# Pitting the Zimmerman trial circus **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 13, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419 "2013-07-13T19:53:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/461 "2013-07-15T22:16:27Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Sorry Terr, but it’s pretty clear that he thinks that Martin was one of the “assholes” and the “punks.” You claimed that he “explicitly” referred to Martin as such. Did he? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/462 "2013-07-15T22:18:33Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Uh-huh. > > Now leaving aside Zimmerman’s criminal record, I don’t see what that has to do with the current discussion unless you have some reason to believe Zimmerman knew about Martin’s “murky past”. This is stupid. You say he suspected Martin, and was incorrect. When you “suspect” someone, it is implicit that you may not be correct. That is why it is “suspect” and not “know for certain”. Right? ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/463 "2013-07-15T22:22:57Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > You claimed that he “explicitly” referred to Martin as such. Did he? Dude, you’re vastly more pedantic than my sister and she has Aspergers. It’s rather obvious that yes, he thought Martin was one of the “fucking punks” and the “assholes” who “always get away.” You’re the only one denying it. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/464 "2013-07-15T22:27:12Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Dude, you’re vastly more pedantic than my sister and she has Aspergers. Dude, you can’t admit that you were incorrect in your statement. > [@](#): > > It’s rather obvious that yes, he thought Martin was one of the “fucking punks” and the “assholes” who “always get away.” Maybe. Maybe not. But he definitely did not “explicitly” call Martin that. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/465 "2013-07-15T22:32:02Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > To anyone: has Zimmerman ever said what action(s) of Martin’s he observed that led him to be suspicious of Martin? He walked between apartment buildings, which is apparently a clear sign of someone who’s Up To No Good. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/466 "2013-07-15T22:40:09Z")
Not sure if this thread is the right place for this, but another aspect of the trial circus is about to take place: [Juror signs book deal](http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/07/15/202378465/zimmerman-juror-signs-with-book-agent) She is going to explain why the juror “had no choice” but to acquit the defendant. Fine. She could do a (free) interview to a newspaper or magazine or HuffPo or NPR. She could write and sell an article to one of the first three. But no, she has to take this very divisive issue and milk it for all it’s worth, in order to make a buck. I’ll bet a couple of things: she told herself that she deserves whatever money she can get, for the four weeks she had to put in on the jury; and that the entire book will be ghost-written. Some people have no character. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/467 "2013-07-15T22:47:46Z")
I’m having a hard time seeing any reason why this shows weak character. It’s tacky, sure, but why shouldn’t she talk about her experience? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/468 "2013-07-15T22:55:24Z")
Are the Martins getting a book deal? ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/469 "2013-07-15T23:08:35Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > He walked between apartment buildings, which is apparently a clear sign of someone who’s Up To No Good. He didn’t claim that on the NEN call. He just said the kid was walking slowly and looking around. The kid _was_ probably walking slowly, because he was preoccupied with his phone conversation. And yet I’m inclined to think if the kid had been walking fast or running, Zimmerman would have found that suspicious too. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/470 "2013-07-15T23:12:06Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > And yet I’m inclined to think if the kid had been walking fast or running, Zimmerman would have found that suspicious too. I recall the 1970 comedy [_Watermelon Man._](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermelon_Man_(film)) White man and health nut Jeff Gerber has the eccentric habit of chasing the bus to work every morning instead of riding it – a proto-jogger, if you will (this being a bit before the craze). The whole neighborhood is used to this. He (mysteriously, overnight, never really explained how but it might have something to do with falling asleep under a sun lamp; also with soy sauce) turns black, and the next time he tries that he immediately draws a crowd of white people screaming “Stop him! He stole something!” _Plus ca change_ . . . ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/471 "2013-07-15T23:17:29Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I’m having a hard time seeing any reason why this shows weak character. It’s tacky, sure, but why shouldn’t she talk about her experience? I just don’t understand how it could be enough of an experience to write a book about. An interview in a decent magazine? Sure. But a whole book, with chapters and everything? It just can’t see it being very interesting. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/472 "2013-07-15T23:22:10Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I’m having a hard time seeing any reason why this shows weak character. It’s tacky, sure, but why shouldn’t she talk about her experience? Talk about it, sure, I want to read or hear that too. But I mentioned a couple of alternatives that would at least seem less grasping. Her position is rather like the bystander who took the video of Asiana 214 landing\*. She brings nothing to the table, not her talent or anything that adds value, just the fact that she happened to be there for something about which people car deeply. And she decided to milk that for whatever she could get. To me that shows lack of integrity. Your mileage may vary, of course. \*I don’t know if that guy got any money for that video, but apparently the NTSB had it pretty quickly, so at least he didn’t hold out for the best offer. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/473 "2013-07-15T23:24:56Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I just don’t understand how it could be enough of an experience to write a book about. > > An interview in a decent magazine? Sure. But a whole book, with chapters and everything? It just can’t see it being very interesting. YMMV. I guess no one will buy it then. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/474 "2013-07-15T23:26:01Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > He explicitly did NOT refer to Martin with those words. “Referring to Martin” would be “he’s a fucking punk” and “he is one of those assholes that always get away”. Correct. However, he IMPLICITLY referred to Martin as one of those fucking punks. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/475 "2013-07-15T23:29:05Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Dude, you’re vastly more pedantic than my sister and she has Aspergers. > > It’s rather obvious that yes, he thought Martin was one of the “fucking punks” and the “assholes” who “always get away.” > > You’re the only one denying it. What is the difference, Ibn, between the words “implicitly,” and “explicitly?” If you don’t know this my head will literally explode. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/476 "2013-07-15T23:33:26Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > What is the difference, Ibn, between the words “implicitly,” and “explicitly?” > > If you don’t know this my head will literally explode. If only. Sorry, couldn’t resist. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/477 "2013-07-15T23:38:32Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > If only. > Sorry, couldn’t resist. I trust the irony was not lost on anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/478 "2013-07-15T23:40:06Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > What is the difference, Ibn, between the words “implicitly,” and “explicitly?” > > If you don’t know this my head will literally explode. LOL. Literally. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/479 "2013-07-15T23:50:58Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > What is the difference, Ibn, between the words “implicitly,” and “explicitly?” > > If you don’t know this my head will literally explode. Heh. I trust you’re also a fan of How I Met Your Mother. My mother’s was an English teacher so yes I know the difference, just like all of us, I don’t scrutinize every post the way I’d scrutinize a college essay or legal brief. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419/480 "2013-07-16T01:58:11Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > In my view, Zimmerman is morally culpable for Martin’s death. > > Knowing he was armed, and knowing the police were on their way, Zimmerman had no good reason to go on foot at all. He did, and set in motion a chain of events that ended with Martin’s death. Zimmerman’s actions were completely legal, but unwise and foolish. > > In my opinion, of course. Who are you, and what have you done with **Bricker**? If its money you want, we can probably pitch in and raise something in the high two figures. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-zimmerman-trial-circus/663419.md?page=25)