From what I understand (and lets be clear, I certainly havent read every word related to the case. At least Im admitting there may be room for error in my understanding), George Zimmerman is a self-appointed captain of his neighborhood watch program, in a gated community. Although he holds a valid license to carry a concealed weapon, he was not authorized to use it on watch. Nor, was he acting as an officially recognized security figure by any association, or community governing board. He claims to have observed someone that he believed to be suspicious, walking down the street. He called 911 to inform them of this person, and told the operator that he was following him. In direct contradiction to the instructions of the 911 operator, and in violation of the actual neighborhood watch guidelines which state; it should be emphasized to members that they do not possess police powers, and they shall not carry weapons or pursue vehicles, George Zimmerman pursed Trayvon Martin.
Everything that happens after Zimmerman called 911, changes everything related to this case.
Had Zimmerman let the natural course of events transpire, Trayvon Martin would be alive today.
By every account, there was no crime being committed. There was no imminent threat to George Zimmerman. And, by law, there was no justification for his actions. George Zimmerman followed Trayvon Martin. As soon as that decision was made, he became the aggressor. Had he not followed and forced Trayvons defenses, there would not have been an altercation that (giving Zimmerman the benefit of the doubt) necessitated the use of deadly force.
Heres where I fall back on my personal defense training.
According to how I have been trained, in order to use deadly force against an assailant, there must be 4 components satisfied. Your attacker must meet them all prior to making the decision to shoot.


1. Means to inflict potentially fatal harm. (Having a weapon/capability)
First, Trayvon Martin was not even an assailant. He was walking down the street
unarmed. Had Zimmerman had legitimate concern for his presence, his job was to call police. He did. And there should have ended his involvement. No weapon. No capability based upon lack of contact between either party.
Component #1 not satisfied.
2. Clear intent to do potentially fatal harm.
See Component #1. Trayvon Martin was not an assailant. In fact, once confronted by George Zimmerman, Trayvon Martin now becomes the potential target of a violent encounter. Had he been armed, and felt his life to be in imminent jeopardy, he would have been justified in reaching into his waistband (as Zimmerman alleges took place prior to firing on the unarmed Martin) and utilizing deadly force in his own defense. Zimmerman meets both, Component 1 and 2 at this point. Martin does not.
Component #2 not satisfied.
3. You must be certain that your life is in immediate jeopardy.
Have I mentioned that Trayvon Martin was not an assailant? Prior to George Zimmermans decision to engage Martin, which ignored both the instructions of a 911 operator, and the statutes of the neighborhood watch program that Zimmerman claimed to be acting under, Martin had no interest in the well-being of George Zimmerman whatsoever.
Component #3 not satisfied.
4. You must have no other alternative.

This is where youll hear stand your ground being tossed about like some alpha-male-juicehead macho-ism.
The reality is; if youre making the decision to employ the use of deadly force, youd best be damned sure that you have to. The decision to take human life
and that is the decision youve made once youve employed your gun in a confrontation (any competent use of a gun, is reasonably expected to incapacitate a target, potentially resulting in their death), should never, ever, ever, be made as anything other than as a last resort. It goes without saying that Zimmerman didnt have to defend his life until he provoked confrontation with an unarmed Trayvon Martin. And even then, by his instigation, had Martin killed George Zimmerman during the alleged physical confrontation, it would be Martin who was justified.
Trayvon Martin didnt meet those stipulations. George Zimmerman
did.
lease: