Illinois: Phelps files to override Quinn's amendatory veto of concealed carry bill.

[BainsBane]

58. okay

The Civil Rights office is defending stand your ground laws. That is a fact. http://www.bet.com/news/national/2013/06/03/u-s-commission-launches-investigation-into-stand-your-ground-law.html If they have indeed existed since the Progressive era, that is hardly a defense. That was a period of Jim Crow and high numbers of lynchings. The difference is we now have an African-American President and Attorney General. However, we both know those laws have proliferated in recent years.

There is no evidence Zimmerman sustained life-threatening injuries or was in danger of doing so. The ME and physicians assistant who examined Zimmerman have both described the wounds as superficial. There is no conclusive evidence as to who was beating whom in the fight. Witnesses have given different accounts. The tie naturally goes to the defendant because the prosecution bears the burden of proof. That, however, does not mean there is clear evidence Zimmerman's life was in danger. It may mean there is not conclusive evidence that it was not in danger.

I submit there is evidence Zimmerman behaved recklessly, evidence even the defense admits to. The 911 operator explicitly told Zimmerman not to follow Trayvon, but Zimmerman did. He claims he just happened to be walking in the same direction, which makes no sense if he feared Trayvon. I submit that if Zimmerman had not had a gun, he would have let police handle the problem, as normal, non-aggressive people do. As you may know, I have had the occasion to call the police a few times in the past couple of years because I have heard gun shots. I did not run out there with a gun and try to play superhero. Carrying a gun enabled Zimmerman to behave differently. He knew he could not lose in a confrontation with Trayvon. In my personal view, there is evidence of manslaughter but not 2nd degree murder. Regardless, Zimmerman needlessly took a young man's life BECAUSE he was a CCW holder.