Murder is not justifiable

Personal opinion: Trayvon Martin's murder; George Zimmerman; Stand your ground law (link supplied for those that need it, those could also try Google)

The Law

I am neither a proponent of weapons and violence nor any crime.  Indeed I have a great respect for life and expect any that carry a weapon do so responsibly and with the same respect for life.  In fact, I am oft overcome with anger simply thinking about individuals, that do not share this respect with me, carelessly brandishing weapons.  This simple thought forces my jaw to tighten and my teeth clench.  The reason I bother sharing this is that I believe that if I am ever put in this kind of situation where someone threatened to do harm to myself or those I love, then I would be overcome with emotion and the sole purpose of my life would become ending theirs in that moment.  However, I am fully aware that if this scenario every truly occurs, I will still be held accountable for my actions if I were to live.

From this perspective, I can understand Florida's "stand your ground" law.  I mean if one were to pull a gun on me and I manage to kill that person and save myself then it is by this individuals actions that they have died and I would be grateful that my reaction was not punished as if it had not preceded the individual's action.  However, one fallibility behind such a law is that in its petty attempt to protect the right of one individual severely impedes on the same right to all individuals.  Likewise, it provokes an inaccurate belief that murder can be justified.

First of all, the Florida law leaves it for an individual to decide if there is "reasonable fear an assailant could seriously harm them or someone else."  Therefore, in a state of fear, one is asked to make a logical judgement to use (or refrain from using) deadly force.  Right!  That makes sense, fear bolsters one's logic and reason capabilities so well.  Another major problem is the law was developed to account for the exceptions not the rule.  There are far fewer exceptions than people that believe they are the exception.  Another flaw to the law is reciprocity.  What I mean by this is that the very people that the law intends to protect become targeted by law-abiding citizens simply following this same law.  If an individual has shown precedence to administer deadly force then they should be expected to do the same in the future; therefore, eliciting a reasonable fear in anyone they might encounter.  My final comment on the law is that a person should not have the opportunity to act based on the fact that such action is permissible by law.  Instead such a decision should only be made in earnest and when the understanding that such action defies the law.

The Killer

My first impression is he is both bigger than the victim and he carried a gun.  In this instance, claiming reasonable fear of serious harm from an unarmed 17 year old child is just absurd.  He stalked his prey waiting for the moment to strike.  Obviously following someone around, even out of suspicion, does not suggest reasonable fear.  Especially following them so closely that they both acknowledge the presence and realize they are being followed.  The act of following, alone, makes him the aggressor; as such the assailant endangers one's self.  How does one claim self-defense and engage in self-endangerment at the same time?  Clearly without much thought of defense.

If following a person was not enough, I am inclined to believe this cold-blooded killer engaged in further provocation.  People, when being followed, will simply do what they can to get out of the situation.  Ignore it, hope the follower will go on and leave them be.  Pretend they are not there, even doubt one's belief they are being followed.  Therefore, contrary to what would happen next, people do not try to get into an altercation with the perpetrator.  It is common awareness that the motive to follow someone is not for the purpose of good.  Therefore to engage in following a person of suspicion one must maintain a belief in holding the upper hand.

Neighborhood watch in no way circumvents the police department.  The police carry guns to protect themselves and citizens from those that would do harm, but even so they are expected to undergo extensive training.  Acts of law enforcement should be deferred to the professionals.  Being neighborhood watch is about looking out for and reporting suspicious activity not fighting back and definitely not transcending due process.