JeremiahMN wrote:Per Zimmerman, the kid was walking away from him, he was following him. That's not defense, that's offense. If Zimmerman got popped for trying to detain the kid, that still doesn't make it self defense.
I don't think there is anything offensive about following and observing someone acting suspiciously if you are part of a neighborhood watch. I have also not heard a shred of evidence that he tried to "detain" him. I heard that he lost track of the kid and was walking back to his vehicle when he was suddenly attacked. While he lay on the ground being pummeled and begging for help because he could not escape or stop the beating to his head he resorted to lethal force. I bet 80% of the people here would do the same thing in those circumstances and the rest are either trained fighters or typical victims. If it turns out to be a situation more like what you've described then Zimmerman will certainly not get stand your ground protection or even self defense protection. But there is apparently a reason he hasn't been arrested and that reason is likely that his actions were justifiable.
Don't be surprised if you ever have to resort to deadly force and your lives are ruined because you are tried and convicted in the media and public opinion before you even get a chance to tell your side of the story. Just remember you were one of "those people" who convicted another in the court of public opinion when it wad someone else was "on trial" and all the facts were not yet released.