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spin

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9. Zimmerman did not use a stand your ground defense. ...

Thu Feb 6, 2014, 08:12 PM

Feb 2014

Don't Blame The George Zimmerman Verdict On 'Stand Your Ground'
ERIN FUCHS
JUL. 16, 2013, 6:22 PM

The not-guilty verdict in the George Zimmerman case has spurred calls to reform "Stand Your Ground" laws in 22 states that let people shoot intruders even if they have the chance to run away.
But Zimmerman's defense didn't rely on Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law in court and instead simply argued that Zimmerman killed 17-year-0ld Trayvon Martin in self-defense.

In self-defense cases, Florida prosecutors have the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant did not act in self-defense.

***snip***

We'll never know whether Martin was pinning Zimmerman to the ground when he killed him, but the defense has a plausible theory he never had a chance to get away. The outcome of this case might have been exactly the same even without "Stand Your Ground."

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/stand-your-ground-not-used-in-florida-2013-7#ixzz2safLdlo6

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Highlight:

Florida Man Uses Stand Your Ground Defense in Killing of Black Teen Over Loud Music [View all] MrScorpio Feb 2014 OP

Why not? SYG defenses have like a 1.000 batting average the past couple of years... Blue_Tires Feb 2014 #1

Let's look at some actual data that proves that SYG is NOT a get out of jail free card. ... spin Feb 2014 #10

That's just Florida in the last 6 years... Blue_Tires Feb 2014 #11

Do I feel the SYG law in Florida could be better written? ... spin Feb 2014 #14

There have been even more egregious cases than that recently Blue_Tires Feb 2014 #22

In my opinion the basic idea of the law is solid. ... spin Feb 2014 #31

AFAIC, Zimmerman is white Blue_Tires Feb 2014 #32

Technically Zimmerman is a mix. His mother was born in Peru and his father is white. ... spin Feb 2014 #34

Zimmerman is white? phil89 Feb 2014 #53

For all intents and purposes, he certainly was for the trial Blue_Tires Feb 2014 #63

Better writen my ass bigdarryl Feb 2014 #23

That's not going to happen in Florida. ... spin Feb 2014 #33

This Floridian does not XRubicon Feb 2014 #39

I firmly support the basic concept of the law as I said. ... spin Feb 2014 #43

Zimmerman's phil89 Feb 2014 #51

Is there a racial breakdown leftynyc Feb 2014 #16

I wrote a post on this a while ago. Bazinga Feb 2014 #17

That was a very interesting post leftynyc Feb 2014 #18

The numbers don't mean much without knowing the exact Blue_Tires Feb 2014 #19

Could you elaborate... sarisataka Feb 2014 #24

Statistics are meaningless without context since all the variables differ Blue_Tires Feb 2014 #25

That helps sarisataka Feb 2014 #27

Likewise, the context is meaningless without the statistics. Bazinga Feb 2014 #58

There *is* a racial disparity Blue_Tires Feb 2014 #62

I thought the question was SYG cases. Bazinga Feb 2014 #64

I'm not attempting to discount anything Blue_Tires Feb 2014 #67

I do appreciate your input. Bazinga Feb 2014 #72

Your #6 in post 25 might explain the disparity. Eleanors38 Feb 2014 #65

The report allows you to sort the data in many different ways. ... spin Feb 2014 #35

wow I'm shocked steve2470 Feb 2014 #2

SYG should not apply in this case Gothmog Feb 2014 #3

Worked for Zimmerman, and that was clearly an abuse of the law... joeybee12 Feb 2014 #4

No it didn't proudretiredvet Feb 2014 #6

Not entirely true etherealtruth Feb 2014 #7

Perhaps you should read this excellent article on the subject. ... spin Feb 2014 #12

It is a good article and does expalin the law etherealtruth Feb 2014 #15

It was the prosecution's job to prove to the jury that Zimmerman was guilty beyond ... spin Feb 2014 #36

I quite clearly understand the difference between legal guilt and not guilty (vs innocence) etherealtruth Feb 2014 #37

I will agree that juries often make questionable decisions. ... spin Feb 2014 #42

Zimmerman did not use a stand your ground defense. ... spin Feb 2014 #9

Correct, he didn't have to ... it was applied to jury instructions by judge uponit7771 Feb 2014 #20

It was indeed part of the jury instructions. ... spin Feb 2014 #44

But it was still mentioned a million times in the media Blue_Tires Feb 2014 #45

The media often makes it difficult to hold a fair trial. A high publicity case can get ... spin Feb 2014 #47

If the "feared for my life" defense worked for Zimmerman Blue_Tires Feb 2014 #61

Zimmerman's trial phil89 Feb 2014 #52

Any racist idiot (or just plain idiot with a gun) etherealtruth Feb 2014 #5

I agree gollygee Feb 2014 #28

Why Even Go Up to the Car erpowers Feb 2014 #8

Message auto-removed Name removed Feb 2014 #46

They should change the name to "White Asshole With a Gun" defense ProudToBeBlueInRhody Feb 2014 #13

Truth. n/t PowerToThePeople Feb 2014 #49

Stand Your Ground = Lynching With Lead law uponit7771 Feb 2014 #21

So, being annoyed constitutes fear for your life? shenmue Feb 2014 #26

What changed? I don't believe he's using SYG JustAnotherGen Feb 2014 #29

Yes, this appears to be speculation at this point. DirkGently Feb 2014 #40

Justifiable Use Of Deadly Force JustAnotherGen Feb 2014 #41

Another stupid asshole who should not have been allowed to have and carry any gun. L0oniX Feb 2014 #30

I don't think this will work in this case, but could start vicious cycle gerogie2 Feb 2014 #38

A lot of 2nd amendment types lapfog_1 Feb 2014 #56

The defense declined to use Stand Your Ground madville Feb 2014 #48

Rescind the 2nd amendment, NOW!!!! n/t PowerToThePeople Feb 2014 #50

Not happening. Now. nt Eleanors38 Feb 2014 #66

Suppose (which is doubtful) that there was a gun in the car and so someone was posing a threat. Vattel Feb 2014 #54

Sickening. Jamastiene Feb 2014 #55

Another hero to the gunner shitheads: killing black teenagers is their favorite pasttime alcibiades_mystery Feb 2014 #57

This fuck deserves to spend the rest of his worthless fucking life in jail. Stinky The Clown Feb 2014 #59

Message auto-removed Name removed Feb 2014 #60

Can't help but think that if there was no SYG law in Florida, Dunn would of IsItJustMe Feb 2014 #68

Prosecutors: Fla. teen�s slaying was premeditated Blue_Tires Feb 2014 #69

Jordan Davis case: Police say 9 bullet holes found in loud music SUV Blue_Tires Feb 2014 #70

he might have beaten the rap if he'd done like Zimbo and left no witnesses Pretzel_Warrior Feb 2014 #71

�I hate that thug music,� white man told fianc�e moments before gunning down black teen Blue_Tires Feb 2014 #73