In the his frankly bizarre speech in re the Martin/Zimmermaas case last week, President Obama asked:
And for those who resist that idea that we should think about something like these “stand your ground” laws, I’d just ask people to consider, if Trayvon Martin was of age and armed, could he have stood his ground on that sidewalk? And do we actually think that he would have been justified in shooting Mr. Zimmerman who had followed him in a car because he felt threatened?
Of course, the hypothetical question is a stupid one. Obama’s not a stupid man, of course; he knows thatbeing followedisn’t, in and of itself, not enough to convince a reasonable person that one legitimately and immediately fears death or great bodily harm.
The three key words are…:
- Reasonable: would a jury buy the idea that being followed constituted a threat that was…
- Legitimately lethal, not eventually, but…
- Immediately?
“Feeling” threatened – notwithstanding the bleatings of liberal bloggers and politicians – is not reasonably a legitimate, immediate threat of death or great bodily harm. Had ZImmerman, say, jumped out of his truck, tackled Martin, and started beating his head against the sidewalk? That’s another story – as the jury affirmed last week.
But as a literal answer to an immediate, current social question? It’s a good question.
And the answer is “Yes, black people can and do “stand their ground” when under attack, and do so successfully”. Indeed, twice as often per capita (in Florida) as white people:
But approximately one third of Florida “Stand Your Ground” claims in fatal cases have been made by black defendants, and they have used the defense successfully 55 percent of the time, at the same rate as the population at large and at a higher rate than white defendants, according to a Daily Caller analysis of a database maintained by the Tampa Bay Times. Additionally, the majority of victims in Florida “Stand Your Ground” cases have been white.
African Americans used “Stand Your Ground” defenses at nearly twice the rate of their presence in the Florida population, which was listed at 16.6 percent in 2012.
One hundred thirty three people in the state of Florida have used a “Stand Your Ground” defense. Of these claims, 73 were considered “justified” (55 percent), while 39 resulted in criminal convictions and 21 cases are still pending.
Forty four African Americans in the state of Florida have claimed a “Stand Your Ground” defense. Of these claims, 24 were considered “justified” (55 percent), while 11 resulted in convictions and nine cases are still pending.
Now, for a racist law, it seems to be pretty darned color-blind.
Maybe the Administration should stick with trying to find all the guns they gave to the narcotraficantes.
Oh, and there’s this, too: http://rochester.ynn.com/content/top_stories/490926/jury-finds-roderick-scott-not-guilty/
Barry isn’t doing himself any favors here. From the far right wing propaganda mill known as USA Today: “Poll: Obama approval rating ‘under water'” http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2013/07/11/obama-quinnipiac-approval-rating-syria-afghanistan/2507965/
Also, ya got to love the willingness of lefties to stick their hands in the fire. “Members of Congressional Black Caucus support Florida boycott”
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/07/20/Members-of-Congressional-Black-Caucus-support-Florida-boycott/UPI-29591374330294/#ixzz2ZmGH9aAv
I’m guessing the hoodie sporting morons this shout out goes to aren’t the type that are filling Disney World or any of the other tourist destinations. Good riddance to bad trash says I.
If Martin had survived the shooting, he would likely be facing attempted murder charges while Zimmerman would still be a free man.
What could he testify to that would excuse the beating he gave Zimmerman? That would be believed w/o physical evidence?
Mitch, don’t blunt the talking points with facts! That isn’t fair!
All I know is that if young Trayvon Martin hadn’t attempted to beat Zimmerman to death, he’d still be alive today.
Life is so unfair.
Being “followed” is not, in and of itself, putting anyone at imminent risk.
I had to respond to a reply to one of my comments on a facebook post…Martin had choices: He could have continued the 70 or so yards to the safety of the house at which he was staying, he could have used his phone to call 911 himself instead of talking to a school friend, he could have simply asked Zimmerman why he was being followed.
What choice did he make? He chose to attack and assault to a level that would easily have been at the level of felonious…he committed a crime. Now who, in their right mind, attacks someone in a state that has a shall-issue process for a carry permit??!! Trayvon was criminal in his actions, but may just as well been equally stupid.
And, yes…if he had been of age and armed and Zimmerman had engaged him in threat (i.e. drawn his weapon) since he had not yet engaged in a criminal act he would, under stand your ground, have been justified in defending himself with lethal force.
And even better, the Powerline guys pointed out today that Obama, as an Illinois state legislator, co-sponsored a bill in 2004 that would have expanded the states STG law to include immunity from civil proceedings if you successfully used the SYG defense. The vote in the Ill. Senate was 56-0, which meant Obama for one of the few times didn’t vote “present”.
Didn’t Eric Holder say we had a duty to retreat.
Then Trayvon Martin shouldn’t have gone and confronted George Zimmerman.
Then Trayvon Martin should’ve called the police and said a stranger was following me and he was worried for his life.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN