The Top 10 Myths Surrounding the Trial of George Zimmerman
Category: Web News Plus Created on Monday, Jul 15 Hits: 1056
The Top 10 Myths Surrounding the Trial of George Zimmerman
1. Zimmerman was told by police not to get out of his car.
Fact: When Zimmerman called police he was already out of his car. Zimmerman never returned to his car even after calling police. While speaking with the 911 operator, the operator asked “Are you following him?” Zimmerman:”Yes.” Operator: “We don’t need you to do that.” At no time was Zimmerman ordered not to get out of his car. The 911 operator has since admitted that 911 operators have no authority to deny a citizen’s pursuit of another while reporting a suspected crime. Also, the 911 operator in this case was not a police officer.
2. Zimmerman racially profiled Trayvon Martin.
Fact: During the 911 call Zimmerman only indicated what he believed Trayvon’s race was when asked by the 911 operator. He actually answered with a lack of certainty as to Martin’s race. While on the phone with 911, Zimmerman indicated that Trayvon was walking back toward him. At that time he got close enough for Zimmerman to see that he was a black male and so indicated to the operator.
Zimmerman’s report to police actually centered on what he thought was the odd behaviour exhibited by Martin. Martin was walking back and forth in the rain while seemingly doing nothing else. Zimmerman believed Martin to be looking at various houses, but we’ve since learned that Martin was in fact having a hands free telephone conversation while Zimmerman was observing him.
Zimmerman also reported that he believed Trayvon Martin to be under the influence of drugs. Trayvon’s autopsy revealed the presence or marijuana in Martin’s system at the time of the incident.
When asked in a television interview if she believed Zimmerman racially profiled Martin, Martin’s stepmother of more than fourteen years indicated that she did not believe that Zimmerman racially profiled Trayvon Martin.
3. Zimmerman used racial slurs while on the phone with 911.
At no time did Zimmerman use racial slurs during the 911 call. The only inflammatory language used by Zimmerman was when he stated, “.... these a__holes they always get away.”, referring to a recent string of burglaries in the area, and when he said “.... it’s f__king cold.” As has been stated, the night was a cold and rainy night. The 911 operator stated that at no time did he hear racial epithets from Zimmerman.
4. The screams on the neighbor’s 911 call were Trayvon Martin.
Although there was conflicting witness testimony during the trial, on the night of his arrest one of the first things Zimmerman told the responding officers was that he was screaming for help, but that nobody responded. When Trayvon’s father listened to the tape he initially indicated that the screams for help were not that of his son. Zimmerman’s neighbors universally stated that they believed the screams were that of Zimmerman.
5. The Stand Your Ground Law is to blame for Trayvon Martin’s death.
While Zimmerman’s council originally cited the “Stand Your Ground” law as one possible reason Zimmerman did not flee rather than shoot Martin and a hearing on that matter was scheduled, counsel eventually concluded that the encounter was a simple case of self defense and therefore opted not to participate in the Stand Your Ground hearing, but instead opted for a jury trial. At no time did the defense invoke the standard as their case included evidence that Zimmerman actually had no opportunity to flee once attacked by Martin and therefore did not require the protection of that particular legal standard.
6. Zimmerman pursued Trayvon Martin as Martin fled.
During the 911 call, Zimmerman indicated that Trayvon had turned back toward Zimmerman and even voiced fear of the teen as he insisted that the police get to the scene quickly. In fact, Zimmerman indicated that he was too far away from Martin to identify his race or to accurately identify his clothing. Only after Trayvon walked back toward Zimmerman did Zimmerman confidently identify Trayvon’s race and clothing. Before Trayvon eventually ran away, Zimmerman indicated that Trayvon had in fact, stopped walking several times, turning back and walking toward Zimmerman
Once Trayvon fled, Zimmerman continued toward where he last saw Martin. Zimmerman refused to give his full address to the 911 operator stating that he feared the teen might still be close by. Once Zimmerman reached where he last saw Martin, Zimmerman alleges that Trayvon Martin then attacked him. This is the case that police officers believe is supported by forensic evidence, witness testimony, and the officers observations from the time they first arrived and throughout Zimmerman’s interrogation.
7. Trayvon did nothing wrong that night.
Except for the gunshot wound to his chest, Trayvon showed no outward signs of violence. Zimmerman on the other hand had contusions to his face and abrasions to the back of his head, leading officers to conclude that he’d been punched and otherwise assaulted by Trayvon.
Had Trayvon lived the criminal charges filed against him would likely have been trespassing, assault, battery, public disturbance, and being under the influence of a controlled substance. This, of course, is not meant to imply that Trayvon would have been convicted of these charges, but nonetheless there is evidence for each of them.
8. The justice system worked as it should.
In filing charges directly, the Special Prosecutor ignored the expertise of responding officers as well as their Police Chief, all of whom concluded that Zimmerman acted in self defense. Rather than impaneling a Grand Jury, which is the usual protocol in criminal cases, the Special Prosecutor filed charges herself. Legal experts nearly universally agree that a grand jury would not likely have brought charges against George Zimmerman. By bypassing both the officers and the Grand Jury system, George Zimmerman was subjected to a trial and additional media scrutiny.
Since the beginning of the trial Zimmerman and defense counsel have received numerous death threats. Nationwide, countless threats of violence and rioting have been levied by those who believe in Zimmerman’s guilt. The judicial system as manipulated by the Special Prosecutor and as presented by the mainstream media has led to a climate of heightened racial tension and public uncertainty with virtually no evidence that race was a factor in Zimmerman’s report or in the eventual shooting that resulted. Virtually no evidence has been presented that indicates wrongdoing by officers or that race was a factor in their decision making process.
9. The police never arrested George Zimmerman.
The first responders immediately disarmed Zimmerman and allowed him to receive medical attention on scene as administered by EMTs. Upon the completion of that treatment, officers immediately arrested Zimmerman. Zimmerman was handcuffed and put in a patrol car until he was taken to the police station, still in handcuffs, and then questioned for an excess of five hours. At that time the arresting officers concluded that Zimmerman had acted in self defense and they released him pending further review. His gun was held as evidence.
10. Had the prosecution charged Zimmerman with Manslaughter, the jury would have convicted.
In Seminole County, Florida a manslaughter charge requires that the prosecution prove an intent to kill. Legal experts almost universally agree that the prosecution failed to prove that Zimmerman intended to kill Trayvon Martin and that doing so was virtually impossible given the evidence.
To hear the actual 911 call made by George Zimmerman CLICK HERE
