# 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:** 148
**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:** [April 3, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2941 "2012-04-03T16:50:07Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > Improper Exhibition Of A Firearm Or Oher Weapon is a first degree misdemeanor in Florida. > > [http://www.floridafirearmslaw.com/Improper-Exhibition-Firearm-Weapon.html](http://www.floridafirearmslaw.com/Improper-Exhibition-Firearm-Weapon.html) > > The normal method is if you are dealing with someone scary would be to scratch yourself under your jacket without displaying your weapon, but your hand is on or near your firearm. Did you notice that Zimmerman’s jacket is really too heavy for the weather? Over 60 and drizzling when all you have to do is walk from your truck to the Walmart is a windbreaker at most. No it doesn’t look heavy to me at all, but then again, I get cold easily. If you think this is evidence he was going out of his way to conceal his weapon while running errands, okay. But in a confrontation with someone he actively pursued and prejudged as suspicious and “up to no good”? That’s a stretch. Brandishing a weapon is illegal, yes. I’m not sure why folks are assuming this means much of anything in terms of Zimmerman’s likely conduct. He chased after a person after he was advised not to do so by 911. Doesn’t this demonstrate he’s not above coloring out of the lines? Pulling out his weapon unlawfully is only one step removed from this. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2942 "2012-04-03T16:59:44Z")
[Here’s](http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/03/enhanced-video-zimmerman-in-police-station-appears-to-show-injuries/) a digitally enhanced version of the video of Zimmerman in the police station. Supposedly it shows a cut, but I’m not sure I see anything. Kind of brings us back to the point of it being dumb to diagnosis injuries through crappy footage. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2943 "2012-04-03T17:01:11Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I have consistently said that these bits of info about Martin’s high school discipolinary record are absolutely irrelevant. Exactly what do you think is relevant in assessing the credibility of Zimmerman’s statement that Martin assaulted him? I think you keep in mind that we aren’t in court and can only discuss the actual data we have available to us. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2944 "2012-04-03T17:01:23Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > He chased after a person after he was advised not to do so by 911. Doesn’t this demonstrate he’s not above coloring out of the lines? Pulling out his weapon unlawfully is only one step removed from this. No, it doesn’t demonstrate anything of the sort, and brandishing a weapon is quite different. This has been explained before, more than once. The recommendations of a 911 operator carry no legal force. Brandishing a weapon is illegal. Claiming that doing something legal shows you are likely to act illegally is silly. It would be like claiming that Martin had a right to walk where he did, and demonstrates that he was likely to be robbing houses. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2945 "2012-04-03T17:02:04Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > No it doesn’t look heavy to me at all, but then again, I get cold easily. If you think this is evidence he was going out of his way to conceal his weapon while running errands, okay. But in a confrontation with someone he actively pursued and prejudged as suspicious and “up to no good”? That’s a stretch. > > Brandishing a weapon is illegal, yes. I’m not sure why folks are assuming this means much of anything in terms of Zimmerman’s likely conduct. He chased after a person after he was advised not to do so by 911. Doesn’t this demonstrate he’s not above coloring out of the lines? Pulling out his weapon unlawfully is only one step removed from this. (1) No, he “chased” after Martin and then the dispatcher told him to stop. (2) Chase implies that Zimmerman was trying to catch Martin, and there is nothing to indicate that is the case. ---
**Author:** ![just\_some\_guy5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@just\_some\_guy5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/just_some_guy5)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2946 "2012-04-03T17:26:13Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > Sounds like you’re making assumptions about me in the absence of evidence. To be fair - if no one was willing to make assumptions in the absence of evidence, we wouldn’t have this 60+ page thread to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2947 "2012-04-03T17:26:16Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > So you are saying that Martin is the one that initiated the confrontation? I can see that being the case. Doesn’t mean he was threat worthy of being gunned down. ---
**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:** [April 3, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2948 "2012-04-03T17:29:26Z")
> [@treis](#): > > (2) Chase implies that Zimmerman was trying to catch Martin, and there is nothing to indicate that is the case. “These assholes always get away.” ---
**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:** [April 3, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2949 "2012-04-03T17:34:07Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > “These assholes always get away.” And don’t forget the classic: “Oh shit, he’s running!” followed moments later by “are you following him?” “Yes”. ---
**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:** [April 3, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2950 "2012-04-03T17:34:58Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > The recommendations of a 911 operator carry no legal force. Then again no one is arguing that he broke any laws by continuing to follow and/or look for Martin. And of course each person can make whatever conclusion they want about the fact that although advised not to, Zimmerman continued to do so. Was is because he simply wanted to keep track of Martin, hopefully from a distance? Or maybe he wanted to find Martin to detain him until police got there? Or maybe he wanted to find Martin and shoot him cold? It is not proof of anything, but it is evidence, as is every single thing that happened that night that we know about. It is up to each individual to look at the totality of the evidence and make their own opinions. Some is very important, some is less so, and some totally unimportant. If you are on a jury you have different responsibilities, of course. Outside of a jury you do not have any such responsibility. ---
**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:** [April 3, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2951 "2012-04-03T17:35:10Z")
> [@treis](#): > > (1) No, he “chased” after Martin and then the dispatcher told him to stop. So again I ask you explain how Martin ended up killed no where near the street or Zimmerman’s truck. When he called 911, he initially told him his location was on Retreat View. The directions he gave them included a left turn onto the street immediately after the community entrance. Near the clubhouse. If Zimmerman stopped his pursuit immediately after instructed to by 911, can you explain how Martin and Zimmerman ended up crossing paths behind the houses on Twin Trees? What plausible explanation exists for this except that Zimmerman continued to chase Martin. ---
**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:** [April 3, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2952 "2012-04-03T17:37:21Z")
For those who have looked through Zimerman’s lengthy 911 call history: did he ever restrain or attempt to restrain anyone on any of those occasions? (ETA: or draw his gun, FTM) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2953 "2012-04-03T17:37:41Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > So again I ask you explain how Martin ended up killed no where near the street or Zimmerman’s truck. When he called 911, he initially told him his location was on Retreat View. The directions he gave them included a left turn onto the street immediately after the community entrance. Near the clubhouse. > > If Zimmerman stopped his pursuit immediately after instructed to by 911, can you explain how Martin and Zimmerman ended up crossing paths behind the houses on Twin Trees? What plausible explanation exists for this except that Zimmerman continued to chase Martin. Umm, note that you refuse to answer my questions, so why do we have to answer yours? ---
**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:** [April 3, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2954 "2012-04-03T17:38:45Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > For those who have looked through Zimerman’s lengthy 911 call history: did he ever restrain or attempt to restrain anyone on any of those occasions? I don’t know. “They always get away”, though, so maybe if he didn’t restrain the other ones, he wished he had. ---
**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:** [April 3, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2955 "2012-04-03T17:40:42Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > I don’t know. “They always get away”, though, so maybe if he didn’t restrain the other ones, he wished he had. Or maybe he wished he had done a better job following them (hence his disregard for the dispatcher’s instructions). ---
**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:** [April 3, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2956 "2012-04-03T17:44:11Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Brandishing a weapon is illegal. Indeed. So is stalking, something with which he could certainly be charged, taking his “perfectly legal” “following” of Martin and turning it into a crime. Then the jury would decide if he was guilty. If all they heard as evidence was what we already know, I think a whole lot of people would say he was: > [@](#): > > \*\*784.048. Stalking; definitions; penalties(1) As used in this section, the term: > \*\* > (a) “Harass” means to engage in **a course of conduct directed at a specific person that causes substantial emotional distress in such person and serves no legitimate purpose.** > > (b) “Course of conduct” means a pattern of conduct composed of a series of acts over a period of time, \*\*however short, evidencing a continuity of purpose. \*\*Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of “course of conduct.” Such constitutionally protected activity includes picketing or other organized protests. > > (2) Any person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows, harasses, or cyberstalks another person commits the offense of stalking, a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2957 "2012-04-03T17:44:30Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > I’m still trying to figure out why someone carries around an empty baggie instead of throwing it away. Because they want to save the seeds. ---
**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:** [April 3, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2958 "2012-04-03T17:45:11Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Then again no one is arguing that he broke any laws by continuing to follow and/or look for Martin. I am. See the previous. ---
**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:** [April 3, 2012, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2959 "2012-04-03T17:49:36Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Or maybe he wished he had done a better job following them (hence his disregard for the dispatcher’s instructions). Right. Either way it suggests a past history of disappointment triggered him to behave in an imprudent manner this time. The reason why I think he was trying to restrain Martin and not simply track his movements was the fact that he got out of his truck and started running after him. What was he going to do once he caught up with him? Just stand there and shoot the breeze? ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2960 "2012-04-03T17:50:13Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > “These assholes always get away.” Concluding from this that Zimmerman was planning on finding and capturing Martin takes a giant leap of logic. The far more likely motivation is that Zimmerman wanted to continue to do what he was doing. Reporting the location of a suspicious person to police so that they may capture him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504.md?page=147) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504.md?page=149)