# Martin/Zimmerman: humble opinions and speculation thread **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 18, 2012, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125 "2012-04-18T04:41:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 618
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12344 "2013-07-12T03:40:58Z")
> [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > I am aware of young males. They make bad decisions a lot. They don’t usually start their murderous criminal careers [“your going to die tonight”] after a trip to 7/11 for skittles. But Zimmerman starts his murderous career during a trip to Target? Neither party planned this encounter, nobody set out looking violence that night. > [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > Trayvon doesn’t lose “respek” (D Ali G reference) for not getting raped by a creepy guy. I think you lost track of the question, it was reasons Martin might attack Zimmerman unprovoked. > [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > Nobody was “clownin” on Trayvon. “What are you doing here?”… > [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > He wasn’t a gangster according to all available information, was he? He was fond of street fighting and had a variety of disciplinary problems. Not a gangster, but not averse to fighting or making bad decisions. > [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > Jeantel told him to run(and he did) not exactly egging him on now is that? Right, she told him to run, and he did. Young men aren’t overly fond of seeming weak and frightened, and young Southern men in particular aren’t fond of slights to their honor. > [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > To put these kinds of assumptions on a kid who dressed the way millions of kids around the world do is not acceptable. You lost track of the issue again, these aren’t assumptions, they are reasonable possibilities. I didn’t mention Martin’s attire. > [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > If TM intended to ambush Zimmerman why didn’t he use the heavy can of tea in his pocket? Maybe he didn’t have time to get it out after GZ put his hands on him? What ambush? In both Zimmerman’s account and Ms. Jeantel’s, Martin speaks first. There was no ambush. > [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > "Trayvon wouldn’t reasonably be offended by Zimmerman’s questioning, in fact according to Zimmerman it was Trayvon (the kid) who opened a dialogue with Zimmerman. Why even talk if you are just going to start beating somebody? That makes anti-sense. How could Martin attack Zimmerman for his offensive question (or questions) _before Zimmerman spoke them_? > [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > Weed smoked hours earlier will not have any effect on him other than to make him feel tired. Or, impair his judgment. > [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > Zimmermans 911 call was evidence of his motive not to kill Trayvon, but certainly to stop him and make him answer for his “suspicious” behavior. Zimmerman wanted to “get him”. I asked politely for you not to tease me. Show me the evidence; make your case that Zimmerman had reasons to capture Martin and what they were. Don’t just tell me it’s in the NEN call, tell me what you’re referring to and what you think it means. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12345 "2013-07-12T04:01:59Z")
> [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > If TM intended to ambush Zimmerman why didn’t he use the heavy can of tea in his pocket? Maybe he didn’t have time to get it out after GZ put his hands on him? Nah, that might appear threatening. If you really want to go for the one punch knock out, you have to be face to face with your target and you have to talk to them at least a little to assess how much their guard is up. Here is why it is so hard for me to figure what happened. If Martin is scared and feels threatened he might want to end the threat right away. If running isn’t the choice then one punching the cracker just might be. In that scenario, I can’t imagine him saying “You got a problem now”. I’d expect something less antagonistic, then POW! Right in the kisser. If he isn’t scared and and is just blustering I suppose he could say something like that. Then Zimmerman goes for the phone. Trayvon suspects he is going for a gun? Fight and struggle ensues, actual gun is spotted, end result is Trayvon dead. Still a whole lot of speculation required to get through. I agree with Septimus, it was reckless of Zimmerman to “go after”, “go looking for”, or exit the vehicle at all. It is neighborhood watch, not neighborhood pursue. ---
**Author:** ![Mr-Pookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@Mr-Pookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr-Pookie)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12346 "2013-07-12T04:07:55Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > But Zimmerman starts his murderous career during a trip to Target? Neither party planned this encounter, nobody set out looking violence that night. I agree, but one guy set out to “get a bad guy” after his trip to the store. And boy did he get him. > [@](#): > > “What are you doing here?”… Remember that was Martins question (according to Zimmerman). > [@](#): > > He was fond of street fighting and had a variety of disciplinary problems. Not a gangster, but not averse to fighting or making bad decisions. > > Right, she told him to run, and he did. Young men aren’t overly fond of seeming weak and frightened, and young Southern men in particular aren’t fond of slights to their honor. > > You lost track of the issue again, these aren’t assumptions, they are reasonable possibilities. > > I didn’t mention Martin’s attire. I do wonder if we’d be talking about this if he didn’t look like he did. You speak like you know this is how Trayvon thought? So Ill ask you to prove it. Why is it that Trayvon can reasonably be found guilty of being a thug based on where he lives, but any question of Zimmerman’s motives must be backed up by books of evidence. > [@](#): > > What ambush? In both Zimmerman’s account and Ms. Jeantel’s, Martin speaks first. There was no ambush. Yes, I just wonder why talk at all if you jump out of the bushes or darkness and intend to beat on Zimmerman? > [@](#): > > That makes anti-sense. How could Martin attack Zimmerman for his offensive question (or questions) _before Zimmerman spoke them_ No you contadict your boy’s testimony. Zimmerman never asked a single question to Martin according to his interviews. So I guess martin would have attacked (and I doubt martin attacked unprovoked) before he could be offended by Zimmerman. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12347 "2013-07-12T08:38:44Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > [QUOTE=septimus] > So two wrongs make a right? You didn’t answer me… [/QUOTE] We’re not in the Pit. Are we allowed to call other Doper’s thinking childish? You write as though you do embrace the notion that “two wrongs make a right.” In American schools, 3rd-grade teachers try to disabuse kids of that notion. Where did you go to school, **Terr**? Even more childish, you refuse to answer my question until I answer your self-answering question, _despite that my query about “two wrongs” implies that Martin was wrong._ If you need everything spelled out then, Yes, it was wrong for Martin to lose his temper and attack the asshole wannabe who was harassing him, assuming that’s how the incident went down. What’s your point? Should we dig Martin’s corpse up and sentence it to a jail term? Have you ever done anything wrong, **Terr**? Did you pay for it with your life? I’ve tried to explain why it’s immoral and cowardly to provoke a fist fight while carrying a concealed handgun you’re willing to use. I won’t try to explain this further – those who don’t get it just suffer from some blindspot in ethics or common sense. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12348 "2013-07-12T10:30:27Z")
> [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > Why is it that Trayvon can reasonably be found guilty of being a thug based on where he lives, but any question of Zimmerman’s motives must be backed up by books of evidence. Zimmerman’s on trial, Martin isn’t. That’s why. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12349 "2013-07-12T11:24:57Z")
> [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > I agree, but one guy set out to “get a bad guy” after his trip to the store. And boy did he get him. You keep saying that…why can’t you, or won’t you, tell me where in the NEN call Zimmerman says he’s going to get a bad guy, or provides a reason he might do so? > [@Mr=Pookie](#): > > Remember that was Martins question (according to Zimmerman). No, Zimmerman’s version has Martin approaching him and saying “You got a problem?” Zimmerman then says “No, I don’t have a problem” and goes for his phone, and Martin says “You got one now” and punches him. The “Why are you following me?” / “What are you doing here?” exchange is from Ms. Jeantel’s testimony, not Zimmerman’s account. > [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > I do wonder if we’d be talking about this if he didn’t look like he did. You mean if he wasn’t a young man? Sure. If Martin were female or in his 40s, I’d consider is less likely for him to start a fight. > [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > You speak like you know this is how Trayvon thought? I’ve said twice now that this isn’t the case. These are reasonable possibilities, which are part of a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman started the fight. They are not facts. > [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > So Ill ask you to prove it. Why is it that Trayvon can reasonably be found guilty of being a thug based on where he lives, but any question of Zimmerman’s motives must be backed up by books of evidence. Ideally, speculation about _either_ of their motives should be backed up with evidence. Speaking of, what evidence do you have of Zimmerman’s motive? > [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > Yes, I just wonder why talk at all if you jump out of the bushes or darkness and intend to beat on Zimmerman? I don’t know, I’ve never beat on anyone. But words were exchanged, witnesses heard it, as did Ms. Jeantel on the phone. So neither party just leapt out and attacked the other. > [@Mr-Pookie](#): > > No you contadict your boy’s testimony. Zimmerman never asked a single question to Martin according to his interviews. So I guess martin would have attacked (and I doubt martin attacked unprovoked) before he could be offended by Zimmerman. He’s not my boy. If you accept Zimmerman’s version and not Ms. Jeantel’s, then Martin was already angry and spoiling for a fight when he approached Zimmerman at the T (“You got a problem? You got one now”), and punched him in the face. Obviously, if Zimmerman’s version is true, then Zimmerman was acting in self defense when he fired. Any use of Zimmerman’s story is met with a deluge of “He’s a liar! He’s the one on trial!”, which is fair to a point, so I was using Ms. Jeantel’s version. If you accept Zimmerman’s as true, then…case closed, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12350 "2013-07-12T12:00:06Z")
So the jury has three choices? Murder, just manslaughter, neither. I would assume that the “reasonable doubt” and “self-defence” arguments that make _not guilty_ the proper Murder verdict would also apply to Manslaughter. Does jury now have the “opportunity” to send a (legally unsound) “message”? ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12351 "2013-07-12T12:06:37Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > So the jury has three choices? Murder, just manslaughter, neither. I would assume that the “reasonable doubt” and “self-defence” arguments that make _not guilty_ the proper Murder verdict would also apply to Manslaughter. Does jury now have the “opportunity” to send a (legally unsound) “message”? Right. Florida manslaughter statute: > [@](#): > > (1) The killing of a human being by the act, procurement, or culpable negligence of another, **without lawful justification according to the provisions of chapter 776** and in cases in which such killing shall not be excusable homicide or murder, according to the provisions of this chapter, is manslaughter, a felony of the second degree. Bolding mine. In chapter 776 we find 776.012: > [@](#): > > However, a person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if: > (1) He or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony; or > > (2) Under those circumstances permitted pursuant to s. 776.013. So, if the jury doesn’t believe self-defense was disproven beyond a reasonable doubt, they can’t convict on manslaughter either. ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12352 "2013-07-12T12:38:21Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > So the jury has three choices? Murder, just manslaughter, neither. I would assume that the “reasonable doubt” and “self-defence” arguments that make _not guilty_ the proper Murder verdict would also apply to Manslaughter? Not necessarily - the jury may have reasonable doubt as to the ‘depraved state of mind’ bit required for Murder 2, but be confident that Zimmerman’s reckless actions resulted in Martin’s death. That’s certainly what I’d vote for if on the jury. Either way, I think you’re right in that the jury would have to agree that use of lethal force was not justified since the threat of death or grave bodily harm was not ‘imminent’ or ‘reasonable’. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12353 "2013-07-12T12:57:46Z")
Just want to pimp my thread on a completely hypothetical incident: [So I am on a lonely road in Florida](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=696282) ---
**Author:** ![Zyanthia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Zyanthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyanthia)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12354 "2013-07-12T13:12:04Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > I’ve tried to explain why it’s immoral and cowardly to provoke a fist fight while carrying a concealed handgun you’re willing to use. I won’t try to explain this further – those who don’t get it just suffer from some blindspot in ethics or common sense. To be completely fair, Zimmerman told the police he forgot he was wearing the gun. But in my opinion, this just makes things worse. IMO, when you are the owner of a gun, it is your responsibility to know where it is at all times. The fact that Zimmerman admits to losing control of the gun (he can’t have control if he doesn’t know where it is), should add criminal negligence to the list of charges being brought against him. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12355 "2013-07-12T13:19:17Z")
> [@Zyanthia](#): > > The fact that Zimmerman admits to losing control of the gun (he can’t have control if he doesn’t know where it is), should add criminal negligence to the list of charges being brought against him. Florida has [a statute for culpable negligence.](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0784/Sections/0784.05.html) Which part did Zimmerman violate by having his pistol securely in his holster, even if in the heat of the moment he lost conscious awareness of it? > [@](#): > > (1) Whoever, through culpable negligence, exposes another person to personal injury commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. > > (2) Whoever, through culpable negligence, inflicts actual personal injury on another commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. > > (3) Whoever violates subsection (1) by storing or leaving a loaded firearm within the reach or easy access of a minor commits, if the minor obtains the firearm and uses it to inflict injury or death upon himself or herself or any other person, a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. However, this subsection does not apply: > (a) If the firearm was stored or left in a securely locked box or container or in a location which a reasonable person would have believed to be secure, or was securely locked with a trigger lock; > > (b) If the minor obtains the firearm as a result of an unlawful entry by any person; > > (c) To injuries resulting from target or sport shooting accidents or hunting accidents; or > > (d) To members of the Armed Forces, National Guard, or State Militia, or to police or other law enforcement officers, with respect to firearm possession by a minor which occurs during or incidental to the performance of their official duties. > > When any minor child is accidentally shot by another family member, no arrest shall be made pursuant to this subsection prior to 7 days after the date of the shooting. With respect to any parent or guardian of any deceased minor, the investigating officers shall file all findings and evidence with the state attorney’s office with respect to violations of this subsection. The state attorney shall evaluate such evidence and shall take such action as he or she deems appropriate under the circumstances and may file an information against the appropriate parties. > > 1(4) As used in this act, the term “minor” means any person under the age of 16. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12356 "2013-07-12T13:27:59Z")
> [@Zyanthia](#): > > To be completely fair, Zimmerman told the police he forgot he was wearing the gun. But in my opinion, this just makes things worse. > > IMO, when you are the owner of a gun, it is your responsibility to know where it is at all times. The fact that Zimmerman admits to losing control of the gun (he can’t have control if he doesn’t know where it is), should add criminal negligence to the list of charges being brought against him. That’s in your opinion. But since the law in Florida doesn’t consider that an act of criminal negligence, what you’re saying in more spelled out form is (I think): The fact that Zimmerman admits to losing control of the gun (he can’t have control if he doesn’t know where it is), should add criminal negligence to the list of charges being brought against him, if only Florida’s law comported with my view of how the law should read - which, sadly, it does not. Yes? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12357 "2013-07-12T14:03:54Z")
Anybody who believes that bullshit about Zimmerman’s claim that he forgot he had his gun with him is either completely in the tank for Zimmie, or incredibly gullible. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12358 "2013-07-12T14:06:28Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Anybody who believes that bullshit about Zimmerman’s claim that he forgot he had his gun with him is either completely in the tank for Zimmie, or incredibly gullible. Do you carry a concealed firearm, by any chance? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12359 "2013-07-12T14:07:45Z")
No. I’m not that afraid of life. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12360 "2013-07-12T14:11:10Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > No. I’m not that afraid of life. Well, I do. I carry a pistol similar to Zimmerman’s, actually: small and lightweight. And I carry it the same way he did: inside-the-waistband holster, just behind the right hip. Once you’ve carried a pistol like that for a while, it’s not something you’re actively thinking about any more than you think about your wallet or keys. Furthermore, if Zimmerman _did_ have conscious awareness of his pistol at all times during the encounter, that actually makes his claim of self-defense stronger, since he waited until he was pinned and beaten to draw it. I doubt I’d have been so restrained. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12361 "2013-07-12T14:13:21Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > That’s in your opinion. IANAL and the more I learn about Florida’s stupid Stand-your-ground law, etc. etc. etc. the happier I am that IANAL. Many of us examine the facts in a case like this primarily on the basis of Right and Wrong or what we think the law _should_ be. We do realize that this will confuse those whose preoccupation with legal procedures have blinded them to ordinary concepts like Right and Wrong. But that doesn’t make our view less correct, _in our context_, nor hyper-legal views less wrong. I filed a civil suit once, in a case so open-and-shut I should have tried to litigate it by myself. I ended up with two lawyers, one who cheated me, one who insulted me. The one who insulted me also cheated the IRS, so I think I ended up paying income tax on his half of the settlement as well as my own. “Present company excepted,” I tend to agree with the character in Shakespeare’s _King Henry VI, Part 2_: [QUOTE=Dick] The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12362 "2013-07-12T14:21:01Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > Many of us examine the facts in a case like this primarily on the basis of Right and Wrong or what we think the law _should_ be. They say a conservative is a liberal who has been mugged. A liberal is a conservative who has been indicted. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Zyanthia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Zyanthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyanthia)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/12363 "2013-07-12T14:21:47Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > That’s in your opinion. But since the law in Florida doesn’t consider that an act of criminal negligence, what you’re saying in more spelled out form is (I think): > > The fact that Zimmerman admits to losing control of the gun (he can’t have control if he doesn’t know where it is), should add criminal negligence to the list of charges being brought against him, if only Florida’s law comported with my view of how the law should read - which, sadly, it does not. > > Yes? Yes 🙂 That’s why I preceded with IMO, which I thought was in my opinion. If I were writing laws, I would definitely push for something that makes him responsible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125.md?page=617) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125.md?page=619)