So begins the precedent that people can follow/scare unarmed people all over gated communities for no reason at all and then shoot them dead when there is retaliation of any sort.
That, or, The Trayvon Martin Foundation can attempt to reform our shitty laws and judicial system. RIP kid — you had no shot.
Bottom line: You can’t do something unlawful and claim self defense. In Florida, scaring somebody is considered assault. Assault is unlawful. That said, Zimmerman couldn’t claim self defense or Stand Your Ground.
For some reason, the prosecution didn’t do their job explaining this to the jury. It’s a sad day — again — for our judicial system.
A month or so ago, I received an email (not from a bcclist commenter) asking if I considered the option that Zimmerman arrived at Retreat View Circle and headed south (instead of walking back west towards the T).
While I originally suggested Trayvon may have taken this route home, I never drew out a variation of Zimmerman pursuing in such a manner. So, there are 2 new maps below — the 1st suggests Trayvon reached home via the inner path and the 2nd suggests he took Retreat View Circle.
Map 3.1 from 6/27/2013…
Map 3.2 from 6/27/2013…
Why are these 2 maps (and this one) so intriguing?
Rachel Jenteal is insistent that Trayvon reached his dad’s fiancee’s house. Specifically, Trayvon was out of breath/laboring when Zimmerman appeared again. Trayvon Martin: “Why are you following me for?” Zimmerman: “What are you doing around here?” After this verbal exchange, a final chase started and ended with a bump/scuffle/grass noise/gunshot.
At least 2 witnesses have stated they saw shadows running from south to north before the scuffle began and the shot was fired.
Zimmerman has 2+ minutes to account for from when his call ended with police to when the scuffle with Trayvon Martin began. Any of the maps depicting a south to north chase account for this gap in time (since it would have taken time for Zimmerman to get from north to south on Retreat View Circle).
Brandy Green – Tracy Martin’s girlfriend – stated the day after the murder that Trayvon was sitting on her porch and then somebody shot him up by the T.
Note: The above is a one off blog posting during George Zimmerman’s trial. This BccList.com forum posting — see the comment section here — is where the conversation is continuing.
I’m not quite sure John Guy’s opening statement could have been scripted/delivered much better. It starts at the 20:40 mark here…
Per Mr. Guy’s opening statement, most of the postings on BccList discuss the tangled web of lies that Zimmerman has spun regarding the shooting of Trayvon Martin but here are two pretty decent recaps…
Note: The above is a one off blog posting during George Zimmerman’s trial. This BccList.com forum posting — see the comment section here — is where the conversation is continuing.
So, weed/gun pics mean what — besides absolutely nothing — to this case?
One day, I hope to figure out/understand why the MSM is covering the case as they have been. Meaning, they’ve literally reported nothing of importance yet…nothing. Until then, I guess the goal is to incite emotion/pageviews from both sides?
Bottom line: No matter how many gun/weed pics Trayvon Martin had on his phone, Zimmerman can’t win a self defense (or stand your ground) case if — leading up to the murder — it’s well known/documented that he committed an act of assault by chasing an unarmed teen walking home with skittles and iced tea all over a gated community.
Note: The comment section for this posting has been disabled. This BccList.com forum posting — see the comment section here — is where the conversation is continuing.
This hearing — to be ruled by Judge Lester (assuming he’s still presiding over the case) — is the defense’s only hope in my opinion. I (rhetorically) wonder if the Zimmermans’ trying to game the legal system during the bond hearing(s) will come back to haunt them…
Unfortunately for Zimmerman’s legal team, a potential Stand Your Ground hearing was announced on the same day I first started noticing the following YouTube video fly across twitter. Bad timing!
“You Got a Problem Homie?” Mash-Up:
Thank you, Sharvey and CherokeeNative.
Without being said, somebody is screwed and his initials are GZ.
Update from 8/09 – Why George Zimmerman Can’t Win a Stand Your Ground Hearing:
Thank you, CommonSenseForChange and willisnewtown.
The above posting is the 5th of 5 postings that includes updates regarding the Trayvon Martin – George Zimmerman shooting. The others can be found here…
Note: The comment section for this posting has been disabled. This BccList.com forum posting — see the comment section here — is where the conversation is continuing.
Yes, this posting should have gone up within a week of evidence dump #2 being released — I’m a little behind. I’ve yet to thoroughly review the jailhouse calls but I’m publishing this posting now to preface an upcoming posting. Thank you CommonSenseForChange for the assist — especially regarding Zimmerman’s ex-fiancee’!
Page 29: Witness 2 said the shadows were running from left to right. W2 lives east of the path. So, the running motion she described is from south to north. Note — Gilbreath ambiguously mentioned shadows running as evidence during bond hearing 1. This witness statement is horrible for the defense and seems to coordinate well with DeeDee’s statement and this map…
Page 78: Zimmerman said he followed Trayvon. He doesn’t mention trying to obtain an address. Like the video reenactment, I speculate that during the trial there will be absolutely no admission of Zimmerman trying to do anything but get an address for the dispatcher.
Page 78: Osterman mentioned Zimmerman cried for help to 3 different neighbors and then Trayvon covered his mouth seconds before the shot was fired. I didn’t hear any breaks in the screams for help until after the shot was fired. I know this has been mentioned before — even during bond hearing 2 — but I had never seen evidence suggesting exactly when Zimmerman’s mouth was supposedly covered.
Page 79: Osterman stated he accompanied Zimmerman to the video reenactment because Zimmerman didn’t understand the process. I guess a near associates degree in criminal justice doesn’t teach you much these days, eh?
Page 79: The 5th and 6th paragraphs confuse me. Is that still a statement from Osterman?
In the 5th paragraph, a list of burglaries are cited. In the 6th paragraph, is Osterman saying Zimmerman never mentioned any burglaries or home invasions to him? If so, which one is it?
In the 6th paragraph, is Osterman saying Zimmerman never actively patrolled the neighborhood? Statements on pages 108, 109, and 111 would disagree. Which one is it?
Page 89: Like Manalo, the name of Zimmerman’s bro in law (Wilson) wasn’t redacted. There’s likely nothing of value there…I just made a note.
Page 95: Who is the community management point of contact? What beef did Zimmerman have with him/her?
Page 99: The 2nd paragraph is weird. Who interrupts to ask if the neighborhood watch was registered with the police? Whoever this witness is, they must be familiar with neighborhood watch programs and law enforcement.
Page 99: Zimmerman again (2nd time) says he followed Trayvon. He doesn’t mention trying to obtain an address. As mentioned above, I speculate that during the trial there will be absolutely no admission of Zimmerman trying to do anything but get an address for the dispatcher.
Page 106: Did Zimmerman really ask somebody why they were outside (smoking a cigarette)? That gets your ass kicked in a lot of neighborhoods. It would be interesting to know this person’s stature and/or ethnicity. The statement was taken from a female. The person Zimmerman questioned about being outside was a male. I’m guessing they were boyfriend/girlfriend? Regardless, per paragraph 6, it looks like the male didn’t want to divulge more info about the incident to the FBI. Balls of steel.
Page 110: The only other person besides Osterman and the individual on page 135 to say Zimmerman didn’t actively patrol the neighborhood. Statements on pages 108, 109, and 111 would disagree. Which one is it?
Note: Both individuals on page 110 and 135 serve the RTL HOA in some official capacity. Both make it clear nobody from Neighborhood Watch patrolled the community. That apparently isn’t true per 108, 109, and 111. Why are these two individuals insistent that nobody patrolled the neighborhood?
Page 113: Who did Zimmerman “stare” down? It would be interesting to know this person’s stature and/or ethnicity.
Page 118: Undoubtedly Joe Oliver. The female mentioned in paragraph 3 is…? Sondra?
Page 128: Undoubtedly Taaffe. Mostly black teens crossed through the open area? And, some of them smoked blunts? And, most ignored him while talking on their cellphones?
Trayvon was possibly smoking a cigar (per the 7/11 video, Trayvon seemingly got denied a cigar and possibly had the 3 guys seen after he leaves the store buy an extra one for him) and talking on his cellphone while walking through the open area near Taaffe’s. Coincidence that Taaffe would add random ass things about blunts/cellphones to his FBI statement?
Page 137: Zimmerman again (3rd time) says he followed Trayvon. He doesn’t mention trying to obtain an address. Like the video reenactment and as mentioned a few times above, I speculate that during the trial there will be absolutely no admission of Zimmerman trying to do anything but get an address for the dispatcher.
Page 141: Zimmerman’s ex-fiancee’ said he smacked her in the mouth. They got into an argument which escalated into a pushing match. Zimmerman kicked her dog in the stomach and the ex-fiancee’ moved out the next day. Though Shellie has already lied under oath, she mentioned Zimmerman didn’t show aggression (paraphrasing) of any type during their relationship. Did such aggression get “cured” before Shellie and he met?
Page 141: Zimmerman was caught by his ex-fiancee’ lying on the bed with his teenage neighbor playing with her baby. Has anybody spoken to the former teenage neighbor especially given Witness 9’s statement?
Page 141: Zimmerman’s ex-fiancee’ caught him stalking her at a new residence. The ex-fiancee’ called Zimmerman and asked him where he was, but he lied and said he was elsewhere. The ex-fiancee’ told Zimmerman that she saw him leaving her residence. Zimmerman asked if he could come talk to her about a sick grandmother. So, Zimmerman was lying and manipulating then — what stops him from doing so now?
Page 142: Zimmerman refused to leave his ex-fiancee’ new place of residence and asked if he could sleep on the couch. Zimmerman snatched her cell phone and put it in his pocket. The ex-fiancee’s dog bit Zimmerman on the face and she was able to retrieve her phone and call the police. Zimmerman ran before the police arrived. Zimmerman’s ex-fiancee’ filed an injunction against him on the advice of a responding officer. Did such aggression get “cured” before he met Shellie?
Page 143: Zimmerman turned off his mother’s electricity, locked the box to it and departed leaving his mother with no electricity. This was done because Zimmerman’s mother and ex-fiancee’ got into an argument. Did such aggression (against his mother!) get “cured” before he met Shellie?
Page 144: Zimmerman has a bad temper according to his ex-fiancee’. She thought this may have been a side effect of Zimmerman’s use of Accutane. In Zimmerman’s medical report the day after the shooting, the drug Vyvanse is mentioned to cause mood swings in Zimmerman. Was his bad temper and mood swings “cured” before he met Shellie?
Page 144: Zimmerman’s ex-fiancee’ says Zimmerman would exhibit “road rage” while driving. Did Zimmerman’s “road rage” get cured before he met Shellie?
Page 182 and 183: Officer Smith seems rather unprofessional. Those transmissions were sent via government supplied devices, right? Is he currently active, on leave, or terminated after these messages came to light?
Speaking of Officer Smith (and more to come within the next few days)…
Page 10: Sergeant McCoy notes a gun lying on the front seat of Officer Smith’s car.
Page 23: Officer Smith removes the gun from Zimmerman’s holster at the police station after Zimmerman went to the bathroom and possibly washed his hands (plus what else?).
Which statement is correct? Was Zimmerman’s gun already secured at the scene or was it secured at the police department?
Note: The comment section for this posting has been disabled. This BccList.com forum posting — see the comment section here — is where the conversation is continuing.
I haven’t reviewed the 2nd evidence dump yet but per twitter, it seems like the FBI made a conclusion (or was it a summary that will be part of an eventual conclusion?) that Zimmerman wasn’t racist. From what I understand, the FBI only noted statements from current coworkers and friends. Meaning, the FBI didn’t report Zimmerman’s former middle eastern coworker who said the accused murderer harassed and bullied those he considered less than him:
The dump also mentioned that Zimmerman purchased a gun after Trayvon Martin’s shooting and before being charged with 2nd Degree Murder. Is there video of Zimmerman shooting and/or holding the new gun in his right hand? Zimmerman claims to have fired with his right hand during the reenactment but he writes left handed and was possibly in possession of a left handed holster.
It was also revealed on twitter that Zimmerman was caught using a single’s dating website when he was previously engaged. I wonder if Shellie and George have worked out any trust issues? If not, she can always talk…it’s not too late…yet. As is, Zimmerman could potentially (though not likely) walk free as Shellie serves out a perjury conviction. Think Zimmerman would weigh his options while Shellie’s behind bars?
Blog commenter “aussie” points out a doozy on page 111…
“[Unidentified Female Witness] would see Zimmerman drive around the neighborhood with his car lights off. She would also see him check the walkways with flashlights late at night.”
Neighborhood Watch patrolling — with your lights on — is one thing. Creeping the streets — with your lights OFF! — is another. As commenter “jo” mentions, it’s a shame somebody didn’t call the cops on Zimmerman for suspicious behavior while creeping.
As for Chad, he was apparently playing video games while using headphones as Trayvon may have been trying to get inside their presumably locked house. Quite a call by blog commenter CommonSenseForChange all the way back on 5/29:
Blog commenter aussie also notes that Mark Osterman can (possibly) be seen in the M & I bank video. He’s (possibly) the last person shown to use the ATM around 6:37 pm (did Osterman see Trayvon Martin and alert Zimmerman?) in the first axiom amnesia clip below.
I’ve been labeling Zimmerman as the creepy guy chasing unarmed teens through a neighborhood (before eventually shooting them) for sometime now. I’ve also mentioned above the creepiness in which Zimmerman patrolled the GATED community with his lights OFF late at night while on Neighborhood Watch. But, this obviously takes it to the next level.
Note: As of 2:00 pm EDT, this story isn’t on CNN’s homepage. Hmmmmm — why not?
Thank you, blog commenters jo So Interesting.
Update from 7/17 – Zimmerman says O’Mara knew about $37,000 in donations received:
Didn’t O’Mara state Zimmerman spent the money raised judiciously? Paying for 12+ month contracts upfront seems rather erratic. I must understand a different definition of judicious.
Also, Osterman indicated that Zimmerman lived a frugal life in his statement to the FDLE. I must understand a different definition of frugal as well.
Update from 7/24 – A Deeper Dive into Evidence Dump #2:
The above posting is the 4th of 5 postings that includes updates regarding the Trayvon Martin – George Zimmerman shooting. The others can be found here…
Note: The comment section for this posting has been disabled. This BccList.com forum posting — see the comment section here — is where the conversation is continuing.
I’m guessing the more info Zimmerman’s defense team releases, the more messaging they feel they can control? I’m not quite sure but nothing from the above link is flattering and/or helps their client’s cause.
So, I’ll start with the lies and discrepancies seen in Zimmerman’s video reenactment — it can be accessed here:
I’ll eventually get to the lies and discrepancies from Zimmerman’s interviews and statements. I’ll keep the comment section of this posting open but please try to cite only lies/discrepancies with Zimmerman’s video reenactment, interviews, statements, etc. If you’d like to comment on something else, the following blog posting is wide open!
The major issues with Zimmerman’s video reenactment:
1) Zimmerman’s not able to effectively explain how nearly all the crime scene evidence and Trayvon’s dead body ended up so far south of the T. You can clearly see the investigators wanted this answer but instead Zimmerman starts walking south and “can’t remember” how he ended up where he did south of the T.
“I think I stumbled and I fell down.”
“I think I was trying to push him away from me.”
Of course, unless Zimmerman was “attacked” from the north (he stated Trayvon supposedly came from the south behind some bushes), there was no reason for Zimmerman to have ever been an inch south of the T.
Note: I assume Zimmerman recants the bushes comment from his initial report since he conveniently “didn’t see exactly where he (Trayvon) came from” during the reenactment video.
2) Zimmerman tries to show investigators that his scuffle with Trayvon Martin occurred behind 1211 Twin Tree Lane. The correct location was one house further south behind 1221 Twin Tree Lane.
Why short change how far he and the unarmed teen were from the T? Because, as mentioned above, Zimmerman had about 24 hours and I assume a few conversations with his father (a retired judge) to figure out he shouldn’t have been even an inch south of the T if he was simply returning to his vehicle when attacked from behind. Meaning, the closer to the T, the better for Zimmerman’s defense.
3) Frank Taaffe stated his friend was way further down the path (to the south) than what Zimmerman’s reenactment video suggests…
4) After Zimmerman’s 911 call ended minutes before, he should have been back in his Honda Ridgeline waiting for police as instructed — so, not anywhere near the T — when he was attacked.
Per Zimmerman’s video reenactment, let’s dissect his version of the happenings via a map (of course) and note some more discrepancies…
5) The non emergency dispatcher asked Zimmerman to report any other suspicious activity around the 1:34 mark of his call to police. If we believe anything Zimmerman has said – that’s been extremely tough so far during this entire case – he supposedly started following (or stalking, harassing, and preying upon) Trayvon Martin in his vehicle at this point. So, to reiterate, Zimmerman wouldn’t have moved his vehicle supposedly parked on the north side of the clubhouse at any point before the 1:34 mark of his call since he was giving a play-by-play of Trayvon’s front side and wasn’t asked to keep an eye on the unarmed teenager.
It would have taken Trayvon (almost exactly) 60 seconds to walk from where Zimmerman’s car was supposedly parked on the north side of the clubhouse to where he supposedly starts running (per Zimmerman’s call/reenactment). So, if Zimmerman left his parking spot at the 1:34 mark of his call – Note: I don’t hear anything that proves the car was in gear/following Trayvon – he would have seen Trayvon starting to run around 60 seconds later or around the 2:34 mark of his call.
When did Zimmerman first report seeing Trayvon run? The 2:08 mark of his call to police…about 34 seconds into Trayvon’s walk and his supposed vehicular pursuit.
60 seconds (time it would have taken Trayvon to walk away from Zimmerman’s vehicle before he started running)
– 34 seconds (the math from Zimmerman’s call)
= A 26 second gap.
6) Frank Taafee stated Zimmerman’s truck was parked facing west when he got out to pursue Trayvon (so, not east as Zimmerman indicated during his reenactment)…
Given 2) and 6) above, I assume O’Mara is going to have to trash Taaffe since the reenactments Zimmerman and he gave don’t even remotely coordinate. Given Taaffe’s nature, that may not play out too well for the defense.
7) MOST DAMNING: At the 6:09 mark of his reenactment video, Zimmerman stated Trayvon circled his eastward facing truck sometime after the teen took off behind the houses. So, this reappearance of Trayvon would have been after the 2:08 mark of Zimmerman’s call to police. Without being said, after Zimmerman sees Trayvon run at the 2:08 mark of his call, he never mentions him reappearing.
I’m not sure as to the significance of this fabricated story but I didn’t include Trayvon circling Zimmerman’s car in his reenactment map because it’s literally impossible and a flat out lie.
Note: The comment section for this posting has been disabled. This BccList.com forum posting — see the comment section here — is where the conversation is continuing.
I’m not sure why but I decided to get my hands dirty with some Zimmerman supporters recently on Twitter. In doing so, the obnoxiousness spilled over to the comment section of the original blog posting.
This was a mistake on 2 fronts — 1) The “debates” returned little/no results… 2) There are a handful of other loose ends I’ve been trying to tie up regarding Trayvon Martin’s murder and engaging Zimmerman supporters wasted a decent amount of time.
So, let’s take a look at the defense Zimmerman supporters offer for their confessed murderer and my responses…
“Zimmerman’s injuries are proof that he had every right to protect himself under Stand Your Ground (or Self Defense).”
If Zimmerman was attacked by Trayvon Martin – and the attack was unprovoked – Stand Your Ground (or Self Defense) could be considered by Judge Lester. However, Stand Your Ground (or Self Defense) is not applicable in this case seeing that Zimmerman unlawfully assaulted, harassed, stalked, and preyed upon Trayvon Martin before the scuffle began. Meaning, you can’t unlawfully bring on a confrontation and then be protected by Stand Your Ground (or Self Defense). And, it’s worth noting, only Zimmerman (who is accused of lying/withholding information during the bond hearing) has stated that Trayvon Martin started the scuffle.
Stand Your Ground clearly states…
A person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if he or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another.
Of course, Zimmerman’s minor injuries — a LIKELY (but unconfirmed) broken nose, no brain injury/concussion, head abrasions that required no bandage the night of the shooting and warm soapy water as treatment, etc. — don’t reflect an attack that would have resulted in imminent death or great bodily harm.
Moreover, a lack of injuries/DNA on both Zimmerman’s and Trayvon Martin’s hands plus witness statements indicate there was only a mild scuffle – at worst – leading up to the fatal shot.
“Since Trayvon was acting suspicious, Zimmerman had every right to see what the unarmed teenager walking home with some snacks was up to.”
What was Trayvon Martin doing that was suspicious? Ducking under an awning during a rainstorm isn’t suspicious behavior. Wearing a hoodie during a rainstorm isn’t suspicious behavior. Running during a rainstorm isn’t suspicious behavior. Running during a rainstorm while somebody has been eerily watching you from their vehicle isn’t suspicious behavior either.
So, what was suspicious — being a black teen in a gated community? I contend that if Trayvon Martin was a white male/female, Zimmerman never watches, reports, chases, or murders him.
“If Trayvon Martin was so scared, why didn’t he just go home and lock himself inside after running away from Zimmerman?”
Most Zimmerman supporters that blame Trayvon for his death because he wasn’t at home when the confrontation began have only seen (some version) of this map…
And, not this map (which lines up perfectly with Zimmerman’s call to police, DeeDee’s statement, Witness 2’s statement, and Brandy Green’s interview the day after the shooting)…
Moreover, Trayvon’s body wasn’t found with a key on it. Was he locked out? Regardless, is it illegal to sit on your back porch, catch your breath, and talk on the phone to your friend after being chased by a creepy man? After watching a few Scream movies, I probably wouldn’t go inside my house either in fear the perpetrator/murderer would follow me inside.
“The 911 operator never told Zimmerman to stop chasing, stalking, harassing, preying upon, assaulting, etc. Trayvon Martin.”
This is one of the more baffling points Zimmerman supporters are trying to make. As everybody has heard, between the 2:24 – 2:28 mark of his 911 call, the following is said…
Operator: Are you following him? [2:24]
Zimmerman: Yeah. [2:25]
Operator: OK. We don’t need you to do that. [2:26]
Zimmerman: OK. [2:28]
The wind interference from Zimmerman running stops around the 2:43 mark of his call. So, he eventually stops running but not until 17 seconds after the operator tells him the Sanford Police Department doesn’t need him following Trayvon.
Note: The wind interference stopping only means Zimmerman stopped running. Meaning, especially as map 2 and Dee Dee suggests, Zimmerman continued his pursuit of his unarmed neighbor.
“The 911 operator never mentioned that Zimmerman should return to his vehicle.”
This is another baffling argument that Zimmerman supporters are trying to make…especially since Zimmerman confirms that he’ll meet the officers near the mailboxes.
Operator: OK, do you just want to meet with them at the mailboxes then? [3:42]
Zimmerman:Yeah, that’s fine. [3:43]
Of course, shortly after the 3:43 mark, Zimmerman realizes he’ll need to end his unlawful vigilante pursuit of Trayvon if he returns to the vehicle. So, instead, Zimmerman offers a cellphone number that the responding officers can reach him at.
Zimmerman: Could you have them call me and I’ll tell them where I’m at? [3:49]
Operator: OK, that’s no problem.
You can’t fault the operator for taking Zimmerman’s suggestion of having officers call his cellphone number since A) The operator has already told Zimmerman to stop following Trayvon at the 2:26 mark and B) Zimmerman was strangely giving horrible directions to his parked vehicle the entire call.
“Tracy Martin said it wasn’t Trayvon crying for help during the 911 call where the fatal shot was heard.”
This tidbit of info from Officer Christopher Serino comes in page 56 of the original Evidence Dump…
“On 2/28/2012 at 1030 hours, I met with Tracy S. Martin (next-of-kin) to the decedent, Trayvon Martin, and _________, at the Sanford Police Department 815 W. 13th Street. The purpose for this meeting was to provide the decedent’s next-of-kin with a status update of the progress of the investigation into the shooting death of his son, Trayon Martin.
In order to provide a better understanding to Mr. Martin as to why the individual who shot his son was not arrested and charged with homicide, I decided to allow Mr. Marlin to hear all six 911 calls received by the Seminole County Communications Center regarding the incident involving his son and George Zimmerman. In order to facilitate this, I escorted Mr. Martin and _________ from the interview room area to my work station desk. I played the recordings on my desktop, and upon playing the 911 call placed by_________ in which a voice is heard in the background yelling for help multiple times, I asked Mr. Martin if the voice calling for help was that of his son. Mr. Martin, clearly emotionally impacted by the recording, quietly responded “no”, This encounter was not audio recorded, and no further questioning in the matter was conducted. Sgt. Leon Ceisla Was present during the playing of the 911 tapes for Mr. Martin.”
What’s suspect about the above passage?
1) The fact that the 911 audio recordings weren’t played in the investigation room.
2) The fact that Tracy Martin’s supposed admission wasn’t recorded.
3) Officer Serino’s choice of defensive/hostile words (underlined) like “decided” and “encounter.”
4) The fact that the calls were played for an emotionally impaired Tracy Martin only 2 days after Trayvon was killed.
Lest we forget, the FBI can’t (yet) confirm with 100% certainty who the person is crying for help:
As part of an analysis released this week, the FBI did not make a final determination either way, citing several reasons, including the fact they came during “an extreme emotional state,” that there weren’t enough words to make a good comparison and that the sound quality was low and distant.
But, 2 independent experts — and I presume eventually the FBI — have confirmed the cries for help did not come from Zimmerman:
“Zimmerman had a concealed firearms license and had every right to be armed.”
From the Neighborhood Watch Manual for the National Neighborhood Watch Program:
Patrol members should be trained by law enforcement. It should be emphasized to members that they do not possess police powers and they shall not carry weapons…
Note: The comment section for this posting has been disabled. This BccList.com forum posting — see the comment section here — is where the conversation is continuing.
I’ve set-up this posting so that both of my “final” maps – one from 4/2/2012 and one from 5/23/2012 – can be referenced in one spot. Therefore, in the benefit of page load times and brevity, I’m going to turn off comments for this posting.
Map from 4/2/2012…
Map from 5/23/2012…
Lastly, a few volunteer blog commenters and I are scraping the comment sections from both the original posting and currently maintained posting in an attempt to create a BccList.com evidence dump of sorts. Look for said posting soon!
Note: The comment section for this posting has been disabled. This BccList.com forum posting — see the comment section here — is where the conversation is continuing.
My final map from 4/2 was 100% confirmed by Zimmerman’s neighbor and friend, Frank Taaffe, on 5/10.
Final map from 4/2 (update: there’s a final map version 2 here):
Taaffe effectively blowing Zimmerman’s Stand Your Ground and/or self defense claim on 5/10:
I’ve published this new blog posting regarding the Trayvon Martin – George Zimmerman shooting as the original map posting was getting overly lengthy with case updates and incredibly insightful comments. Without further ado…
On 5/14, Angela Corey files a list of witnesses and evidence in the George Zimmerman – Trayvon Martin shooting case:
The list includes new video evidence from the night of the shooting — both from the 7-Eleven store where Trayvon reportedly purchased Skittles and Arizona iced tea and from a clubhouse in Retreat at Twin Lakes, the townhouse complex where the teen was killed.
Also included in the evidence are phone records — Zimmerman’s from Feb. 20 to Feb. 28 and from March 7 to March 22, Trayvon’s from Jan. 1 through March 1, and those of an unnamed witness labeled “W8” from Feb. 26 through April 2.
Five fire-rescue personnel are listed as witnesses. So are a fingerprints expert with Sanford police, and FDLE experts in the fields of firearms, DNA, trace evidence and fingerprints.
Look for updates — plenty of them are to come! But, I’m guessing this blog posting doesn’t pick up as much traction as the other so your eyes won’t be bugging out while your concentration wanes. 🙂
Update from 5/14 (I found it 5/15) – FBI may charge George Zimmerman with a hate crime in the shooting of Trayvon Martin:
The FBI sure did take their time, eh? I assume they wanted to break down the “f_cking coons” comment even better than what can be heard here…
I hope/assume the FBI is doing the same with the cries for help.
Thank you, Marilyn and Christie.
Update from 5/15 –Though completely unrelated to this case, I experienced – first hand – a young African American male being chased earlier today because somebody thought his music was too loud. Video here:
The guy being chased was visibly shaken after the confrontation. “I didn’t know what to do — this person just kept following me for no reason.” Ring a bell, anyone?
Update from 5/15 (I found it 5/16) –Zimmerman’s Medical Report Shows LIKELY Broken Nose, Lacerations After Trayvon Martin Shooting:
Just like the bond hearing when the MSM was infatuated by who threw the first punch, ABC News is reporting something that’s insignificant/doesn’t matter. Why, though? To keep the case alive and well so that people continue viewing their stories? That’s my guess. “This is an ABC News EXCLUSIVE!”
Zimmerman’s head injury that required soap/water as treatment, a likely broken nose, and back pain – all seen by pausing the above clip at the :31 mark – doesn’t matter to this murder case…at all.
What does matter? The fact that Zimmerman should have ended his 911 call, walked due west (update: or north as seen in this map) to his parked truck, and waited for police to show up instead of stalking, harassing, and preying upon his unarmed neighbor.
Update from 5/16(I found it 5/17) – Trayvon Martin Case Shadowed by Series of Sanford Police Department Missteps:
Florida teenager, Trayvon Martin, died from a single bullet wound to his chest fired from a gun at intermediate range, according to an autopsy report prepared by a medical examiner and reviewed today by NBC News. There was one other fresh injury on Martin’s body, according to the report, an abrasion, no more than a quarter of an inch in size to his left ring finger below the knuckle.
Thank you,tchoupi.caillou.
Here’s an example of a MSM (Fox News) story that should apparently be redacted/corrected…
Autopsy results reportedly indicate Trayvon Martin suffered injuries to knuckles:
Why doesn’t the Wall Street Journal mention that the voices crying for help were apparently not Zimmerman’s (as mentioned above and in the original map posting)?
Because this wasn’t entered in as evidence yet? I’m not sure as I haven’t read the entire file but the screams for help apparently not being Zimmerman’s deserves at least a footnote in this article, right?
Here’s similar “cries for help” coverage from the Miami Herald…
The above link also mentions a witness saying the confrontation came closer to him (as blog commenter Toneii points out) and that Zimmerman and Trayvon were in a mixed martial-arts combat position (as blog commenter CommonSenseForChange points out). Interesting since Zimmerman was said to have been unsuspectingly attacked from behind. Or, was he attacked from behind, then there was an argument, and then they got into a grappling position. Right…
Here’s USA Today’s coverage of the evidence document’s release…
Thank you, CommonSenseForChange, Toneii, jo, bunny620 and anybody I missed on this Trayvon Martin George Zimmerman document dump update!
Update from 5/18 –Here’s the MSM (via CNN.com) unnecessarily stirring the pot w/ both Trayvon Martin and Zimmerman supporters (though THC being in Trayvon’s system didn’t have any part in his death and could have been from days/weeks prior):
If ABC News really believes this case comes down to who started the confrontation (by leaving his vehicle and stalking, harassing, preying upon, etc. an unarmed teenage neighbor walking home with some snacks), then they just contradicted themselves in the report above.
Note: Harvard Professor Alan Dershowitz has been attacking Angela Corey on this case for sometime. At one point, he even said Corey took on the case (by APPOINTMENT of Rick Scott) for political reasons. I wonder what his beef is with Ms. Corey?
Update from 5/21 – Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman DNA Evidence Analysis:
Annoyed by digging through the evidence dump for DNA info? Frustrated the MSM isn’t covering the DNA evidence fully? Here’s a blood evidence guide by Princss6:
Update from 5/23 –A new map that Zimmerman’s defense team will not like…at all:
I wondered why, on 5/10, Frank Taaffe would blow Zimmerman’s Stand Your Ground and/or self defense case. See map and YouTube video in the header of this posting.
Not that Taaffe’s sloppy reenactment matters – Zimmerman still should have never been a step south of the T in the original “final” map – but, the hurdle will be insurmountable for O’Mara if this new “final” map ends up being correct.
Brandy Green – Tracy Martin’s girlfriend – stated the day after the murder that Trayvon was sitting on her porch and then somebody shot him up by the T.
I’m guessing, as blog commenter aussie mentioned on 5/16, there’s a witness (Chad?) and/or some sort of evidence at/near her porch that hasn’t been released yet. And, that, my fellow amateur investigators, is the nail in Zimmerman’s coffin.
Rightfully confused by the Twin Trees part of the map above? Here’s some text to accompany it…
Zimmerman would be looking over his left shoulder or in his mirrors at Trayvon starting to head towards the south portion of Twin Trees around the 1:34 mark of his 911 call. Note: Even though he was horrible at giving direction during the entire call, this route also coordinates well with Zimmerman eventually saying Trayvon is running towards to back entrance.
Trayvon starts running south on Twin Trees around the 2:08 mark of Zimmerman’s 911 call. Zimmerman leaves his vehicle around 2:15, starts chasing Trayvon south on Twin Trees around 2:17, mentions that “He ran” just past the first gap between the buildings around 2:39 (Trayvon is just about to turn east on Twin Trees at that same time), and Zimmerman no longer has the unarmed teen in sight. Zimmerman slows his pace around 2:47 – well after being told to stop following Trayvon – and either continues walking or completely stops. Note: You can clearly hear audible clicking, tapping, knocking, etc. noises starting around the 2:49 mark of Zimmerman’s 911 call which ends around the 4:12 mark.
In the meantime, Trayvon is on his back porch catching his breath and talking to Dee Dee. Note: I assume he let Chad know he was home and that some creepy dude was chasing him but maybe not. As – or shortly after the 911 call ends – Zimmerman continues stalking, harassing, and preying upon his unarmed neighbor by proceeding east on Twin Trees instead of returning to his vehicle as instructed.
While walking east on Twin Trees, Zimmerman spots Trayvon on his porch talking to Dee Dee and heads north towards the teen. In an attempt to protect Chad and/or not allow a stranger to somehow enter his house, Trayvon runs away from the porch towards the T to the north and the scuffle, wrestling match, etc. eventually begins south of it.
Update from 5/23 –Is Zimmerman’s vehicle parked in crime scene pic #91? As noted here on May 31st and as mentioned in Zimmerman’s reenactment released June 21st, Zimmerman drives a Honda Ridgeline. The Nissan Titan pictured below is similar in size/style to the Honda Ridgeline and may have been used in lieu of Zimmerman’s actual vehicle.
The location of the vehicle seen in this pic is exactly where Taafee and my final maps indicated Zimmerman’s vehicle was parked the night of the shooting…
“Prosecutors said some of Zimmerman’s statements were inconsistent with physical evidence and statements from other witnesses.
“(The) Defendant has provided law enforcement with numerous statements, some of which are contradictory …” the prosecution’s motion said.
Zimmerman’s attorney Mark O’Mara also wants to keep private text messages, emails and journal entries the defendant made, at least until he can review them.
O’Mara said releasing the information would “adversely affect the proper administration of justice in this case, and may make it impossible to find an appropriate jury unaffected by this information.”
If granted – Florida is about as open as it comes with public records – there must be some pretty intense/damning stuff that we’ll be hearing during the trial…
Update from 5/24 –Photos from the evidence dump of Zimmerman’s shoes:
BccList.com commenter CommonSenseForChange asks:
“In the evidence photos, the pictures of Zimmerman’s boot show debris, grass and a some serious soaking on the FRONT, but the back of the boots looks pretty clean. Wouldn’t that mean he was the one on top?”
Update from 5/27 –What’s up with this “John” witness?
“John” was the 6th caller within the gated community to phone 911 that night. The first was Zimmerman’s and the second was the call where you can hear the fatal shot. Here are calls #3 – #6 with time stamps (but no need to watch this clip now).
Thank you, Sproutlette.
The murder is said to happen at 7:16:58 pm. The police arrived at the scene of the shooting around 7:19:30 pm and Zimmerman surrenders seconds thereafter.
“John’s” call came into 911 at 7:18:00 pm. So, 1:02 after the gunshot and around 1:30 before the cops show up at the shooting scene.
So, why is “John” going to have a hell of a time on the witness stand? Use the timeline text below and see the YouTube clip embedded here…
At the 9:45 mark of this video, “John” said he locked the door, dialed 911, and as soon as he…
“Picked up on 911 (so, at 7:18:00 pm)...a couple seconds later as we were about to make our way upstairs…it sounded like a rock hit a window. I’ve never heard a gunshot before but now knowing that was the gunshot that I heard…”
To recap, “John” heard a gunshot at 7:18:00 pm as he picked up with 911 and was running upstairs with his fiancee. That, of course, is impossible since the shot was recorded at 7:16:58 pm. Yes, “John’s” recorded statement was under oath.
Some more things I noted about the interview on YouTube (again, seen here)…
At the 14:40, 16:50, 26:26, and 28:34 marks, “John” says he went back inside. At 19:09 he says, “When I first walked out there.” At 28:11, he caught himself saying, “I ran back inside.” At 29:15, “John” makes sure the interviewers know how long he wants investigators to believe he was outside. “It was 1, 2, I’m calling 911, inside.”
But, before the 14:40 mark and also at the 24:28 mark, “John” said he only opened his patio door to see what was going on and yelled at the two people wrestling around.
Also, during “John’s” recorded witness statement on YouTube, he stated that his fiancée told him to not open the patio door when the voices came closer to their unit. That’s probably not true. Somebody would likely never say “Don’t open the patio door!” if it was being opened in an attempt to listen to whatever the unidentified commotion was outside before the shot. The fiancée may have said, “Don’t go outside!” — just like the female caller that was scolding Jeremy during her call when the gunshot is heard — but “John’s” fiancee probably wouldn’t have told him to not open the door to hear more.
Finally, “John” says, “No lie, at least 20 seconds later, the cops were there” during his recorded witness statement. Why is he so adamant about something like this? He wasn’t able to give specific timing during the whole witness account – he said everything just flew by which is understandable – but he clearly states the cops showed up 20 seconds after the shot. The first officer actually showed up around 1:30 after the shot was fired. This would give somebody that was outside during the scuffle and/or shot plenty of time to ??? and then run inside whereas the 20 second time-frame “John” SWEARS by is obviously much narrower.
The ultimate question is: Was “John” outside during the scuffle and shot? At the 32:54 mark of the recorded statement on YouTube, he apparently lied again about hearing a shot after/as he connected with 911 and ran upstairs. But, why?
My guess: “John” did NOT want to be known as somebody that was outside when the scuffle and/or shot occurred. But, why not? The truth is easier than apparently lying under oath. Unless, of course, “John” was doing something outside that he shouldn’t have been.
Lastly: Was “John” wearing a white tshirt as 911 caller #3 noted? You guessed it — caller #3 was “John’s” next door neighbor…
Though, it would be the first time “John” changed a story that he gave under oath.
Update from 5/31 –Why isn’t the state of Florida charging Zimmerman with 1st Degree Murder…yet?
During the bond hearing, we were told more charges could come. Is the prosecutor referencing a 1st Degree Murder charge?
Until (literally) today, I figured it would be tough to prove – as required by law – that Zimmerman’s murder was premeditated or planned (unless new evidence comes out). And then a light bulb went off…
“These assholes, they always get away.”
It’s an obvious fact that Trayvon, an unarmed teenager returning home with some snacks, didn’t get away. So, was Zimmerman’s murder premeditated? A jury may be left to decide whether Zimmerman intended to make sure this “asshole” didn’t get away by murdering his prey minutes before police arrived.
1st Degree Murder in Florida:
For a charge of first degree murder based on a premeditated killing, the prosecutor must show the defendant’s specific intent to kill.
(“These assholes, they always get away.”)
The prosecutor often must establish an advance plan or design formed to carry out the homicide. To establish premeditation, the prosecutor may need to present evidence about the defendant’s activities or steps taken to prepare for the killing.
(Such as, the unlawful chase and tapping noises heard during Zimmerman’s 911 call and depicted here:
Florida requires the prosecution of “felony murder,” which also leads to a first degree murder charge, when the defendant commits homicide while during the commission of a specified felony or an attempt to carry out a felony. State laws include a list of felonies that qualify a homicide as first degree murder. These felonies include burglary, home-invasion robbery, kidnapping, sexual battery, and many other offenses, including the murder of another person and aggravated stalking. While the prosecutor must prove that the defendant intended to participate in the underlying felony, the state can proceed with the charge even if the defendant did not personally perform the killing.
2nd Degree Murder in Florida:
Second degree murder lacks the premeditation often required for the prosecution of a first degree murder.
To prove second degree murder, a prosecutor must show that the defendant acted according to a “depraved mind” without regard for human life. Florida state laws permit the prosecution of second degree murder when the killing lacked premeditation or planning, but the defendant acted with enmity toward the victim or the two had an ongoing interaction or relationship. Unlike first degree murder, second degree murder does not necessarily require proof of the defendant’s intent to kill.
Update from 6/1 –Prosecutors are asking for Zimmerman’s bond to be revoked and he be sent back to jail for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin:
Prosecutors in the George Zimmerman case contest that Zimmerman told his wife about the PayPal donations he was receiving while in jail, and that she lied in the bond hearing about being aware of these funds.
Prosecutors also said that Zimmerman had a second passport in addition to the one he surrendered to police after he was released on $150,000 bond.
The prosecution went on to say that Zimmerman “intentionally deceived the court” with wife and talked about monies received “in code to hide what they were doing.”
If a judge decides that there was wrong-doing and Zimmerman’s wife lied, he can be sent back to jail.
I have a feeling this isn’t the last time we hear about a lie that George and Shellie Zimmerman have told.
Update from 6/1 –Zimmerman’s bail revoked, has 48 hours to return to jail in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin:
1) Seeing that a defense case hasn’t been established yet for Zimmerman – and it seems impossible to dream one up given what’s currently known – I wonder if he makes it back to jail alive.
Meaning, if Zimmerman was being painted as a gun totting hero (instead of goat), I can see how he would possibly be interested in serving time. But, as a goat, I can’t imagine somebody of his nature wanting to be told what to do for the next 20+ years starting this Sunday.
2) Now that Shellie Zimmerman could face charges for lying under oath during the bond hearing, I wonder if she comes clean if/when Zimmerman makes it back to his jail cell.
Ya think, USA Today? The content within the above link isn’t Update section worthy…at all…but the story makes me scratch my head a bit.
I’m also confused as to why – less than 12 hours later – CNN pulled the story from their homepage about Zimmerman’s bond being revoked due to his lies. Moreover (but maybe more understandably), I don’t know why there wasn’t ongoing nightly news coverage on Saturday about Zimmerman’s deceitfulness.
However brief the MSM’s coverage of his shadiness has been to date, if Zimmerman’s smart he’ll turn himself in VERY early today (Sunday) and avoid the media covering his case (and numerous lies to date) again on Monday.
Update from 6/3 –Zimmerman returns to jail.
Completely shocked. Assuming bail isn’t granted again, today begins Zimmerman’s 20+ years of taking somebody else’s orders.
Update from 6/11 –Debating George Zimmerman Supporters Is Worthless:
I wonder if this story makes the nightly news as it should (in my opinion). I’ve specifically DVRed “ABC World News” since their coverage has been most appalling to date (in my opinion).
I’ll guess the prosecutors gave Shellie Zimmerman every chance to come clean. Does she have a fundraising site yet? Is witness #6, “John,” up next?
Thank you, Sleuth, San San B, and Loree.
Update: The CBS Evening News with Scott Peeley and ABC World News with Diane Sawyer (George Stephanopoulos filling in) ARE covering Shellie Zimmerman’s arrest tonight! I’m not sure of NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams covered her arrest…I could only DVR 2 shows at once. 🙂
Probable Cause Affidavit in Support of Capias for Shellie Nicole Zimmerman:
It’s shocking how believable Zimmerman can be at times (even though the police should have used extra caution/disbelief seeing that an unarmed teenager was murdered).
Not surprisingly, there are holes in Zimmerman’s initial interview (that have been noted throughout the BccList.com blog postings)…
Trayvon didn’t have 32 (sarcasm) DRY hands available to do all the punching, holding down, covering of the mouth, reaching for a gun, etc. that Zimmerman describes…
Zimmerman said Martin punched him repeatedly in the face.
“He grabbed my head and started hitting it into the sidewalk.”
Martin, he said, put his hand over Zimmerman’s mouth and nose and told him, “You’re going to die tonight.”
“When I slid, my jacket and my shirt came up, and when he said, ‘You’re going to die tonight,’ I felt his hand go down my side, and I thought he was going for my firearm.”
There was no DNA from Zimmerman on Trayvon’s hands. And, there were no injuries other than a SINGLE small cut to Trayvon’s knuckle…
Florida teenager, Trayvon Martin, died from a single bullet wound to his chest fired from a gun at intermediate range, according to an autopsy report prepared by a medical examiner and reviewed today by NBC News. There was one other fresh injury on Martin’s body, according to the report, an abrasion, no more than a quarter of an inch in size to his left ring finger below the knuckle.
Zimmerman’s non life threatening injuries didn’t need a bandage (that night at least), required warm/soapy water as treatment, and there was no brain damage or even concussion diagnosed…
Meaning, lethal force via Stand Your Ground obviously wasn’t called for based on these minor injuries that Zimmerman sustained.
What bushes near the sidewalks did Trayvon jump out from behind (especially with witnesses saying the yelling voices were coming towards them)?
In an initial interview with police just after the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman described a life-and-death struggle that began when the youth “jumped out from the bushes.”
Update from 6/21 – George Zimmerman Reenacts Trayvon Martin’s Murder:
Question: Why is ABC News not showing the full reenactment (seen in the YouTube video above)?!?
Here’s a comprehensive link from Zimmerman’s legal team including his reenactment, interviews, and statements:
Update from 6/29 (Originally posted to the comments section on 6/16) – Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin Clubhouse Videos Analyzed by BccList.com Blog Commenter Tchoupi:
“It looks like George Zimmerman drove around the gated community for about 2 minutes passing by the clubhouse 5x before stopping at the mailboxes for 10 seconds and finally parking further east after a U-turn (pointing west) so that he could face the mailboxes right before calling SPD.”
Update from 7/5 – Zimmerman’s 2nd Bail Set at $1 Million by Judge Lester:
I admittedly don’t get and/or follow law but another bail amount being set for Zimmerman after everything that’s known to date is absolutely ludicrous.
Without being said, the State of Florida has already proved their general judicial incompetence during Casey Anthony’s trial but is the entire judicial system in the US completely messed up or just Florida (and/or presumably most of the deep south)?
It was mentioned on twitter that the 2nd bail amount may have been set by Judge Lester to avoid the possibility of a higher court overturning the case.
And, O’Mara states Zimmerman isn’t a danger to society. Hmmmm. Trayvon Martin, the officer he punched at a bar, his ex-fiancée, those that hired him as party security, and his doctor’s records definitely noted a history of Zimmerman’s aggression.
Judge Lester better hope Zimmerman can keep his thoroughly documented – even in medical reports – mood swings under control over the next year or so until the trial. Otherwise, Lester and O’Mara will have a lot of explaining to do.
Also, if her husband had mood swings caused by Vyvanse (see bottom of Zimmerman’s doctor’s report) during their time together, Shellie Zimmerman will have lied under oath…again.
Lastly, from the above BBC link:
“The racially charged Trayvon Martin case has divided the US.”
I highly disagree. If you thoroughly look into what happened during Trayvon’s final 30 minutes or so, there’s no divide…at all.
Update from 7/9 – New Trayvon Martin George Zimmerman Evidence to Be Released at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 12, 2012:
Thank you, CommonSenseForChange, question everything trust no one, and willisnewton.
I’ll be in a meeting until 11+ am but will try — at the least — to moderate comments throughout the morning. Yes, that’s how I roll…worst Consultant ever. 😛
Update from 7/12 –New Trayvon Martin George Zimmerman Evidence Released:
Yes, Mark O’Mara and George Zimmerman have officially burned every bridge with Judge Lester. I don’t understand this strategy. Seeing that Lester would oversee the hearing, I don’t think Zimmerman’s legal team is preparing a Stand Your Ground defense.
Thank you, diaryofasuccessfulloser, Riisey(Theresa) and question everything trust no one.
Update from 7/14 – Who Is Air Marshal Mark Osterman and What’s His Relationship with George Zimmerman?
Mark Osterman’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mark.osterman.1 (Yes, both Mark and his wife Sondra Osterman “like” pro George Zimmerman related pages on Facebook)
Blog commenter Leelee points out that Mark Osterman has been present a few times in the evidence so far…
1) Shellie Zimmerman called him after the shooting.
2) At the re-enactment, he can be seen near a parked truck at the 1:05 mark here:
Blog commenter aussie also notes that Mark Osterman can (possibly) be seen in the M & I bank video. He’s (possibly) the last person shown to use the ATM around 6:37 pm (did Osterman see Trayvon Martin and alert Zimmerman?) in the first axiom amnesia clip below.
Update from 7/14 – Zimmerman’s Colleague, Friend, and Wife of Mark Osterman — Sondra Osterman — Suggested on Facebook That Zimmerman Listened to Police and “got his ass kicked for it.”
Of course, the only thing the Sanford Police Department dispatcher wanted Zimmerman to do was NOT follow Trayvon Martin. Instead, he harassed, stalked, preyed upon and murdered an unarmed teen.
Per the above, it sounds like the defense was going to suggest Zimmerman only exited his vehicle to get an address for the dispatcher. Meaning, that’s why Sondra said Zimmerman listened to police and got his ass kicked for doing so. We heard this explanation during Zimmerman’s reenactment video as well. If only police department audio recordings could lie. I also love how Sondra insists that once the evidence is released, naysayers will look like fools. I’m still waiting.
Yes, this screenshot of Sondra’s facebook wall is creepy as hell and I hope Mark and Sondra Osterman’s child (blurred out profile pic) somehow gets a shot at normalcy. I’m not joking or being overdramatic when I say that I’m genuinely scared for parts of this country like Central Florida.
Update from 7/16 – Witness 9 Accuses George Zimmerman of Molestation, Zimmerman Family of Racism:
Didn’t O’Mara state Zimmerman spent the money raised judiciously? Paying for 12+ month contracts upfront seems rather erratic. I must understand a different definition of judicious.
Also, Osterman indicated that Zimmerman lived a frugal life in his statement to the FDLE. I must understand a different definition of frugal as well.
Update from 7/24 – A Deeper Dive into Evidence Dump #2:
Aside from discontinuing 24/7 security (a.k.a. Mark Osterman’s pay), I’ve got a cash saving idea for Zimmerman and his defense team — maybe contracts don’t need to be paid in full upfront as mentioned here (and above) on 7/17…
Thank you, CommonSenseForChange and willisnewtown.
The above posting is the 2nd of 5 postings that includes updates regarding the Trayvon Martin – George Zimmerman shooting. The others can be found here…
Note: The comment section for this posting has been disabled. This BccList.com forum posting — see the comment section here — is where the conversation is continuing.
There are several updated maps plus new information regarding the Trayvon Martin shooting below – make sure you scroll down a bit!
At the end of my 8th grade Careers class, I stated my goal was to become an FBI agent. In front of the entire class, my 60+ year old chain smoking (in the indoor teacher’s lobby of course) teacher insisted I was too “big” to work for the FBI. Yes, he was basically saying, “Kid, you’re fat.”
Instead, the teacher suggested I become a trader because I absolutely destroyed the stock trading portion of our class by putting my entire pool of fake cash into Royal Dutch Shell (RDS) as it rose 30+ points in less than 4-5 months. I didn’t make this fake trade blindly – research was done daily (via a newspaper!) for a few weeks leading up to my “buy.” Meaning, at least I was having fun “investigating” something though trading stocks for a living still didn’t sound as fun of detective work. Yes, I have the world’s worst memory but I remember really random stuff like the above story from a boring 8th grade class. You’re so pissed you’ve made it this far in the posting for nothing, right?
My point is simple – I’ve always liked investigation/research…a lot. So, I’ve broken down the Trayvon Martin George Zimmerman crime scene based on as much public information that’s currently available. Here’s what’s currently known (assuming what’s known is accurate):
Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman crossed paths (update: maybe not…but maybe) before Trayvon walked north (update: north and then west) 1.4 miles (update: 1.5 miles round trip) to the neighborhood 7-11 for some Skittles and Iced Tea. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be enough time for Zimmerman to become paranoid about a black teen in the area or Trayvon to become concerned about a guy watching him.
So, upon his return to the gated community, Trayvon likely walked south from the “Front Entrance” (update: maybe…but maybe not) towards Zimmerman who phoned 911 when he noticed Trayvon again (because all suspicious looking black teens return to their crime scenes, right?). Zimmerman was sitting in a truck parked pointing north (update: west – see 3rd map below) the mailboxes near the clubhouse and “cut through.”
Click on the following for a larger map…
Trayvon approached Zimmerman’s truck en route to his father’s girlfriend’s house which was near the “Back Entrance.” Trayvon had his hand in his waistband and started running once he passed Zimmerman’s truck. Zimmerman followed by foot. Zimmerman was asked to stop following Trayvon by the 911 operator. The 911 call ends shortly thereafter when Zimmerman suggested to the operator that the police can call his cellphone when they show up. Once the 911 call ends, there’s a gap of time that’s not accounted for.
Per the final call with his girlfriend, Trayvon was concerned about Zimmerman watching him and would have likely tried to get home in an efficient manner. So, there’s only one possible route that each person would have taken to end up at the shooting scene. And, this route eliminates ANY possibility that Trayvon came up from behind and attacked Zimmerman as he was heading back to his truck (which was presumably parked on the STREET and not in the middle of a sidewalk area between two rows of buildings).
The only assumption I make above is that Trayvon wanted to get home. If he wanted to bait Zimmerman, he could have hid and “attacked” from behind as Zimmerman returned to his truck…if his truck was parked on the SIDEWALK in between 2 rows of buildings. This – a 150 pound 17 year old wanting to rough up a 200 pound 28 year old that’s stalking you – also seems rather unlikely to me (and I assume everybody else).
At the least, the Sanford Police Department absolutely sucks and Zimmerman should have been arrested. I’m not trying to play judge, jury, and executioner but Zimmerman’s story of being attacked from behind as he headed back to his truck doesn’t add up AT ALL and he should be awaiting a fair trial.
P.S. Completely unrelated but I find it super awkward that with all the police/EMT presence literally feet from their home, Trayvon Martin’s family didn’t file a missing police report until the next day. No, I’m obviously not suggesting anything…at all…I just find it weird. (update: Tracy Martin and Brandy Green were out to dinner during/after the shooting)
Update from 3/26:
Maybe it comes out that Zimmerman chased Trayvon Martin down with his truck to where the fatal shot was fired? So, in between buildings near a sidewalk and no street. If that’s the case, Zimmerman can kiss the “Stand Your Ground” law goodbye.
Update from 3/26 (I found it 3/29) – Interesting read:
Update from 3/22 (I found it 3/30)– Retracing Trayvon Martin’s final steps with Tracy Martin:
Update from 3/31 – An alternative map:
If we’re to believe a word Zimmerman says – god, that’s been difficult so far – the alternative map could make sense. I’d still love to know where his truck was parked when the shot was fired. Meaning, the vehicle’s location will tell us if Zimmerman was just trying to get back to his truck when he was attacked from behind or if he continued to stalk Trayvon Martin after being told to stop following him.
Regardless, per the map below, Trayvon Martin runs past the sidewalk that would have lead to his back door (even though this isn’t necessarily the quickest/most logical way home) and heads south on Retreat View Circle. As BccList.com reader Jo commented, Zimmerman loses sight of Trayvon and proceeds south down the path between the buildings. After going south on Retreat View Circle, Trayvon heads west back towards the path – maybe he wasn’t carrying a front door key or maybe he wanted to see what the f_ck was going on with the weird guy chasing him – and runs into an overzealous Zimmerman again. At which point, the confrontation begins.
Either way, after being told by the 911 operator to chill out, Zimmerman is undeniably stalking his prey. It’s ludicrous to suggest Trayvon Martin didn’t have every right to beat his ass. Who’s to say Zimmerman wasn’t a kidnapper in Trayvon’s mind?
Without being said, there wasn’t an issue until Zimmerman got pwned* by a teenager weighing significantly less than him, supposedly started screaming for help (tough with a broken nose/blood gurgling down your throat), and decided to shoot another human being during a FIST FIGHT – WRESTLING MATCH (with cops only seconds/minutes away).
I guess this one didn’t get away, right – George? Congrats on living the rest of your life in hiding and/or prison.
*Keep in mind: Zimmerman’s father is a retired judge, his mom was a clerk, and he wanted to be a cop so he definitely knows how laws like “Stand Your Ground” work.
Update from 3/31 – Updated truck location:
The following unedited 911 tape and me measuring/timing out some distances has provided some new insight into where Zimmerman’s truck was parked…and this information is definitely DAMNING to his case.
So, Zimmerman’s truck likely wasn’t where I originally suggested in the maps above. Why? 2 reasons…
1) There are no houses for Trayvon Martin to be “looking about” as he heads south from the “Front Entrance” on Twin Trees. Well, per the map, there are obviously houses to look at but there’s nothing much to see. Meaning, all that’s visible from Twin Trees is the sides of houses. Zimmerman wouldn’t have imagined a story (in his own mind) where Trayvon was “looking at all the houses” if there was nothing of substance to look at.
If Zimmerman’s parked where it’s noted below, that gives him clear site of the clubhouse awning that Trayvon Martin was ducking under to avoid the rain. It also allows approximately 150 feet of houses – both the fronts (houses to the south) and backs (houses to the north) of them – for Trayvon to be looking into as he approached Zimmerman’s truck.
(update: In this “final” version of my map , Zimmerman mentions Trayvon Martin “looking at all the houses” before Trayvon leaves the clubhouse and heads towards his truck. Did Zimmerman mean clubhouse instead of house? Maybe. Did Zimmerman see Trayvon earlier in the evening looking “real suspicious” while walking to 7-11? Maybe. I’ll redact the above “150 feet of houses” statement though.)
And, this location would mean he’s still parked near a cut through and without clear view of a house number (though nowhere near the mailboxes…you suck at giving directions, George).
2) I just roped off 100 feet. I’m a 30ish year old male that’s slightly overweight but in decent shape. It took me approximately 20 seconds to walk 100 feet and 10 seconds to jog it. I wasn’t overly exerting myself in anyway – Zimmerman was on the phone and obviously couldn’t sprint – but these estimates should be good enough.
Zimmerman gets out of his truck at the 2:10 mark of the above recording. At the 2:15 mark, the door is heard shutting and he begins his pursuit. You don’t hear wind interference – from jogging/running – until the 2:17 mark. By 2:38/2:39, he has reached the sidewalk in between the buildings and declares, “He ran.” By 2:43, Zimmerman’s approaching Retreat View Circle and has stopped running per the lack of wind interference.
So, that’s 26 seconds of total jogging/running which equals approximately 260 feet. It’s 21-22 seconds of running to the sidewalk path (remember: “He ran”) which equals approximately 210 – 220 feet. By my calculations, the truck was parked approximately where I indicate below and Zimmerman COULDN’T have headed south on Twin Trees to cut Trayvon Martin off as I originally (the first map above) speculated.
This location of Zimmerman’s truck also coordinates quite well with the following:
Trayvon Martin had left the clubhouse and is heading towards Zimmerman’s truck at the :58 mark when the 911 operator says, “He’s near the clubhouse right now?” and Zimmerman says, “He’s AT the clubhouse.” Second later, Zimmerman says, “He’s coming towards me now.”
Trayvon Martin reaches Zimmerman’s truck at the 1:30 mark when Zimmerman shiats a brick and asks/pleads for the police.
Trayvon Martin is past Zimmerman’s truck between 1:35 and 1:40 when Zimmerman says, “Ok” in a faded tone (indicating he’s moved his mouth/head and is looking into the rear view mirror) and then says, “These assholes, they always get away.”
What’s wrong with the above timing/route as it pertains to Zimmerman’s story? If Zimmerman’s “just” trying to get back to his truck when he’s attacked from behind – and his truck is where I’ve drawn it – how does he end up killing Trayvon south of the “T” in the sidewalk?
Zimmerman must have headed south on the sidewalk at some point AFTER the 911 call ended (Are you following him? Ok, we don’t need you to do that.) for the murder scene to make sense, right? Why did he go south when his truck is due west? Meaning, his truck is not south AT ALL. Adios, “Stand Your Ground” law and hello stalking, manslaughter, murder, etc.
Update from 3/31 (I found it 4/1) –It’s not George Zimmerman crying for help on 911 recording, 2 experts say:
OH SH_T! Per the police report, Zimmerman claims he repeatedly cried out for help and nobody came to his rescue. If the above ends up being factually correct – it’s tough to doubt 2 independent experts – it’s CRAZY Zimmerman was deceiving/informed enough to know he had to claim he was crying for help because that’s what his victim was doing.
Update from 3/31 (I found it 4/1 – thank you, Amy!) – New Evidence Contradicts Zimmerman’s Claim of a Violent Fight With Trayvon Martin:
We’ve all seen the tape. Many of us obsessed with the investigation have heard from the funeral director and the autopsy report will confirm his assertion. But, I didn’t know the second ambulance was called off!
If EMTs respond to your fender bender, you’re likely getting put in a stretcher/neck brace. Why? Of course, to rightfully cover their asses. If Zimmerman was remotely hurt – I.e. a profoundly broken nose/wound to the head that required his fatal shot – that 2nd ambulance would have continued to the scene and Zimmerman would have been questioned at a hospital.
Update from 3/31 (I found it 4/1) – Prosecutor in Trayvon Martin case known as tough:
The article’s title is encouraging. In fact, I only read a few sentences before sending it along to a friend to support my assumption that this investigation will be completed thoroughly. And then, a few minutes later, I continued to read the rest of the article…
A job evaluation from 2006 provided by Corey said “Angela is one of the best” in reference to her litigation skills. It said she goes out of her way to help others but also warned her against giving the impression that police officers could appeal to her with any decision about which they were unhappy. The evaluation is signed by Shorstein.
Corey also has been criticized for bringing a case to a grand jury that indicted a 12-year-old boy (Cristian Fernandez) for first-degree murder in the beating death of his 2-year-old half-brother instead of allowing it to be handled in juvenile court. Protesters marched outside her office and delivered a petition with 180,000 names opposed to the decision.
So, Angela Corey is accused of being in bed with police departments and has a history of trying juveniles to the fullest extent. Ummmm – Is somebody that’s in cahoots with the police while being aggressive towards juveniles really the best prosecutor for this particular investigation?!? WTF is wrong with you, State of Florida?
Update from 4/2 – A map including times from Zimmerman’s 911 call:
“Why did Trayvon run when he did around the 2:08 mark of Zimmerman’s 911 call?”
If my new map is correct, Zimmerman was still in his parked truck facing west by the cut through, watching Trayvon in his rearview mirrors, talking to 911 about how “these assholes always get away,” giving absolutely HORRIBLE directions to his location, and then Trayvon runs.
So, what made Trayvon run around the 2:08 mark? Rain? Was he sick/scared of being stalked by Zimmerman? And, by sick/scared of being stalked, I don’t mean the first time Trayvon noticed Zimmerman was when he was leaving the clubhouse’s awning at the beginning of Zimmerman’s 911 call. Trayvon wouldn’t be sick/scared of Zimmerman watching him if the only time they saw each other was from :01 – 1:30 of Zimmerman’s 911 call. I sort of make this point in my original posting but that seems like years (and a few maps) ago.
My goal from the outset on March 27th was to either prove or disprove that Zimmerman was attacked from behind by Trayvon as he was returning to his truck.
In this scenario – and almost every other scenario I’ve dreamt up online/offline – that’s 100% impossible. And, of course, providing false information (seemingly a recurring theme in this case so far) is a crime.
Update from 4/11
George Zimmerman to be charged with Second Degree Murder by Angela Corey in the death of Trayvon Martin
Update from 4/17 (I received it 4/9) – A map based on witness location AND description was submitted by BccList.com visitor Tchoupi Caillou…
2831 Retreat View Circle is on the Property Appraiser of Seminole County under Selma. This also is the 2nd address given by dispatcher to help police Officers locate the crime scene.
1211 Twin Trees Lane pops up when you google Jeremy in the Twin Trees or Retreat View. He seem to have a home business. Jeremy is also the name called out in the earliest 911 call. He was basically instructed to stay inside during the scuffle.
1221 Twin Trees Lane is “John’s” place as shown by Fox Orlando.
1231 Twin Trees Lane is the first address used to direct Officer Timothy Smith. This female witness is the one who saw a white t-shirt. More importantly, when it comes to locating her house, she is the one saying that the police officer should go to her backyard rather than her front.
2851 Retreat View Circle isn’t directly related to the witness I claim. But, I think there is more than 80% chance I’m right since she was able to see and hear details of the fight. She could hear the two men arguing before the cries for help. She could hear George Zimmerman tell Officer T. Smith that he killed Trayvon Martin. When the 2 officer flipped TM’s body, she could see it was that of a young boy. If you compare to the account from Mary & Selma, you have to conclude that she must have been the closest to the crime scene together with “John.”
Concerning the other two witnesses — Austin McLendon & his mother Cheryl Brown have been outside around the time of GZ’s call.
Update from 4/26 – What’s up with this Frank Taaffe guy and where did Joe Oliver go?
I was watching some TV interview where Joe Oliver said he would put a hoodie on and march the day he found out George Zimmerman was a fraud. Has he marched yet?
And, Frank Taaffe has come to the defense of his neighbor and friend, George Zimmerman, as seen here…
So, where does Frank Taaffe live? 1460 Retreat View Sanford, FL…
Would you take route option 1 or 2 below if you wanted to enter the gated community (that reportedly locked at 7 pm while Trayvon was out getting Skittles and Iced Tea) as soon as possible to avoid the rain? Either option would make a real suspicious guy acting like he’s on drugs walking about in the rain visible through Frank Taaffe’s (A) back windows…
Was Frank Taaffe wearing a white t-shirt (see witness 911 calls, comments section of this posting, or upcoming section)? Did George Zimmerman make any calls to Taaffe that night or vice versa? Did Zimmerman, Taaffe, anybody else on the neighborhood watch team have CB radios and did they ever use them to communicate? All of these questions are important.
As for the white t-shirt person described during witness 911 calls…
A few weeks back, I ran a test on my wife. If she didn’t think I was crazy before, she did afterwards…for a few seconds at least. I put on a t-shirt that sort of matched what Zimmerman was wearing in the surveillance video from the police department station. See below.
It was after the sun was down, pretty dark, and there was a drizzle. She doesn’t follow my blog posting or the case. Before going 20 feet out in the lawn, I asked her to give me an instant response to a question I was about to ask. When I counted off 20 feet, I asked: “Is this a dark, grey, or white shirt?” She responded without hesitation: “Dark — but not really.” I asked her what her second choice was: “Grey — I guess.” Regardless, the t-shirt definitely wasn’t white in her opinion.
So, who was wearing the white t-shirt per a 911 witness? It wasn’t George per my test above and the assertion that he was wearing a jacket during the entire wrestling match. It wasn’t Trayvon with his grey hoodie. It wasn’t a uniformed cop. How about the witness “John,” Frank Taaffe, or other? Who took the picture of Zimmerman’s apparently bloodied head? Are there any other pics from the scene of the shooting before/after the police showed up? We have this one showing a tarp over something that is NOT directly near a sidewalk as Zimmerman has apparently claimed…
Update from 4/27 – Zimmerman has $204,000 in his PayPal account:
I can’t believe it! 2 discrepancies with Taaffe’s story…
1) The area at the T where he says the confrontation occurred. All other reports say it was south of the T (including the reporter in the above video).
2) Trayvon Martin didn’t circle Zimmerman’s vehicle. The timing would have been impossible per Zimmerman’s 911 call.
This is by far the most damning evidence against George Zimmerman and his Stand Your Ground defense. By the time he shot Trayvon Martin, Zimmerman should have been in his parked car waiting for Stanford Police to meet him. Instead, he stalked, harassed, and preyed upon an unarmed African American teenager.
Update from 5/14 –Angela Corey files a list of witnesses and evidence in George Zimmerman – Trayvon Martin shooting:
Note:I published and will continue to update the above “Evidence and Court Proceedings” blog posting as this one was getting overly lengthy with case updates and incredibly insightful comments.
Update from 5/23 –A new map that Zimmerman’s defense team will not like…at all.
I wondered why, on 5/10, Frank Taaffe would blow Zimmerman’s Stand Your Ground and/or self defense case. Not that Taaffe’s sloppy reenactment seen above matters – Zimmerman still should have never been a step south of the T in the original “final” map – but, if this new “final” map ends up being correct, the hurdle is insurmountable for O’Mara.
The above posting is the 1st of 5 postings that includes updates regarding the Trayvon Martin – George Zimmerman shooting. The others can be found here…
Note: The comment section for this posting has been disabled. This BccList.com forum posting — see the comment section here — is where the conversation is continuing.
Bcc:List.com 