If the conclusions of the Florida investigation warrant a grand jury looking into this incident - it will be presented to one. If a grand jury issues an indictment - manslaughter at the most -the case will go to trial. Then the evidence, testimony, credibility of witnesses will be evaluated by a jury.
All of this national uproar-and prejudicial commentary lessens the probability that Zimmerman could ever receive a fair trial anywhere in this country. If it were not 9 months and counting to remove Obama from the White House - this incident wouldn't be making any news at all - regardless of who was at fault. "Community organizers" in action .
It is not a crime to keep an eye on a "suspicious person". I did that exact thing myself about 2 weeks ago.
Yep - you guessed it - young black male in a hoodie with his pants down around his cheeks on an 80 degree day, peeping into unattended parked cars in a shopping center. Then the guy walked into the "Joann's" store where my wife & I were also going. Joann's is primarily patronized by housewives interested in fabrics, and home decor.
I also called the non-emergency PD number, and contacted the manager of Joann's expressing my concern about the individual while waiting for the PD. Before the PD arrived the manager was able to determine that the individual was actually in the company of a customer, and that he had a "learning disability". I called off the PD.
I honestly suspected the guy was looking for an opportunity to snatch one of those fancy purses from some lady. I did not approach, or confront the guy. I kept my distance but did maintain observation of him, and his behavior was odd to say the least.
This is all that Zimmerman was doing.
If the evidence supports Zimmerman's claim that Martin approached, confronted, and closed aggressively on him - and assaulted him - Zimmerman was justified in the use of deadly force - "Stand your ground law" or not.
I think the Black Panthers, and knucklehead students need to do some "chillin'" on this one -and wait for the facts to be determined.