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This iReport is part of an assignment:
One year since Trayvon Martin's death |
The Affidavit is in
Many of the readers here have, of course, read my comments and views of the Zimmerman/Martin case. My position has always been a question of "why".
WHY did Zimmerman call Martin in as 'suspicious'?
WHY did he choose to ignore the 911 operator's instructions and follow Martin. Not once, but twice?
WHY did Zimmerman not make his presence or intention willfully known to Martin as he continued to follow him?
WHY did this man allow his own incompetence and bravado escalate what should have been a benign incident to the point where a 17 year-old's life was taken?
It seems, finally, I am not the only one (or one of few) asking these questions. According to an affidavit drawn up Wednesday:
"Martin then walked back to and entered the gated community and was on his way back to the townhouse where he was living when he was profiled by George Zimmerman," the affidavit says. "Martin was unarmed and was not committing a crime."
It says that Zimmerman, who lived in the same community, was in his vehicle when he saw Martin "and assumed Martin was a criminal. Zimmerman felt Martin did not belong in the gated community and called the police. Zimmerman spoke to the dispatcher and asked for an officer to respond because Zimmerman perceived that Martin was acting suspicious. The police dispatcher informed Zimmerman that an officer was on the way and to wait for the officer.
"During the recorded call Zimmerman made reference to people he felt had committed and gotten away with break-ins in his neighborhood. Later while talking about Martin, Zimmerman stated 'these a**holes, they always get away," and also said 'these f****** punks.' "
As the incident was unfolding, Martin was on the phone with a friend, the affidavit says. "The witness advised that Martin was scared because he was being followed through the complex by an unknown male and didn't know why. Martin attempted to run home but was followed by Zimmerman who didn't want the person he falsely assumed was going to commit a crime to get away before the police arrived. Zimmerman got out of his vehicle and followed Martin. When the police dispatcher realized Zimmerman was pursuing Martin, he instructed Zimmerman not to do that and that the responding officer would meet him. Zimmerman disregarded the police dispatcher and continued to follow Martin who was trying to return to his home.
"Zimmerman confronted Martin and a struggle ensued. Witnesses heard people arguing and what sounded like a struggle."
Again, do I believe Zimmerman profiled Martin? Yes. Do I believe he stalked Martin? Absolutely. Do I believe he murdered Martin?
No. It's just not that simple.
I do not believe for a moment that Zimmerman set out with the intention to kill Martin. I firmly believe, however, that the poor decisions he made and the manner in which he made them were the direct cause of Martin's death.
And yes, I believe Zimmerman deserves time behind bars. For Manslaughter.... for Negligence with a deadly weapon resulting in the death of a minor... yes. But for murder?
I don't think so. Somehow, I doubt a jury of his peers will think so either.
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