What bearing does Trayvon Martin's criminal history (or lack thereof) have to do with this case?

[Stinky The Clown]

Let's say he was a bank robber. Or an embezzler. Or a drug kingpin. Or a pot smoker. Does that give someone the right to kill him?

The facts are, he was unarmed, he encountered George Zimmerman, and now he's dead.

[Kurska]

1. Devil's Advocate: A criminal history would make Zimmerman's version of events more plausible.

That being that he briefly followed Trayvon, tried to go back to his car and was attacked from behind.

[rustydog]

11. True, except that would take an investigation of all possibilities

and not taking Zimmerman's word as gospel until drug and alcohol tests for both come back. When ballistics are done on the CONFISCATED firearm used in the shooting.

[SATIRical]

30. And if the forensics are inconclusive

then the character and demeanor of the two involved matters.

[ZombieHorde]

13. That is what I was thinking. The less respectful Martin seems, the more respectful Zimmerson seems

in the eyes of some.

Consider the Primaries: one candidate is good, and then the others are bad. Obama and Clinton had seemingly exact platforms, but one was great and one was horrible in the eyes of some DUers. Same principle at work in my opinion.

[EFerrari]

16. Zimmerman is the one with a police record not this kid. n/t

[aptal]

2. I agree, his past criminal history would in no way

show his character and give insight on how he may have acted in such a situation. It's ridiculous that the right wing is making him to be some gangsta. It's doesn't matter if he was a gangsta or not. Zimmerman straight up killed him for no reason.

[elleng]

3. None.

The jury will be instructed to ignore any illusion to such.

[jberryhill]

4. None

[arthritisR_US]

5. None except to obfuscate the facts. n/t

[Voice for Peace]

6. NONE

none

[murielm99]

7. There are good reasons why most of that

is not admissible during a trial. The person on trial should not be judged on past actions that have nothing to do with a current case. And trying the victim is reprehensible. If I was on a jury and noticed that the defense was trying the victim, I would lose sympathy with the defendant.

[grasswire]

8. In contrast, Zimmerman's history with police IS admissable...

...and relevant, because his previous arrest illustrates his trouble with authority.

[murielm99]

9. I know Zimmerman was arrested,

but I don't know why.

[pettypace]

10. Not much. Him beating Zimmerman on the ground OTOH...

nt

[alcibiades_mystery]

12. Scary negro, right?

But then again, aren't they all...

[alcibiades_mystery]

20. Ah yes, postracial now, is it?

It's good to see that this event is really drawing the unreconstructed out of their dank little holes.

[pettypace]

21. Let me ask you a serious question

Would you prefer to live in an all-black population?

And if not, what expectations do you have from whites/latinos/Asians? At what point will you stop thinking you're the only group that is discriminated against?

[alcibiades_mystery]

23. Please, go on

I'm really enjoying your candid airing of your feelings here. It's useful to have your deep feelings of anger towards African Americans out on display for all to see. Tell us more. It will make you feel better about yourself to get it all out.

[Chaney2020]

33. But you aren't answering his question...

This guy could very well be a racist, but that really isn't the point. He raises an interesting question, "Would you want to live in an all-black environment?" Of course, the fact that the black population of the United States has suffered the most from the ridiculous income gap that plagues the nation, plays a major role in my answer.
No, I would not want to live in an American all-black environment, not because of the color of their skin but because of the rather cruel environment that has formed the basis of their experiences. And of course, each and every black person does NOT develop into an unsavory character due to being subjected to the plight of the low-income class. And of course, not each and every black person who is raised in a comfortable income bracket becomes a well-mannered, good person. However, the economic environment in which one is raised does play a major role in the personal development of all races. This truth may sting like morning light through sleepy eyes, but failing to address the problem will only result in a progressively deteriorating situation.
As the wealthy elite continue to hoard their gold and determine the US's future through campaign contributions and lobbying, and the 99% are denied the right to assemble peacefully as stated clearly in the Constitution of the United States of America, prepare for gloomier days ahead.

[TBF]

34. Great post -

welcome to DU. Thanks for addressing class, we don't see that nearly enough here.

[Moses2SandyKoufax]

22. I'll just settle for seeing the day

when racist human trash like yourself is relegated to the fringes of society.

[crunch60]

14. None, but they will try to dirty up Trayvon as much as possible, just to make

Zimmerman look like he was justified in the shooting. He continued to stalk Martin, even though he was told NOT to follow him by 911 operator.
Despite the law, using "what would a reasonable man do" theory, I believe it was a hate crime. You don't run to a perceived danger, you call for backup, observe and report. Was Zimmerman's life or anyone else's in danger? No.

[dkf]

19. Well I haven't been beaten up before but wouldn't one think their life is in danger?

How are you supposed to judge that?

[crunch60]

26. My point is that Zimmerman was the primary agressor. He ran after Martin, why didn't

he use weaponless defense instead of a gun? If he designated himself "captain" of the neighbor watch, I would think he should have some training in that area. He was also a much larger man than Martin.

[pnwmom]

32. Zimmerman weighed about more than 90 pounds more than Trayvon,

and they were both young men. I doubt Zimmerman could have felt his life was in peril.

[slackmaster]

15. None whatsoever

He didn't deserve to die.

[lonestarnot]

18. Depends upon whom one is talking to, but does not change the facts in any event.

[marlakay]

24. Maybe Zimmerman's attorney is trying to sway a future jury

Right now I think everyone almost in america thinks he is guilty, I do from what I have read and heard so far.

It sickens me though that he is doing it, the poor boy is dead and all they can do is throw crap on him.

[MrBig]

25. Nothing except to villify him after his death n/t

[TheKentuckian]

27. Its just a way to sully the kid so certain fuckers can spin killing him as okay.

If you can do that then you create doubt in the law and order types, Reagan Democrats, and of course among the fearful.

[COLGATE4]

28. None. nt

[Odin2005]

29. It's the same crap they pull in rape victims.

Poison the jury by making the victim look bad even if it is not relevant to the case.

[Rex]

31. They only do this, because Trayvon Martin is dead and cannot

verbally defend himself in public.