George Zimmerman was inevitably charged with second degree murder by Florida special prosecutor Angela Corey. This came more than a month after the event which led to the arrest.
For some, it was long overdue. For others, like me, it is considered a travesty of justice. Not so much because Zimmerman would stand trial, rather because of what drove the process: mob rule. Constant political pressure from activists making this a racial issue with no evidence other than a difference of skin color between the shooter and the deceased. Threats of mass violence and retribution fueled this arrest, and frankly, this is nothing more than a modern day lynching.
A mob of people decided Zimmerman’s guilt after being fueled by characters such as Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and Rep. Bobby Rush. The story was shown to be skewed in a way to imply Zimmerman was a murderer who hunted Trayvon Martin for racist sport. As new facts arose shedding doubt on the mass narrative they were buried or ignored.
Those pouring gasoline on the fire of emotion were determined to convict Zimmerman whether he was guilty of an actual crime or not. The mobs decrying the lack of arrest of Zimmerman as a miscarriage of justice have committed an even greater one. To convict a man of a crime before standing trial.
Make no mistake, this was ochlocracy — not justice. Trial by mob is not justice.
What options did the special prosecutor have? If Zimmerman was not indicted, there were promises (not threats) of riots and violent retaliation. In fact, revenge assaults have already taken place (Gainesville, East Toledo, for example). So either Corey charges Zimmerman or risk (certain) violence at levels not seen since the 1960s and 1970s. Everything about this indictment screams of political placation.
Whether Zimmerman is guilty or not really is no longer the issue. I for one have no stake in his guilt or innocence. We are witnessing a disgusting display of torch and pitchfork justice which sets a shuddering precedent. That criminal prosecution can be driven by the demands of those willing to subject an innocent community with assault and murder. The presumption of innocence is perhaps one of the most important rights we have. Zimmerman had no chance, and why not? Because he was the wrong color. What a shame.
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Refer to the post Some facts about the Trayvon Martin case for examples of how Zimmerman’s guilt was predetermined and evolution of activist influence on public opinion.
Sifting Reality 
He hasn’t even had a trial yet, you moron. But what we do know is that he was the aggressor and he shot an unarmed teenager. From that, he needed to be arrested.
Exactly.
I’m quite concerned that a race war will ensue if Zimmerman is found not guilty. The media has ginned this thing up to a point where, in my mind, there is almost no turning back. Either Zimmerman goes to jail, or it’ll be mob rule definitely.
“what we do know is that he was the aggressor and he shot an unarmed teenager.”
Actually, the only thing we do know, and that Zimmerman has never denied, is that he shot a man. Zimmerman had no way to know Martin’s age, especially considering Martin’s size and physical appearance – Martin didn’t look at all like the little boy in the 5 yr old photo being published everywhere. Evidence and eye witness accounts suggest that Martin was the aggressor.
Evidence and eye witness accounts suggest that Martin was the aggressor.
Not hardly. That’s just what they’re telling you on Fox “news.” Zimmerman stalked Martin for quite some time, even when the police told him not to. That makes him the aggressor. Martin felt threatened. Under Florida laws, if Martin had a gun, it would have been perfectly legal for him to shoot Zimmerman.
Actually, Ben
A witness corroberated Zimmerman’s account on CNN to Anderson Cooper. The Orlando Sentinel has also reported witness corroberation. On the 911 tape when Zimmerman is told he shouldn’t be following Martin, you hear his breathing calm, which suggests he stops. Just because martin didn’t have a gun does not mean he could not inflict Zimmerman with life threatening injuries.
Why aren’t you as vocal about the thousands of young blacks killed by other young blacks? Or do you only care about minorities when they are injured by non-blacks?
Ben Hoffman,
You have absolutely no idea what the hell you’re talking about. According to Zimmerman, he CEASED following Martin after the 9-1-1 operator (not the police, you moron) told him to. From there, according to Zimmerman, he was attacked while walking BACK to his vehicle.
So based on Zimmerman’s story – which is the ONLY story we have – we cannot say he was the agressor. We do know from eyewitness reports, however, that Trayvon Martin was atop Zimmerman punching him repeatedly, which implies that Martin, NOT Zimmerman, was the aggressor.
Perhaps if you liberal idiots would acquaint yourselves with the facts before mouthing off, you’d make less of an ass of yourself.
Kunoichi,
Mr. Hoffman is a liberal muttonhead who bought into the mainstream media’s race-baiting spin. All available evidence suggests that Zimmerman was acting in self-defense. Period. End of story. Anyone who tells you differently is an ignorant fool.
*L* Thanks, TerranceH. He made that pretty obvious.
To Hoffman; interesting assumption about me. I don’t watch Fox News. Never have. I don’t get the channel.
This just demonstrates to me what I have observed first hand for decades – there is more racism against white among black that there is white against black. The average “white” person is not racist, yet the majority of blacks are. That has been my experience.
A caution, Glen: you are free to act on your experiences, but they are only anecdotal. You have no way of knowing what the majority of blacks think unless they are properly polled on the question. It is far safer to say that there seems to be a greater likelihood that those blacks who are racist will act on their racism. But even then, one is only guessing. I will continue to regard each person I meet on their own character and actions, even if I choose to be guided by something akin to John Derbyshire’s “The Talk:Non-Black Version”.
My point is that, for all the media hype, for all the Jesse Jacksons and Al Sharptons with their complaints about racism, they never want to address the racism on their own side.
By the way, I don’t “act” on my experience other than to be extra cautious when in certain areas.
Funny how you “pro-lifers” are pro-murder when that’s what you are told to do. Martin was doing nothing wrong. He was just walking back from the store and wound up dead. Those are the facts.
Ben
What is your actual evidence that Zimmerman committed murder by the legal definition of murder? What is your actual evidence that Zimmerman wasn’t defending himself as the disinterested witnesses have corroberated? Any evidence at all? Any?
I assume not since all the actual evidence suggests Zimmerman’s account of events is an accurate portrayal.
I assume not since all the actual evidence suggests Zimmerman’s account of events is an accurate portrayal.
Not hardly. Martin was screaming for his life and Zimmerman was standing over Martin when he shot him. That’s hardly fits Zimmerman’s account. Zimmerman has a history of overreacting and aggressive behavior.
Stop getting your “facts” from Fox “news.”
Where can I find that witness statement? That Zimmerman was standing over him.
Still waiting Ben, for the witness statement that corroberates your claim.
As I recall the witness statements, a witness heard someone screaming for help (Zimmerman) and saw a man (Martin) on top of another (Zimmerman), bashing his head into the sidewalk. The witness ran off to call 911, which is when he heard the shot. After the shot, witnesses saw a man on the ground (Martin) and another standing over him (Zimmerman). There is a yet to be corroborated statement that Zimmerman’s shirt was pulled up during the attack by Martin, revealing the gun, and that they fought over the gun before Martin was shot.
Of course, there’s also “witness” who claimed she heard Martin, whom she described as a “little boy”, “crying.” Considering the only person small enough to be mistaken as a boy *might* be Zimmerman, I think that particular witnesses account can be dismissed out of hand.
What in the hell does abortion have to do with this case? Is there any connection whatsoever? No! You’re just shooting off your mouth like the ignorant liberal you are.
So I take it you were there then?
And you forgot to mention that he attacked Zimmerman.
“Not hardly.”
I have absolutely no doubt that the scream heard immediately before the shot is that of Trayvon Martin. I’m certain it is. But so what? If someone pulls a gun on you while you’re beating the hell out of them, what would you do? I’d scream too!
…and Zimmerman was standing over Martin when he shot him.
There isn’t a single witness statement that corroborates this. You’re lying…like a typical liberal.
Oh, why? Because he pushed a cop one night while drunk? Shut up.
Still waiting Ben, for the witness statement that corroberates your claim.
Do a search for it, ya lazy bastard. You won’t find it on Fox “news,” though.
Typical, make a claim contrary to all known evidence then tell others to disprove you.
You make the claim, its your job to cite sources. Otherwise we are all justified in concluding you are willing to make false claims hoping no one checks up on you.
a witness heard someone screaming for help (Zimmerman)
There is a recording of the screaming and an expert concluded in no way was it Zimmerman.
Ben Hoffman,
You come to someone else’s blog, make false statements, and then insult the blog owner? Typical of a liberal.
I already addressed this, dimwit. There is no doubt in my mind the scream came from Martin. No doubt. But consider the scream came immediately before the shot was fired. Imagine you’re on top of someone beating the hell out of them. You think you have the upper-hand. You’re winning! You’re doing so great! Then….they pull a gun. Wouldn’t you scream? I sure would.
Typical, make a claim contrary to all known evidence then tell others to disprove you.
Actually, it’s been in all the major news outlets. Your problem is, you only look at right-wing sources. In the length of time it took you to whine about it, you could have done a search, but doing so would have turned up information that contradicted the right-wing narrative. And you don’t want to run that risk.
Ben
Ed Shultz, Lawrence O’Donnell, Al Sharpton, and Jesse Jackson are not news sources. However, as Terrance said, every major news outlet contradicts your version.
No, it hasn’t, you lyin’ f*ck. There has never once been a report that Zimmerman stood
over Martin and harassed him, shot him, or at all harmed in any manner other than that
of self-defense. That’s a bunch of liberal B.S. and ya f*cking know it. If you had any proof that it ever occurred, you’d show us…But – surprise, surprise – you haven’t!!
I suppose he should peek at NBC, ‘eh? Those rotten libs that edited the 9-1-1 call to make Zimmerman seem like a racist. You’re so lame, dude.
Deflection…Typical liberal B.S. You CAN’T provide a source to back up your bull shit, so you attack like an animal.
You’re a pathetic liberal loser. And nothing more.
You right-wingers are so emotional. It’s no wonder you can’t think clearly. You’re hysterical with fear and hatred fueled by misinformation.
What a joke
“a witness heard someone screaming for help (Zimmerman)
There is a recording of the screaming and an expert concluded in no way was it Zimmerman.”
Since you selectively quoted me here, I’d like to point out that I was describing what a witness saw *before* he called 911.
Umm-why is it assumed that anyone who reaches a specific conclusion here is a “liberal”? News flash gang-by making an assumption like “stupid liberal” you are guilty of EXACTLY what is being done to Mr. Zimmerman-attacking without evidence. That sort of lack of thought leads DIRECTLY to the sort of mob rule at issue in this article. Emotion truping evidence and personal attacks trumping logic.
With that being said-I am a card carrying liberal on social issues. I am a member of the ACLU. I support Amnesty International. I work in the field of discrimination and discrimination law. And I am, quite frankly (here’s a surprise for you all) APPALLED by what has gone in this case. Everyone in the media as well as the entire black community in this country LEPT on the “poor black child murdered” bandwagon BEFORE all the evidence was in. They then used mob threats of retaliation and riots to force an outcome WITHOUT gathering evidence, carefully reviewing it, and seeing what the evidence showed.
There are certainly problems with this case-for BOTH sides. But at this point, we do NOT have all the evidence (god knows the media isn’t playing with a full deck on this one) so we have NO basis for reaching a final conclusion regarding these events. Rather than assuming innocence until proven guilty, however, we allowed ourselves to be rushed to judgment in this case by screams and cries of racism from BOTH sides. The CORRECT action here is to stand back, wait for all the evidence to come out, and THEN make a rational conclusion-NOT to assume facts we do not know, NOT to attack one another as being either a white or a black racist, and NOT to presume that Mr. Zimmerman is guilty until all the facts are in.
Hi political cynic
I think it is legitimate to parse this in political ideologies like liberal and conservative. You are the exception and not the rule. I appreciate the outlook you have taken on this issue, but I think you can understand why the discussion is framed as it is. Why is the threats, the claims of racism, the condemnation coming virtually universally from one political bent?