice was not served in Florida, and Zimmerman was exonerated. All communities that have "Stand your Ground" laws might now experience some gun carriers shooting and killing people of color, and later just hiding behind the law.
—Alfred Waddell
Comments
justjess 10 years, 8 months ago
@Alfred Waddall
"As I see it, a 17-year old African-American minding his own business was followed and killed by a man with no authority to pursue him. When Zimmerman made a 911 call to report that Martin was in the area, the dispatcher told Zimmerman not to follow Martin; Zimmerman followed Martin anyway; whether Martin turned to defend himself or chose to run, he was unarmed."
Your statement should have been the only thing said by the prosecution to yield a guilty verdict of Murder for the Killer, Zimmerman.
CASE CLOSED!
bubbat 10 years, 8 months ago
@jess I hope to God you're never on a jury, since you would not listen to the law, evidence and witness before deciding someone's guilt or innocence.
donnaladd 10 years, 8 months ago
Bubba: the hero of justice for all. RIGHT.
js1976 10 years, 8 months ago
Donna, a jury doesn't always hand down a verdict that offers justice to all parties involved.
js1976 10 years, 8 months ago
....and for the record, I thought Zimmerman should have been convicted in this case.
donnaladd 10 years, 8 months ago
No kidding, JS.
justjess 10 years, 8 months ago
@bubbat
""I hope to God you're never on a jury, since you would not listen to the law, evidence and witness before deciding someone's guilt or innocence."
Thanks Bubbat! At least you didn't say that you hope to God that I am never on a jury because I'm black. My father was the first black registered voter in the town where I grew up. Being selected or even being sent a notice to serve was not even though of. White was Right; It didn't matter how WRONG the situation was.
Just remember that the Trayvon - Zimmerman case was heard by a jury of whites with the exception of one non-white who, post trial, complained of a white "beat-down". These thoughts and behaviors give very strong evidence of egocentricity. I am soooo tired of trying to convince some people that I too bleed red blood.
bubbat 10 years, 8 months ago
@Jess What does your race got to do with anything? That has nothing to do with why I hope to God you're never on a jury. Think you need to go back an listen to the interview with "Maddy" again, she didn't complain of a white "beat down" she said she was the last hold out for a guilty verdict, till she finally realized the wasn't enough evidence to convict him. To quote her “You can’t put the man in jail even though in our hearts we felt he was guilty,” Maddy said. “But we had to grab our hearts and put it aside and look at the evidence.”
js1976 10 years, 8 months ago
" I am soooo tired of trying to convince some people that I too bleed red blood."
Stop trying! If you have to convince anyone of this, then they are not worth speaking too!
Turtleread 10 years, 4 months ago
Interesting feedback, except that I don't believe that Zimmerman used the Florida "Stand your Ground" law in his defense. He alleged that he was attacked and defended himself. So even under earlier laws, Zimmerman was fighting for his life.
And no, I don't believe Zimmerman. I think he profiled Martin, stalked him, and provoked a fight, which led to Martin's death. Events in Zimmerman's life both before and afterward show that he is a very dubious character.
Turtleread 9 years, 10 months ago
Zimmerman will probably end up like O.J. Simpson, locked up for a long time for some other offense against the law because these people just keep going until they "go over the line."
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