# 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:** 110
**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, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2181 "2012-03-27T22:59:35Z")
Sure. And of course we have to take them with a grain of salt, like pretty much everything here. Response to PatriotX ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2182 "2012-03-27T22:59:54Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Nope. But that is the consensus as of now, we have nothing to support the other side. Seriously, one report = consensus? When did that happen? ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2183 "2012-03-27T23:17:29Z")
> [@treis](#): > > What you call “stalking” is running for ~20 seconds to see where a suspicious guy ran off to. Where did you get this 20seconds? AFAICT, Z is out and about for at least 1:35 + If he was only looking for M for 20 seconds, he would have left the area while he was still on the hone w/ the PD. afaict anyway. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2184 "2012-03-27T23:23:27Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Funny that the point of aim when hunting is the chest, entirely because that’s where the heart and lungs are. > > How long do you think you’d live without an [aorta](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Aorta_scheme_noTags.svg)? > > CMC fnord! til your brain runs out of oxygen? ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2185 "2012-03-27T23:56:23Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > It doesn’t matter. We aren’t going to charge Martin with a felony, but we can use this to evaluate Zimmerman’s credibility . As I mentioned in one of posts yesterday, I changed my evaluation of Zimmerman’s story that Martin attacked him without previous interaction from BS to maybe based on this. … which is exactly \*why \*Zimmerman’s defenders are scouring Martin’s past for anything they can find. Do you suppose they’ll find anything which indicates that Martin needed killin’? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2186 "2012-03-28T00:00:40Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > … which is exactly \*why \*Zimmerman’s defenders are scouring Martin’s past for anything they can find. Do you suppose they’ll find anything which indicates that Martin needed killin’? … and those howling for Zimmerman’s blood are scouring Zimmerman’s past for anything they can find. Neither is really relevant. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2187 "2012-03-28T00:13:41Z")
[ABC News is now reporting](http://abcnews.go.com/US/trayvon-martin-dogged-disciplinary-problems-school/story?id=16011674#.T3JXLTEgd4k) that the lead investigator in the shooting wanted to charge Zimmerman with manslaughter on the night of the shooting, but was overruled by the state attorney’s office. ---
**Author:** ![xanthous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/53a042/32.png) [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2188 "2012-03-28T00:20:17Z")
You beat me to it. So, is this news or just amplified SOP? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2189 "2012-03-28T00:22:06Z")
The same story says this detective, named Serino, filed an affidavit that same night saying that he didn’t find Zimmerman’s version of the story credible. Maybe a lawyer can fill in here – would this be a standard for a detective to do in order to get an arrest warrant? The story also notes that Zimmerman was first questioned by a narcotics detective, not a homicide detective, but doesn’t say which one Serino is. Also interesting about that is whether the police believed this was a drug-related shooting, or it just happened to be that there wasn’t a homicide detective available at the time to do the questioning. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2190 "2012-03-28T00:25:09Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > … and those howling for Zimmerman’s blood are scouring Zimmerman’s past for anything they can find. > > Neither is really relevant. Because that evil racist freak hunted down and murdered a child for buying skittles. Martin would still be alive, if not for Zimmerman’s complete disregard of 911, and completely creepy and threatening stalking through the night. Quite frankly I hope Zimmerman’s parents get reminded daily how their failure as parents caused an innocent child to be murdered. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2191 "2012-03-28T00:26:44Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > Because a he hunted down and murdered a child for buying skittles. As long as we’re going for fantastic hyperbole, Martin has savaged and mutilated Zimmerman for nothing more than caring deeply about his neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2192 "2012-03-28T00:43:10Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > As long as we’re going for fantastic hyperbole, Martin has savaged and mutilated Zimmerman for nothing more than caring deeply about his neighborhood. Great job you’re doing defending the indefensible. It’s really depressing that people like you have had, and will have, influence over my life and the lives of my loved ones. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2193 "2012-03-28T00:44:30Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > [ABC News is now reporting](http://abcnews.go.com/US/trayvon-martin-dogged-disciplinary-problems-school/story?id=16011674#.T3JXLTEgd4k) that the lead investigator in the shooting wanted to charge Zimmerman with manslaughter on the night of the shooting, but was overruled by the state attorney’s office. Why am I not surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2194 "2012-03-28T00:47:06Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > … and those howling for Zimmerman’s blood are scouring Zimmerman’s past for anything they can find. > > Neither is really relevant. When a woman is raped, did she deserve it because someone said she’s a slut? Of the two, Zimmerman and Martin, which one is still alive to defend himself and accuse the other of starting it? That’s exactly why it’s relevant; Zimmerman’s only defense is to paint Martin as the aggressor. See, now- here’s the thing: I’m not defending Martin. I’m not accusing Zimmerman. I simply want a thorough investigation into the situation- _something you should want, too_. A lot of people, however, are trying to paint Martin as the bad guy- and he’s not around to defend himself. Zimmerman _is_. As an aside, I’m sure it’s just coincidence that sites such as Stormfront are among Zimmerman’s most ardent defenders. Ask yourself this- if the situation were reversed, if Martin had killed Zimmerman, admitted it, and had been released that night without so much as being arrested, would you be defending _him_? Personally, I’d want him to have been arrested and the situation investigated as thoroughly as \*this \*case should have been. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2195 "2012-03-28T00:57:33Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > See, now- here’s the thing: I’m not defending Martin. I’m not accusing Zimmerman. I simply want a thorough investigation into the situation- _something you should want, too_. Then you should be satisfied - it is ongoing. > [@](#): > > Ask yourself this- if the situation were reversed, if Martin had killed Zimmerman, admitted it, and had been released that night without so much as being arrested, would you be defending _him_? If there were eyewitnesses of Zimmerman beating up on Martin while Martin was prone on the ground and crying for help? Definitely. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2196 "2012-03-28T01:10:01Z")
> [@just\_some\_guy5](#): > > Apparently the reported weight of 140 lbs was incorrect. The police report puts his weight at 160 lbs. > > [http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news\_columnists\_ezorn/2012/03/trayvon-martin-shooting-death-initial-police-reports.html](http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2012/03/trayvon-martin-shooting-death-initial-police-reports.html) I haven’t seen this before. I wonder if they actually weigh everybody or the police just eyeballs it. I suspect eyeball, since it doesn’t look like there would have been time for the coroner’s report to be done. Newme needs to adjust his map, since this report shows 2831 Retreat View which is little further down on the east side of the sidewalk. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2197 "2012-03-28T01:35:37Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > Because that evil racist freak hunted down and murdered a child for buying skittles. Martin would still be alive, if not for Zimmerman’s complete disregard of 911, and completely creepy and threatening stalking through the night. > Quite frankly I hope Zimmerman’s parents get reminded daily how their failure as parents caused an innocent child to be murdered. Wow. That’s a fair bit of extrapolation there. Did it hurt? ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2198 "2012-03-28T01:37:04Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > If there were eyewitnesses of Zimmerman beating up on Martin while Martin was prone on the ground and crying for help? Definitely. prone? or supine? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2199 "2012-03-28T01:41:06Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > Because that evil racist freak hunted down and murdered a child for buying skittles. Martin would still be alive, if not for Zimmerman’s complete disregard of 911, and completely creepy and threatening stalking through the night. > > Quite frankly I hope Zimmerman’s parents get reminded daily how their failure as parents caused an innocent child to be murdered. Wow. No need for facts to get in your way. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2200 "2012-03-28T01:43:00Z")
> [@PatriotX](#): > > prone? or supine? supine. You caught me 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504.md?page=109) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504.md?page=111)