This Trayvon Martin case reminds me of...

[Archae]

Bernhard Goetz.

Remember him?

[Ecumenist]

1. Yep... was in university when that happened.

[Kalidurga]

2. Not really...

There were four youths in that case. Bernie may have had reason to be afraid of them. I don't recall all the details of the case, but Bernie had not been following them, nor were they following him IIRC. They all just happened to be in the same place at the same time. A news report said at least one of the kids had a screwdriver and was brandishing it, I don't know if that was true or not, but a few people made fun of Goetz, because he was afraid of a screwdriver, which I think is a reasonable fear because I know what I could do with one, if I was so inclined. Bernie Goetz was also arrested and put on trial and his character was on the spotlight. Every aspect of the case was torn apart and looked at. Goetz and the kids he killed were given equal consideration as far as being examined for what they were doing. Goetz, IIRC was found not guilty.

[Archae]

3. Well, Goetz didn't kill anyone...

But one of his victims is still in a wheelchair from being shot.

The basics are the same though.

Guy decides to "protect himself," even though the victim was runing away.

[Kalidurga]

4. that part is similar...

but he was arrested and law enforcement didn't act as if he was a hero for shooting some "thugs".