Is it possible that Martin attacked Zimmerman? Yes.

[Gravitycollapse]

Is it possible that Martin punched Zimmerman in the face while not breaking any skin on his knuckles? Yes
Is it possible that Martin's head was smashed against the pavement in such a manner that his life was at risk even though the injuries to the back of his head were minor? Yes.
Is it possible that Martin assaulted Zimmerman despite the fact that he had no outside motivation to do so beyond the fact that he was being stalked? Yes


Is it possible Zimmerman, the man trained in MMA fighting, carrying a gun, following a minor through a dark neighborhood who he verbally assumed was a criminal, was merely a victim of an enraged teenager? Yes.


But what are the odds of any of that being true? Pretty fucking low. What are the odds that the man who ignored dispatch, who carried a firearm despite neighborhood watch regulations, who stalked an innocent teenager through a dark neighborhood, who didn't go to the hospital despite reporting serious injury to his person, who is trained in MMA fighting, who conspired to conceal the true extent of his personal wealth from the state, shot Martin because he was a hooded black kid and his lizard brain wanted to nab a supposed burglar?

Pretty goddamn high. Pretty goddamn fucking high.

[Skittles]

1. that's why I think the "reasonable doubt" meme is utter BULLSHIT

[Gravitycollapse]

3. I think there was reasonable doubt in 2nd degree murder.

Not in manslaughter.

What's not in doubt is the fact that he killed Martin in an unlawful manner. That much is true.

[MH1]

5. I agree. 100%.

I am so tired of people spouting "reasonable doubt". It's fucking unreasonable as hell to believe any part of Zimmerman's story that isn't corroborated by physical evidence or rock-hard witness testimony.

[Skittles]

10. it's exactly why that gutless coward did not take the stand

his ridiculous story would have been effortlessly torn to shreds

[NoOneMan]

2. The odds make the fairy tale unreasonable

But I guess that is subjective afterall. Isn't it wonderful to have subjective laws we can exploit to purge society of people we don't like?

[Blackford]

4. None of that amounts to anything "reasonable"

Unless you're a member of a white jury, that is.

[bvar22]

6. ZIMBO.....

*stalked a black kid from his vehicle

*picked up a gun

*exited his vehicle against the orders of the Police

*chased down the Black kid he was stalking

*shot the black kid DEAD

.....but it isn't HIS fault.

[pipi_k]

7. Is it possible?

Yes.

Probable?

I really don't know...

[mstinamotorcity2]

8. We will never

forget that an unarmed child was made to look like the aggressor just because skin was too light. n/t

[Lizzie Poppet]

9. Entirely possible. And I stll blame Zimmerman.

Zimmerman put Martin in a situation in which the latter had reason to fear for his life and health. Martin appears to have made at least some effort to avoid Zimmerman. Zimmerman's continued stalking (or call it "following," or whatever...doesn't change a thing) may well have made Martin believe a fight was inevitable.

Should Martin have instead tried to flee at top speed, as even an in-better-shape-at-the-time Zimmerman would have been unlikely to catch a lanky teenager with a longer stride? Perhaps...but a 17-year-old boy - any 17-year-old boy - is very probably going to decide to fight. Inexperience and hormones + adrenaline don't usually allow perfect decision making. But that's irrelevant because Martin had the right to make that choice. He had the right to stand his ground when threatened for no good reason. Martin swinging first, if in fact he did, doesn't exonerate Zimmerman, by any reasonable ethical standard.

Unfortunately, the law doesn't correspond with reasonable ethics in this case. And that sucks...