General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Again, If you provoke a confrontation, you cannot claim self defense. That should be the law. [View all]B Stieg
(2,410 posts)Darling v. State, 81 So. 3d 574, 578 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 3d Dist. 2012)
Justification for using deadly force in self defense, which includes the "stand your ground" defense, does not apply to a person who provokes the attack. § 776.041(2), Fla. Stat. (2007). There are only two exceptions to this rule: (1) where there is no means of escape other than the use of deadly force, or (2) if the provoking person withdraws from physical contact or unequivocally indicates his desire to withdraw from the confrontation and the alleged victim continues or resumes the use of force. Id.
Zimmerman obviously believed there was a danger (he called the police), so, under Darling, wouldn't getting out of the truck and pursuing Martin be considered provocation? Of course, if this is true, I have no argument for why the prosecution wouldn't have asserted this. (NB: I am not a lawyer or law student. The statute and case noted above were borrowed from another poster.)