# Why hasn't the Neighborhood Watch shooter been arrested? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2012, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504 "2012-03-12T00:53:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 104
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2061 "2012-03-27T14:35:56Z")
Even if he was smoking he couldn’t have been _that_ high. He still had his Skittles. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2062 "2012-03-27T14:36:24Z")
> [@treis](#): > > This information isn’t from Zimmerman’s lawyer. It was first reported by the Orlando Sentinel and appears to have been leaked by someone in the police department. Yes, it is from [Zimmerman’s lawyer](http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/2012/03/27/witness-reportedly-saw-trayvon-martin-beating-george-zimmerman-shooting): > [@](#): > > CRAIG SOONER, GEORGE ZIMMERMAN’S ATTORNEY: I think when the evidence comes out, it will show that George Zimmerman was acting in self defense in this case, and when the rest of the evidence comes out, the fact that – the one fact we do know and that I can disclose at this point is that George Zimmerman suffered a broken nose, injuries to the back of his head and signs of a scuffle, being grass stained on the back of his shirt. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2063 "2012-03-27T14:40:30Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > People have been completely dimissive of the idea that Martin felt intimidated or threatened by Zimmerman’s actions, but when it is suggested that maybe blacks should arm themselves and engage in the same activity, suddenly it is not a good idea. Who said that? I have said the precise same thing about Zimmerman and about your idea of the Black Panthers’ patrol. Haven’t I? Did you ignore it because the answer didn’t fit the narrative you’re trying here? ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2064 "2012-03-27T14:41:28Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > If he was shot in the chest from that position, do you think it’s believable that he would remain alive long enough, not to mention remain strong long enough to maneuver himself up and on to his feet? Yes. **Stoid** clearly you have no practical experience with gunshot wounds outside of what you have seen on TV. As such you really should stop speculating about what is and is not possible as you don’t have a clue. Gunshot wounds to the chest are rarely immediately incapacitating unless the victim is struck in the spine. It is almost a guarantee that Martin did not die “instantly”. Tragically he probably had several moments of shocked panic and mobility as the flight instinct kicked in.\* ☹ \*Speculation of course. I have not seen any ME report, so am unaware of the exact nature of the wound. And will gladly eat my words if it is shown that the gunshot damaged his spinal cord. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2065 "2012-03-27T15:14:59Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Yes, it is from [Zimmerman’s lawyer](http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/2012/03/27/witness-reportedly-saw-trayvon-martin-beating-george-zimmerman-shooting): He may have said it first, but the Sentinel confirmed it from police reports: > [@](#): > > With a single punch, Trayvon Martin decked the Neighborhood Watch volunteer who eventually shot and killed the unarmed 17-year-old, then Trayvon climbed on top of George Zimmerman and slammed his head into the sidewalk, leaving him bloody and battered, **law-enforcement authorities told the Orlando Sentinel.** > [@](#): > > When police arrived less than two minutes later, Zimmerman was bleeding from the nose, had a swollen lip and had bloody lacerations to the back of his head. [http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-26/news/os-trayvon-martin-zimmerman-account-20120326\_1\_miami-schools-punch-unarmed-black-teenager](http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-26/news/os-trayvon-martin-zimmerman-account-20120326_1_miami-schools-punch-unarmed-black-teenager) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2066 "2012-03-27T15:21:35Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I call objection, relevance. Why are we even discussing this burglary tool garbage? What possible relevance does it have to the events of the night in question? > > . Bricker, while I agree that as is, this would not get to a regular jury on a trial, I don’t think it’s entirely irrelevant. As has been wondered here- why on earth did Martin jump Zimmerman? Did Martin fear for his life? This is something I have been trying to figure out myself. But IF Martin was a dude who liked to commit minor acts of burglary, then attacking Zimmeman no longer has a self-defense motive. Mind you, I don’t think it answers the question, but it’s A possible answer. This may get to the Grand Jury. One or two members of that body may feel it’s relevant. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2067 "2012-03-27T15:24:08Z")
> [@grude](#): > > Marijuana can be detected in hair up to 90 days post use, and I think thats only because they only look at the past 90 days of hair growth. For blood and urine it depends what your use was like and your metabolism but its anywhere from days to a month. This is the longest detection period of common drugs I believe. > > My point being that having drugs detectable doesn’t mean you were currently intoxicated. True. But the ME can do more than just test hair; he can test the blood, etc, and show the current levels of the drug. So, if Martin was high as a kite then, they can detect that also. I have my doubts he was high, but until they release the tox screen, we really won’t know. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2068 "2012-03-27T15:27:47Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > People have been completely dimissive of the idea that Martin felt intimidated or threatened by Zimmerman’s actions, but when it is suggested that maybe blacks should arm themselves and engage in the same activity, suddenly it is not a good idea. > > An armed stranger questioning you on the street in threatening. Anyone who says Martin should not have been scared by Zimmerman’s actions should not have a problem with others replicating that behavior. Except from that we know, it does not appear Martin knew Zimmerman was armed. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2069 "2012-03-27T15:30:22Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > But IF Martin was a dude who liked to commit minor acts of burglary, then attacking Zimmeman no longer has a self-defense motive. Wait, what? I was unaware that minor acts of burglary were equivalent to assault and battery. There’s a major leap between a high school kid stealing stuff for kicks (allegedly), which is some pretty common “boys will be boys” behavior, and approaching and attacking a grown man without provocation. Major leap. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2070 "2012-03-27T15:34:00Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > There’s a major leap between a high school kid stealing stuff for kicks (allegedly), which is some pretty common “boys will be boys” behavior, and approaching and attacking a grown man without provocation. Major leap. Sure. But why did Martin jump Zimmerman? Did he think he had been caught committing burglary or was he minding his own business and thought Zimmerman was going to attack? I admit the first is unlikely, but before this came out, it wasn’t even that. ---
**Author:** ![DirtyBird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@DirtyBird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirtyBird)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2071 "2012-03-27T15:43:30Z")
Excuse this hijack, but lets play a hypothetical game for a few seconds: Zimmerman goes to trial and is found not guilty. Do we see Rodney King-esque riots across the U.S.? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2072 "2012-03-27T15:44:03Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > But IF Martin was a dude who liked to commit minor acts of burglary, then attacking Zimmeman no longer has a self-defense motive. No, unless he was committing burglary at that moment, it would still be self-defense, regardless of whether he might have committed burglary in the past. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2073 "2012-03-27T15:44:31Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Sure. But why did Martin jump Zimmerman? Did he think he had been caught committing burglary or was he minding his own business and thought Zimmerman was going to attack? I admit the first is unlikely, but before this came out, it wasn’t even that. Maybe I missed it, but how do we know that Martin “jumped” Zimmerman? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2074 "2012-03-27T15:55:05Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Maybe I missed it, but how do we know that Martin “jumped” Zimmerman? Details are scarce, but that seems to be the consensus, based upon the statements. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2075 "2012-03-27T15:56:54Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > No, unless he was committing burglary at that moment, it would still be self-defense, regardless of whether he might have committed burglary in the past. Why is it self-defense? Why DID Martin jump Zimmerman? And, he may have been in the act of trying a window when he first saw Zimmerman. Or not. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2076 "2012-03-27T15:59:15Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Details are scarce, but that seems to be the consensus, based upon the statements. Cite? Any statements other than the shooter’s? ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2077 "2012-03-27T16:01:38Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Sure. But why did Martin jump Zimmerman? Did he think he had been caught committing burglary or was he minding his own business and thought Zimmerman was going to attack? I admit the first is unlikely, but before this came out, it wasn’t even that. Because Zimmerman tried to physically detain him until the police arrived. Martin didn’t like being physically detained, so he struggled to free himself. Zimmerman become more aggressive and Martin responded in kind. The whole “Martin jumped Zimmerman out of the blue” thing is entirely a fabrication of Zimmerman’s, and I’m not inclined to believe it. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2078 "2012-03-27T16:02:27Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > Because Zimmerman tried to physically detain him until the police arrived. Martin didn’t like being physically detained, so he struggled to free himself. Zimmerman become more aggressive and Martin responded in kind. There is no evidence at all to support this version of events. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2079 "2012-03-27T16:02:40Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > Wait, what? I was unaware that minor acts of burglary were equivalent to assault and battery. > > There’s a major leap between a high school kid stealing stuff for kicks (allegedly), which is some pretty common “boys will be boys” behavior, and approaching and attacking a grown man without provocation. Major leap. There’s also a major leap between neighborhood watch calling in a suspicious person and starting a fight. Either way, we don’t have any way of knowing who threw the first punch, or started the confrontation. What the geography indicates is that Martin wanted the confrontation, or at least did not take ridiculously easy steps to avoid it. We also know that Martin got the upper hand, inflicting at least two good hits and then pounded Zimmerman’s head into the sidewalk. Those facts suggest to me that Martin didn’t like being stared at, confronted Zimmerman, and then decked him. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2080 "2012-03-27T16:05:34Z")
> [@treis](#): > > What the geography indicates is that Martin wanted the confrontation, or at least did not take ridiculously easy steps to avoid it. We also know that Martin got the upper hand, inflicting at least two good hits and then pounded Zimmerman’s head into the sidewalk. Those facts suggest to me that Martin didn’t like being stared at, confronted Zimmerman, and then decked him. How do we know any of this? Is it just Zimmerman’s statement? For example, how do we know his head was pounded into the sidewalk, rather than he slipped and fell? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504.md?page=103) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504.md?page=105)