Former FBI Agent Michael Tabman on the shooting of Trayvon Martin [View all]

[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.
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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.

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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/