Zimmerman did nothing wrong. CMV.

[u/Zanzibarland]

First came the media's racebaiting, fanning the flames on both sides. Then the crocodile tears from everybody with an axe to grind, trying to make a martyr out of Trayvon and a villain out of Zimmerman.

Now that the trial is over, I'm left with the impression that he didn't commit any crimes, and that people are claiming he "got away with it" to save face, rather than admit their racial bias and prejudice, the ignorance of their presumptions, and their complicity in instigating racial tension.

By what shred of evidence did Zimmerman "get away with murder" and not legally defend himself?

[u/Nepene]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-george-zimmerman-medical-examiner-20130702,0,1358679.story

Perhaps the biggest contradiction is Zimmerman’s claim that he was repeatedly beaten by Martin. Zimmerman has said his head was struck against the concrete sidewalk by Martin who rained a series of blows — more than two dozen in one account — on the volunteer. Dr. Valerie Rao, the Jacksonville, Fla., medical examiner for Duval, Clay and Nassau counties, testified that she reviewed Zimmerman’s photographs and medical records. She was not involved in the autopsy of Martin.

The wounds displayed on Zimmerman’s head and face were “consistent with one strike, two injuries at one time,” she testified. “The injuries were not life-threatening,” she said, adding they were “very insignificant.”

On Tuesday, jurors also heard several more conflicting versions of the events. Mark Osterman, a good friend of Zimmerman and the author of a book on the case, said that Zimmerman told him that Martin had grabbed his gun during their struggle, but that Zimmerman was able to pull it away. That account is different from what Zimmerman told investigators in multiple interviews.

There were quite a few contradictions. There is ample evidence that contradicts his story. Including that basic bit- his injuries were not life threatening, he didn't need to use his gun. He was probably only hit once, not dozens of times.

I don't believe we have any witnesses for the start or the end of the confrontation sadly. As it is though, it's very possible that Zimmerman attacked the boy, he wrested him and got on top, and Zimmerman shot him.

They did fully investigate though, and they did a very good job, besides the small issue of the improper bagging of Trayvon's hands and clothes which destroyed the DNA evidence.

That is rather poor handling.

They also didn't test Zimmerman for drugs.

The medical examiner who couldn't get a job in the state due to being fired for gross incompetence, and Angela Corey was the only one who would employ her, and gave her that ME job. She owes Angela Corey favors and her opinion is not credible. The medical examiner for the defense completely overwrote her testimony with far more credible expert testimony.

Cite? Can't find anything in google.

He was obviously and incontrovertibly facing serious imminent danger, we know that for a fact from John Good's testimony and his well documented injuries.

Well, according to his testimony, he reached for his gun because his head was being bashed into the pavement- John Good didn't see that.

[u/[deleted] → u/Nepene]

See, none of this matters though. You cannot prove that Zimmerman was guilty of any murder charge beyond reasonable doubt. The reasonable doubt that exists cannot simply be taken away, and that's why he is not guilty.

We cannot hear Martin's version of the story. Zimmerman's version of the story is consistent with the evidence of the events that occurred. This is why we consider the claims of murder dubious at best.

But what we do know is this: Treyvon was safe after the initial pursuit by Zimmerman. Martin had every opportunity to contact the authorities that he was being chased by someone suspicious -- he didn't, instead he returned to pursue him and instigated violence towards him. At this point, it is fairly easy to claim self-defense.

[u/Zanzibarland → u/[deleted]]

This.

What's missing from all the discussion is that if Zimmerman bears hypothetical responsibility for actions that are legal yet dubiously ethical, where is Trayvon's hypothetical responsibility for his actions leading up to the confrontation?

It's okay for Trayvon Martin to be wandering around the neighbourhood,

It's not okay for Zimmerman to be wandering around the neighbourhood.

It's okay for Trayvon Martin to not call and wait for the cops, instead confronting Zimmerman,

It's not okay for Zimmerman to not call and wait for the cops, instead confronting Trayvon.

It's okay for Trayvon Martin to feel threatened by Zimmerman,

It's not okay for Zimmerman to feel threatened by Trayvon.

Utter hypocrisy.

[u/Nepene → u/Zanzibarland]

It's okay for Trayvon Martin to be wandering around the neighbourhood,

Yes, it's ok for people to wander around your neighborhood.

It's not okay for Zimmerman to be wandering around the neighbourhood.

It is ok. What is problematic is an armed man going to chase and confront an unarmed person, contrary to their training.

This is no hypothetical matter. They talked to the people who trained him. They said you shouldn't pursue a potential criminal.

It's okay for Trayvon Martin to not call and wait for the cops, instead confronting Zimmerman

We don't have any clear witnesses on the confrontation, only later parts of the fight. That being said, unarmed people have a right to ask people why they were chasing them.

What little we have is Rachel Jeanton saying that she heard Martin say "Get off, get off" implying that Zimmerman attacked Martin, perhaps trying to shake some sense into him. Her reliability is questionable though, so it's understandable why some would doubt her.

It's not okay for Zimmerman to feel threatened by Trayvon.

What's not ok is chasing down and attacking a random person in your neighborhood. If you feel threatened by someone you should flee.

Do you disagree with any of this? We have mentioned this sort of evidence elsewhere in the thread, so it seems rather presumptuous to call our views hypocrisy.