Neighbourhood Watch Kills Unarmed Black Kid

[Ree]

It's disturbing that the dispatcher actually asks if the spotted 'perp' is black or hispanic as a first query.

Yeah, I caught that too, Raps.

As soon as I heard it, my mind went

Why would he offer "is he black or hispanic" instead of asking, "Is he white?"

Why couldn't he simply ask, "Can you describe the guy?" and if Zimmerman didn't mention race or skin colour, he could have just asked what his skin colour was as an aid to describing him to the police he was dispatching, rather than having it seem like a given that a perp in this neighbourhood was naturally going to be either black or hispanic.

there might have been an earlier report of a black or hispanic in the area causing problems.

Even if that could have been the case, I would think it would be better for the 911 operator to simply ask for a description rather than plant one in the mind of the witness calling in.

I don't think people get what it's like down here...
...So don't tell me it's not about race.

Oh, you mean like when a police lieutenant's son beats the crap out of a black homeless guy and it gets swept under the rug?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/17/op...on-martin.html
WFTV also reported this week that the officer in charge of the scene when Trayvon was shot was also in charge of another controversial case. In 2010, a lieutenant’s son was videotaped attacking a black homeless man. The officer’s son also was not initially arrested in that case. He was later arrested when the television station broke the news.

[ngc_7331]

I remember that case. That officer kept his job? Wtf.

[bara]

Why couldn't she simply ask, "Can you describe the guy?" and if Zimmerman didn't mention race or skin colour, she could have just asked what his skin colour was as an aid to describing him to the police she was dispatching, rather than having it seem like a given that a perp in this neighbourhood was naturally going to be either black or hispanic.

No doubt, the racism is strong is this area.

[Seifer]

It's disturbing that the dispatcher actually asks if the spotted 'perp' is black or hispanic as a first query.

Rapscallion

The first dispatcher asked if he was "white, black, or hispanic." I didn't listen to all the tapes because they're disturbing as hell, but if another dispatcher only asked if he was "black or hispanic" then yeah, that's pretty bad.

[Ree]

The first dispatcher asked if he was "white, black, or hispanic."

Well, I have listened twice to the original 911 call, and unless there was some kind of internet glitch while I was listening, and it got blipped out, I only heard "Is he black or hispanic?"

*EDIT - OK...I did listen again, and the words "Is he white" kind of run together and are very faint, but he did ask, "Is he white, black or hispanic?"
I stand corrected.
Thanks for pointing that out.

[Andara Bledin]

From all accounts, it seems that Zimmerman was on top of Martin at some point, while Martin was begging for his life and screaming for help.

So, I must ask, did Zimmerman shoot the kid while he was on top of him and then move the body? Or, perhaps the first officer on the scene did so?

Or was Zimmerman on top of his back with is face to the ground before making him get up so he could shoot him in the chest instead of the back?

^-.-^

[Ree]

I don't know, but a witness described the man on top as wearing a white shirt, but I believe Zimmerman was described as wearing a red sweatshirt.
Martin was described as wearing a grey hoodie, which could be taken as white in the dark.

So, yes, it's possible Martin was on top and beating Zimmerman as described at one point, and it was Zimmerman calling for help, but I still say, if the dude had stayed in his car as instructed, it wouldn't have happened, and shooting a kid in the chest to keep them from pounding on you is not acceptable.

Zimmerman went in pursuit of the kid because he automatically assumed he was up to no good. Zimmerman's father claims his son is not racist, as he is actually Hispanic and grew up in a multi-racial home. Still, a part of him saw a black kid in a hoodie, walking in the rain at a pace that he considered so slow that it was suspicious, () and he automatically assumed he was up to no good.

[ngc_7331]

They have witnesses who said it was Trayvon and not Zimmerman calling for help, but that there may have been a bit of a police coverup of that.

Another officer corrected a witness after she told him that she heard the teen cry for help.

The officer told the witness, a long-time teacher, it was Zimmerman who cried for help, said the witness. ABC News has spoken to the teacher and she confirmed that the officer corrected her when she said she heard the teenager shout for help.

Here's the whole article.

[Cats]

U.S. Department of Justice announces independent investigation into shooting death of Trayvon Martin

Found this in my twitter feed this morning. Been following the thread for a while, but got nothing of value to add that hasn't already been said.

Still, it looks like Zimmerman isn't off the hook just yet. Let's hope Martin's family sees some sense of justice come out of this.

[Andara Bledin]

And, linked from that article is one about how Martin was on his cellphone when Zimmerman attacked him.

The statement from the person he was speaking to directly contradicts statements Zimmerman gave to the police.

^-.-^

[Gravekeeper]

And, linked from that article is one about how Martin was on his cellphone when Zimmerman attacked him.

Also:

Zimmerman said he had stepped out of his truck to check the name of the street he was on when Trayvon attacked him from behind as he walked back to his truck, police said. He said he feared for his life and fired the semiautomatic handgun he was licensed to carry because he feared for his life.

Really? I mean...really?

For fuck sakes. -.-

[Andara Bledin]

Nevermind that they were in an area between houses and not near the street at all when he shot Martin.

The more that comes out about this incident, the more the whole things stinks of corruption.

^-.-^

[Ree]

"

Really? I mean...really?

For fuck sakes. -.-

Seriously!

Did he forget the 911 call where he was on the phone with the police and you can clearly tell he is getting out of the car as he is talking, and he is worried that the @$$hole will get away"? They asked if he had stepped out of his car and if he was following the kid, and he said yes.

Nothing but a lie for him to say he stepped out to see the name of the street and the kid attacked him from behind.

[Greenday]

It's nice to see the FBI investigating and seeing corruptness being found out. Stuff needs to be ended.

[ngc_7331]

Yeah, isn't it kind of hard to be following someone who's behind you?