If George Zimmerman had been beaten and bloodied, as per initial police reports...

[ScreamingMeemie]

why are the police not eager to trot photographs out to the press? Why would they not want to quell the tide of rising anger over their inaction? Why? Because I think it didn't really happen. If there was blood on Mr. Zimmerman, it did not belong to him, or was made by defensive actions.

Armed with a bag of Skittles and an Iced tea, up against a much heavier man with a gun? It really is that simple.

[arthritisR_US]

1. That's my take on things too! n/t

[Cali_Democrat]

2. What I'm also curious about is Zimmerman's photograph we see on TV

Was that a mughsot taken by the police that night? Because it he sure doesn't look beaten and bloodied.

[madaboutharry]

4. I think that was an old mugshot from his 2005 arrest for assaulting a cop.

[Cali_Democrat]

6. Ah...thanks for that

More proof of his previous "squeaky clean" record.

[EFerrari]

8. It was an old mugshot of the suspect the police said had a squeaky clean record. n/t

[Life Long Dem]

17. Zimmerman hasn't been arrested for a crime in this incident.

So there wouldn't be a mugshot.

[EC]

3. I just saw on another forum

that 2 witnesses on CNN said that Zimmerman had him on the ground and was sitting on Trayvon's chest. I'm wondering how close the shot was? Did Z shoot him while he was lying on his back on the ground? Or did he shoot him while running or standing. I'm beginning to believe the kid was already down when shot.

[ScreamingMeemie]

23. I think he was down too.

On edit: the fact that the reports state he had candy and an iced tea in his hand makes me suspicious that there was a physical confrontation at all.

[Ganja Ninja]

5. He probably tripped and fell face chasing him. n/t

[itsrobert]

15. That's a possiblity

Zimmerman was apparently running across a road, he could have tripped on a curb and fell on his face. Or he could have have drawn his weapon, aimed it a Trayvon, Trayvon thinking Zimmerman is some sort of nut throws the can of ice tea at his face blooding his nose.

[ellisonz]

27. Good hypothesis. n/t

[leveymg]

7. If a poacher gets scratched before killing the prey, does that excuse the poacher from the crime?

I don't think so. Hunting and killing a human being without a legal warrant and not deputized = homicide. Next case.

[Xyzse]

9. Agreed

The issue to me is that he was told to not pursue by a 911 dispatcher.
The fact that he did so means he was trolling for a fight.

[AtomicKitten]

10. By allowing the shooter to leave the scene, evidence was not preserved.

Unless they can come up with a photograph of Zimmerman with the chain of evidence secure (a photo taken that night), the police are SOOL and now are just trying to cover their ass.

[hfojvt]

11. Why do you think they took photographs?

Zimmerman was not arrested, and certainly no charges were gonna be filed on Trayvon, so there's no need to collect evidence for a trial.

Zimmerman is a large man, but he may be a lover and not a fighter. Trayvon, for his light weight, was 6' 3". A bean-pole to be sure. I used to be 6' and 128 pounds as a 17 year old, but I was not as weak as I looked either.

[TBF]

12. I believe his prior arrest for assaulting a cop throws that theory out the window -

but keep trying.

[Skittles]

13. WTF

[Rex]

16. Why would a 'lover' murder a boy carrying a bag of skittles?

That makes almost no sense.

[Dragonfli]

29. Because it was a love crime and not a hate crime silly, loved that kid to death he did.

[hfojvt]

52. maybe because said boy was beating the crap out of him

"loverr not a fighter" is just a phrase. Meaning, just because Zimmerman is a large man, does not mean he knows how to handle himself in a fight.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

19. WTF?

Are you Zimmerman?

[eShirl]

53. :spittake:

[uponit7771]

20. Zimmerman persude Martin...end of story

[ScreamingMeemie]

21. Because he was a man who shot an unarmed child?

Because they cared enough to file a report (they say) that made note of Zimmerman being bloodied? Typically when a report is filed photographs are taken to corroborate (or to refresh memories) the evidence that is reported.

That's right off the top of my head.

[auburngrad82]

22. Any time someone is shot to death the police should collect evidence

They cannot simply look at the scene of the shooting, see that a black man was shot to death by a white man, and say, "Oh well, nothing to see here, move along"

I cannot buy any story that involves the police not collecting evidence.

[pnwmom]

25. Yes, there was need to collect evidence. Evidence is often collected BEFORE an arrest.

I think if there had been evidence supporting Zimmerman's claim -- i.e., his appearance -- then photos would have been taken.

Zimmerman had a record as a fighter, not a lover.

[JDPriestly]

26. Lovers do not patrol around carrying a gun unless there is a crime wave.

Normally, when there is a shooting, the police collect all kinds of evidence.

The police were not doing their job in this instance. I don't know, but I suspect that Zimmerman was friends with a couple of officers -- or at least knew them to some extent. The lack of an investigation immediately following the event is appalling..

How would we feel if a member of our family -- a 17-year-old were brutally shot and the police did not even care enough to investigate fully and immediately? I know that I would raise the roof. I can't imagine anyone who would not scream as loud as possible.

The lack of an investigation is what is so shocking about this case. It suggests to me that the police assumed Zimmerman's innocence from the very moment they learned of the killing.

That is not normal police procedure. No way.

Something stinks to high heaven. We don't know what the full story is, but thanks to the negligence or intentional disregard for Trayvon's rights and the rights of his family, we will never know.

Someone should be fired -- without delay, in my opinion.

[Ikonoklast]

28. I sure am glad the New Jersey Jets got Tebow.

[sikorsky]

34. It's marginally better than getting ebola...

[uppityperson]

32. There is always need to collect evidence at a murder site. Even when a "lover" who pursues a teen

is involved.

[RetroLounge]

42. "One person can make a difference"

You're not that person.



RL

[hfojvt]

55. Well I did have a bookstore in Wisconsin for seven years

I like to think I sold some good books, at least I offered them for sale, and gave a bunch away when I went out of business and moved. Then, many years later, I tried to give advice and encouragement to some guy I met through a discussion board who was going into business.

Small random acts of kindness make some difference, even if only a small difference.

[got root]

43. because someone was just killed, i know insurance companies like to have photos of fender benders

so you would think this case warranted a little investigation.

no?

[Incitatus]

44. I don't know many lovers with charges for assault on a LEO and domestic violence. nt

[Whisp]

49. he was not a lover of young black kids.

not by what he called Trayvon.

wtf is up with you?

[Lilyeye]

54. Well that "lover" must have been a fighter considering his previous record

[WI_DEM]

14. I don't care if he was bloodied he still was the one who pursued the boy who had every

right to defend himself against somebody who was stalking and confronting him.

[librechik]

18. agree

and because cops do lie. I expect them to, not otherwise.

[JI7]

24. i agree, i don't think it happened either, people keep saying we need more facts

more info to come out. but everything that is coming out is working against Zimmerman.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

30. I want more facts too...

Since as you observed, they all hurt Zimmerman's position.

[CakeGrrl]

31. You'd think they'd be in a hurry to prove that Trayvon inflicted ANY damage

Did the autopsy reveal any proof that he struck his murderer? I bet not.

[Kablooie]

33. So if you feel threatened by an unarmed man deadly force is legally justified?

Even if you went out of your way to goad the guy into fighting with you.

I guess anytime someone starts a fist fight you can pull out your gun and blow him away legally.
Tell the cops you felt threatened and you get off scott free.
You don't even have to have BEEN threatened.
You just FELT threatened.

Sounds like gang war heaven.
Fight all you want and no one has to go to jail.

What the hell is going on down there?

[spin]

47. No it is not legal to start a fight and blow someone away ...

despite all the bullshit that you read.

Unfortunately the law requires enforcement from the authorities. It appears that the police are hiding behind the "Stand Your Ground" law and using it as an excuse not to arrest Zimmerman.

[savalez]

35. Interesting. And it seems to jive with this.

Here's a look at how they handled this case in Sanford. It's a quick read:
http://www.nejamelaw.com/rick-jancha-in-the-news/cops-son-gets-probation.html

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

36. Link?

[ScreamingMeemie]

40. Well, it's all over DU...but, if you'd like it again...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/os-trayvon-martin-shooting-zimmerman-letter-20120315,0,1716605.story

snip-

Zimmerman told police he acted in self-defense. Police found blood on his face and the back of his head as well as grass on the back of his shirt.

-snip

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

41. Wrong spot.

[ScreamingMeemie]

50. Don't cry...It's okay.

[Joseph8th]

37. If Zimmerman were beaten and bloody...

... then I guess it turns out he wasn't beaten and bloody ENOUGH. We was still conscious enough to pull a trigger.

[Nevernose]

38. I've also wondered what Zimmerman could POSSIBLY say in his own defense

Even if his version of events is accurate, he still has to begin any recounting with, "There I was, stalking a child in the rain..."

[Raine]

39. *IF* he was bloody I think it was caused by

sitting on Martin when he shot him and the recoil from the gun caused him to hit himself in the nose and bloody it.

[Justice wanted]

45. I seriously have to ask DID they take pictures?

[Eddie Haskell]

46. Did Zimmerman go to the hospitol?

[cynatnite]

48. They took no photos nor did they send him to a hospital...

I've worked in an ER and assault victims are usually asked to go to a hospital. There will at the very least be a report by a physician that can accompany the police report.

I suspect they are going to hold onto whatever additional evidence they have until the investigation is complete.

[X_Digger]

51. If they did send him to the hospital, the hospital can't say boo- HIPAA.

From the police report Sanford Fire Rescue did treat him, but that's all we know. (And assuming the report is accurate, of course.)

[ScreamingMeemie]

56. ***Well I guess I have my answer why not.