Pathologist confirms Martin was aggressor, Zimmerman acted out of self defense

[Robert]

The case is, in effect, trying to decide whether it's OK to follow someone around and provoke their anger so you can kill them in "self-defense".

Exactly the point I was clumsily trying to make.

 

[Glaucus]

The case is, in effect, trying to decide whether it's OK to follow someone around and provoke their anger so you can kill them in "self-defense".

That is pretty much how I see it too.

Although I don't agree with the Stand Your Ground laws, I can at least understand the motivation. The idea is that if someone is attacking you, you shouldn't have to retreat as you are legally in your rights to be where ever you like. And like all crime and punishment, the purpose of this is to act as a deterrent - would be attackers would think twice before attacking as the intended victim now has the legal right to defend with lethal force if needed. At least that's the theory, whether it pans out that way in reality is a different matter. But in this case that's not really what happened. If anything we can argue that Martin was standing his ground when/if he was indeed bashing Zimmerman's head in as Zimmerman instigated the incident from the start. Since Zimmerman was the instigator, not the guy merely standing his ground, I don't see how Zimmerman can attempt the Stand Your Ground defense. If Martin instead had the gun and he shot Zimmerman, Martin would have a reasonable play at the Stand Your Ground defense because that's what he was doing. Martin was merely walking home and it was none of Zimmerman's business.

 

[faethor]

Generally expert witnesses should be ignored. Both sides shop around for the story they want and it seems like they can always find an expert witness to support their position. They are generally paid quite well too so on top of personal bias that they bring with them there is also the financial incentive. It's not that the majority of expert witnesses are crooked but rather they are more likely to get any particular job if their earnest opinions are aligned with the client's needs.

I'd agree. And it may be a possibility that this 'expert' did Zimmerman more harm than good. That's usually what happens if someone later 'corrects' their earlier position. The result is often resentment and rejection.