Zimmerman verdict: Not Guilty.

[Red Celt]

I'm very anti-gun (for good reason). Zimmerman placed himself in a position of danger, whilst not being physically capable of handling himself in such a situation - other than by using his gun.

I listened to all of the audio recorded that night - from Zimmerman to 911 and the residents who also called 911. He didn't describe Treyvon as peering into properties, ready to rob them. He said he was acting suspiciously. Who was he to judge such a thing?

I'm picturing Gene Kelly doing his "Singing in the rain" scene, with the cop standing nearby. Who the hell has the authority to say whether someone is acting suspiciously? You have to walk in a straight line, with an upright back going directly from A to B? Or can you just walk along, taking in your surroundings?

Treyvon didn't deserve to die that night. He was minding his own business. He walks near a guy in a truck who is staring at him whilst talking on his mobile. He keeps staring at him. He becomes suspicious, pulls up his hoody and runs off, getting away from the strange man. He tells his girlfriend that some weirdo is following him. He confronts the guy... and goes further than he should have done. Perhaps he had good reason to. Perhaps he didn't. We only have Zimmerman's word about the conversation, and Zimmerman was doing his very best not to be convicted. We'll never know exactly what was said... but what if Zimmerman gave him a very good reason to defend himself?

Regardless, a young man died that night when he shouldn't have done. The reason? Zimmerman going above and beyond what any Neighbourhood Watch person should have done... which was to make a presence and give possible burglars reason not to commit a crime with a witness around... and to contact the police if necessary.

Treyvon matched the description of previous burglars? How? He was black. Congratulations on categorising criminals based on skin colour. How enlightened of him.

It doesn't matter what history Treyvon had. Zimmerman had no knowledge of that, that night. He once was discovered with jewelry and a "burglary tool" (screwdriver) in his bag at school... did he have a screwdriver on him that night? No.

Zimmerman fucked up big time that night and regardless of the appropriate charge against him, he should have served time for taking someone's life. Perhaps that was the fault of the prosecutors. Regardless, there was a fuck-up there for allowing Zimmerman to go free.