# 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:** 150
**Author:** ![newme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e0b2c6/32.png) [@newme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newme)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2981 "2012-04-03T18:38:31Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Does Zimmerman simply hang up on the operator or vice versa? I find it strange, although maybe indicative of nothing, that Zimmerman would hang up. From listening to the call, I think it is most likely Zimmerman loses sight of Martin well before the end of the call. It seems the Dispatcher and Zimmerman decide to end the call by mutual agreement since they seem to have said all that needs to be said. ---
**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, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2982 "2012-04-03T18:39:48Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Does Zimmerman simply hang up on the operator or vice versa? I find it strange, although maybe indicative of nothing, that Zimmerman would hang up. I don’t know who actually hung up first, but it seems the conversation had met a mutual conclusion that the police would call Zimmerman once they were on the scene. > [@](#): > > Dispatcher: Okay do you want to just meet with them right near the mailboxes then? > Zimmerman: Yeah that’s fine. > Dispatcher: Alright George, I’ll let them know to meet you around there okay? Zimmerman: Actually could you have them call me and I’ll tell them where I’m at? Dispatcher: Okay, yeah that’s no problem. > Zimmerman: Should I give you my number or you got it? > Dispatcher: Yeah I got it [redacted by Mother Jones] > Zimmerman: Yeah you got it. > Dispatcher: Okay no problem, I’ll let them know to call you when you’re in the area. ETA: **newme** beat me to it, but here is the last bit of the transcript. ---
**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, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2983 "2012-04-03T18:43:14Z")
> [@Hbns](#): > > I don’t know who actually hung up first, but it seems the conversation had met a mutual conclusion that the police would call Zimmerman once they were on the scene. > > ETA: **newme** beat me to it, but here is the last bit of the transcript. Yep, nothing to see here at least, except the part where he didn’t know where he would be, but nothing about hanging up is relevant. ---
**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, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2984 "2012-04-03T18:47:19Z")
> [@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. It is amazing how many people with poor circulation who have expressed opinions on the dress of Zimmerman and Martin. They also don’t understand how oppressive the humidity is in Central Florida. Look at the weather data from the station closest to Twin Lakes. [http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KFLLAKEM2&month=2&day=26&year=2012](http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KFLLAKEM2&month=2&day=26&year=2012) At 19:01 it is only 62 degrees, but with 94% humidity. ---
**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:** [April 3, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2985 "2012-04-03T18:59:13Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > A series of acts, though, means at least two. Following someone on one occasion is not “a series of acts.” You’re forgetting each step is a separate act, and let’s not even mention the repeated breathing. 😛 ---
**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, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2986 "2012-04-03T19:15:02Z")
> [@Hbns](#): > > I was unaware that the fact he followed Martin was ever in question. **treis** is saying Zimmerman stopped following him after 911 told him not to. I think it’s pretty obvious that is not the case. ---
**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, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2987 "2012-04-03T19:17:51Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > At 19:01 it is only 62 degrees, but with 94% humidity. What point are you making with this? Zimmerman was wearing a jacket, okay. But Martin was wearing a hoodie. And? Neither garment strikes me as inordinately heavy for a rainy night. 62 degrees is far from tropical. ---
**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, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2988 "2012-04-03T19:22:40Z")
> [@treis](#): > > Martin didn’t like Zimmerman following him and decided to confront him about it. After running away from him? ---
**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, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2989 "2012-04-03T19:22:41Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > **treis** is saying Zimmerman stopped following him after 911 told him not to. I think it’s pretty obvious that is not the case. We can hear in the 911 call that Zimmerman stopped running shortly after the dispatcher told him that “we don’t need you to do that”\*. It’s unknown if Zimmerman kept walking around looking for Martin, but it seems unlikely based on the position of Martin’s body and the truck. \*Amazing how this has transformed into Zimmerman was told not to follow Martin ---
**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, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2990 "2012-04-03T19:23:45Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > After running away from him? Yes. Little about what Martin did that night makes sense, but this appears to be the solution most consistent with the facts. ---
**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, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2991 "2012-04-03T19:27:13Z")
> [@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. Why are you assuming that Zimmerman stopped his pursuit after 911 suggested he not do that? My reconstruction is that Zimmerman was about 100 yards from his truck and Brandy Green’s town home was a little further when the shooting occurred. I suggest you install Google Earth and draw a reconstruction of what you think happened. What you are saying doesn’t make much sense. A diagram would be much better. With Google Earth there is a ruler tool to measure the distance. I’ll try to find what one of the other people in this thread drew. ---
**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, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2992 "2012-04-03T19:28:17Z")
> [@treis](#): > > Yes. Little about what Martin did that night makes sense, but this appears to be the solution most consistent with the facts. Only if you have a preconceived outcome to defend. ---
**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, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2993 "2012-04-03T19:37:59Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > At 19:01 it is only 62 degrees, but with 94% humidity. I can’t speak to the weather and local dress norms. For my area, 62° is shorts and t-shirt weather right now. ---
**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, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2994 "2012-04-03T19:38:17Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > Why are you assuming that Zimmerman stopped his pursuit after 911 suggested he not do that? My reconstruction is that Zimmerman was about 100 yards from his truck and Brandy Green’s town home was a little further when the shooting occurred. > > I suggest you install Google Earth and draw a reconstruction of what you think happened. What you are saying doesn’t make much sense. A diagram would be much better. With Google Earth there is a ruler tool to measure the distance. I’ll try to find what one of the other people in this thread drew. Here is the diagram newme drew: [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=217828638806042443821.0004bc2f8dc88681cedc1](http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=217828638806042443821.0004bc2f8dc88681cedc1) ---
**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, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2995 "2012-04-03T19:39:03Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > Why are you assuming that Zimmerman stopped his pursuit after 911 suggested he not do that? My reconstruction is that Zimmerman was about 100 yards from his truck and Brandy Green’s town home was a little further when the shooting occurred. Hello? Are you following the discussion? I’m saying the exact opposite of this. It’s **treis** you need to pose this question to. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2996 "2012-04-03T19:43:27Z")
> [@treis](#): > > We can hear in the 911 call that Zimmerman stopped running shortly after the dispatcher told him that “we don’t need you to do that”\*. It’s unknown if Zimmerman kept walking around looking for Martin, but it seems unlikely based on the position of Martin’s body and the truck. There is about a 3 minute gap between when Z gets off the phone w/ the PD and when the girl is disconnected from Martin. Between the time Z was advised his following services were not needed and when we stop hearing wind noises if fifteen seconds more or less. Between the time Z was advised his following services were not needed and the end of the call is about 1:35 After that, there’re 3 more minutes [where Z either did or did not go back to his truck and have an encounter w/ M through the truck window] before the two of them can begin their altercation [And then one more minute between then and when the police arrive] So there’s a in the neighborhood of 4 minutes of time between when Z says, “Ok,” in reply to not following M and when Z and M find one another. So, I can’t really agree with the assertion that “it seems unlikely” “Zimmerman kept walking around looking for Martin.” Z may have been doing something other than “walking around looking for Martin.” But it doesn’t seem unlikely that he was doing so. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2997 "2012-04-03T19:48:19Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Does Zimmerman simply hang up on the operator or vice versa? I find it strange, although maybe indicative of nothing, that Zimmerman would hang up. [http://www.sanfordfl.gov/investigation/911/call1.wav](http://www.sanfordfl.gov/investigation/911/call1.wav) They close with z: thanks pd: you’re welcome ---
**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, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2998 "2012-04-03T19:53:22Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Only if you have a preconceived outcome to defend. _shrug_ I think this epitomizes your side of the argument. I offer facts to back up my opinions, and you guys just roll with assumptions. ---
**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, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/2999 "2012-04-03T19:57:55Z")
> [@PatriotX](#): > > There is about a 3 minute gap between when Z gets off the phone w/ the PD and when the girl is disconnected from Martin. > > Between the time Z was advised his following services were not needed and when we stop hearing wind noises if fifteen seconds more or less. > Between the time Z was advised his following services were not needed and the end of the call is about 1:35 > After that, there’re 3 more minutes [where Z either did or did not go back to his truck and have an encounter w/ M through the truck window] before the two of them can begin their altercation > > [And then one more minute between then and when the police arrive] > > So there’s a in the neighborhood of 4 minutes of time between when Z says, “Ok,” in reply to not following M and when Z and M find one another. > > So, I can’t really agree with the assertion that “it seems unlikely” “Zimmerman kept walking around looking for Martin.” > Z may have been doing something other than “walking around looking for Martin.” But it doesn’t seem unlikely that he was doing so. Maybe, I don’t really know. It seems like Zimmerman ran to where the path was in the backyards, and the body was found near the beginning of this path. It’s possible that Zimmerman walked up and down that path. If that were the case, it seems like it would be a pretty big coincidence that the body ended up near where the logical place for Zimmerman to stop would be. But ultimately, the point is what is Martin doing. If we accept your 4 minutes of time, Martin at that point is ~200-300 feet away from his house. Why isn’t he home? How is it that he ends up ~150 feet from Martin’s truck? ---
**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, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504/3000 "2012-04-03T19:58:43Z")
> [@treis](#): > > I offer facts to back up my opinions… You interpret those facts entirely differently than I do. The same facts indict Zimmerman. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504.md?page=149) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-neighborhood-watch-shooter-been-arrested/615504.md?page=151)