Today on CNN Newsroom
The latest news and information from around the world. Also connect with CNN through social media. We want to hear from you.
July 2nd, 2013
08:59 PM ET
Was Zimmerman aware of 'stand your ground' law?
Factoring in George Zimmerman's perception of the Florida "stand your ground" law may affect the trial's outcome.
It does not make a difference if Zimmerman knew the law or not. All concealed carry permit holders know the law and that does not take their ability to use a firearm in self defense.
Also, the firearms analyst testifying said that the trigger strike distance is a safety feature to avoid accidental discharges, that is completely incorrect, is is not a safety feature, look at the manufacturers specifications. And just let me add that almost every person I know that carry a firearm load one in the chamber and then load a FULL magazine to add a round to their weapon.
They keep driving crazy. I teach self defense and I suggest to all my students to always carry their firearm ready to use, when a stressful situation happens many people will not remember to take additional steps to make their weapon ready.
She also said that the trigger travel distance make it so that you have to deliberately pull the trigger, that is the case with Single Action and Double Action because once you put your finger on the trigger you have already made the decision to fire, otherwise the finger will be away from the trigger.
your cnn analyst lawyers are so bias against zimmerman they are not believable anymore. What difference does it make about zimmermans college education, wanabe cop or his credit rating. the stand your ground law is used to defend yourself from someone trying to harm you not run away.
I am an old lady who took the training for a concealed permit just to get some experience with the gun. The instructors told us about the stand your ground law even thought it is not in Idaho. I am sure the Zimmerman had more than heard of it. Also his best friend is a cop? And they never spoke of it? It is impossible for Zimmerman NOT to know about the stand your ground law. He helped teach the classes ...but he did not read the books??? Fail
Also he has been taking martial arts training for over two years? Travon Martin had no such advantage.
how do you know he was good at martial arts. dont mean nothing
"Stand your ground law" is a slang term, not a legal term. Same for "Castle Law".
So, what Zimmerman said is not inconsistent.
Texas never had a "Duty to Retreat" either, but when I went through Police Academy in Texas, we were taught that there was simply no duty to retreat in Self Defense law classes, unless it is YOUR JUDGEMENT that it is safe to do so. The GOVERNMENT cannot dictate to you how to best save your own life – Duhhh.
Chances are, his Criminal Justice class taught it as "No Duty to Retreat", or however the Florida law is actually titled.
True, With even a couple of years training in martial arts, does not mean Zimmerman was any good.
I live in Fl in the neighboring county from the trial. Stand your ground has some criteria zimmerman did violate. First George got out of the car. As a security guard, I am taught to report and observe and avoid escalation of a situation. George persued Martin and had an option to back off and escape and let police handle the boy. George didn't. Martin turned around confronted George with racial rage, a fight ensued. Because George didn't leave at begining he became a mutual combatant. That itself is enough motive/ grounds for aggravated manslaughter conviction.
I would suggest that any amount of prior knowledge of the "castle doctrine", the affirmative defense of justification (that's what we call it in Georgia), or other self-defense theories is basically irrelevant when a person is on the ground with another on top of him (or her) attempting or threatening violence. I would further suggest that a person with his back to the ground, with another person on top of him, has satisfied any conceivable duty to retreat. The death of Martin is tragic. The sad reality is that young Martin violently engaging a victim that was legally armed.
He may have been legally armed, but why? That is not what neighborhood watch is about. Watch and report. Not to put yourself in harms way. Zim was told not to chase him. He continued. Why would he need a concealed weapon to do N W? He was not hired as a Security Guard. When the kid asked why are you following me, why did he not say 'I am N Watch', do you live here? and it made me curious that you are outside just hanging out in the rain... Travon may have told him, if he thought the guy was looking out for the homes.Also.. one tape Zimmerman said he lost sight of him; "they always get away" then continued looking, even tho he was told not to. What about the girlfriends testimony and proof that he was on the phone with her this entire time, up to 3 minutes before he was dead?
at the beginning of none emergency call he sound very official and like he know he was being recoded, but after he lost visual he state of mine change to the point he speak the no more with professional or official manner using derogatory words like he was angry or din*t anymore.
Anger or what, can cause a person to not care he was being recorded
So Zimmerman knew that if he confronted Travon and things got out of control and he was losing the fight that he could shoot Travon because of the Stand Your Ground law
Only two people knew exactly what went down, and one is dead. The jury did the best they could woth what they were given to work with, and a verdict was renderd. I have no idea why the Public, the Gov, members of Congress and even the President himself, and the Media continue to try this case. what kind of justice system allows disdasteful verdicts to be tried again and again by others, after the fact?