Former FBI Agent Michael Tabman on the shooting of Trayvon Martin

[Kennah]

http://michaeltabman.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/a-shooting-in-florida-and-many-questions-to-be-answered/

As with any discussion of an alleged crime, we begin with the premise of innocence until a conviction. However, that does not preclude an analysis of the facts and circumstances as they are known at the time – and those often change as more details are unearthed.
...
After 27 years as a cop and FBI Agent, I am comfortable stating that probable cause to arrest Zimmerman existed. Zimmerman’s weapon and all other evidence should have been seized, witness statements taken and the appropriate crime scene and forensic examination conducted. None of that appears to have been done. Now, a Grand Jury has been impaneled.

Cited as a reason for not arresting Zimmerman is Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law which states, “A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.”

I do not believe that this law prohibited an arrest. The prima facie evidence does not indicate that Zimmerman was in imminent fear of death or great bodily harm. If the investigation subsequently indicated this, the charges could be dropped. If Zimmerman was charged, then he could raise this as his defense. I never suggest that police make an arrest when the facts do not support one – irrespective of a tragedy. But this was not the case. This is not to say that Zimmerman is guilty of any crime, but the facts and circumstances did warrant an arrest and the appropriate investigation.

***************************************

He also shows up on Faux. There is video.

http://fox4kc.com/2012/03/22/retired-f-b-i-agent-florida-police-mishandled-trayvon-martin-case/

[Warpy]

1. What will seal the deal for Zimmerman is his disobedience of the police dispatcher

who told him to stay in his vehicle and not try to follow or confront the "suspicious character."

Since he went out looking for trouble, instead, he's likely to end up in prison.

Good. The fewer armed punks with chips on their shoulders there are out there, the better.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. Err...maybe at best

The 911 operator has no authority and disobeying one is not illegal. However, it could (and should) weigh heavily with a jury regardless.

[Blue_Roses]

7. It does clearly state in the law

that the conditions in which he pursued Trayvon, were not covered under that law. Also, his "watch" job states that he is not to pursue anyone.

There are so many blatantly wrong things with this senseless killing. It fuels the outrage, and justifiably so. This police department needs to have spotlights put on it.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

16. I agree he committed several serious crimes

just that not doing what the 911 operator said was not one of them. However it does indicate a state of mind that goes heavily to motive.

He should be in jail awaiting trial

[JohnnyRingo]

5. I agree that that'll carry weight eventually.

It's like calling 911 and saying "some guy is getting really upset with me because I keep saying things about his little sister".

911: "You should stop talking about his sister".

*Bang* "It's too late, I had to defend myself."

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. Tabman did not have access to the partial police reports that are now posted

as a result, some of the specifics he asserts are wrong. That doesn't mean his conclusion is incorrect, just that more data is now available.

[okieinpain]

4. zimmerman can probably get off of any charges due

to the screw UP'S of the police dept.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. Have you looked at the police reports posted by the city?

http://www.sanfordfl.gov/investigation/docs/Twin%20Lakes%20Shooting%20Initial%20Report.pdf

They state Zimmerman was taken in to custody, his wounds tended to, and his gun taken into evidence.

Also it should be noted that the original State Attorney could have ordered Zimmerman arrested and chose instead to go the Grand Jury route. Be interesting to see if the new one does the same thing.

Obviously there is much more not released, and it is infuriating. I still cannot see how it could not be a crime...

[EmeraldCityGrl]

8. PLEASE LOOK AT THIS...

at the 00:20 point on the video it shows a man with his back to the camera
with a group of cops. He's the only one not in uniform. If that is Zimmerman,
there are no marks or stains on the back of his shirt. The police stated his shirt
was wet and had grass all over it.

Does anyone know if that is Zimmerman?

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

9. Link?

[EmeraldCityGrl]

10. Same one in the OP at the bottom.

http://fox4kc.com/2012/03/22/retired-f-b-i-agent-florida-police-mishandled-trayvon-martin-case/

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

17. Thanks, I think you're right, no stains...

[Lilyeye]

11. Good looking out!

It does make you wonder if its Zimmerman, I wonder if anyone can confirm or deny it.

[Mariana]

12. Drop a line to the station that aired this segment.

Maybe they know or can find out. He doesn't look to have any nasty head wound, either, although that would be harder to see. Good eyes and good thinking.

Edited to add: It may just be stock footage, of course.

[vaberella]

14. Send that to TYT as well and Lawrence O'Donnell and Sharpton at Politics nation.

If it is Zimmerman it needs to be made viral and this can give it more publicity and get to the attention of the FBI.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

15. Done.

[madokie]

13. The catch in all this is the word reasonable

what the douche did was not in any way, shape or form reasonable. It was a murder clear and simple.

[Initech]

18. Unfortunately our right wing SCOTUS will probably uphold the Stand Your Ground law.

This should be declared unconstitutional - fuck the NRA. But until we get a truly left leaning SCOTUS don't expect things like this to change. Martin didn't deserve this - I hope Zimmerman gets what's coming to him.