Well, I guess that’s that [Reader Post]

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The Orlando Sentinel has apparently answered the question of whose voice was heard screaming for help in the Trayvon Martin shooting.

In a timeline included in evidence documents released last week, Sanford police spelled out down to the second, what happened the night George Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Martin, based on time-stamped calls to their dispatch center.

It shows Zimmerman fired 1 minute, 57 seconds after he hung up.

*1911:12 – Call received from George Zimmerman reporting suspicious person

1913:19 – Zimmerman relays that suspicious person is running from him.

1913:36 – Dispatcher asks Zimmerman if he is following suspicious person

1913:36 – Dispatcher advises Zimmerman “Okay; we don’t need you to do that”

1915:23 – Approximate time call with Zimmerman ends

1916:43 – 911 call placed by (blacked out name) where Zimmerman is heard screaming for help

1917:20 – Shot fired; screams from Zimmerman cease

1917:40 – Officer T. Smith arrives on scene

1919:43 – Officer T. Smith locates and places Zimmerman in custody.

via Patterico

No other version ever made any sense. It’s now abundantly clear that the Angela Corey persecution prosecution is political and nothing more.

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1913:19 – Zimmerman relays that suspicious person is running from him.

Meaning that Zimmerman was chasing Martin? Who suddenly stopped and confronted his pursuer?

Hey, if you chase an innocent stranger because you think he looks suspicious, and then kill him when he turns on you to defend himself, you’ve got yourself some serious legal problems. Under any rational criminal justice system, you should have.

Why, way to go Greg for ignoring what has happened with this case the last few weeks. That’s a minute’s worth of time, roughly 20 seconds to get out of a car and start walking towards a person. Since we know now that the boy was stoned and out of his mind, it is safe to assume that flight mechanic in the human brain took over when Zimmeran started to come close to Martian with a cellphone out. The boy also had previously been caught with goods burgled before and a habit of vanidalism, so your argument against Zimmerman is rather weak.

Don’t worry, Aye and Mata will some how rationalize this away as being racist and you’re lower than dog meat for even questioning the Aye/Mata narrative.

Btw, good find and post, Dr. John.

@Greg:

Hey, if you chase an innocent stranger because you think he looks suspicious, and then kill him when he turns on you to defend himself

So someone is chasing you, to ask you a question, and that gives you the right to beat the crap out of him MMA style?

Greg, take a smart breath for a change.

@Greg: That’s true. Too bad that’s not what happened. Martin attacked Zimmerman and he got shot out of self-defense. Deal with it. I’m sure you’d like to move on to Romney’s dog on the roof? Important stuff to argue about this election season.

@Mr. Irons:

Since we know now that the boy was stoned and out of his mind

This bears repeating, again and again and again. Martin was high on dope at the time of the incident and bears the burden of how this turned out. Martin was involved in illegal drug-trade and was in all likelihood on the way to score drugs.

The fact that Martin runs tells one all they needs to know about his guilt. Flight has been known to be a sign of guilt.

@Nathan Blue:

That’s true. Too bad that’s not what happened.

Greg is not intellectually honest. Don’t waste your time arguing with him.

@Ivan:

Shuddup. Goddam a-hole Moby.

@Wm T Sherman:

Shuddup. Goddam a-hole Moby.

The truth hurts, don’t it?

😉

@Ivan:

The truth hurts, don’t it?

No. It doesn’t.

@Wm T Sherman:

No. It doesn’t.

Just keep telling yourself that enough times and maybe, just maybe, even you’ll begin to believe it.

Since we know now that the boy was stoned and out of his mind . . .

People think they know all sorts of things for which there’s absolutely no evidence.

“Traces of THC” does not equal “stoned and out of his mind.”

Here’s the rub.
THC does stay in one’s blood for a while.
But, despite this, states are attempting to set levels of THC so they can keep impaired drivers off their roads.
One state, Colorado, a liberal haven, wants to set their standard at 5 nanograms or higher.

Seventeen states have some sort of blood limit for drugged driving convictions, including drugs other than marijuana.

The proposal before Colorado lawmakers would limit THC to 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood. Driving under the influence of marijuana is already illegal, but convictions rely on officer observation as well as a blood test.

Colorado’s so-called “D-U-High” bill would make it simpler to convict drivers with a blood THC level at 5 nanograms or higher.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/colorado-house-passes-bill-marijuana-duis-16356099#.T7yBI8WabAk

Now, geniuses, how much THC was in Trayvon’s blood the night he was killed?
1.5 nanograms PLUS 7.3 nanograms of THC-COOH.
http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/national/autopsy-drug-thc-found-in-trayvon-martins-system#ixzz1vfgn2dU1

If George Zimmerman noticed his behavior was out of the ordinary BEFORE he noticed what race he was (which is how he answered the dispatcher) then Trayvon was probably acting a bit stoned…..since he was a bit stoned.

People think they know all sorts of things for which there’s absolutely no evidence.

As evidenced by your posts on this subject, most definitely yes. You still seem to be under the delusion that Martin was the victim and Zimmerman the aggressor. Funny how that completely contradicts eye-witness account. And by eye-witness, I mean the people willing to identify themselves to the police and were actually on the scene – not anonymous callers that no one can get a hold of, girlfriends on the phone or people who admitted to being in their houses and not seeing anything.

Face it, Martin was a punk. He was in a neighborhood he didn’t live in, reacted as if he committed a crime or was about to when confronted by neighborhood watch, beat someone without the slightest provocation and got shot in a matter of self-defense. I know this based on the aforementioned eye-witness account, and the medical records that demonstrate proof positive Zimmerman’s injuries (as well as injuries on Martin’s hands that would be consistent with beating someone else).

What proof do you have that Zimmerman was the transgressor and that Martin was the completely innocent victim? Oh that’s right, it doesn’t exist. If there were such evidence, we wouldn’t have had to go through the tedious character assassination of Zimmerman (since disproven), the charade of doctored 911 tapes or police surveillance camera, or the ridiculous and hypocritical “we can’t talk about the hateful and violent things Martin was involved because… well because” nonsense that blind sheep like you propagate.

No, all you and the rest of race-baiting slime like yourself do is throw out wild accusations, claim things in the face of actual evidence and cry racism when you don’t get your way. How very childish of you. It’s your right to behave like a child (as I’m sure you’ll continue to do), but get off your high horse and stop acting as if you’re some enlightened great debater. You’re just someone who figured out how to use a computer and developed a skill to parrot the ideology of those you agree with. ‘Nuff said.

@Greg:

Meaning that Zimmerman was chasing Martin? Who suddenly stopped and confronted his pursuer?

Hey, if you chase an innocent stranger because you think he looks suspicious, and then kill him when he turns on you to defend himself, you’ve got yourself some serious legal problems. Under any rational criminal justice system, you should have.

Meaning that Zimmerman was following and observing Martin? Who suddenly stopped? Zimmerman. Zimmerman lost site of Martin and appears to have been returning to his vehicle at 1913:36, at the prompt of the police dispatcher who advised Zimmerman “Okay; we don’t need you to do that”. Martin then confronted his neighbor a second time. Martin had already confronted Zimmerman when Zimmerman was sitting in his vehicle and talking on the phone to the 911 police dispatcher.

It would be helpful Greg if you had a better handle on the facts. One would hope that no one would not want to contribute to the lynching of an innocent man.

Hey, if you chase call 911, follow and observe a suspiciously acting stranger because you think he looks acts suspicious and drugged out (Martin was high), and then kill him when he turns on approaches you from behind to defend himself and attacks you (having observed you on the phone talking to the 911 police dispatcher), you’ve got yourself some serious legal problems. However, under any rational criminal justice system, you should not be charged with either murder or with manslaughter.

@Greg:

People think they know all sorts of things for which there’s absolutely no evidence.

“Traces of THC” does not equal “stoned and out of his mind.”

Measurable levels of THC do = impaired judgment due to having smoked marijuana within the one to three hours before the shooting.

Martin by the way can be seen acting as though he were stoned on the 7-11 security camera video at the time he purchased his skittles and tea.

@Greg:

Meaning that Zimmerman was chasing Martin? Who suddenly stopped and confronted his pursuer?

Hey, if you chase an innocent stranger because you think he looks suspicious, and then kill him when he turns on you to defend himself, you’ve got yourself some serious legal problems. Under any rational criminal justice system, you should have.

Meaning that Zimmerman was following and observing Martin? Who suddenly stopped? Zimmerman. Zimmerman lost site of Martin and appears to have been returning to his vehicle at 1913:36, at the prompt of the police dispatcher who advised Zimmerman “Okay; we don’t need you to do that”. Martin then confronted his neighbor a second time. Martin had already confronted Zimmerman when Zimmerman was sitting in his vehicle and talking on the phone to the 911 police dispatcher.

It would be helpful Greg if you had a better handle on the facts. One would hope that no one would not want to contribute to the lynching of an innocent man.

Hey, if you chase call 911, follow and observe a suspiciously acting stranger because you think he looks acts suspicious and drugged out (Martin was high), and then kill him when he turns on approaches you from behind to defend himself and attacks you (having observed you on the phone talking to the 911 police dispatcher), you’ve got yourself some serious legal problems. However, under any rational criminal justice system, you should not be charged with either murder or with manslaughter.

@Greg:

Meaning that Zimmerman was chasing Martin? Who suddenly stopped and confronted his pursuer? Hey, if you chase an innocent stranger because you think he looks suspicious, and then kill him when he turns on you to defend himself

Marvelously distorted. Zimmerman abandoned the pursuit and he lost sight of Martin as the audio clearly indicates. Martin needed only to go a couple of hundred feet to the safety of his destination yet chose not to do so. He decided instead to confront and attack Zimmerman.

Asserting that this was Martin’s voice and not Zimmerman’s is not only wrong, it’s stupid. Martin had no facial injuries, Zimmerman did. Zimmerman was the one under attack. If Zimmerman meant to shoot Martin again it makes no sense to allow Martin to scream for 45 seconds before shooting him.

Martin became the aggressor, just as he did when he assaulted a bus driver five days prior to the shooting.

@Greg:

Meaning that Zimmerman was chasing Martin? Who suddenly stopped and confronted his pursuer?

Hey, if you chase an innocent stranger because you think he looks suspicious, and then kill him when he turns on you to defend himself, you’ve got yourself some serious legal problems. Under any rational criminal justice system, you should have.

Hey, if you are being followed and observed by innocent neighbor/stranger because you are wandering around a neighborhood after dark in the rain without an umbrella and you suspect he thinks you are acting suspiciously (because you’ve observed him calling 911), and then:

A) you run home to avoid a conflict and then call your father for advice,

B) you get off the phone with your girl friend and call 911 for help,’

C) you find a neighbor and ask for help and shelter,

D) you approach the smaller man who has been following you and tell him you are new to the neighborhood and ask for help because you’ve become lost in the dark on your way home, or

E) you come out of hiding and attack the smaller man from behind, deck him, pound his head into the concrete, put your hand over his mouth and tell him to shut up when he cries for help, you tell the smaller man that you are going to kill him and then continue to beat the smaller man MMA style even after a neighbor arrives and tells you he is going to call 911…

A, B, C and D are going to work out well for you.

However if you chose “E” and if your victim turns on you to defend himself, you’ve got yourself some serious serious problems if your victim is armed.

Yes, now we know why Greg is rather the imbecile now do we? THC has a lovely little side effect of impairing brain functions for a short period of time. The chemical is a physical cause of neuron mis-fires, which causes many of the visual effects and stimuli effects from consumption. The coating lingers on and will thicken if chronic consumption patterns are established and even with the claim of, “Tollerance levels” bouts of paranoia and frantic confused behavior will be witnessed on those who have a habital consumption rate of such crap as the high starts to wear off. I’ve seen this dozens of times when I worked in various HVAC enviroments, my time as an heavy machines trainer recently(oh the joys of being able to mandate drug testing at random!), and from my younger college days. It’s always the same bull line from supports of, “I never show being stoned,” “I’m myself if I have some.” “I can drive perfectly if i smoke.” This is all self perception that it’s all fine because nothing bad had happened(yet), which is as bad as someone who’se had 3 shots of whiskey saying motor functions are reliable and that person isn’t drunk…

In case, let’s see what type of results happen when people smoke weed and think they’re not impaired (hmm?):

http://www.tourismandaviation.com/11485-pilot-caught-smoking-hash.html

Pilot threatened the lives of 192 people while being stoned, hence why he and his staff member was yanked.

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20051201/marijuana-raises-risk-of-fatal-car-crash

Or if you missed this little story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1335863/8-cyclists-killed-drug-driver-horror-crash-Italy.html

@Greg: OK Greg, what does traces of THC mean then?? Does it mean he is NOT under the influenece?? Geeeeez man.

@Greg:

People think they know all sorts of things for which there’s absolutely no evidence.

“Traces of THC” does not equal “stoned and out of his mind.”

Denial isn’t a river in Egypt, Greg.

@Nan G, #14:

You might want to have a look at Assessing Marijuana Intoxication, By Matthew C. Lee, MD, RPh, MS. A couple of relevant paragraphs:

“To even begin to determine the magnitude of intoxication and/or impairment of an individual suspected of being under the influence of marijuana, behavioral tests would have to be performed. While be it controversial, some states have instituted legal limits for THC blood levels. This is not due to intoxication or impairment, but a zero tolerance policy because in those states marijuana is a not legal, and thus no one should have it in their system.

“As of 2010 there is no reliable method of quantitatively determining if a person is impaired due to marijuana consumption on blood or body fluid concentrations alone. In states that have laws against driving while under the influence of marijuana blood tests are used to support behavioral patterns observed. And given the complex pharmacology of marijuana, and multitude of individual characteristics that determine the impairment or intoxication due to marijuana consumption, it will likely be a long time before we see this technology commercially available.”

The scientific fact is that measured levels of THC or related metabolites in the blood or urine reveal absolutely nothing about a person’s degree of marijuana intoxication at any particular point in time, or even if the person was under the influence to any degree at all.

Laws relating to marijuana generally have little or nothing to do with actual facts, of course, and really never have. They mostly relate to attitudes that have no basis in fact.

Trace indicators of Martin’s past marijuana use have no more relevance to the question of what happened the night Martin was shot to death than evidence that Zimmerman had consumed alcohol within the past two weeks might have. It’s mentioned repeatedly only to discredit a person who’s no longer around to testify on his own behalf.

@Greg: It’s mentioned in a long list of issues regarding Martin’s character. A history of drug use, a history of violence, and possession of possibly stolen goods: these are all very relevant FACTS used in a court of law for the jury to determine what happened, to the best of their ability, and to go on find Zimmerman guilty or not guilty.

Nobody is discrediting Martin–this is just hard evidence that is irrefutable.

But really, this is just a big distraction being used to keep people arguing, keep them pissed, and keep them from the real issues at hand in our county. It think you should move on, Greg, and let people come to their own conclusions.

For those who wish to claim that Martin was “stoned” or “high” or “under the influence” or “drugged out” the night he was shot, you might want to stop with your lying at least long enough to gather the facts:

Among the voluminous evidence released Thursday in the shooting death of 17-year-old Florida high school student Trayvon Martin is a toxicology report showing that the teen had trace levels of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, in his blood and urine.

The evidence includes abundant new information: conflicting witness statements, an autopsy report showing that Martin, who was black, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest and medical records documenting that Hispanic neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, who will stand trial for second-degree murder, had a broken nose the day after Martin’s death. Yet the media is focusing on the marijuana findings.

That’s a mistake that only serves to distort an already contentious case. The levels of THC detected don’t reflect Martin’s character or even his state of mind the night he was shot. For one, they are so low as to almost certainly not be connected to recent intoxication: 1.5 nanograms of THC were found as well as 7.3 nanograms of THC-COOH, a metabolite of THC that can stay in the system for weeks after cannabis has been smoked. Immediately after inhaling, THC levels typically rise to 100 to 200 nanograms per milliter of blood, although there can be a great deal of variation.

“THC in blood or urine tells us nothing about the level of intoxication,” says Carl Hart, associate professor of psychology at Columbia University and author of the leading college textbook on drug use and behavior. “That would be like someone going to have a beer some evening, and when he goes to work the next day, you can find alcohol metabolites in his bodily fluids. That says nothing about his functioning.”

And this:

The autopsy says medical examiners found THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, when they tested Martin’s blood and urine.

[Larry Kobilinsky, professor of forensic science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York], said the amount was so low that it may have been ingested days earlier and played no role in Martin’s behavior. He doubts the judge will even let it be used by the defense if they try to introduce it at trial.

Of course, none of those finding are going to matter to those who are in such a hurry to lynch the black guy.

@Aye: I’m not sure that many people think he was “stoned” at the time, but the FACTUAL, PHYSICAL EVIDENCE that he had THC in his blood is just another ancillary side-note into what led both Martin and Zimmerman to meet on that tragic night. Backstory is important in a murder case. Martin had a history of violence, drug use, and possible thievery. Does that mean he MUST have attacked Zimmerman? Absolutely not. Does the collections of FACTS (Eyewitnesses, wounds on Zimmerman, 911 calls) suggest he did? At this point, yes. I can’t understand anyone who would prefer to ignore facts to paint another picture, but we’re not the jury, so it’s time to let this poisonous discussion go.

But please, leave the “lynching” rhetoric out of it. Martin’s race has been used against Zimmerman, not the other way around. If Martin had been white, or any race other than black, I don’t think any of us (outside of the Sanford community) would have heard about this. People are simply trying to point out that Martin appeared to be on a dangerous road…and now he is dead. Coincidence? Maybe, but maybe not. That is for our courts to decide.

@Nathan Blue:

I’m not sure that many people think he was “stoned” at the time

Really?

You should scroll up to the top of this thread and read. Just the comments on this very thread demonstrate a dominant opinion that the presence of THC traces equates with being “stoned” or “high” or “under the influence”.

And, if you need more evidence of this mindset let me know. There are multiple other comments on this site which reflect those views.

@Common Sense:

Does it mean he is NOT under the influenece??

You’re wasting your time.

Just wait, Mata will waddle in here any second to explain to you that smoking pot doesn’t mean one did anything wrong or that it effects one’s judgement.

@Aye:

“THC in blood or urine tells us nothing about the level of intoxication,”

Irrelevant. The fact there was THC in his blood, and we’re not talking metabolized THC, but the real deal, tells us Martin’s ILLEGAL drug use was recent. We’re talking hours, not days.

Thus, this evidence, evidence I discussed as a possibility prior to the toxicology report, only confirms that there is so much doubt to Zimmerman’s guilt that the DA’s handling of the case rises to the level of criminal prosecution. The DA, acting under political and public pressure, should have waited for the toxicology report before filing charges.

Let’s face it, the DA is a political hack, acting under the pressure from the Feds (Obama Administration) and blow-hard rabble-rouses like Sharpton and Jackson who are threatening a race-war if Zimmerman isn’t given the death-penalty.

@Ivan:

The fact there was THC in his blood, and we’re not talking metabolized THC, but the real deal, tells us Martin’s ILLEGAL drug use was recent. We’re talking hours, not days.

And you base this conclusion on what precisely?

Do you have any sort of advanced education or training in forensic science? How about pharmacology? Psychology? No to all three of those?

Do you have any well-educated, informed professionals who support your conclusion that Martin’s drug use was recent as you claim? No?

Let’s see… who should I lend the most credence to in this discussion? The well-educated, informed professionals or some guy commenting on the Interwebz who has no factual basis whatsoever for his opinion?

I’ll go with the well-educated, informed professionals.

@Aye: Fair enough, but empirical evidence (Martin had done an illegal drug, Marijuana) is different than using second-hand and dubious information to attack someone’s character (SEE: The Obama Administration). It raises the question of what life-style Martin was living, what frame of mind he was in at the time of the shooting, and ultimately, if Zimmerman was fighting for his life.
It is not the only piece of evidence, but merely an secondary one that has relevance. I understand that you feel some people are taking too far (and I’d agree), but it would be just as dangerous to dismiss it as irrelevant. I can’t see the court doing it. Having illegal drugs in your system, regardless of the amount, does not help you case (even posthumously).

Both George Z. and the video of Trayvon at the store show a man who gets your attention because he’s acting oddly.
George Z. called it in BEFORE he knew Trayvon’s race!
In fact he had to really look at the guy to note what race Trayvon was.
At the store, Trayvon fumbles getting his money out then drops some of his change trying to pocket it after he could have left, but doubled back inside.
He stoops and picks up what he dropped then finally leaves.
See for yourselves:

There are many levels of being under a drug’s influence from being completely stoned, to being lightly toasted.
Trayvon was somewhere on that continuum.

Still talking about the Martin/Zimmerman case? Has anyone heard about Germany’s experiment with taking the excess CO2 from the atmosphere (or from the clean coal process, for that matter) and making biodegradable plastic from it? Probably not. American conservatives are too busy discussing Martin/Zimmerman instead of reading about something important to the environment.

@Liberal1 (objectivity):

LOL!
Best example of Liberal talking point:
Nothing to see here, MOVEON!
You didn’t just move the goalposts, Lib1, you are in an entirely different stadium!
Yes, your collective liberal ”narrative” has fallen to crap.
But the case is still moving forward, thus the discussions.

@Liberal1 (objectivity):

Has anyone heard about Germany’s experiment with taking the excess CO2 from the atmosphere (or from the clean coal process, for that matter) and making biodegradable plastic from it?

Sounds like it might be a good post, or at least a Most Wanted.

@Aye: @Aye:

And you base this conclusion on what precisely?

I base that on the forensics AND Martin’s conduct. He acted like he was high.

Also, we see in the transcript that Zimmerman stated to the dispatcher that Martin looked “High.”

Again, Aye, the preponderance of evidence supports Zimmerman’s case.

What I find interesting is that you habitually, should I say reflexively refuse to admit you were wrong in this thread and previous threads on M v. Z.

No matter how damning the evidence against Martin you’re carrying his water and shilling for him.

In for a penny, in for a pound is it, Aye?

@Ivan:

I base that on the forensics AND Martin’s conduct. He acted like he was high.

Okay… You say you’re basing your conclusion on “the forensics” right?

Well, what expertise is your analysis based on? We both know you have no knowledge or training of your own in this area, so where is even one single expert who agrees with you on the forensics?

I quoted two in my post above who say the exact opposite. There are more experts who have reached that same conclusion.

Please feel free to cite someone, anyone, who has professional training who agrees with your conclusion.

Furthermore you claim that Martin “acted like he was high.”

Is there any evidence whatsoever to support that conclusion? Pasted below is nine plus minutes of video showing Trayvon Martin while he was in the 7-ELEVEN.

Demonstrate to me precisely, and in meticulous detail, exactly what Martin did in this video which supports your conclusion. Surely in a nine minute video you can find something, anything, to support your conclusion that he “acted high.”

@Aye:

I quoted two in my post above who say the exact opposite. There are more experts who have reached that same conclusion.

Many so called “experts” support the theory of man-made global-warming. Do you?

Furthermore you claim that Martin “acted like he was high.”

Of course he was; it is obvious to all who are intellectually honest that he was (that would not include you
as even if Martin was seen on the video main-lining black-tar heroin you’d still sling your bovine fecal matter that it doesn’t PROVE anything).

The mere fact that Martin tried to kill Zimmerman just for Z’s attempt to ascertain what the drug-dealer was doing in the neighborhood that night, combined with the FACT that Martin was doing ILLEGAL drugs supports my hypothesis that Martin was high on drugs.

Man, you really have lost it, Aye.

Discussing this issue with you is like debating with a liberal: No amount of evidence to the contrary can make you change your mind.

@Ivan:

Well, I read your most recent scribbling and discovered that you still haven’t produced a single expert, not a single one, to support your conclusion that Martin was “high” as you claim.

Not a single well-educated, highly trained professional agrees with you? You cannot cite a single source which supports your conclusion? Not even one?

That should speak volumes.

I even gave you nine plus minutes of video to examine. Yet, you cannot point out one single thing which supports your conclusion.

Even you should be able to understand what that means.

The marijuana issue is not terribly useful in reconstructing what happened. Marijuana does not tend to promote violent behavior the way that amphetamines, or alcohol for that matter, do. We already knew Martin was a marijuana user. It got him suspended from school.

Trayvon Martins’s wannabe thug-life history is more relevant. Possible “respect” posturing going on.

The situation in the neighborhood, and Zimmerman’s real history (including his neighborhood watch activities), not the history fabricated by the greedy lawyers and the media, are relevant.

Zimmerman’s injuries, the witness statements, the powder burn on Martin’s torso, the unejected shell casing in the pistol, are at the core of this. I don’t see how anybody who is aware of all the facts can condemn Zimmerman out of hand. In fact, I think he broke no law whatsoever, he’s innocent, he’s been railroaded by despicable cynics, and he should walk.

There is willfull blindness among the Lynch Zimmerman faction. There are people who still believe that Zimmerman gunned Trayvon Smith down at a distance, from behind. People actually make the assertion that Zimmerman’s head wasn’t pounded on the sidewalk enough to justify firing. This has been asserted at this very web site. That’s absurd – it amounts to saying he shouldn’t have fired until he was unconscious. How bad were his injuries supposed to be before he fired? Give me a description. I’m serious.

I would like to point out also that the Stand Your Ground Law is not relevant to this case. This is a simple right to self defense and that right predates the SYG law.

These racially driven flash mobs and “punching game” street thug actions we keep hearing about will eventually be unleashed on people who are armed. You know it’s just a matter of time. After they’ve shot the bastards, are you going to argue over how beaten down they should have gotten before firing? Can you tell us in advance?

While I have no desire to see Zimmerman railroaded, I have no desire to see the idea reinforced that someone can shoot an unarmed person to death under questionable circumstances, and then be allowed to walk based entirely on their own statement concerning what happened.

If you shoot and injure or kill, you should be required to formally establish that your actions were justified. Every gun owner should understand that any decision to shoot carries a legal risk. Most reasonable people understand what will happen in our violence-prone society if you take that element of risk away.

@Greg:

Of course the Martin/Fulton family is characterizing findings of the autopsy report as “trace levels” because it is in their interest to do so.

The scientific fact is that measured levels of THC or related metabolites in the blood or urine reveal absolutely nothing about a person’s degree of marijuana intoxication at any particular point in time, or even if the person was under the influence to any degree at all.

Some of the THC metabolites will remain in the blood of a marijuana user for weeks. For heavy users some of the THC metabolites will remain in the blood of a marijuana user for up to three months. That’s because some THC metabolites are stored in the user’s fatty tissues and released back into the blood slowly over time.

The reason why the amount of measured levels of THC or related THC metabolites in the blood or urine alone reveal absolutely nothing less that accurate information about a person’s degree of marijuana intoxication is because regular and heavy marijuana users need less and less marijuana to get as high as a novice user. Regular and heavy marijuana users get stoned easier than novice users.

THC itself is another matter altogether. The body metabolizes THC and removes actual THC from the blood of the user in no more than four hours.

Trace indicators of Martin’s past marijuana use have no more relevance to the question of what happened the night Martin was shot to death than evidence that Zimmerman had consumed alcohol within the past two weeks might have. It’s mentioned repeatedly only to discredit a person who’s no longer around to testify on his own behalf.

Not so. Trace indicators of THCmetabolites in the blood speak to Martin’s past marijuana use over a span of weeks of even months for regular and heavy users (see above).

However, measurable level of THC itself in the blood speak to Martin’s immediate past marijuana use over a span of one, two, three but less than hour hours.

To argue that Martin’s immediate past marijuana use have no relevance to the question of what happened the night Martin was shot to death is just plain silly. Trayvon Martin smoked marijuana or hashish one, two or three hours before he was shot. Mind you Trayvon Martin didn’t smoke marijuana or hashish one, two or three hours before he was shot because he liked the way marijuana or hashish discolored his remaining teeth. Trayvon Martin smoked marijuana or hashish one, two or three hours before he was shot because he W-A-N-T-E-D to G-E-T H-I-G-H.

.

Trayvon Martin’s judgment was impaired when he twice confronted George Zimmerman. Moreover, if the levels of THC metabolites in the Trayvon Martin’s blood indicate he was a heavy or a regular user, then the likelihood that Trayvon Martin may have been paranoid when he confronted Zimmerman has to he considered.

@Greg:

MENTAL HEALTH, BRAIN FUNCTION, AND MEMORY

It has been suggested that marijuana is at the root of many mental disorders, including acute toxic psychosis, panic attacks (one of the very conditions it is being used experimentally to treat), flashbacks, delusions, depersonalization, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, and uncontrollable aggressiveness. Marijuana has long been known to trigger attacks of mental illness, such as bipolar (manic-depressive) psychosis and schizophrenia. This connection with mental illness should make health care providers for terminally ill patients and the patients themselves, who may already be suffering from some form of clinical depression, weigh very carefully the pros and cons of adopting a therapeutic course of marijuana.

In the short term, marijuana use impairs perception, judgment, thinking, memory, and learning; memory defects may persist six weeks after last use. Mental disorders connected with marijuana use merit their own category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) IV, published by the American Psychiatric Association. These include Cannabis Intoxication (consisting of impaired motor coordination, anxiety, impaired judgment, sensation of slowed time, social withdrawal, and often includes perceptual disturbances; Cannabis Intoxication Delirium (memory deficit, disorientation); Cannabis Induced Psychotic Disorder, Delusions; Cannabis Induced Psychotic Disorder, Hallucinations; and Cannabis Induced Anxiety Disorder.

The side effects of marijuana use include :

A) Cannabis Intoxication (consisting of :
impaired motor coordination,
anxiety,
impaired judgment,
sensation of slowed time,
social withdrawal, and
often includes perceptual disturbances;

B) Cannabis Intoxication Delirium (memory deficit, disorientation);

C) Cannabis Induced Psychotic Disorder incling:
Delusions;
Hallucinations; and
Anxiety Disorder.

Other side effects are:
D) acute toxic psychosis,

E) panic attacks,

F) delusions,

G) depersonalization,

H) hallucinations,

I) paranoia,

J) depression, and

K) uncontrollable aggressiveness.

Health_Concerns: WHAT ARE THE MEDICAL DANGERS OF MARIJUANA USE?

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/evidence99/marijuana/Health_1.html

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@Wm T Sherman:

The marijuana issue is not terribly useful in reconstructing what happened. Marijuana does not tend to promote violent behavior

Yes, you all read that right: uncontrollable aggressiveness IS a side effect of marijuana use.

U-N-C-O-N-T-R-O-L-L-A-B-L-E . . . A-G-G-R-E-S-S-I-V-E-N-E-S-S

The Official Martin/Fulton Family’s Memoria Tribute Site

Trayvon Martin was a high school junior who turned 17 years of age 3 weeks prior to his death. Trayvon was murdered inocently by a 28 year old vigilante in Sanford, Florida who thought he looked suspicious and didn’t belong in their housing community. Trayvon went to the 7-11 convenience store to purchase a bag of Skittles and an Arizona ice tea. Tragically gunned down by George Zimmerman, an overzealous resident on Neighborhood watch packed with a 9mm handgun. The Sanford Police department further added insult to injury by not only refusing to arrest the man who murdered Trayvon Martin but to cover up the truth and tell Trayvon Martin’s parents blatant lies.

The police chief Bill Lee and Sgt. Dave Morgenstern conducted a biased investigation that was geared towards supporting a “self defense” theory on behalf of the killer, George Zimmerman whom they were personal friends with.

The police wanted to accept Zimmerman’s self defense theory so much that they helped put the story together. Trayvon Martin had no arrest record, was not a juvenile delinquent, and did not breat any laws, was not loitering, trespassing or violating anyone’s personal or cummnal space. Trayvon was attacked and killed in cold blood by a 28 year old white male who had a preconceived notion of Trayvon Martin and acted on his beliefs.

http://wearetrayvonmartin.com

I have highlighted the parts of this “memorial” that should be paid attention to for their absolute presentation of false “facts.”

Perhaps Aye would like to tell us what part of that “memorial” bothers him. How many lies are contained in that little piece of propaganda? Why are the facts misrepresented if the Martin/Fulton family is in the right?

Add to the above page this on the same web site:

Trayvon Martin Memorial Donation Page

The Trayvon Martin Family Trust Fund has been established because of the grave injustice surrounding Trayvon’s tragic death. Travel and bereavement expense have been incurred and will continue to accumulate until Justice is served. ……

100 percent of proceeds donated on our family site will go to the Trayvon Martin Family Trust Fund.

But wait, wasn’t it reported by kansascity.com this:

“Until now, the parent’s extensive travel expenses have been paid either by their attorney, Benjamin Crump, or by whoever invited them to the event they attended, he [Michael Hall] said.”

Of course, the Trayvon Martin Donation Page contains this little caveat:

“the Trayvon Martin Family Trust Fund is a taxable fund for the benefit of the Trayvon Martin Family.”

Yes, you all read that right: uncontrollable aggressiveness IS a side effect of marijuana use.

U-N-C-O-N-T-R-O-L-L-A-B-L-E . . . A-G-G-R-E-S-S-I-V-E-N-E-S-S

Uncontrollable munchies, maybe. In the past I have personally witnessed numerous instances of uncontrollable aggressiveness toward boxes of cookies or bags of Cheetos.

Marijuana has also been known to cause inexplicable aggressiveness in law enforcement officials.

@Aye: Health_Concerns: WHAT ARE THE MEDICAL DANGERS OF MARIJUANA USE?

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/evidence99/marijuana/Health_1.html

Did you see this posted earlier? Does this qualify as “expert” enough for you?

Anywho who claims uncontrolable aggressiveness to weed use is a bit far fetched. However, with the constant 420 culture that’s lingers in Rainbow Six, Counter Strike, Unreal Tournament, and Call of Duty Server groups that encourages the crap’s consumption and selling of it… and the fact that a few out of this world news events happened in the last few years between Counter Strike users (one stoned and seeking revenge “rematch” on another player by stabbing the victim in real life while under the influence in France or the more disturbing Chinese internet Cafe knifing to the Head of a supposed cheater) is a bit creepy. Too many Males in the age group 35 and younger in the gaming scene is using Weed while they’re playing their favorite shooters, which is making violent actions not an aggressive choice but a casual entertainment choice and that is where trouble is brewing when the connection to reality is impared.

@Ivan, #47:

Did you see this posted earlier? Does this qualify as “expert” enough for you?

This is supposed to be authoritative because whoever posted it has Harvard.edu in their URL? There’s nothing “expert” about it. The document doesn’t even include the name of the person who compiled it. Nearly all of the references cited are anti-drug organizations. None of the people listed in association with the Berkman Center website are medical doctors, biologists, or scientists.

If they want to play “expert” in connection with marijuana, maybe they should stick to matters of law. Perhaps they could figure out and explain the Constitutional basis for the Controlled Substance Act, which legally equates marijuana with heroin while totally ignoring tobacco–a highly addictive substance with no medical use that kills over 400,000 Americans every year and meets the Schedule I definition perfectly.

The number of Americans who die yearly as a direct or indirect result of using marijuana? Try a guess of ZERO, and you won’t be very far off.

BTW, the folks at Berkman Center don’t appear to be expert botanists, either. The “cannabis” leaves displayed on their website are actually off a Japanese maple tree. Feel free to smoke ’em if you wish.

At least we know Greg suffers from bouts of delusions of grander.