Trayvon Martin case: After police chief steps aside, state prosecutor recuses himself

[Dennis S]

Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee's decision came less than a day after city commissioners gave him a "no confidence" vote, and after a couple of weeks of protests and uproar on social media websites. Lee has said evidence in the case supported George Zimmerman's claim that the Feb. 26 shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was self-defense.

"I do this in the hopes of restoring some semblance of calm to a city which has been in turmoil for several weeks," Lee said.

About three hours later, Gov. Rick Scott announced that the local state attorney, Norman Wolfinger, had recused himself from the case. In a letter to Scott, Wolfinger said that while he thought he could fairly oversee any prosecution that develops in the case, his recusal was aimed at "toning down the rhetoric and preserving the integrity of the investigation." Scott appointed Angela B. Corey, the state attorney for the Jacksonville area, to take over the case.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News...artin-case

What in the hell is going on?

"...preserving the integrity of the investigation..."?

Is anybody even investigating anything ?

I hope the Feds come in and clean up this cesspool.

[cbelt3]

I agree , it will take the Feds to fix it. I also expect the Personal Space shoot to kill law will be repealed. Never made any sense to me.

[Spock]

cbelt3 wrote:
I also expect the Personal Space shoot to kill law will be repealed.

Don't forget that the law was introduced at the behest of the NRA who have been deafeningly silent on the matter. Those that opposed this law when it was proposed predicted these dreadful scenarios but I doubt they will get much comfort from saying "I told you so". It certainly isn't helping advertise Florida as a tourist destination.

[Ombligo]

While it stinks, the state's hands are tied as by the letter of the law in Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, what took place was legal.

This is exactly what opponents said would eventually transpire when the state GOP controlled legislature (by super-majority in both chambers) and GOP Governor allowed this to become law with virtually no official debate.

The law essentially says a person claiming to feel threatened may use deadly force to protect themself. It does not limit the action to protecting one's self from deadly intention, it does not say the other party need be armed, nor does it say you must be on your property or defending your property. You do not have to try to leave or avoid the other individual. You do not even have to show that you were physically threatened. Essentially if you feel threatened, you can use whatever force you deem neccessary to feel safe again - up to and including deadly force.

Florida also allows individuals with a permit (granted to just about anyone who takes the concealed weapons course, which requires everyone be passed) to carry a weapon anywhere in the state other than schools (and that is being debated in court) and the state legislative chambers.

Since their are no witnesses to what transpired, the only evidence is what the shooter says. He said he felt threatened and used the force neccessary to protect himself.

Yes, it is an idiot's law that is shortsighted and ill-conceived (IMHO). Quite frankly, I'm surprised anyone has been charged with murder since this law went into effect last year. With any luck, it will be amended in some fashion to correct it's many flaws. So far, no member of the majority party in Florida has raised that possibility.

So welcome to the wild west, hopefully you'll survive your next trip to Disney World - just don't look mean at Mickey or he could blow you away.

[Lux Interior]

Spock wrote: Those that opposed this law when it was proposed predicted these dreadful scenarios but I doubt they will get much comfort from saying "I told you so".

I don't think the law would have changed anything that happened before he was shot. This guy was going to shoot someone eventually, regardless.

It's what happened after the shooting.

Zimmerman: "I shot him in self-defense."

Police: "Well, okay then. You're free to go! Have a nice evening, sir!"

[Dennis S]

Even the guy who wrote the "Stand Your Ground" law said it doesn't apply in this case.

[Ombligo]

He may not have intended it to apply, but several legal experts have said it will be very hard to get a conviction because of it. Even bringing charges is difficult.

Intentions do not mean a thing legally.

Once again a lawmaker didn't bother to listen to anyone pointing out the flaws in a proposal. Now he is trying to distance himself from the controversy.

[mattkime]

>>While it stinks, the state's hands are tied as by the letter of the law in Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, what took place was legal.

That should be determined after a complete investigation.

[beagledave]

The problem is people of color wearing hoodies.

Stop that sartorial choice and problem solved.

[OWC Jamie]

beagledave wrote:
The problem is people of color wearing hoodies.

Stop that sartorial choice and problem solved.

That's rather stupid logic, but the Rican and Guat gangs here have their hoodies. They are verboten in all the schools. Even kindergartens. Advisable if you are or look twenty-something or younger to be very, very careful what you wear if you go to the Mall on the weekend. Shoppers have been shivved because they had a hood up walking around.