I think I just realized why GZ shot TM

[Duer 157099]

Just listened to his interview with the police investigator, and it seems to me that the presence of HIS OWN FIREARM is what caused him to fear for his life. I think he was afraid that TM was going to get ahold of his gun. Not because he knew TM had it in him to shoot to kill anyone, but because GZ knew that he, HIMSELF, was fully capable (as he soon demonstrated) of shooting someone. He was projecting onto TM his OWN ability to shoot someone in the chest.

He knew the police were on their way. He knew this without any doubt.

If he hadn't been packing heat, he would NOT have been afraid for his life. I do not believe that he was afraid of TM "bashing his head" against the sidewalk. I think he was afraid that TM might get his gun.

SO: if his fear was TOTALLY a result of HIS DECISION to carry the weapon, which I firmly believe to be the case, isn't it TOTALLY HIS FAULT?

Legal experts, what is the law on this?

[arcane1]

1. If he hadn't been packing heat, he would've never left his car n/t

[Duer 157099]

2. Yep. He's a coward, through and through.

Justifies killing a kid because he projected onto the kid his own murderous impulse.

[RedstDem]

3. when you are the person to instigate a fight

and end up killing that person, logically, you lose the right to claim innocense wether in self defense or not.

[Duer 157099]

4. I sure hope it is clear to the jury

I hope that the prosecution focuses on this question: what made you think this 17-year-old kid was not only going to, but was ABLE to shoot you? Shooting someone is not something most people can or would do. The only logical answer is that he knew himself capable and projected that, 100%, onto TM.

[LittleBlue]

5. From the testimony, it seems simple

It's an old story of two guys get into a fight, one becomes desperate and goes for a gun.

There's a temptation to overcomplicate this trial due to its importance, but really it doesn't seem that complicated. Zimmerman panicked in a fight, possibly because he thought Trayvon would use his own gun, and shot him.

[Duer 157099]

6. I think GZ's self-perception and state of mind have to come into play

He's testified on several occasions that when people said they were going to call 911, he instead rebuked them and said "No! I need you to help ME." This goes to his state of mind, thinking that HE was the authority, which of course was how he got into the mess in the first place.

Also, that is important because it surely influenced his opinion on whether TM would use the gun against him, if he got ahold of it. If GZ thought of himself as a cop, then he figured that TM ALSO saw him as a cop, and we all know that if someone is so bold to engage in a fight with a cop, that there is almost no question that the person is irrational and very likely to try to get the cop's weapon and shoot the cop. HOWEVER, TM had NO IDEA WHATSOEVER that GZ envisioned himself as a cop! This was all purely in GZ's own egotistical self-delusion, and he acted accordingly, almost exactly as if he had been a cop under threat.

I really wish I could talk to the prosecution. I believe they are barking up the wrong tree trying to make it sound like TM was screaming etc. That really gets away from the real story, which was GZ's fear was wholly and completely based on his own delusional thinking, starting with him believing himself to be a COP!

[Honeycombe8]

7. But for GZ's actions, this incident wouldn't have happened. But for TM's actions, this incident

wouldn't have happened.

GZ did wrong, morally or ethically, but nothing illegal. TM, OTOH, technically broke the law when and if he assaulted GZ.

Someone doing something to do that's legal but irritating does not give you the right to lay your hands on him/her. That's assault. If that's what happened.

It's turning out that TM was quite an athlete and assertive. That, coupled with his youth and GZ's overweight and older state, meant that TM had the upper hand, physically. When you jump on soneone (if that's what happened), you sort of should expect anything in return, shouldn't you? I mean, you don't know what that other person might do.

This should never have happened. GZ should've stood down after calling the police, and TM should never have confronted GZ. But he was young and acted rashly, like young people do.

[Duer 157099]

8. I don't completely agree with what you wrote

I lay much more reponsibility on GZ than TM.

Your conjecture that TM was the first to lay hands is complete conjecture, based on the defendant's testimony, period.

Given that GZ lied to TM about him "not having a problem" I wouldn't trust him to tell us who threw the first punch.