# 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:** 74
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1462 "2012-05-18T15:01:00Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > Nothing like say alcohol though, which is a straight up fight-starter for lots of people. It’s a bit like amphetamine and dexy, that way. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1463 "2012-05-18T15:05:51Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > Yeah, you actually can do it with the reflexes of a drunk. Another strike against **BobLibDem** , someone who has made by far the worst arguments in this thread. Yeah, right. He couldn’t get change out of his pockets or pick something off the floor. But, by cracky, he’s a lean mean fightin’ machine moments later. What a wonter that Zimmerman was able to get off a shot while being pummeled to within an inch of his life, a beating so savage that it opened up a whopping 1/4 inch gash on Martin’s knuckle! Against evidence that overwhelming, how could the prosecutors dream of charging Zimmerman? ---
**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:** [May 18, 2012, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1464 "2012-05-18T15:06:06Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > Yeah, you actually can do it with the reflexes of a drunk. Another strike against **BobLibDem** , someone who has made by far the worst arguments in this thread. Worse than, “look at the suspicious way in which Martin takes money out of his pocket?” ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1465 "2012-05-18T15:08:17Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Worse than, “look at the suspicious way in which Martin takes money out of his pocket?” I didn’t call it suspicious. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1466 "2012-05-18T15:15:56Z")
> [@treis](#): > > I didn’t call it suspicious. > [@treis](#): > > I usually don’t jam both of my hands wrist deep in my pockets and then just sit there for 4 seconds while I’m digging around for cash. And that isn’t the only thing he does. He makes a bee line back into the store to pick up something off teh floor and then starts wandering again. \*\* He looks suspicious\*\*, and given the low speed at which he was walking, it is just one more thing corroborating Zimmerman’s account. Must have been a typo, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1467 "2012-05-18T15:19:01Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Must have been a typo, I guess. No, you just have poor reading comprehension. He looks suspicious refers to him walking back into the store. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1468 "2012-05-18T15:24:52Z")
What a joke. You’re desperately trying to label a “suspicious” tag on Martin, and you’ve gone out of your way to mention how long it takes him to fish money out of his pockets. Hell, you don’t take that long, do you? Must be something wrong about the boy. But, hey, as long as he’s “suspicious” in your eyes, there’s really nothing to see here, and we should release Zimmerman immediately and send him home on a parade float, right? ---
**Author:** ![enomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1469 "2012-05-18T15:28:53Z")
So Z suspects that M is high and armed but still gets close enough to get sucker punched. A former bouncer should be able to recognize signs of menace. Shoulda been backing up/ready for action as soon as “Do you have a problem?” But Z reaches for his phone to call 911 who he thinks never get there on time. How’s that conversation gonna go? “Yeah I found him. What do you want me to do now?” “Oh. I thought not following was a suggestion.” Plus who expects a “criminal” to just stand there while you call for help? ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1470 "2012-05-18T15:53:23Z")
> [@Honesty](#): > > The crime occured in Florida not Nevada or Ohio. I’m not sure what that matters, since it’s not like this is a DUI case. The point is that in some jurisdictions, Martin would be considered sufficiently intoxicated that he could not legally drive a vehicle. But I’ll play along: What is the cutoff for DUI in Florida? > [@](#): > > How is it the “same order magnitude”? Let me put it a different way: It’s in the same ballpark. By way of analogy, the DUI cutoff in my jurisdiction is 0.08. If my blood alcohol content were 0.06, I would be under the limit for driving but people would definitely notice that I am acting tipsy. > [@](#): > > In either case, I can assure you that Trayvon Martin was NOT “high on drugs” with a plasma concentration of 1.5 ng/mL of THC. I’ll vigorously defend that position and there’s no doctor worth his salt would tell you otherwise. To put it in perspective, finishing a joint of the finest Amsterdam kush (3% (w/v) THC) would spike plasma concentrations between 100 - 180 ng/mL. What is the highest blood THC level you would be comfortable with in an airplane pilot where you are a passenger? ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1471 "2012-05-18T15:58:17Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > I don’t know how much all that science “mumbo-jumbo” matters. The fact that he had THC in his system will be all a lot of jurors hear. From the point of view of the trial, I would agree with you. What exactly is the prosecution going to do? Bring in **Honesty** to testify as an expert that Martin’s THC levels were below a level consistent with intoxication? That will only draw attention to Martin’s drug use. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1472 "2012-05-18T16:03:42Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > What is the highest blood THC level you would be comfortable with in an airplane pilot where you are a passenger? Did you know that if you take **cranberries** and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than **rhubarb**? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1473 "2012-05-18T16:05:35Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > From the point of view of the trial, I would agree with you. What exactly is the prosecution going to do? Bring in **Honesty** to testify as an expert that Martin’s THC levels were below a level consistent with intoxication? That will only draw attention to Martin’s drug use. They will introduce GZ’s habitual use of Adderall and other drugs likely to cause aggressive behavior. ---
**Author:** ![Poochey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@Poochey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poochey)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1474 "2012-05-18T16:11:56Z")
There’s some interesting evidence released. I always wondered why they didn’t use Martin’s cell phone to call, or receive, information. The battery was dead, and they took a long time to recharge it, then didn’t know the password. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1475 "2012-05-18T16:20:07Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > They will introduce GZ’s habitual use of Adderall and other drugs likely to cause aggressive behavior. The prosecution better hope none of the jurors have children, grandchildren, nephews, or friends, who are on Adderall, or it might sound like the prosecution is saying anyone with ADD is a potential murderer. > [@monstro](#): > > 1. That Martin could inflict such damage without sustaining any bruises to his hands. (a small scratch below a knuckle does not count) What basis did you have to claim that the damage to Martin’s hand doesn’t count? If you believe that breaking someone’s nose with a punch is impossible to do without inflicting more damage than that to your fist, I can assure that it is not. I no longer have the callus buildup on my knuckles that I once did, but I can still break a pine board with a punch and not incur anything besides a little transitory redness. And breaking a board and breaking a nose are roughly the same order of difficulty. The fight as described by Zimmerman does not strike me as even a little out of the ordinary. Most of the street fights that end quickly are like this one - one guy attacks and overwhelms the other. It just so happened that in this case, the loser had a gun. That happens sometimes too, which is why street fighting is nearly always a bad idea. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![enomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1476 "2012-05-18T16:25:17Z")
This article has more on the girlfriend’s call. > **[More details emerge in Trayvon Martin investigation | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2012/05/18/justice/florida-teen-shooting/index.html)** > > Trayvon Martin’s girlfriend heard Martin say “get off, get off” before his call ended and he was killed, according to a recording released Friday. The story highlights atrribute “Get off. Get off.” to Martin but it doesn’t say that in the body of the article. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1477 "2012-05-18T16:32:07Z")
> [@treis](#): > > He looks suspicious, and given the low speed at which he was walking, It’s not just the speed, it’s also the way he sort of ambles along, his upper body subtly rocking from left to right. Try walking like that right now and you will see what I mean. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1478 "2012-05-18T16:33:17Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Did you know that if you take **cranberries** and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than **rhubarb**? No I didn’t. Now how about answering my question? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1479 "2012-05-18T16:34:55Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Now how about answering my question? What about it? ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1480 "2012-05-18T16:36:05Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > They will introduce GZ’s habitual use of Adderall and other drugs likely to cause aggressive behavior. I doubt that will come in, but if it does I don’t see it addressing the THC problem. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125/1481 "2012-05-18T16:39:02Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > What about it? What is your answer (if any)? What is the highest blood THC level you would be comfortable with in an airplane pilot where you are a passenger? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125.md?page=73) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-zimmerman-humble-opinions-and-speculation-thread/619125.md?page=75)