Following the Verdict

Let me begin this report by saying, I wasn't there, I'm thankful I wasn't on the jury, but the verdict is in, and that should make it final.  The fact that Florida has had some questionable trials and sentences that have made headlines may cause us all to pause, but I really don't think we want to give up any of the Amendments of the Bill of Rights.  In all the talk of protecting the Constitution, the Bill of Rights is slipping away, and those rights won't come back.  So let's take a deep breath and accept what the jury concluded.  Mr. Zimmerman cannot be legally tried twice, and the trial by public opinion has really been perpetrated politically and by the media.

Let's address a few facts that were mentioned early then apparently, long forgotten.  The pictures of George Zimmerman that night looked like an injured man and the immediate investigation found no reason to press charges.  I truly thought, the fact that he'd been told by the dispatcher to remain in his car might have been instrumental in some sort of charges immediately, but that was not the case.  I also, personally, thought he might have a bit of a "Barney Bad Butt" attitude about his neighborhood watchman status, but that's my personal thought.  Again, I wasn't there, and his neighbors didn't speak ill of him.  Usually when someone has a chip on their shoulder, someone will comment.  A situation in my own "neighborhood" springs to mind.

Our President took an opportunity, once again, to divide this country by stating that Trayvon Martin could have been his son.  The statements President Obama have made about this incident and the verdict have all been very inappropriate.  George Zimmerman is also of minority ethnicity.  Where is his outrage at the number of black youths that die in Chicago?  Chicago is his home city and the place where his buddy Rahm Emanuel is now mayor.  If he's not trying to stir racism, where were his comments about the Casey Anthony trial?  And what about the toddler who was shot and killed in Atlanta by two black teens?

The pictures of Trayvon Martin were intentionally misleading.  They were photos when he was obviously younger.  His school issues were quickly taken out of the reports, and his actual purchase was quickly removed citing political correctness.  He had behavioral problems in school and there were items found in his locker that may have matched items described in burglary reports.  I can't say, since the school reported it with different wording, but he was clearly having problems in school.  Behavioral problems are often indicative of home problems or drug use.



In the research for this article, I came across an interesting fact that may or may not have any bearing on the case, but since the report was actually changed, that's what caused me to wonder. The iced tea and skittles reported to have been purchased by young Martin, wasn't actually iced tea, but rather Arizona Watermelon Juice.  The combination of skittles with this juice product and Robitussin has a street name, Drank or Lean.  It's a very definite part of the Rap culture.  His comments on his social media sites indicate he identified with that culture.  Maybe, just maybe, young Martin's behavior wasn't that of an ordinary kid buying candy and iced tea.  


There is no doubt, Zimmerman chose to ignore the instructions given by the dispatcher, but we are choosing to ignore our Bill of Rights; by the presumption of guilt until proven innocence, and the rejection of the verdict of a jury of one's peers.

What witnesses there were, believed George Zimmerman acted in self-defense.  The initial investigation turned up no evidence for arrest.  The friend of Martin's on the phone was caught in lies.  We simply cannot allow this media motivated, politically perpetuated division by party and race to cause us to forfeit our rights.

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.