Neighborhood Watch guy chases down a kid, shoots him, charged with 2nd-degree murder

[RickFromFowler]

The 911 operator told him to back off. He took matters into his own hands and was overzealous in his pursuit of this kid who was doing nothing wrong at the time. Had he bugged off like the operator told him, that kid would still be alive.

Wasn't a 911 operator, was a police office operator (non-emergency receptionist).

Wasn't told to back off. Person who suggested he didn't need to pursue had no authority give an order to anyone.

If, as it appears, that TM had simply went home and not attacked GZ, that kid would still be alive.

It is possible that GZ stalked TM, cornered him, harrassed him and instigated the confrontation.

It is equally possible that TM confronted GZ, struck him, and assaulted him.

There is also that something between those two things happen.

[mtdman]

Either way, if the dude had backed off and left the kid, who was doing nothing but walking home, alone, he would be alive now.

[The_Real_Right_Way]

Example of making a story fit your prejudice. You don't know TM was innocent. We don't know that GZ did anything illegal.

You're complete inability to acknowledge that TM might be guilty of assault and as a result of his assault he was killed speaks volumes..

What crime had he committed? Not sure anything is cited in any police report? Please enlighten me as to what he was guilty of while walking home?

Your inability to get passed legitimizing, "walking while black" being a crime that is punishable by death is telling.

[The_Real_Right_Way]

Either way, if the dude had backed off and left the kid, who was doing nothing but walking home, alone, he would be alive now.

It really is as simple as that. Not sure why people feel the need to justify the over zealous and poorly thought out act of a guy that ends up killing an unarmed teenage in an incident that was totally avoidable, and one that he had full control of.

[joeking1978]

Lots of speculation in that timeline, however the witness account states that Zimmerman confronted TM.

Link?

[RickFromFowler]

Either way, if the dude had backed off and left the kid, who was doing nothing but walking home, alone, he would be alive now.

Or.. if the kid had just went home and not attacked GZ he'd be alive now.

[RickFromFowler]

It really is as simple as that. Not sure why people feel the need to justify the over zealous and poorly thought out act of a guy that ends up killing an unarmed teenage in an incident that was totally avoidable, and one that he had full control of.

More of same.. if TM just goes home, it ends. And he had total control over that. If TM doesn't attack GZ nothing happens, he had total control over that.

[RickFromFowler]

What crime had he committed? Not sure anything is cited in any police report? Please enlighten me as to what he was guilty of while walking home?

Your inability to get passed legitimizing, "walking while black" being a crime that is punishable by death is telling.

Your leap 2+2=1000 summation is the problem.

GZ did what every human does everyday. Survey environment, make a decision. TM made the same survey "creepy guy is following me".

What is scary is that only one CRIME was committed. Someone started a fight. IF GZ started the fight, he is likely guilty of murder. IF TM started the fight, he is guilty of assault and GZ is the innocent victim and TM fate was a result of his poor decision making.

But you won't do it. You're blind to the facts of law. Blind to your racial preferences. Blind to your biases and stereotypes.

[mtdman]

I've never followed someone down a street with a gun like an overzealous vigilante. That's not something people do every day. The dude was out of line and he killed a kid that he had no business stalking. Let the cops do their jobs.

[phillyfan]

Your leap 2+2=1000 summation is the problem.

GZ did what every human does everyday. Survey environment, make a decision. TM made the same survey "creepy guy is following me".

What is scary is that only one CRIME was committed. Someone started a fight. IF GZ started the fight, he is likely guilty of murder. IF TM started the fight, he is guilty of assault and GZ is the innocent victim and TM fate was a result of his poor decision making.

But you won't do it. You're blind to the facts of law. Blind to your racial preferences. Blind to your biases and stereotypes.

It's amazing how this story has completely turned around.

[The_Real_Right_Way]

Link?

Right there in the timeline he provided. Did you read it?