Trayvon Martin Case

[firstdown]

When I forst started reading about this case I figured that Zimmerman was guilty as hell. The more I have read the more I'm thinking maybe he is not so guilty. I still think he used excessive force but I don't think it was jsut cold blooded murder.

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by firstdown

When I forst started reading about this case I figured that Zimmerman was guilty as hell. The more I have read the more I'm thinking maybe he is not so guilty. I still think he used excessive force but I don't think it was jsut cold blooded murder.

If he got charged with anything, at the MOST it would be 3rd degree murder. Most likely it would be manslaughter, 10 years at the max. I couldn't see him getting anything more than that, considering the entire case is shaky and full of circumstantial evidence. They may not even be able to convict him.

He'll have plenty more life to live and can move somewhere, change his name and continue "policing" neighborhoods.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

If he got charged with anything, at the MOST it would be 3rd degree murder. Most likely it would be manslaughter, 10 years at the max. I couldn't see him getting anything more than that, considering the entire case is shaky and full of circumstantial evidence. They may not even be able to convict him.

He'll have plenty more life to live and can move somewhere, change his name and continue "policing" neighborhoods.

Your post seems like you realize there is not much to charge him on but your pissed he might go free without any charges.

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Your post seems like you realize there is not much to charge him on but your pissed he might go free without any charges.

I am. I think he needs to be charged with something because something IS wrong with this case. I don't think it's as simple as "self defense" and it's turned into an OJ Simpson like media circus, where there's plenty of smearing to go around.

The problem is, is that so much is circumstantial and witness statements that this thing doesn't have a leg to stand on in court. Honestly, I don't think it'll ever make it there unless there is a major break through in evidence.

[RedskinRat]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

I am. I think he needs to be charged with something because something IS wrong with this case.

Then it's the rule that allowed him to shoot someone that's wrong and that should be changed.

Just for clarity, I am not taking into account Zimmerman's judgment, mkay?

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by RedskinRat

Then it's the rule that allowed him to shoot someone that's wrong and that should be changed.

Just for clarity, I am not taking into account Zimmerman's judgment, mkay?

I agree with you on that. Or at least it needs to be modified so that there's some clarity on what accounts as "self defense". I mean it shouldn't be to the point of where the person has a knife to your throat to shoot them, but it also shouldn't be like, a bar fight scenario where its just 2 idiots brawling.

Hell, the whole rule should probably be done away with.

[RedskinRat]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

Hell, the whole rule should probably be done away with.

I'd like to see how the law has been applied since its inception and see if it has created a 'Wild-West'. It would be tough to prove but like CCW it creates a more well-behaved populace as people aren't so sure who to eff with.

[mlmdub130]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

I agree with you on that. Or at least it needs to be modified so that there's some clarity on what accounts as "self defense". I mean it shouldn't be to the point of where the person has a knife to your throat to shoot them, but it also shouldn't be like, a bar fight scenario where its just 2 idiots brawling.

Hell, the whole rule should probably be done away with.

thats the biggest thing that can come away from this case. i feel like me and you are in the same boat in realizing that by the rule of the law zimmerman is probably not guilty, but we would both love to see him serve over a decade in prison. i am all for the right to bear arms and myself own 3 hand guns a rifle and a shotgun, and hate when jackasses like this give reasonable gun owners a bad name. laws like stand your ground make me cringe because of things like this. when i was in military police training we spent a ton of time on the use of force continum.

Use of force continuum

Main article: Use of force continuum

The use of force may be standardized by a use of force continuum, which presents guidelines as to the degree of force appropriate in a given situation. One source identifies five very generalized steps, increasing from least use of force to greatest. It is only one side of the model, as it does not give the levels of subject resistance that merit the corresponding increases in force.[7] Each successive level of force is meant to describe an escalating series of actions an officer may take to resolve a situation, and the level of force used rises only when a lower level of force would be ineffective in dealing with the situation.[4]
1.Presence (using the effect of the presence of an authority figure on a subject)
2.Verbalization (commanding a subject)
3.Empty hand control (using empty hands to search, relieve weapons, immobilize, or otherwise control a subject)
4.Intermediate weapons (using non-lethal chemical, electronic or impact weapons on a subject)
5.Deadly Force (using any force likely to cause permanent injury or death to a subject)

Use of force continuums can be further broken down into much more specific and concrete units.

Use of force - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia