NBC 12: How Trayvon Martin case would play out in VA

[newdovo]

From our local NBC affiliate in Richmond:
How Trayvon Martin case would play out in VA

"No, this would never happen this way in Virginia, anytime an unarmed person is shot and killed there's an immediate investigation and usually an arrest," Benjamin said.
In Virginia you have to prove you did everything you could before using deadly force. But in Florida: "Even if you're at fault in Florida in bringing about the problem, Florida says you have the right to stand your ground and use even deadly force. That's wrong," said Benjamin.

Thoughts?

"I'm not all surprised by the national outrage we have seen because it resonates with so many people, it resonates with young people who know they are targeted and suspected of being up to no good every time they go out in public especially young males," said Benjamin.

His statement actually pissed me off a little....
I live in a relatively quiet neighborhood, on a long road ending in a cul-de-sac. I live at the end of it. A couple houses up, there is a road that intersects with ours, and folks do use our road to cut through to the next neighborhood; we have some cut-through traffic, and some cars that get turned around, loop around in the court, and move on through. But our end of the road is generally quiet. ...and I know my neighbors.
There's a small pond, on posted property (no trespassing signs) in the woods, and down a dirt road (blocked by a chain about 60 feet in) at the end of our road. Occasionally, I'll see some young teens with fishing rods, or maybe on BMX bikes, head down there. Other times, I'll see young people in a 4x4 park late at night by the dirt road and walk down to the pond. I've seen people in hoodies, late at night, stroll down there, too. And runners, with little blinking lights on a vest.
As noted in the article, it says young people "are targeted and suspected for being up to no good."
This is MY neighborhood. I profile. Not based on race, but based on whether I think the person is there doing mischief or not. Yeah, it's posted, but...
Sometimes I will take the opportunity to dialogue with the folks passing my house. Kids with fishing rods during the day, I'm OK with. "What are you fishing for?" or "Catch anything?"
BMX kids: "Careful down there! There are a lot of pot holes on the road. ...and look out for snakes."
Hoodies/older teens/young adults in vehicles/4x4's: "Dude, the cops bust a lot of people here for doing stuff back in the woods that they shouldn't be doing. You should probably head home or to another place." (not true, but they usually move along). But... I will call the law if they linger.
So, as far as the article goes, young males being... "targeted?" ..."suspected?" Well, not quite. But give me some evidence, some sign, that you are doing something that's OK back there. What are you doing here? Oh, just that? OK.
Just making folks know that you're aware of their presence goes a long way, too.

Here's the article: http://www.nbc12.com/story/17216110/vir ... efense-law

Parry

[VBshooter]

This Benjamin Buttwipe here is playing the same old BS game to get the public and media in an uproar about how badly they are being treated by everything in the world and "Oh how hard they have it today" Mouthpieces like him are actually paid for the crap they spew and even worse there are numbnutted jackasses that will beleive him. He, like everyone else was not there that night and should keep his damn opinion to himself...Bad enough we got Rev'rum Al , Jesse Jerk Off and every other manner of cynical liberal clown screaming this,that and the other thing about something they know nothing about. If it had been a White kid shot by a Black kid there would be no main stream media circus and the Shithead community would probabaly give them a trophy and a book deal. Its disgusting what this country has become and WE are to blame for it,,, A lot of work ahead if we are ever going to get back on track again....PC needs to die if people are ever going to start thinking right.

[mamabearCali]

You know what if you don't want to be thought of as being "up to no good." Don't look like you are. Don't be in places you should not be, don't wear clothes that are associated with being "up to no good."

Actually I think if the Trayvon Martin case happened here Zimmerman would still be protected here. You are allowed to observe and even follow a person you feel is suspicious in your neighborhood. f Zimmerman called the police--if he just wanted to murder a black person in cold blood he would not have done that. It appears that Zimmerman had broken off the following and had retreated back towards his car when Martin jumped him. All the evidence we have so far points to this. Martin was using lethal force on Zimmerman, Zimmerman had no where to retreat to (his back was on the earth) and thus had no option but to defend himself against a lethal threat with lethal force. So Zimmerman in my mind, passes the reasonable man test.

As for Zimmerman being arrested here in VA. He was arrested there too. If I was cuffed and stuffed and brought to the station I consider that being "detained" I rather doubt though here that he would have been charged either. This is a case of the media being stupid.

[tursiops]

Mamabear, where does this come from? Haven't seen that...other than media speculation.
"It appears that Zimmerman had broken off the following and had retreated back towards his car when Martin jumped him. All the evidence we have so far points to this."

[mamabearCali]

That comes from Zimmerman's own statements, and the footstep pattern on the 9-11 tape (fast and quick until the 911 operator says "we don't need you to follow him" He replies "ok" then significantly slower and more trudging). Right now I have no reason to believe him a liar. His injuries seem to be consistent with a surprise attack.

[ratherfish]

OOPS!

Facts always get in the way of a race to judgement!

I'm sure a thorough analysis of the tapes will determin who was calling for help also.

Liberals are already using the incident to assail the rights of law abiding responsable individuals.

I'm hoping Americans, real one that is not Al Stupidton et al., are smart enough to give justice a chance before trial in the court of public opinion. Course the Dem. mobs are hoping for political gain, no matter what the facts. We're up to their game fellow Americans. Get pissed off and kick the Chicago political machine out! Don'r rush to judgement. That's EXACTLY what they're counting on!