UPDATE: Josh Marshall has a similar reaction:
I’m not surprised the jury didn’t convict Zimmerman of 2nd Degree Murder. I am surprised it doesn’t qualify as manslaughter. The law in Florida has some peculiarities which heavily favored Zimmerman. But this was a situation he created through actions that I don’t think anyone can credibly argue weren’t reckless and showing extremely poor judgment. If a kid who was literally minding his own business ends up dead as the result, it’s hard for me to see it as a just outcome if there’s no criminal culpability whatsoever.
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Doesn't matter how the event was initiated. If the jury believed Zimmerman was justly afraid for his life at the climax, it had to
rule not guilty.
Even if Zimmerman admitted (not that he would if it happened) he had assumed Martin was a gangsta, and had sneaked from behind, tried to coal cock him...and missed (being a hapless kinda guy) and the fight then had ensued that way...if at the climax (being a hapless inept fighter) he's down and pummelled, he's gotta right to fire....
Is manslaughter in Fla akin to negligent homicide? (Even that wouldn't apply, probably, but I could see a charge like that.
Doesn't matter how the event was initiated As a matter of law, you are probably correct but it does seem to matter when making a moral judgment.
.if at the climax (being a hapless inept fighter) he's down and pummelled, he's gotta right to fire....
Is manslaughter in Fla akin to negligent homicide? (Even that wouldn't apply, probably, but I could see a charge like that.
How about homicide by an inept cop wannabe?
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