# 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:** 119
**Author:** ![Minnie\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Minnie\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minnie_Luna)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2361 "2012-03-29T15:30:09Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And just to clarify something I said earlier, while I STILL advocate waiting for the complete report before reaching any conclusions, I am prepared to say that if there is no additional evidence explaining why Zimmerman looks so uninjured in the video, then I don’t believe his story. I saw the police surveillance video. I didn’t see any cuts or blood on Zimmerman and you get a pretty good view of all angles of his head. I too was waiting for everything to “come out” before reaching a conclusion, but the police video does sway my opinion as such that he was not seriously physically attacked. As someone whose nose was broken recently, the sucker didn’t stop bleeding for a good hour and a half, my jacket and pants were covered with blood. Plus I was pretty puffy eyed and looked like I had just had my nose broken before it stopped bleeding. I was at the ER within an hour and when the triage nurse asked what was wrong and I said I think I broke my nose, she said, “sure looks like you did.” I am assuming that the police video is at least one hour past the incident. (I know the plural of anecdote is not data, but I am assuming most broken noses behave in a similar fashion) ---
**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 29, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2362 "2012-03-29T15:39:32Z")
[This website claims to have enhanced a frame from the video that may show a head injury](http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/29/police-surveillance-video-of-zimmerman-may-show-head-injury/). I can’t speak to the credibility of the site. ---
**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 29, 2012, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2363 "2012-03-29T15:41:22Z")
One other thing. My nose was broken as a child, and it didn’t bleed at all. My mouth did, because my face slammed into pavement, but not my nose. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2364 "2012-03-29T15:43:20Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And just to clarify something I said earlier, while I STILL advocate waiting for the complete report before reaching any conclusions, I am prepared to say that if there is no additional evidence explaining why Zimmerman looks so uninjured in the video, then I don’t believe his story. And one example of additional evidence would be factual account of how a broken nose might behave. I am willing to learn. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2365 "2012-03-29T15:45:18Z")
> [@Minnie\_Luna](#): > > (I know the plural of anecdote is not data, but I am assuming most broken noses behave in a similar fashion) Not in my experience. Broken my nose several times. It has always bled, but not every time did it bleed severely. And not every time was it displaced in any significantly noticeable way. Though in all cases, somewhat obvious swelling set in within the first couple hours. All that being said, a broken nose alone to me is not a fear for your life situation. I would expect a lot more injuries/abrasions. More and more I find it likely that Zimmerman tried to restrain Martin until police arrived and this likely triggered the altercation. However I have my doubts that there will ever be clear cut enough evidence to prove this or any other scenario in a court of law. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2366 "2012-03-29T16:01:02Z")
Joel Upchurch, I don’t think the bump you show is the type of injury GZ would get from his head bneing slammed into the concrete. I would think if that was happened, the bump would bne higher up on his head, at the part that protruded the most. The bump shown is lower on the head, at a part which would likely not come into contact with the concrete in such a case. That said, I would tend to assume there was some sort of injury, since it’s described on the police report. But I don’t think the one you point to is the one. But I’m not sure that the severity of the injury is the big deal, though. If someone is beating up another guy, I would imagine the beatee could legitimately fear for his life even if he has not (yet) been severely injured - or injured at all, FTM. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2367 "2012-03-29T16:04:41Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > [This website claims to have enhanced a frame from the video that may show a head injury](http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/29/police-surveillance-video-of-zimmerman-may-show-head-injury/). I can’t speak to the credibility of the site. Their picture isn’t as clear as the picture I posted last night on this thread and it appears to be exactly the same frame. Sloppy work. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2368 "2012-03-29T16:07:56Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > This paired with the supposed “You gotta problem? Well now you do!” [POW! SMACK! BIFF!] of Zimmerman’s account sounds completely made up. This is why I think the cops deserve all the hell they’ve gotten. Any cop that’s been on the job longer than 3 months is an expert at catching lies much slicker than this. “Well now you do” rings so false that, at a minimum, it should have earned Zimmerman a sideeye from the cops. But “You got me”? Seriously? That should have caused the cops to fall out of their chairs in hysterical laughter. It’s like Zimmerman wasn’t even trying to be persuasive. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2369 "2012-03-29T16:13:57Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > Their picture isn’t as clear as the picture I posted last night on this thread and it appears to be exactly the same frame. Sloppy work. Your expertise in forensic video analysis has been nothing short of revolutionary, yes. ---
**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 29, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2370 "2012-03-29T16:23:39Z")
If you are referring to the links in posts 2266 and 2277, it is not the same frame and I don’t even think they are pointing out the same thing. In your photo you appear to be referring to a lump a bit above the base of the neck in the back of his head. The _Daily Caller_ shot is pointing out what looks like a nearly vertical black streak pretty much right over a balding spot nearer the crown of his head. It could be a cut and/or a streak of dried blood. If these are both correct, it suggests that Zimmerman’s head hit the pavement at least twice, as it seems unlikely that both could have come from the same impact. Please correct me if I am mis-perceiving what you were trying to point out. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2371 "2012-03-29T16:35:05Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > This is why I think the cops deserve all the hell they’ve gotten. Any cop that’s been on the job longer than 3 months is an expert at catching lies much slicker than this. > > “Well now you do” rings so false that, at a minimum, it should have earned Zimmerman a sideeye from the cops. > > But “You got me”? Seriously? That should have caused the cops to fall out of their chairs in hysterical laughter. It’s like Zimmerman wasn’t even trying to be persuasive. Of course, that quote came from Zimmerman’s father. This is why we don’t consider hearsay reliable. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2372 "2012-03-29T16:40:44Z")
If it was a cut of any consequence though wouldn’t there be a bandage? Also, didn’t the report say he had a bloody nose, too? I am thinking he did hit his head and caused superficial damage, but I don’t think there is any evidence his head was smashed into the pavement, probably caused in some sort of altercation though. There simply would be a lot more blood. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2373 "2012-03-29T16:41:04Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > If you are referring to the links in posts 2266 and 2277, it is not the same frame and I don’t even think they are pointing out the same thing. > > In your photo you appear to be referring to a lump a bit above the base of the neck in the back of his head. The _Daily Caller_ shot is pointing out what looks like a nearly vertical black streak pretty much right over a balding spot nearer the crown of his head. It could be a cut and/or a streak of dried blood. > > If these are both correct, it suggests that Zimmerman’s head hit the pavement at least twice, as it seems unlikely that both could have come from the same impact. > > Please correct me if I am mis-perceiving what you were trying to point out. You are right. I ignored that since it look like male pattern baldness to me. It still does for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2374 "2012-03-29T16:42:08Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > This paired with the supposed “You gotta problem? Well now you do!” [POW! SMACK! BIFF!] of Zimmerman’s account sounds completely made up. I agree that it does sound hokey. But stranger things happen everyday. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2375 "2012-03-29T16:45:23Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And one example of additional evidence would be factual account of how a broken nose might behave. I am willing to learn. I suspect that there’s a range of behaviors because of the many different ways that they can come about. I did expect top see blood from Z’s nose on his clothes. But it doesn’t mean that much _to me_ that there wasn’t obvious blood. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2376 "2012-03-29T16:47:40Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > This is why I think the cops deserve all the hell they’ve gotten. Any cop that’s been on the job longer than 3 months is an expert at catching lies much slicker than this. > > “Well now you do” rings so false that, at a minimum, it should have earned Zimmerman a sideeye from the cops. > > But “You got me”? Seriously? That should have caused the cops to fall out of their chairs in hysterical laughter. It’s like Zimmerman wasn’t even trying to be persuasive. Iirc, the investigating cop is quoted as using words like “disbelieve” and “unconvinced” Serino did, recommend charges be brought. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE THE RUMORS ABOUT THE POLICE NOT TAKING Z’s GUN COME FROM? ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2377 "2012-03-29T16:48:06Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Why must you cast your opinions in such ironclad form? I don’t always. I did this time because I felt pretty ironclad about it. It doesn’t seem remotely credible to me in any case that the cops would either have a shirt for him to change into or that they would have made a pitstop at his house, but having read the reports from the responding officers, if they DID make such a pitstop, they neglected to note it in their [reports](http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/120226_TrayvonMartinPoliceReport.pdf), which describe the sequence of events as cuffed/put int he car/treated/transported to the police station. No mention of any quickchange stop. So my opinion is feeling pretty ironclad, based on what the police said. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2378 "2012-03-29T16:52:48Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > I don’t always. I did this time because I felt pretty ironclad about it. It doesn’t seem remotely credible to me in any case that the cops would either have a shirt for him to change into or that they would have made a pitstop at his house, but having read the reports from the responding officers, if they DID make such a pitstop, they neglected to note it in their [reports](http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/120226_TrayvonMartinPoliceReport.pdf), which describe the sequence of events as cuffed/put int he car/treated/transported to the police station. No mention of any quickchange stop. > > So my opinion is feeling pretty ironclad, based on what the police said. But that report also claims that there were blood and grass stains visible on Zimmerman’s body. You seem to be rejecting that as fabricated. How can you rely so solidly on the report for one proposition and reject it for another? ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2379 "2012-03-29T16:53:01Z")
> [@PatriotX](#): > > I agree that it does sound hokey. But stranger things happen everyday. That sounds hokey and people, especially kids, say hokey shit they see from TV when they are trying to be tough. However, “you got me” is what children pretending to be shot say, not real people who have really been shot. That’s too much, too ridiculous, not remotely believable. If by some Bizarro World chance that Trayvon Martin uttered those words upon receiving a blast to the chest at close range, it is SO unbelievable that Zimmerman should never have reported it because it makes him look like such a liar. Given Zimmerman’s well-documented desire to play cops and robbers, his choice of dialogue is just beyond damning. This is his fantasy of what happened. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2380 "2012-03-29T17:00:19Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Given Zimmerman’s well-documented desire to play cops and robbers, his choice of dialogue is just beyond damning. This is his fantasy of what happened. Exactly what I was thinking. It is not surprising that the dialogue has a comic-book feel to it. Zimmerman sees himself as a superhero going after the Bad Guy, and the stuff he put in Martin’s mouth is exactly what a Bad Guy would say. The only thing missing is Martin taking the time to divulge his whole master plan for world domination, thus allowing Zimmy just enough time to free his gun and blast him away. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504.md?page=118) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504.md?page=120)