Once again your postulate has been proven accurate and robust,,
It is indeed always true that ,,, it is a bad stategy to shoot an unarmed person, or man, or boy.
Heya, 1245A, greetings back atcha.
Yes,
HankT's Postulate of Civilian Self-Defense (HPCSD) is now the received view in SD situations of nearly any type involving non-LEOs. Here it is again, for those who might have somehow missed it:
It is a bad strategy to shoot an unarmed person.
It has always been found to apply.
Always.
Although Mr. Zimmerman has failed to utilize the wisdom of
HPCSD, the information released so far has not conclusively determined that he is guilty of a crime.
Here is the pertinent statue wording:
The new law codified in Florida Statutes 776.013(3)(2006) states:
A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity, and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.
This new law expands upon Florida's preexisting castle doctrine and permits one to stand their ground anywhere. Florida Statutes 776.032(1) then holds in pertinent part:
A person who uses force as permitted in s. 776.012, s. 776.013, or s776.031 is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force...
(
http://www.hessingerlaw.com/Articles/Self-Defense-and-Floridas-Stand-Your-Ground-Law.aspx)
All Zimmerman has to do is articulate how he reasonably believed that a skinny 17 year old with a bag of Skittles and a soft drink constituted a threat of death or great bodily harm. If he can do that, he should be OK, although it may cost him a bundle in legal fees.
If Zimmerman cannot show a reasonable belief that Martin was a threat to his life/limb, then he is in for a very rough time with the criminal justice system, including the federal level.
Either way,
HankT's Postulate of Civilian Self-Defense clearly applies.
The key to this case seems to be the substance and completeness of the investigation that Sgt. Anthony Raimondo performed after the shooting. Unfortunately, Raimondo doesn't have a stellar track record as far as thoroughly investigating controversial assaults (see Justin Collison case). And Sanford PD is not exactly the most competent LEA out there. It has history.