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4991 Views 53 Replies Latest reply: Sep 25, 2012 7:17 PM by gp113 RSS
Stephanne Foster Master 15,642 posts since
Oct 11, 2010
Currently Being Moderated

Mar 20, 2012 4:37 PM

Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

This case has sparked protest around the country. 17- year old, Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by his neighbor George Zimmerman. Zimmerman is an aspiring police officer and head of the neighborhoods Neighborhood Watch Committee. Zimmerman called 9-11 after seeing a suspected young man being "up to no good". While on the phone with police, Zimmerman followed Martin. He proceeded to follow after the 9-11 police representative advised him not to do so. A "2005 Florida law permits anyone, anywhere to use deadly force against another person if they believe their safety or life is in danger, and it's the state's usually futile task to prove that the act wasn't justified."

 

What do you guys think about the case?

 

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View more here: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2109511,00.html

  • seanlj Novice 32 posts since
    Apr 16, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 23, 2012 9:16 AM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    without jumping to judgment either way, I must say the handling of this case by the police is clearly messy. You have an unarmed mail being shot by a man who was instructed by 911 "we don't want you to follow him." eye witness saw the shooter stroddling the teen on the ground as he cried for help, The shot was heard and the scream ended... Why is this man still walking the streets freely? Did I hear that his parents worked for the state, one as a judge? Why is the jungle self proclaimed cop is getting such let off? Crazy world we living in. Trust me!!!! Dem tings ya real nasty. Nuh man deserve to die without a cause, wether black or white. We waan Justice.

  • ♥nene♥ Master 3,688 posts since
    Jan 27, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 24, 2012 11:10 PM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    He was told to back off and he proceeded and got away with murder so far.  All that, shall soon change along with history cause now everyone is looking at everyone one  "What did you do" in re. to this case

  • lauraj100 Newbie 1 posts since
    Mar 9, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 25, 2012 9:12 AM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    I am just so disgusted by this whole case. The police work is SUPER messy. I read an article that said that Zimmerman isn't even a REGISTERED watch-man. So in other words, he is a self-appointed leader of the committee. He called 911 over 40 times as the article states, in regards to other suspicious encounters. http://motherjones.com/politics/2012/03/what-happened-trayvon-martin-explained#transcript

  • alexander123 Novice 121 posts since
    Feb 7, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 25, 2012 6:18 PM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    The injustice that so many of our Black men face today, such as being gunned down by "looking suspicious", wearing a hoody, is just unbelieveable. Repeatedly, we see this kind of injustuces in our Black communities, that when a high profile case such as this one comes to the for front, some people are still surprised. How can one be suspicious by wearing a hoody, walking in the streets....this is not new! It happens everyday. How can someone who claims to be the captain of the neighborhood watch not take the advice of the dispatcher and not approach Trayvon. If you are head of your neighborhood watch program you are trained to observe and report....not suspect and then shoot!!! If Zimmerman felt in such a danger, why not listen to the dispatchers advice? Why walk into danger, if you felt threatened. Not only is Treyvon Martin, not receiving justice, but Zimmerman gets to hide behind this law in Florida, that clearly does not apply to him, since his life was neither threatened nor in danger. Are there any reports that confirms, Trayvons suspicious behavior? I'll wait for the answer.

  • dawnkaye Newbie 3 posts since
    Feb 17, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 26, 2012 6:37 PM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    I do think that the facts in this case have been very muttled up in the media.  There are so many diffent reports and articles with tidbits of information.  There allegedly is another 911 caller who witnessed "the man in the red sweater being beaten-up by the man in the dark colored hoodie.' I do not like the spreading of Trayvon's image as a 12 year old; it is misleading as people assume he is a small young boy. As for how the police are handling the case is subjective basses on Florida's laws. I hope that justice is served and the facts are not confused by the irrisponsibile reporting of the media.

  • Silvia Falcon Newbie 5 posts since
    Nov 23, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 29, 2012 10:30 AM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    I think Zimmerman is guilty. He is a racist and deserves to go to jail but why so much national attention about this case. There is black on black crime everyday and no one says a thing. What about this story? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8sU4o607Bs Two black male set a white teen on fire and nothing. What made this case so popular? Why all the hoodie pics on Facebook? All I am saying is we need to make a big deal about all crime or it will never stop.

  • leercarter Newbie 4 posts since
    Dec 25, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 29, 2012 2:09 PM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

                       Before we judge, let all the facts and investigations finish. In my city and all around the country, there are numerous black on black murders and nobody is raising the flag. Sharpton and Jackson do not have any creditability, they are sensationalist. It is sad that a young man lost his life, its even sadder, what the left and right are doing. It just makes you wonder. For the record, I am classified as African-American, even though I don't know anybody in Africa.

    • silverrose16701 Master 4,753 posts since
      Feb 28, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      Apr 11, 2012 4:27 PM (in response to leercarter)
      Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

      They are famous figures from the civil rights movement. They are completely credible. Of course they are going to be sensationist. Everyone, in the media, by and large, has to be at least somewhat sensationalist. Why? Because it is how they attract viewers. If they speak in a monotone voice and are COMPLETELY unbiased, please notice the negative correlation in their ratings. By the way, I'm White. I'm white as a Ghost. I"m probably the palest person you will ever met lol.

      • leercarter Newbie 4 posts since
        Dec 25, 2011
        Currently Being Moderated
        Apr 11, 2012 5:38 PM (in response to silverrose16701)
        Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

        Al Sharpton is not from the civil rights era. Never heard of him until the girl lied about being raped and tortured and he was her mouthpiece.

        • silverrose16701 Master 4,753 posts since
          Feb 28, 2011
          Currently Being Moderated
          Apr 12, 2012 6:06 PM (in response to leercarter)
          Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

          Well, just because you haven't heard of him, doesn't mean he wasn't active. There are a lot of people in the world. No one has heard of everyone. But you don't have to like or even respect the guy. That's completely your decision. I just think the guy has more credibility, then a man who says he was in a life or death struggle, and walks out of the police car, without a mark on him.

    • zjones Novice 85 posts since
      Mar 4, 2012
      Currently Being Moderated
      Apr 12, 2012 1:28 AM (in response to leercarter)
      Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

      My colleague grew up with a dude who was from the Jesse jackson 'era'. I cannot STAND him , and im classified as african-american, though that isn't my 'nationality'. Im not from africa either...but its better than 'negro' lol.

       

      Anyway...Its all about law and evidence, not about race. I had a premonition all this was, was an accident resulted in manslaughter. I still do not know if they can release ALL the evidence or not. I mean people are trying to hang Zimmerman because he killed Trayvon, I get that. I would want justice too.

       

      Why does anyone care if race had to do with it? Why the hell does Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and the old generation ppl prairie dog when its white on black, but seem to not give a lick for issues in our own black community? My opinion is that they are the one of the reasons racism will never die. It will never be Dude killed Dude with desc as White suspect black vic..they always manage to persuade the black people and ethnicities that ' The dude is racist, this was a hate crime '.

       

      I was very satisfied that the issue was resolved without fueling the 'race' fire. Even though I didn't see all the evidence that the courts had, it seemed to me that he didn't plan on killing the kid but that it was some sort of accident or just a bad situation resulting in manslaughter.

       

      If he had of just listened to the police and actually STAND HIS GROUND, and trayvon brought the beef to him? Then you could see it in a self-defense. He made a very bad decision and poor judgement and it appears he has some remorse if he turned himself in. He should go to prison for the degree of murder, not for being white.

       

       

      leercarter wrote:

       

                         Before we judge, let all the facts and investigations finish. In my city and all around the country, there are numerous black on black murders and nobody is raising the flag.

       

      I am black and I approve this message lol

      • leercarter Newbie 4 posts since
        Dec 25, 2011
        Currently Being Moderated
        Apr 12, 2012 5:50 AM (in response to zjones)
        Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

        I am old school and l approve your message. Lol. Well stated.

        • zjones Novice 85 posts since
          Mar 4, 2012
          Currently Being Moderated
          Apr 12, 2012 6:04 PM (in response to leercarter)
          Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

          lol Well I did have a bit of Gen X fire behind my argument, but I wasn't trying to make it like the older ones are to blame for this. I mean if it wasn't for those dudes I wouldn't be able to get to where I am today haha.

           

          And I saw the news this morning.. He brought that situation on himself and the consequences suck bigtime for him lol..

           

          By the way...if i had of made a guess... i wouldn't say dude looks 'white'. He looks like your classic  light skin mixed minority to me, but that isn't important rofl. Just sayin.

      • silverrose16701 Master 4,753 posts since
        Feb 28, 2011
        Currently Being Moderated
        Apr 12, 2012 6:08 PM (in response to zjones)
        Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

        Unfortunately, the United States, has one of the highest rates of violent crime in the world. It would be impossible, for every case to get this level of attention. But your right, it shouldn't matter what color the victim and killer are, but...unfortunately to some people it still does.

        • zjones Novice 85 posts since
          Mar 4, 2012
          Currently Being Moderated
          Apr 12, 2012 7:02 PM (in response to silverrose16701)
          Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

          Unfortunate - but not shocking. Using mass media as a tool to spread the ignorance is a definite indication of how low americans will go just to spark outrage or get off on chaos. I feel like I am recalling a scene from Hunger Games or something. I was confused for a good couple weeks on what actually happened because of the media and the online news writers.

           

          Leave the culture and ethnic background prejudices to the comedians and the close-minded. I can only hope the government continues to keep those sort of thinkers from becoming court officials.

           

          Justice is served for the Martin family and even more so because it wasn't about race.

           

          Finally its friggan over!

      • browpatrick Newbie 30 posts since
        Jun 21, 2011
        Currently Being Moderated
        Sep 15, 2012 10:33 AM (in response to zjones)
        Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

        zjones,

         

        Are you familiar with the John McNeil case in Georgia? If not, google it, and compare it to the Trayvon Martin case.

  • cgates1 Novice 339 posts since
    Feb 17, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 11, 2012 4:25 PM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    As far as I'm concerned, he is guilty and that law didn't apply. He was following the guy and then told NOT to pursue...after that, the fact that Z was the pursuer, he's the guilty one.

    AND, the BS about a broken nose and his head being 'bashed in'...

    to begin with, none of it true. No blood and he certainly wasn't walking like his head hurt, AT ALL.

    Second,even if it had been true, since he was the one following & harassing the KID, he deserved to get hit and a shot to the leg would have been sufficient to make it stop...NOT a shot to the head!

  • dpearman01 Newbie 20 posts since
    Sep 14, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 26, 2012 3:43 AM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    I think some people are getting things mixed up..First of all....this incident doesnt have anything to do with race?? Yes..I think this guy turned something little into something big....Weather Trayvon looked suspicious for some reason..I dont know...but if he did..fine call the Police...but did he have to die??? but I here this a lot..Why did he follow him after the dispatcher told him not to??? Well it is not a crime to follow someone....someone people may say....No..I am going to follow him because by the time the police get here..it is going to be gone....and the law is pretty much the same in every state....if u feel you life is in immediate danger..you will be jsutified in using deadly force.....but lets what until we get all the facts until we pass judgement......it just irks me that people are already trying to pull the race card (even though I am BLACK)......

    • silverrose16701 Master 4,753 posts since
      Feb 28, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      Apr 26, 2012 4:39 AM (in response to dpearman01)
      Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

      Well if we REALLY want to get technical. I believe the shooter is half Hispanic. It shouldn't matter but if anyone cares, its now out there.

       

      Here are some things I have heard. They were on news stations. Whether or not you consdier them reliable is up to you.

       

      First, this man had made dozens of 9-1-1 calls in the past year.

       

      Second, he was told not to pursue the kid. But that's not a crime. That's just him being stupid and not listening to the professionals. If you really think someone is dangerous, you should go in the OPPOSITE direction. But again, still not a crime.

       

      Third, he claims that he was in the fight of his life. But he had like what 100 pounds of muscle on this 17 year old kid? But lets say that this 150-170 pound, high school student is really strong and/or fast. Lets, give him the hypoethical benefit of the doubt. He claims that he was in the fight of his life, that the kid was bashing his face in. Alright, he says he had his nose broken. Well how come the video footage of the man walking into the police station, a few minutes later, shows NOT A MARK ON HIM. Not even a bruise let, alone the bloody shirt you would get from a BROKEN NOSE.

       

      But lets say he overhyped how serious the fight is. In Florida, they have the Stand Your Ground Law. It basically means if you think your life is in danger, you can SHOOT TO KILL. I don't agree with it. I think he could have shot the kid in the leg or something and run off. But in Florida they decided that was okay. So whatever he should be judged by that standard. But again THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE, and no marks on him?

       

      Think whatever you want. I'm not the judge or jury of this case. But at the VERY least he killed a kid in self defense. While that wouldn't make him a bad person, it hardly makes him an angel. I don't believe that he did it in self defense. I believe the man had issues. He may or may not be a racist. I think he was just unhinged and that was more of a factor then the kid's race.

       

      By the way, the head investigator wanted to charge him. But they overlooked that. The kid's body was in the morgue for three days before they even contacted the parents! His father just happens to be an ex judge...

  • sharonblcl Newbie 19 posts since
    Jul 23, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    May 15, 2012 12:10 AM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    In Words i could never say how i really feel as it is beyond belief they have people setting on death row  that never harm no one and the crimanials they let them go free Wow only in the U S A.don't u just love America)))))))))))))))

  • lov4animals Novice 35 posts since
    May 7, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    May 15, 2012 4:39 PM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    Hi.. Its hard to fathom!!! Love America  Well good luck

  • tinman2011 Novice 72 posts since
    Feb 3, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    May 17, 2012 6:45 PM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    You have to listen to the whole unedited 911 tape, not the filtered, cut-up version played for one party's benefit.  

        I have listen to that unedited version that was released, and tells a totally different story, for one why was he hiding in the shadows of the buildings of gated community, why was he wearing a hoddie sweatshirt during  with dark sunglasses during night time, why didn't the regular media report his previous burglary arrests with a dangerous instrument i.e.: a long screw driver with a handful of numerous jewelry on his person, why was his twitter account deleted afterwards were he extolled the  gangster life style, why wasn't his rap sheet brought-up and very probing question why was a old picture of him used as a 12 year-old rather the one showing looking like a full-grown man and why was there no money, change or a reciept reported recovered for those skiddles.

      All these questions I want answered, but I know they won't be.

          As to the shooter, he never chased the guy, Traveon went after him otherwise he would've been beaten-up away from his car, not by his car door. 

     

    Question, why is it not being widely reported and even being covered-up by government officials that this is being offered as a excuse for the spike on black-on -white assaults.

    • silverrose16701 Master 4,753 posts since
      Feb 28, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      May 17, 2012 8:21 PM (in response to tinman2011)
      Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

      I barely understood what you said. But I think your trying to defend the shooter.

       

      Who cares if it was a picture of the kid being 12 or 17. This man at BEST killed a young person in self defense. At worst, he is a cold blooded murderer. Either way, I am personally not sending him a Christmas Card (or whatever Holiday anyone celebrates.). Granted if they are trying to make the kid look younger then he was, that is deceptive marketing but at least they aren't killing someone.

      • tinman2011 Novice 72 posts since
        Feb 3, 2011
        Currently Being Moderated
        May 18, 2012 6:02 PM (in response to silverrose16701)
        Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

        Hi Silver,

             I am not defending either the shooter or the person he shot but from my view point this whole mess is being used for political reasons by various groups with agendas on both side of the equation.

            What I was attempting to do was to point out the facts that was intentionally left out. I listened to that 9-11 tape the unedited version from a a law enforcement source  I have, that tape tells a completely different story, and yes NBC admitted to cutting it-up and not playing the full transcript and they fired the producer as a scape goat to cover their tracks.

         

           Right now as we speak there is black on black crime and that is not being  reported, why?

        Why is this shooting being played out like this in the news,federal government, what do they have to gain from it etc...

         

        Since this happen black on white violence increased the reason given for those attacks is this tragic incident down in Florida and that is redacted from the legal reports being made, why..?

         

          Back to the shooting; As a gunner owner myself (armed security guard) and a CCW permit holder I can tell you that drawing your firearm is of the last resort period, now I am  not defending the shooter because I do not have all of the facts of case to make that call, Nor am I accussing Trevon all I am saying is enlight of all of these missing facts, people should be questioning everything that they are told in media and from government and try to verifiy with three sources before attempting to make a judgement one way or the other.

         

        Good luck in school and thank you for your reply!

  • cgates1 Novice 339 posts since
    Feb 17, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 3, 2012 10:58 AM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    It disgusts me when anyone tries to defend that paranoid murderer.

    If someone shot my kid and the police tried to brush it off, I'd sure as hell would say whatever I needed to get national attention so it could have someone take a REAL look at it!

    I'm not an advocate for long sentences, I'd like this man to see a counselor WHILE he was in jail but whether the kid hit him or not, he murdered an unarmed child and he pursued the guy...it was NOT self-defense from that point.

     

  • browpatrick Newbie 30 posts since
    Jun 21, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Sep 15, 2012 10:30 AM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    The Trayvon Martin case in Florida, and the John McNeil case in Georgia lets me know where African-Americans truly stand in the eyes of the justice system, so for those that think that the election of Barack Obama as President bridged the gap of equality for African-Americans in America are sadly mistaken.

  • mshillingford Newbie 4 posts since
    Feb 7, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Sep 17, 2012 8:48 PM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    The slow and hesitant response of the U.S/Florida Justice System to the Trayvon Martin incident is an eyesore in a free world promoting equality, fairness and justice for all.

  • cgates1 Novice 339 posts since
    Feb 17, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Sep 19, 2012 7:38 PM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    Treating others equally needs a lot of work.

    It blows my mind that Kim Kardashians 72 day media circus isn't considered a 'threat' to the 'sanctity of marriage' but a homosexual couple marrying is?

     

    Back to the black and white thing, it's a work in progress. It's slow but it's improving.

    It is not often I see an interracial couple but I do. And I see kids of mixed heritage...not many but my parents never saw ANY. And that wasn't that long ago...

    I think Z might have had some issues but I don't think race was the reason the guy had a gun...he comes off as an overly paraniod person. The police I wonder about...why did they brush it off and let Z go?

     

    I think the race thing was mostly for media attention..

     

    Justice in America is slow, though...I was led to believe that's b/c EVERYONE gets a trial...and the courts are full all the time.

    The Constitution 'gaurantees' that every citizen has the right to a fair and speedy trial-

  • gp113 Newbie 48 posts since
    Jan 24, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Sep 25, 2012 7:17 PM (in response to Stephanne Foster)
    Re: Trayvon Martin - Criminal Justice Group

    I really like what Ms.Zjones had to say. I have never heard a young lady put it so plainly. Her family should be proud. Its not about nationality,

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