TRAYVON MARTIN FINALLY GETS THE JUSTICE HE DESERVES
TRAYVON MARTIN FINALLY GETS THE JUSTICE HE DESERVES
Hello Bloggers, I want to compliment all of you who have entered into an important dialogue regarding this tragic incident. I have observed some spirited comments on Blog Critics, regarding my previous post “Why did Trayvon Martin Die”, those comments will hopefully have a positive impact to help this country deal with these issues. Each of you has the right to express your own opinion regarding this situation and we won’t always agree with each other but, the communication is important.
Most of my adult life has been in law enforcement and I was waiting to not only find out what the special prosecutor would decide regarding whether to prosecute Zimmerman or not, but I wanted to hear additional facts regarding this incident, such as, did one of the Sanford police officers file a report suggesting he didn’t believe Zimmerman’s account of what happened that night?? Unfortunately, based on Florida Law we will have to wait for this type of evidence. After listening to the special prosecutor, I applaud her for making a tough decision. All of the protest, hostility and anger could have been avoided if this type of thorough investigative process had been conducted immediately after Trayvon Martin’s death.
Trayvon Martin probably would have been a case of justifiable homicide due to the Stand Your Ground Law, if not for the protest, outcries across the country and Martin’s parent’s perseverance. Trayvon Martin was initially listed as a John Doe for three days, even though the police had his cell phone. We should remember the statement of the Stanford Police Chief who said Zimmerman would not be arrested. The special prosecutor didn’t throw the Stanford Police Department under the bus but, if we just examine what we do know, a complete and proper investigation wasn’t done. The Governor of Florida was forced to name the special prosecutor and that was the right call.
The Martin case and the protests also have caused some States that have a Stand Your Ground Law, to re-examine the validity of the law. This is a good thing!! This law has not been applied correctly, based on everything I have learned. Can we as a country accept the premise that an unarmed teenager can be killed and the killer can get off without any prosecution, just by saying “I feared for my life”? The original intent of the law was to protect your castle (your home) and Stand Your Ground, if someone has broken into or trying to break into your home and you feared for your life. I don’t have a problem with that!! But, I do have and everyone should have a problem with this law as it extends to areas outside the home.
This law has been abuse on several occasions and will continue to be abused in the future if something isn’t done to correct it. I will remind you of one case in Texas, when a man cited the Stand your Ground Law, when he observed two men burglarizing a home, not his, left his home with a shot gun and shot the burglars. His life wasn’t in danger. Was he a hero?? He had been on the phone with the police and was told “Don’t go outside of your home”, he went anyway, cocking his gun for the police to hear. Does this law give the shooters the applied appearance of immunity?? What if he had been killed?? What if he had accidentally killed the other home owner?? What if he was killed by the police who told him not to go outside and they didn’t know who he was?? In Texas, he was treated as a hero!! He stood his ground!! This law causes vigilantism by citizens and a shoot first Wild West mentality prevails. Zimmerman was also told not to follow Martin, he said “Okay”, but continued to follow Martin and a confrontation resulted in the death of Martin. In my opinion, based on my experience, a person can’t fear for their life if they are pursuing someone they fear!!
Zimmerman deserves and will have his day in court and now let us wait for a judicial verdict. Keep Blogging/keep communicating.