St. Pete Times: 'Stand your ground' law protects those who go far beyond that point

[teach1st]

'Stand your ground' law protects those who go far beyond that point
St. Petersburg Times, 4/1

The men responsible for Florida's controversial "stand your ground'' law are certain about one thing: Because of his actions before he pulled the trigger and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman is not protected from criminal prosecution.

...

Said Durell Peaden, the former Republican senator from Crestview who sponsored the bill: "The guy lost his defense right then. When he said, 'I'm following him,' he lost his defense."

Said Jeb Bush, the governor who signed the bill into law: "Stand your ground means stand your ground. It doesn't mean chase after somebody who's turned their back."

But they are wrong.

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[Ecumenist]

1. Wow, that a f@cked up state and triple f@cked up law...It's being extended to cover OUT N OUT

MURDER!

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. Nice screed, better if it were true

FL does have major problems including, humidity, bugs, and according to some, snow refugees.

24 states have some form or SYG and 44 have CD, which is a subset of SYG with an even harsher set of burdens on the state.

[fightthegoodfightnow]

7. And Florida's SYG Law is Very Different from others

...isn't it?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

8. Not all that much

[barbtries]

2. unintended consequences of a terrible law?

maybe. but certainly not unpredictable.

[saras]

4. Who says they're "unintended" consequences? If it's an ALEC law, they're written by experts.

[magical thyme]

5. really badly written law

Since when is it legal to stalk somebody by following them in their car or on foot?

Having a right to be in a public place is not synonymous with having a right to stalk somebody. The stalking behavior is itself inherently threatening and aggressive.

[TBA]

6. This does not bode well for the Martin Family

It seems from the article all you have to do is say you were scared and shooting someone is ok. I live in FL and I am really concerned for my safety. I've got a few crazy neighbors and I can imagine Zimmerman has given them a few ideas.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

9. That is not what the law says