Quote:
Originally Posted by astronaut x
Lets all be honest with ourselves, (impossible to imagine i know, lol) at the end of the day... the law is the law.
Is it frustrating to have people steal your shit? Yes.
Do most police care about protecting your property? Don't make me answer that.
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And that in a nutshell explains the origins of the George Zimmerman's of this world.
Neighborhood Watch's in general and overly aggressive Neighborhood Watch's in particular are the inevitable result of local cops dropping the ball.
Quote:
Originally Posted by astronaut x
If you are not an officer of the law, you don't have the right to "pursue" someone knowingly and shoot them because they attack you for it. Even if you think they are up to no good and need to be investigated.... and attack you.
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The devil is always in the details.
If it went down like you describe, the key question will be whether Travyon's assault on Zimmerman went beyond that necessary to protect himself (Travyon) from his perceived stalker (Zimmerman).
If the answer is no, then Zimmerman goes to jail. Otherwise, Zimmerman walks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by astronaut x
However, I did mention the word "law"... is it against the law to disregard a 911 operator's orders?
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I was under the impression that the 911 operator's instructions fell under the category of advice; not legally binding law. But I could be wrong about that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by astronaut x
As a neighborhood watch captain, you are given some rights to "investigate" suspicious activity. This is what the courts will have to decide and interpret based on the laws that are on the books regarding these questions.
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Emotions are going to play a huge role in the jury's verdict, they always do in cases like this.
The prosecution is gonna fight to keep anyone who has ever been robbed off of the jury and the defense is gonna fight to keep any victims (real or perceived) of police harassment off of the jury.
In the end it'll probably come down to whomever the jury sees as having been a "nicer" person; Zimmerman or Martin
