A question for those who feel that the correct verdict was rendered in the Zimmerman trial.

[zencycler]

189. ... as to what Trayvon should have done.

According to Rachel, Trayvon asked "Why are you following me?" to which Zimmerman said something like "What are you doing around here?". While I can understand not liking a question like this, I think under the circumstances, it's best to just answer the question with something like "I went shopping, I'm heading back to my father's house, and I'm on the phone with my girlfriend." Then, at that point he could ask something more argumentative like "Why do you want to know?" at which point, hopefully, Zimmerman would have finally identified himself.

Yes, I know we can't expect teenagers to be that mature, and yes, I know, it's somewhat understandable that a teenager might get angry over a question like this, and might even decide to punch someone in the nose at that point. But the fact that it's understandable doesn't mean it's justifiable. In other words, if Trayvon did indeed hit Zimmerman first, then he would have been the first one to do something illegal, and for the serious charge of Manslaughter being considered, that's all that mattered.

Unfortunately, as I discussed above, based on the serious form of Manslaughter they charged, Zimmerman's actions before the first punch became irrelevant. In order to disregard Zimmerman's claim of self-defense, and to thus find him guilty of Manslaughter, the jury would have to believe, beyond all reasonable doubt, that either: 1) Zimmerman was engaged in some illegal activity at the time of the encounter (i.e. - he physically assaulted Trayvon), 2) Zimmerman's use of lethal force was not reasonable, under the circumstances, or 2) Zimmerman was not in fear of grave bodily injury or death. But as others have stated, nothing that Zimmerman did prior to the encounter was, by itself, illegal, and the jury was specifically instructed not to include negligence in that consideration because the serious form of Manslaughter with which he was charged precluded that consideration.

Yes, I know that we don't know for sure that Trayvon through the first punch. However, while the physical evidence would suggest that this was at the very least, a possibility, and that, along with the injuries which Zimmerman sustained was enough to create sufficient reasonable doubt.