The Death Of Travyon Martin; George Zimmerman Arrested

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Something that is REALLY bothering me that I just read.... Apparently Trayvon sat for THREE DAYS in the morgue as a John Doe because nobody thought to check the neighborhood for missing kids. This police force completely screwed the pooch.

Many media outlets are reporting that they didn't ID him until the father called to report him missing. This report shows of a woman knowing of the death the next day:

“He said, ‘Somebody shot Trayvon and killed him.’ And I was like, ‘Are you sure?’ ” Fulton continued in disbelief. “I said ‘How do you know that’s Trayvon?’ And he said because they showed him a picture.”

That was Feb. 27, one day after Trayvon was shot. The father thought that he was missing, according to the family’s lawyer, Benjamin Crump, but the boy’s body had actually been taken to the medical examiner’s office and listed as a John Doe.

The father called the Missing Persons Unit. No luck. Then he called 911. The police asked the father to describe the boy, after which they sent officers to the house where the father was staying. There they showed him a picture of the boy with blood coming out of his mouth.

This is a nightmare scenario for any parent, and the events leading to Trayvon’s death offer little comfort — and pose many questions.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/17/op...on-martin.html

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Report from Feb 27th, the night after the shooting. Interesting what a witness told the media. And shows that by the next afternoon, the media knew who the victim was.

Investigators with the Sanford Police Department are still trying to figure out exactly what happened during an altercation which resulted in a fatal shooting in the Twin Lakes area. The shooting happened just after 7 p.m. Sunday evening on Twin Trees Lane. A man who witnessed part of the altercation contacted authorities.

"The guy on the bottom, who had a red sweater on, was yelling to me, 'Help! Help!' and I told him to stop, and I was calling 911," said the witness, who asked to be identified only by his first name, John.

John said he locked his patio door, ran upstairs and heard at least one gun shot.

"And then, when I got upstairs and looked down, the guy who was on the top beating up the other guy, was the one laying in the grass, and I believe he was dead at that point."

On Monday afternoon, a FOX 35 News crew met with Tracy Martin who said the victim in the shooting is her 17-year-old son, Trayvon, who was visiting from Miami.

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news...od-altercation

[Ladyeridan]

thanks for clearing that up Dakota. I was very bothered by that idea.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

thanks for clearing that up Dakota. I was very bothered by that idea.

I would be too. Oddly, many media outlets are also fanning the flames with the "3 Day" report. Do they all just pick up blogger rumors and run with them?

I think the initial family reaction would have included that info in addition to the rest of their concerns.

[Silvahalo]

Zimmerman described Martin as suspicious because he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and walking slowly in the rain, police later told residents at a town hall.

I was thinking about this. Wearing a hooded sweatshirt. This guy was walking our neighborhood street one evening at dusk, hubs calls to me, tells me he looks suspicious. I asked why? he said because he hasn't seen him around here and he's looking at the houses, scanning and his hood is up and it's not raining.
So, though, I could see someone walking a neighborhood in the night potentially suspicious, that he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt is not suspicious--to me at least. Just about every teen owns one, people wear them for practical reasons too.
I don't know if this kids hood was over his head but it was raining, isn't that what it's for? I think this security guy has a very active imagination.
I can see scoping someone out but confronting and/or challenging simply for walking a neighborhood in a slow pace w/ a hooded sweatshirt does not mean he is up to no good.

I think it all got way the fuck out of hand on Zimmerman's part. He didn't use commons sense. He was following this kid w/ a vehicle so it would make sense Trayvon get nervous and quick his pace. Why would he confront him at all? did he think he had weapon? why not wait for police to arrive at that point?

I haven't read this entire thread, didn't know the story was posted here....so these thoughts have likely been said already. Anyhow, this Zimmerman has a lot of answering to do especially since Trayvon cannot speak for himself.
I hope the truth comes out.

oh, and I had no idea that neighborhood watch people are allowed to carry a gun.

Rest in peace Trayvon Martin.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

oh, and I had no idea that neighborhood watch people are allowed to carry a gun.

They're not. But Zimmerman was not part of a recognized Neighborhood Watch. More of a self-appointed position that the gated community accepted. And he was legally carrying his registered gun.

[Robynne]

So does anyone else think that Trayvon might have been in the right to "stand his ground"? He was defending himself against some strange man with a gun?
Any means necessary to defend yourself?
Trayvon didn't have a gun to defend himself, just his fists. And he was killed for defending himself against a guy who is suspicious of anyone he does not know who is black and wearing a hoodie and walking slowly in the rain, and carries a gun while canvassing the neighborhood.

[Whisper]

Obama: 'If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon'
President Obama briefly discusses Florida teen's death
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/O...z/-/index.html

[Dakota Valkyrie]

So does anyone else think that Trayvon might have been in the right to "stand his ground"? He was defending himself against some strange man with a gun?

I think Trayvon has a better case than Zimmerman BUT I'm not sure how the law views it when both people feel threatened.

[Robynne]

I think Trayvon has a better case than Zimmerman BUT I'm not sure how the law views it when both people feel threatened.

I don't either, but in a lot of cases when a fight occurs between Two people and the cops are called, they usually arrest the aggressor. At least that's what I have come to know over the years, and Zimmerman was definitely the aggressor.
I feel terrible for Trayvon's family, and believe that they should get justice.
Whether Trayvon was a model 17 year old or a typical thug, he was walking back from the store. And ended up getting killer by some guy who didn't get into the police force because he's an idiot. All those calls to police about suspicious people? He sounds like a paranoid fuck who should not be allowed to carry a gun.
But that's just my take on this, and I am very outraged by the way this whole situation played out. From Zimmerman chasing down Trayvon to the police not even detaining him. I just hope they do get everything in order so they can prosecute him. He was in the wrong, either way you look at it. I hate how technicalities help people get away with shit.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

and Zimmerman was definitely the aggressor.

Ususally, in fight, the agressor is the person that punches first. Not the smart aleck that goaded the person into it.

That's where I get caught up. While most anyone would be fearful of being followed, Zimmerman was also within his rights to be wary of strangers in his neighborhood. Even a registered & trained Neighborhood Watch would do the same. It could just as likely be said that Trayvon acted agressively by approaching Trayvon and punching him. Neither had an obligation to retreat. Neither had an obligation to not defend themselves. And Trayvon does sound like he was getting the better of Zimmerman when he was shot.

Not that I agree with it at all, I just can't figure out where the stupid Florida law will come down on it.

[biteme]

What's crazy is that Obummer and Holder are again involved

http://www.politico.com/politico44/2...on-118439.html

President Barack Obama weighed in Friday on the shooting of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, calling it a national tragedy — and saying that the young man reminded him of his own children.

"When I think about this boy, I think about my own kids," Obama said in the Rose Garden. "I think every parent in America should be able to understand why it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this. And that everybody pull together."

The president was careful not to comment too extensively on an active investigation on both the federal and state levels, noting that as head of the executive branch, the Department of Justice reports to him. Earlier this week, under intense public pressure, the FBI and the DOJ joined the investigation into the Martin case.

[biteme]

Can you believe this shit

Farrakhan should be arrested as a terrorist

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV?id={EA0E2B36-391C-47D3-A57F-2D6790DDFA35}&title=MSNBC%20Host%20Blames%20Limbau gh%20Gingrich%20Santorum%20Rhetoric%20For%20Trevon %20Martin%20Death

Karen Finney, filling in for Martin Bashir, flat-out blamed the words of Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum for creating the environment that lead to the horrible shooting death of teen Trayvon Martin in Florida.

SANFORD, Fla. — The Rev. Al Sharpton, an MSNBC host and liberal political figure, riled up a mostly-black Sanford, Fla., crowd on Thursday night in the wake of the killing of 17-year-old student Trayvon Martin.

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/22/sh...#ixzz1py8QIc87

Farrakhan Tweets: ‘Where There Is No Justice, There Will Be No Peace…Law of Retaliation May…Be Applied’
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/farr...ay-be-applied/

[Dakota Valkyrie]

What's crazy is that Obummer and Holder are again involved

I find nothing crazy about the President answering a question that a reporter asks him. He would have looked the total idiot if he had ignored it. The Republican candidates have also offered their opinions.

Mr. Obama was asked about his feelings regarding the case during the announcement of his nominee for president of the World Bank in the Rose Garden on Friday morning.

The president often appears perturbed when he is asked off-topic questions at ceremonial events, but on Friday, he seemed eager to address the case, which has quickly developed into a cause célèbre around the country. He cautioned that his comments would be limited because the Justice Department was investigating. But he talked at length about his personal feelings about the case.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2...rtin-shooting/

While I am far from an Obama fan, I would be highly disappointed if any President of the US ignored a situation that is causing such outrage across the nation.

Attorney General Holder is involved because the FBI and Justice Department are also investigating... something that many, including the Martin Family, local authorities, Florida legal and government officals, and the voices of many across the nation have asked for. They would also look like total idiots for ignoring it.

[AngelFire]

Can you believe this shit

Farrakhan should be arrested as a terrorist

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV?id={EA0E2B36-391C-47D3-A57F-2D6790DDFA35}&title=MSNBC%20Host%20Blames%20Limbau gh%20Gingrich%20Santorum%20Rhetoric%20For%20Trevon %20Martin%20Death

Karen Finney, filling in for Martin Bashir, flat-out blamed the words of Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum for creating the environment that lead to the horrible shooting death of teen Trayvon Martin in Florida.

SANFORD, Fla. — The Rev. Al Sharpton, an MSNBC host and liberal political figure, riled up a mostly-black Sanford, Fla., crowd on Thursday night in the wake of the killing of 17-year-old student Trayvon Martin.

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/22/sh...#ixzz1py8QIc87

Farrakhan Tweets: ‘Where There Is No Justice, There Will Be No Peace…Law of Retaliation May…Be Applied’
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/farr...ay-be-applied/

These militant assholes are only to provoke a racial war. I see this getting out of hand really quickly with ignorant people like these fools with a platform.

[biteme]

I find nothing crazy about the President answering a question that a reporter asks him. He would have looked the total idiot if he had ignored it. The Republican candidates have also offered their opinions.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2...rtin-shooting/

While I am far from an Obama fan, I would be highly disappointed if any President of the US ignored a situation that is causing such outrage across the nation.

Attorney General Holder is involved because the FBI and Justice Department are also investigating... something that many, including the Martin Family, local authorities, Florida legal and government officals, and the voices of many across the nation have asked for. They would also look like total idiots for ignoring it.

If the president responds it should be neutral
NOT!

"If I had a son he would have looked like Treyvon," Obama said


http://www.politico.com/politico44/2...on-118439.html

President Barack Obama weighed in Friday on the shooting of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, calling it a national tragedy — and saying that the young man reminded him of his own children.

"When I think about this boy, I think about my own kids," Obama said in the Rose Garden. "I think every parent in America should be able to understand why it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this. And that everybody pull together."

[Dakota Valkyrie]

If the president responds it should be neutral
NOT!

No matter which way this thing shakes out, it IS an obvious tragedy. Explaining the need for an investigation and asking everyone to pull together sounds pretty "neutral" to me. It's not like he's condemning the actions of anyone on either side.

I'm not so anti-Obama that I can't see the humanity in his response.

[Silvahalo]

I don't see anything wrong with his response. He's relating to this child as any father would to his own children---we do it all the time when we read cases on here.

"If I had a son he would have looked like Treyvon," Obama said. . . .

"When I think about this boy, I think about my own kids," Obama said in the Rose Garden. "I think every parent in America should be able to understand why it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this. And that everybody pull together."

I agree. all aspects, fair and meticulously investigated to learn the truth, hopefully without prejudice or doubt by all parties involved. I'm not sure what people would expect him to say, that he said anything at all is a good thing.

[princessgrandma]

George Zimmerman sounds like a neighborhood bully who happens to be a member of a neighborhood watch group. Of course he's claiming self-defense. His victim (and only witness, from what he knows) died. I swear, if this racist bully-ass cop-wannabe doesn't get arrested and charged with this, then Florida really is as fucked up as they say. If this guy is training in criminal justice, the system is going to be in even more trouble if he ever gets a badge.

I guess if you're a grown man with a gun you gotta be watching your ass, back and everything else. You never know when some 17 year old kid, armed with a big bag of Skittles, is going to just force you to get out of your car and shoot him.

[biteme]

George Zimmerman sounds like a neighborhood bully who happens to be a member of a neighborhood watch group. Of course he's claiming self-defense. His victim (and only witness, from what he knows) died. I swear, if this racist bully-ass cop-wannabe doesn't get arrested and charged with this, then Florida really is as fucked up as they say. If this guy is training in criminal justice, the system is going to be in even more trouble if he ever gets a badge.

I guess if you're a grown man with a gun you gotta be watching your ass, back and everything else. You never know when some 17 year old kid, armed with a big bag of Skittles, is going to just force you to get out of your car and shoot him.

I think there was a witness that called 911, if not mistaken they saw Trayon on top of Zimmerman beating on Zimmerman while Zimmerman was calling for help

[Rockin Ma]

Farrakhan should be arrested as a terrorist

Unfortunately we can't pick and choose who gets their right to free speech

“Where there is no justice, there will be no peace. Soon the law of retaliation may very well be applied,” Farrakhan wrote, including the hashtag #Trayvon to clarify the subject of his angst. “Let us see what kind of justice will come for his bereaved family and our bereaved community,” he said in the previous social media message:



The text of his “justice” and “peace” tweet raises eyebrows. While one cannot know whether he is merely commenting generally on social responses to injustice or whether he is calling for the “law of retaliation,” the lack of clarity in his messaging raises questions.

[Robynne]

I think there was a witness that called 911, if not mistaken they saw Trayon on top of Zimmerman beating on Zimmerman while Zimmerman was calling for help

But who's to say he didn't throw the first punch an Trayvon was merely defending himself?

[biteme]

Unfortunately we can't pick and choose who gets their right to free speech

“Where there is no justice, there will be no peace. Soon the law of retaliation may very well be applied,” Farrakhan wrote, including the hashtag #Trayvon to clarify the subject of his angst. “Let us see what kind of justice will come for his bereaved family and our bereaved community,” he said in the previous social media message:



The text of his “justice” and “peace” tweet raises eyebrows. While one cannot know whether he is merely commenting generally on social responses to injustice or whether he is calling for the “law of retaliation,” the lack of clarity in his messaging raises questions.

Yes, the government can and does. People have been arrested for instigating riots just for tweeting about rioting
So why does it count as free speech for this asshole?

[Rockin Ma]

Why does it have to be interpreted as a threat and not a worry of what could happen if enough isn't done about it?

"When I think about this boy, I think about my own kids," Obama said in the Rose Garden. "I think every parent in America should be able to understand why it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this. And that everybody pull together."

When I first read this story I immediately identified and thought of my own kid...right to the skittles and the Arizona. That's my kid. That's my kid walking through the neighborhood with the same slow swagger me and his father had walking through our own neighborhoods when we were younger. Same kid that has a different hoodie for every day of the week. My kid, that neighbors called the police concerned about a "suspicious person" when he was running in the dark in his own yard, at an even younger age.

Our President can identify just like many Americans can. I think what he said was totally appropriate.

[biteme]

But who's to say he didn't throw the first punch an Trayvon was merely defending himself?

Just answering the no witness post, personally feel nether is innocent, he apparently didn't just shoot him out of the blue
I assume Trayvon wasn't going to cooperate and Zimmerman wasn't going to let it go and a scuffle ensued, Zimmerman was taking a beating and he pulled the gun, If either one had a level head this wouldn't have happened

[sugarfree irony]

And to add to the media's three ring circus ..

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/...182043689.html

"I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin's death as George Zimmerman was," Rivera said on Fox and Friends. "You have to recognize that this whole stylizing yourself as a gangsta—you're going to be a gangsta wannabe, well people are going to perceive you as a menace. That's what happens. It is an instant, reflexive action."

Is it just me , or does this sound a lot like the old she was raped cause she dress like slut argument .

[biteme]

Why isn't O'bummer, Sharptongue, Fartoncon and soon to come Jesse Jackass not in Detroit or Chicago protesting the killing of one that's (1) innocent child a day?
What's the matter O'bummer don't any of them look like you? These children couldn't pass for your son? No race card to play for money and votes
Where's all the outrage??
Are the children of Detroit and Chicago not important?

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/03/...-car-accident/
5th Child Shot In Detroit In Recent Weeks

http://www.examiner.com/crime-preven...-it-s-children
Detroit keeps shooting its children

http://blackstarjournal.org/?p=610
41 people shot in Chicago including 1 year old and 6 year old

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/03/...on-south-side/
Child Shot In Back On South Side

http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-shoo...0,622000.story
Child shot in Englewood

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Is it just me , or does this sound a lot like the old she was raped cause she dress like slut argument .

Sort of... but not really. In the context that he meant it, it makes sense. Not that it's right... but "walking while black" is a danger that so many are speaking up about. And in Rivera's life as a minority, he believes that life is dangerous as it is, why make it worse by dressing as a "gangsta".

If I dress like a slut, people will make assumptions about my character. Not that they necessarily be correct, but the image is there for some. As much as people pretend they don't judge books by their covers, they do.

[Rockin Ma]

Why isn't O'bummer, Sharptongue, Fartoncon and soon to come Jesse Jackass not in Detroit or Chicago protesting the killing of one that's (1) innocent child a day?
What's the matter O'bummer don't any of them look like you? These children couldn't pass for your son? No race card to play for money and votes
Where's all the outrage??
Are the children of Detroit and Chicago not important?

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/03/...-car-accident/
5th Child Shot In Detroit In Recent Weeks

http://www.examiner.com/crime-preven...-it-s-children
Detroit keeps shooting its children

http://blackstarjournal.org/?p=610
41 people shot in Chicago including 1 year old and 6 year old

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/03/...on-south-side/
Child Shot In Back On South Side

http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-shoo...0,622000.story
Child shot in Englewood

You are taking it too far. He didn't say that in a way to play a race card.

[Rockin Ma]

Hoodies are far from gangster to me. I threw one on to watch some father son basketball today. It's gray, it's a Champion brand one. I see people jogging in them all the time. I bet if I want to be aware of it I will see people in them every day. My dad wears a Giants hoodie and all three of us got Hershey Park ones when we went there. It's a common sort of clothing worn by most everyone.