The trial of George Zimmerman has moved to the courtroom, but the case remains in the court of public opinion.
Zimmerman faces second-degree murder charges in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, 17.
Pundits, politicians, bloggers, media networks and many more have seized on the tiniest of details, repeating them and updating them from day to day as more information became public. It will be difficult to pick jury members who can remain open minded after weeks of coverage by virtually every media outlet.
Even the basic parts of the story have been called into question, with people attempting to guess what is said during phone calls and whose voice can be heard on 911 tapes.
It’s virtually certain a large number of legal experts will be called on to testify about what happened that night in Florida if this goes to trial.
It’s also likely that the entire case will come down to two factors that are not up for debate. One, a 911 dispatcher told Zimmerman there was no need to follow Martin that night. That could impact the second factor, Florida’s “stand your ground” law.
It’s possible that a judge could throw out the case before Zimmerman ever faces a jury because of the Florida legislation. The “stand your ground” law gives Florida residents a broad right to use deadly force without having to retreat from a fight if they believe they are in danger.
Legal experts say that Zimmerman’s lawyers only have to prove a preponderance of evidence – a low legal standard – that the shooting was in self-defense to have the second- degree murder charges thrown out.
If that fails, the lawyers can again use the law as a defense in a jury trial.
Suppose Martin felt threatened that night since he was being followed by an unknown man. If Zimmerman testifies that Martin attacked him, could a jury decide that such an attack was allowed under the “stand your ground” law?
What happens when both parties in an incident can legally fight to the death? How do we define laws based on personal feelings that can never be verified?
Debate and discussion about that law are sure to dominate media outlets in the weeks to come. We should all keep cool heads as this plays out.
Comments
Transcripted words to 911
This is the transcript written out. At 2:28 notice where Zimmerman tells the dispatcher OK after the dispatcher tells Zimmerman they don't need Zimmerman to follow any more. Then note that Zimmerman tells the dispatcher the police may meet him at his truck. Sounds like Zimmerman was heading back to his truck to meet cops, no longer following Martin.
Zimmerman to 911:
We’ve had some break-ins in my neighborhood and there’s a real suspicious guy. It’s Retreat View Circle. The best address I can give you is 111 Retreat View Circle.
This guy looks like he’s up to no good or he’s on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around looking about. [00:25]
911 dispatcher:
OK, is he White, Black, or Hispanic?
Zimmerman:
He looks black.
911 dispatcher:
Did you see what he was wearing?
Zimmerman:
Yeah, a dark hoodie like a gray hoodie. He wore jeans or sweat pants and white tennis shoes. He’s here now … he’s just staring. [00:42]
911 dispatcher:
He’s just walking around the area, the houses? OK.
Zimmerman:
Now he’s staring at me. [00:48]
911 dispatcher:
OK, you said that’s 1111 Retreat View or 111?
Zimmerman:
That’s the clubhouse.
911 dispatcher:
He’s near the clubhouse now?
Zimmerman:
Yeah, now he’s coming toward me. He’s got his hands in his waist band.
And he’s a black male.[1:03]
911 dispatcher:
How old would you say he is?
Zimmerman:
He’s got something on his shirt. About like his late teens.
911 dispatcher:
Late teens?
Zimmerman:
Uh, huh.
Something’s wrong with him. Yep, he’s coming to check me out.
He’s got something in his hands. I don’t know what his deal is. [01:20]
911 dispatcher:
Let me know if he does anything, OK?
Zimmerman:
OK.
911 dispatcher:
We’ve got him on the wire. Just let me know if this guy does anything else.
Zimmerman:
OK.
These assholes. They always get away.
When you come to the clubhouse, you come straight in and you go left. Actually, you would go past the clubhouse. [1:39]
911 dispatcher:
OK, so it’s on the left hand side of the clubhouse?
Zimmerman:
Yeah. You go in straight through the entrance and then you would go left. You go straight in, don’t turn and make a left.
He’s running. [2:08]
911 dispatcher:
He’s running? Which way is he running?
Zimmerman:
Down toward the other entrance of the neighborhood. [2:14]
911 dispatcher:
OK, which entrance is that he’s headed towards?
Zimmerman:
The back entrance.
911 dispatcher:
Are you following him? [2:24]
Zimmerman:
Yeah. [2:25]
911 dispatcher:
OK.
We don’t need you to do that. [2:26]
Zimmerman:
OK. [2:28]
911 dispatcher:
Alright, sir, what is your name? [2:34]
Zimmerman:
George. He ran.
911 dispatcher:
Alright, George, what’s your last name?
Zimmerman:
Zimmerman.
911 dispatcher:
What’s the phone number you’re calling from?
Zimmerman:
407-435-2400
911 dispatcher:
Alright, George, we do have them on the way. Do you want to meet with the officer when they get out there?
Zimmerman:
Yeah.
911 dispatcher:
Alright, where are you going to meet with them at?
Zimmerman:
Um, if they come in through the gate, tell them to go straight past the clubhouse and, uh, straight past the clubhouse and make a left and then go past the mailboxes you’ll see my truck. [3:10]
911 dispatcher:
Alright, what address are you parked in front of? [3:21]
Zimmerman:
Um, I don’t know. It’s a cut-through so I don’t know the address. [3:25]
911 dispatcher:
OK, do you live in the area?
Zimmerman:
Yeah, yeah, I live here.
911 dispatcher:
OK, what’s your apartment number?
Zimmerman:
It’s a home. It’s 1950 – oh, crap, I don’t want to give it out – I don’t know where this kid is [inaudible] [3:40]
911 dispatcher:
OK, do you just want to meet with them at the mailboxes then? [3:42]
Zimmerman:
Yeah, that’s fine. [3:43]
911 dispatcher:
Alright, George, I’ll let them know you’ll meet them at …
Zimmerman:
Could you have them call me and I’ll tell them where I’m at? [3:49]
911 dispatcher:
OK, that’s no problem.
Zimmerman:
My number … you’ve got it?
911 dispatcher:
Yeah, I’ve got it. 435-2400?
Zimmerman:
Yeah, you got it.
911 dispatcher:
OK, no problem. I’ll let them know to call you when they’re in the area. [4:02]
Zimmerman:
Thanks.
911 dispatcher:
You’re welcome.
Call ends 4:07
Above was a transcription of Zimmerman's call to 911 moments before he shot and killed Trayvon Martin. It was transcribed to the best of the transcriber's abilities, and is not meant to replace any official transcript of the call.
Continue reading on Examiner.com George Zimmerman's 911 call transcribed - National unsolved cases | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/unsolved-cases-in-national/george-zimmerman-s-91...
Continue reading on Examiner.com George Zimmerman's 911 call transcribed - National unsolved cases | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/unsolved-cases-in-national/george-zimmerman-s-91...
Tiniest of details
In my opinion it is not the tiniest of details that is the problem because if everyone who have reported or commented on this tragedy would have stuck to the tiniest of details as presented such as the 911 calls, I think that would be enough for anyone to see clearly what happened in this case. A couple of days ago the affidavit speaks to it and is a confirmation for me.
You say, "Even the basic parts of the story have been called into question, with people attempting to guess what is said during phone calls and whose voice can be heard on 911 tapes." Well the 911 calls that I am following is the ones that Zimmerman was communicating with the 911 operator. It is clear that the 911 operator told him to wait on the police and not to follow Martin. I have not tried to figure out the 911 call who was calling for help during the struggle. If Zimmerman had not followed Martin and waited for the police then Martin would be alive today.
It appears that you are trying to mislead folks making it appear that someone such as myself a blogger can not follow the facts as presented and make an informed and intelligent opinion. Well I stop by to tell you that inspite of my being upset about this tragedy that should have never included Zimmerman shooting Martin, I have only based my opinion on the 911 calls that can be identified as the voice of Zimmerman and the 911 operator.
I am concerned about the self defense piece and not the "stand your ground" law right now because Zimmerman followed Martin after the 911 operator told him not to follow him. After reading the facts as presented in the affidavit Zimmerman hunted Martin down like a dog and killed him. Yep that is my opinion and I stand by it however I will see how this all unfolds when Zimmerman goes before the Judge on May 29.
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