My better judgement keeps telling me to stay out of this back & forth - but..........
PROVOKE - (Funk & Wagnall)
1 To stir to anger or resentment; irritate; vex.
2 To arouse or stimulate to some action.
3 To stir up or bring about
4 To induce or cause; elicit
Generally "provocative" behavior/conduct is defined by the cultural norms/perceptions of "others" - not the "provoker"
Zimmerman's course of action (conduct) was comprised of observation, a well-intended -although mistaken- need for surveillance that necessitated the following of Martin initially by vehicle which logically and reasonably could have provoked a defensive emotional response from Martin. There is at least one witness reporting 2 people running past their field of vision - apparently Zimmerman pursuing Martin.
Zimmerman's continuing to follow Martin on foot, and eventually running after him understandably led Martin to become increasingly anxious, angry, agitated, and prepared for a potential physical confrontation requiring an aggressive response.
Here in the nut-shell rests the State's argument: that Zimmerman's conduct provoked the ensuing confrontation that actually began when Martin back tracked, verbally challenged Zimmerman for following/pursuing him - when he (Martin) had presumably done nothing to warrant such action.
Evidence that I am aware of thus far leads ME to presume, and conclude that Martin was stirred to anger, and resentment by Zimmerman's foregoing conduct PRIOR TO to confrontation, and altercation. Martin confronted Zimmerman, verbally challenged him, struck Zimmerman in the head with his fist breaking his nose, and knocking him to the ground. Martin then , pursuant to engaging Z in a physical altercation, commenced to further inflict injuries upon Z by forcing his head into the concrete sidewalk
The question before the jury should be : Did Zimmerman deserve an ass kicking for engaging in his prior conduct of following and ultimately pursuing Martin ? If Martin was the one charged with physically assaulting Zimmerman that night , and nothing more had occurred, I believe the charges would have been eventually dismissed. or Martin would be acquitted= any reasonable jury would find that Zimmerman's actions provoked Martin and that Martin was therefore justifed in his actions.
I have a hunch that this will be the road map for the trial- in effect the State of Florida will endeavor to persuade the 12 members of the jury that Martin's death was avoidable, preventable, and most importantly PRECIPITATED by Zimmerman's conduct that night. In modern parlance - Zimmerman's BAD.
Problem is - that doesn't = 2nd degree murder.
This incident was a mistake gone terribly bad. Unfortunately Martin cannot recover from the consequences of the mistake, and that created an element of inequity in the mistake equation.
