# Are you Team Trayvon or Team Zimmerman? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 26, 2012, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881 "2012-03-26T21:27:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 38
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/741 "2012-03-30T17:51:49Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > are we in court right now asshole? Why are you holding this casual conversation on the internet to the same standards as witness testimony in court? One would think that especially since you can just scroll up and see what you wrote, you would be capable of quoting yourself correctly and not making things up. But I guess I’m wrong. Some people defy expectations. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/742 "2012-03-30T17:54:27Z")
> [@BottledBlondJeanie](#): > > In all this “immediately” kerfluffle, I have a question. Is the witness who used that term the same one interviewed by Anderson Cooper–the anonymous one? If so, it isn’t even clear that person ever spoke to the police. He/she may have just been trying to get his/her 15 min. No, the witness didn’t use the term. And according to the article, yes, he spoke to the police back then: > **[Trayvon Martin killing: witness says he saw Zimmerman walk away uninjured](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/mar/30/trayvon-martin-witness-zimmerman-uninjured)** > > Account contradicts allegation from Zimmerman's father that Trayvon Martin left his son with injuries including a broken nose The anonymous man said he reported to police details of what he saw on the evening of 26 February ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/743 "2012-03-30T17:56:04Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > You cannot even quote yourself correctly. > > This is what you said “new eyewitness says he saw zimmerman walking away immediately after the shooting”. Which, as I said, is prejudicial, especially since the witness didn’t say that. “Saw Zimmerman walking away immediately after the shooting” is a perfectly reasonable paraphrase of what the witness said, which was: > [@](#): > > "After the larger man got off there was a boy, obviously now dead, on the ground facing down. > > “It was dark. I can’t say I watched him get up, but in a couple of seconds or so he was walking towards where I was watching and I could see him a little bit clearer. It was a Hispanic man. He didn’t appear hurt or anything else. He just kind of seemed very worried with his hand up to his forehead.” But let’s pretend for a moment that you’re right, and it isn’t. What’s prejudicial about it? He appeared uninjured. Whether he walked away “immediately,” or they lay there spooning for five minutes, or Zimmerman stood there mumbling 20 Hail Marys, he appeared uninjured. What point do you think you’re making? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/744 "2012-03-30T17:57:58Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > But let’s pretend for a moment that you’re right, and it isn’t. What’s prejudicial about it? I already explained. Saying that he “immediately walked away” gives the impression that he was sitting on top of Martin and not vice versa. Because when you’re on your back and a dead body falls on you, you cannot “immediately walk away”. ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/745 "2012-03-30T18:01:35Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > That he was suspended from school 3 times; that his computer nickname for himself was “no-limit nigga”; that he had gotten into an altercation with a school bus driver; that he was caught with a substantial amount of ladies’ jewelry in his bag. > > (And yes, none of this stuff has been substantiated at this point. But if it is, then it raises the probability that Zimmerman’s story is true.) Fox News’ Gretchen Carlson blew the doors off this investigation a couple of days ago when she noted that the police failed to find a receipt (for the skittles and ice tea) on Martin’s body leading to possibility that he shoplifted the items. Sure, I suppose it’s possible that he disposed of it but who would do that? Why wouldn’t he want to keep that receipt with him? [Cue Mitch Hedberg.](http://youtu.be/X53ksjejmns) ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/746 "2012-03-30T18:01:39Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > Are there witnesses to the physical confrontation? Or is that a hypothetical? From what I understand, there are witnesses. > [@](#): > > Either he HAS a broken nose, scrapes, scratches, swelling or redness\* consistent with the struggle he says he had\* and his justification defense is hard, if not impossible to refute… > > OR he has none of the above, no broken nose, scrapes, scratches, swelling or redness, which means his story is bullshit and he has no defense. I basically agree. Especially if the back of his head was injured. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/747 "2012-03-30T18:03:58Z")
> [@standingwave](#): > > Fox News’ Gretchen Carlson blew the doors off this investigation a couple of days ago when she noted that the police failed to find a receipt (for the skittles and ice tea) on Martin’s body leading to possibility that he shoplifted the items. Sure, I suppose it’s possible that he disposed of it but who would do that? Why wouldn’t he want to keep that receipt with him? [Cue Mitch Hedberg.](http://youtu.be/X53ksjejmns) I don’t think it’s particularly remarkable if Martin had no receipt on him. I do wonder if any 7-11 surveillance videos will emerge. ---
**Author:** ![BottledBlondJeanie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/0ea827/32.png) [@BottledBlondJeanie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BottledBlondJeanie)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/748 "2012-03-30T18:07:20Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > No, the witness didn’t use the term. And according to the article, yes, he spoke to the police back then: > > [Trayvon Martin killing: witness says he saw Zimmerman walk away uninjured | Trayvon Martin | The Guardian](http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/30/trayvon-martin-witness-zimmerman-uninjured) > > The anonymous man said he reported to police details of what he saw on the evening of 26 February Thanks, I have not seen that. What I would give to just actually read the damnable statements…! ---
**Author:** ![Sinaptics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Sinaptics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaptics)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/749 "2012-03-30T18:07:26Z")
IANABSE (I am not a blood splatter expert), but if the body was on top of Zimmerman to the point that Zimmerman had to extricate himself, wouldn’t he have blood all over the front of him since Trayvon was shot in the chest? Additionally, why was Zimmerman able to have a concealed carry permit when he has a felony on his record for assaulting an officer? Thought you couldn’t purchase a weapon, but less get a carry permit, with a violent felony. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/750 "2012-03-30T18:13:02Z")
> [@Sinaptics](#): > > IANABSE (I am not a blood splatter expert), but if the body was on top of Zimmerman to the point that Zimmerman had to extricate himself, wouldn’t he have blood all over the front of him since Trayvon was shot in the chest? > > Additionally, why was Zimmerman able to have a concealed carry permit when he has a felony on his record for assaulting an officer? Thought you couldn’t purchase a weapon, but less get a carry permit, with a violent felony. The charges were dropped and the arrest was expunged. In my state, this would mean that a judge looked at the facts and determined that a serious miscarriage of justice had occurred with the arrest. I don’t know what the standard in Florida is. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/751 "2012-03-30T18:22:39Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Excuse me? I can’t speak for everyone, but I am pissed because the wheels of justice had _stopped_ rolling, not because I wasn’t willing to wait for them. Certainly the “unlike you” part of your post is correct, though; it’s clear your position is based on little more than your own ideology. > > Whining about how the evil liberals are out to get you makes you sound like a moron _even if they actually are_. Whining about how the evil liberals are out to get me would indeed make me sound like a moron. Fortunate then that I said no such thing. But please don’t let facts get in the way of your ranting. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaptics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Sinaptics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaptics)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/752 "2012-03-30T18:23:57Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > The charges were dropped and the arrest was expunged. > > In my state, this would mean that a judge looked at the facts and determined that a serious miscarriage of justice had occurred with the arrest. I don’t know what the standard in Florida is. Ah! I was not aware the charges were dropped. Thanks for the clarification. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/753 "2012-03-30T18:45:00Z")
> [@standingwave](#): > > Fox News’ Gretchen Carlson blew the doors off this investigation a couple of days ago when she noted that the police failed to find a receipt (for the skittles and ice tea) on Martin’s body leading to possibility that he shoplifted the items. Sure, I suppose it’s possible that he disposed of it but who would do that? Why wouldn’t he want to keep that receipt with him? [Cue Mitch Hedberg.](http://youtu.be/X53ksjejmns) Who the fuck gets a receipt for candy at a 7-11? I have never ever asked for a receipt at a store like that. I own a hoodie too, and sometimes walk brazenly on sidewalks so I guess I’m fair game for some good old fashioned vigilante justice. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaptics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Sinaptics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaptics)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/754 "2012-03-30T18:57:09Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Who the fuck gets a receipt for candy at a 7-11? I have never ever asked for a receipt at a store like that. I own a hoodie too, and sometimes walk brazenly on sidewalks so I guess I’m fair game for some good old fashioned vigilante justice. I’m still a little disappointed about just finding out the Mitch Hedberg is deceased. I was just thinking about trying to go see him live. Guess that’s out. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/755 "2012-03-30T19:05:39Z")
Wait a second. There were charges filed, but then they were dropped? Well, that would explain why Zimmerman was in handcuffs. But it suggests that the focus should be on a judge rather than the police officers or the State Attorney. No snark intended or implied, but: cite? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/756 "2012-03-30T19:06:38Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Wait a second. There were charges filed, but then they were dropped? Well, that would explain why Zimmerman was in handcuffs. But it suggests that the focus should be on a judge rather than the police officers or the State Attorney. Different case. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/757 "2012-03-30T19:13:26Z")
Well, of course it was! Never said otherwise, just suggesting we keep an open mind about that case until all the evidence was in! I wasn’t wrong, you just misunderstood! Now, back to the all important issue of the alleged hat… ---
**Author:** ![BottledBlondJeanie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/0ea827/32.png) [@BottledBlondJeanie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BottledBlondJeanie)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/758 "2012-03-30T19:13:44Z")
**Elucidator** I asked in the other thread where you’re commenting, but I’ll make it here, too. Could you please respond to: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14918773&postcount=125](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14918773&postcount=125)? Thank you! If you’re just ignoring it, please mention it so we can all confirm it’s deliberate. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaptics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Sinaptics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaptics)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/759 "2012-03-30T19:15:57Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Wait a second. There were charges filed, but then they were dropped? Well, that would explain why Zimmerman was in handcuffs. But it suggests that the focus should be on a judge rather than the police officers or the State Attorney. > > No snark intended or implied, but: cite? This was for a previous incident in which Zimmerman was arrested for assault on a police office and violent resistance of a police officer. Wasn’t aware the charges were dropped, though. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881/760 "2012-03-30T19:22:26Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I have no idea what a “no-limit nigga” is supposed to be, Seriously? No idea at all? Let me ask you this: If you had to bet $100,000 either way on who is more likely to get into a fight – “no limit nigga” or “tmartin” – which would you take? > [@](#): > > which isn’t exactly conclusive proof. So what? I’m not claiming that these things happened. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881.md?page=37) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-team-trayvon-or-team-zimmerman/616881.md?page=39)