Justice Department, FBI to probe shooting death of Florida teen

[Coltman151]

The grounds of a gated community are considered private property, are they not? As such, isn't a resident well within their rights to question someone they don't recognize to determine whether or not they have business there, in case he or she may be trespassing?

Not sure of florida's laws, but I worked at a golf course inside a gated community, and security there questioned people all the time, even residents. And LEO wasn't allowed inside the gates without a warrant.

 

[marshaul]

The grounds of a gated community are considered private property, are they not? As such, isn't a resident well within their rights to question someone they don't recognize to determine whether or not they have business there, in case he or she may be trespassing?

They may be, but I'm not sure that makes it a good idea.

Someone who is rightfully within that gated community is equally within their rights to ignore the first person outright, and continue on their way. What would they do then?

That's what I would do, btw. I have better things to do with my time than gratify the delusions of a cop-wannabe who never understand the value of minding his own business in the absence of present aggression.

 

[JoshD422]

They may be, but I'm not sure that makes it a good idea.

Someone who is rightfully within that gated community is equally within their rights to ignore the first person outright, and continue on their way. What would they do then?

That's what I would do, btw. I have better things to do with my time than gratify the delusions of a cop-wannabe who never understand the value of minding his own business in the absence of present aggression.

Well, putting aside what you or I might think is a bad idea (after the fact), all I'm trying to say is that it falls within the legal rights of someone living in a gated community (assuming it IS private property) to ask someone they don't recognize what business they have there. According to Zimmerman's side of the story, Martin did NOT "just ignore him". If there isn't any evidence to support otherwise, then Zimmerman was within his legal rights. You can disagree, you can say it's unfair, and you can call Zimmerman a racist until you're blue in the face (I'm not saying YOU MARSHAUL believe all or any of those things; I'm applying those statements generally), but none of that equals a conviction or even enough probable cause for arrest... All the "wannabe-cop" stuff is just hearsay and/or speculation.

People say "Why would someone have any business questioning or suspecting anyone else?"... But isn't that exactly what neighborhood watch is? I've sat outside someone's house with my car idling, waiting for them to get ready for us to go out, and had people knock on my car window and ask what I'm doing there. I don't freak out over it. The person recognized an outsider and decided to engage that person. Would it be within my rights to ignore them and let them call the police if they really believed I was up to no good? ABSOLUTELY! But that doesn't mean they've broken some law by asking.

Martin may have been legitimately scared out of his mind by this suspicious man following him. But if the story goes the way Zimmerman tells it, and is backed up (and more importantly, not contradicted) by any witnesses, then there is no charge, arrest, or conviction.

 

[Citizen]

Josh and Marshaul,

We also have to take into account that most sheeple have no idea what the law really is, and are just yapping from whatever premise supports their prejudice or their own individual sense of fairness. We've all heard this, I think. The person who says its right and proper for a cop to detain someone and investigate even though open carry is perfectly legal, making this declaration with no concept of the 4A in regard to Terry v Ohio.

Thus, I'll bet only 1 in 100 people know Zimmerman would be completely within his rights to walk up to a total stranger and ask their business in the neighborhood, block watch or not. As in consensual encounter. Anybody can ask anybody anything (as long as its not an invitation to illegal activity, I guess).

Of course, this same crowd will cheerfully support TSA feeling them up or irradiating them, but that's beside the point.

 

[marshaul]

All the "wannabe-cop" stuff is just hearsay and/or speculation.

I hold law enforcement officers in the highest regaurd (sic) as I hope to one day become. I would never have touched a police officer.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/03/24/v-print/142993/zimmerman-described-as-a-caring.html

Also, I'm pretty sure the intended function of neighborhood watch is to report (and possibly intervene in if absolutely necessary) crimes in progress, and to provide a deterrent to the same by their mere existence, not to troll around calling the cops on their neighbors' kids who aren't committing any crimes.

I'm not going to address the rest of your post, as I'm on record here numerously stating I believe Zimmerman is innocent, if also an idiot.

 

[Sir Blastalot]

Zimmerman is in hot water, IMO. Zimmerman, "F*cking C00ns" 2:22.

[video=youtube;mOpGAOXL5Uk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOpGAOXL5Uk&feature=player_embedded[/video]

Just thought I would stick this in here.
http://i.imgur.com/fWhEx.jpg