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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThis is why I keep saying, even if you believe Zimmerman's story, he committed manslaughter.
An excerpt from Florida's self defense laws, via Wikipedia. Emphasis is mine.
776.041?Use of force by aggressor. The justification described in the preceding sections of this chapter is not available to a person who:
(1)?Is attempting to commit, committing, or escaping after the commission of, a forcible felony; or
(2)?Initially provokes the use of force against himself or herself, unless:
(a)?Such force is so great that the person reasonably believes that he or she is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm and that he or she has exhausted every reasonable means to escape such danger other than the use of force which is likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the assailant; or
(b)?In good faith, the person withdraws from physical contact with the assailant and indicates clearly to the assailant that he or she desires to withdraw and terminate the use of force, but the assailant continues or resumes the use of force.
In plain English, having provoked the confrontation with Martin, no matter what happened from that point on Zimmerman's only legal recourse was to attempt to retreat.
Justice wanted
(2,657 posts)TheWraith
(24,331 posts)If he'd had all the injuries he and the police claimed he had, he might have gotten manslaughter. Uninjured and apparently making up a story... that clip could very easily sell a jury on murder two.
Justice wanted
(2,657 posts)of a person who is going to fulfill a plan to murder.
TheWraith
(24,331 posts)It wouldn't be enough to prove that he followed Martin, it would have to be proven that he followed with definite intent to kill. It's possible, but premeditation is usually hard to prove when the killer and victim didn't know each other.
Justice wanted
(2,657 posts)he did. HE carried that gun when he followed Trayvon. To me if I was on a jury that is premeditation.
Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)right before committing the murder. Zimmerman is a despicable piece of shit who is 100% responsible for killing the guy, but I don't think it's murder one.
There's probably a case for second degree murder, but I think there will be a plea deal for manslaughter, with a sentence of between 1 and 5 years.