Trayvon Martin Case: George Zimmerman Lawyer Cites 'Shaken Baby Syndrome' As Defense

(Corrects spelling of lawyer's name in paragraphs 9-10)

* New poll shows racial divide on case

* Defense tactic many irk many observers

* Stand Your Ground statute key to shooter's lawyer's

SANFORD, Fla., April 6 (Reuters) - "Shaken Baby Syndrome" was cited on Friday in the defense of George Zimmerman, the Sanford, Florida, man who shot and killed unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in a case that has sparked a widespread public outcry.

Hal Uhrig, a lawyer and former Gainesville, Florida, police officer who recently joined Zimmerman's defense team, cited in a TV interview the brain damage that can seriously injure or kill an infant.

His point, which has been made before, was that Zimmerman contends he shot Martin in self defense and feared for his life after the 17-year-old attacked him and began pounding his head into the concrete pavement of a gated community on a rainy evening in Sanford on Feb. 26.

But Uhrig's choice of words, and use of a recognized sign of child abuse to defend a 28-year-old man who killed a kid, seemed likely to raise more than just a few eyebrows.

"We're familiar with the Shaken Baby Syndrome," said Uhrig on the CBS This Morning program. "You shake a baby, the brain shakes around inside the skull. You can die when someone's pounding your head into the ground."

Apart from saying his client suffered a broken nose, Uhrig did not elaborate on the extent of any injuries Zimmerman actually suffered. But characteristic injuries associated with SBS, as Shaken Baby Syndrome is known, include bleeding in the brain. There are often no visible external signs such injuries have occurred.

Police have not arrested Zimmerman because the use of lethal force in self defense is permitted under the Stand Your Ground law approved by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush in 2005.

The lack of an arrest in the Martin case has triggered protests across the United States. A special prosecutor appointed by Governor Rick Scott is investigating to decide whether charges are warranted, amid allegations of racial profiling and initial police bungling of the case.

If it goes to trial, Uhrig said he and his fellow defense attorney, would defend Zimmerman under the Stand Your Ground statute.

"He didn't commit any crime," Uhrig said on CBS. "He was attacked, broke his nose, hit his head into the ground and he defended himself. That's not against the law."

A USA Today/Gallup poll published on Saturday showed that Americans are deeply divided across color lines in their opinions about Martin's killing.

Seventy-three percent of blacks in the survey said they believed Zimmerman, a white Hispanic, would have been arrested if the person he shot dead was white.

Only 33 percent of whites agreed with that view while the majority of whites polled, 52 percent, said race made no difference in the case.

(Reporting By Tom Brown; Editing by Philip Barbara)

Loading Slideshow

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Benjamin Crump, attorney, for the family of the late Trayvon Martin, talks to the media after the release of 911 call at the Sanford City Hall on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Martin, 17, was shot to death after being confronted by Sanford neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, 28, on February 26, 2012. Zimmerman told Sanford Police that he shot the unarmed black teenager in self-defense. Family members are calling for Zimmerman's arrest. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Benjamin Crump, attorney, for the family of the late Trayvon Martin, talks to the media after the release of 911 call at the Sanford City Hall on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Benjamin Crump, attorney, for the family of the late Trayvon Martin, talks to the media after the release of 911 call at the Sanford City Hall on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  A memorial for the late Trayvon Martin sits at the neighborhood where he was shot on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Martin, 17, was shot to death after being confronted by Sanford neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, 28, on February 26, 2012. Zimmerman, white, told Sanford Police that he shot the unarmed black teenager in self-defense. Family members are calling for Zimmerman's arrest. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Local historian and activist Francis Oliver adjusts a memorial she placed for the late Trayvon Martin at the neighborhood where he was shot on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Valera Pinkard, of Orlando, Fla., holds a sign near a memorial for the late Trayvon Martin at the neighborhood where he was shot on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Sybrina Fulton, mother, of the late Trayvon Martin, addresses the media with Martin's father Tracy Martin, left, on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Sybrina Fulton, mother, of the late Trayvon Martin, left, hugs Selma Mora Lamilla, after addressing the media on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Tracy Martin, father, of the late Trayvon Martin, addresses the media on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Benjamin Crump, attorney for the family of the late Trayvon Martin, addresses the media on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Tracy Martin, father, of the late Trayvon Martin, addresses the media on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin rally in Union Square during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters marched through the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin rally in Union Square during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters marched through the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin rally in Union Square during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters marched through the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin rally in Union Square during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters marched through the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin rally in Union Square during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters marched through the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin rally in Union Square during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters marched through the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin block traffic as they march on W. 14th Street during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters took to the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Tracy Martin (L), and Sybrina Fulton, parents of slain teenager Trayvon Martin, address supporters at a Million Hoodies March on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Family members joined hundreds of protesters calling for justice in the killing of Trayvon Martin, 17, who was was pursued and shot on February 26 in Sanford, Florida by 'neighborhood watch' member George Zimmerman, reportedly because the teenager's hoodie made him look suspicious. Under Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law, Zimmerman has not been charged with a crime in the shooting. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Sybrina Fulton, mother of slain teenager Trayvon Martin, speaks at the Million Hoodies March on March 21, 2012 in New York City. The family members joined hundreds of protesters calling for justice in the killing of Trayvon Martin, 17, who was was pursued and shot on February 26 in Sanford, Florida by 'neighborhood watch' member George Zimmerman, reportedly because the teenager's hoodie made him look suspicious. Under Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law, Zimmerman has not been charged with a crime in the shooting. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

• Federal Government To Investigate Shooting Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin

  MIAMI, FL - MARCH 21: Protesters hold cans of ice tea and Skittles which is what the 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is reported to have been carrying when he was killed by neighborhood watch person, George Zimmerman on February 26 in Sanford, Florida, on March 21, 2012 in Miami, Florida. The Justice Department and the FBI opened an investigation into the death of the black teenager, and the local state attorney announced that he had asked a grand jury to investigate. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Federal Government To Investigate Shooting Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin

  MIAMI, FL - MARCH 21: Protesters hold cans of ice tea and Skittles which is what the 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is reported to have been carrying when he was killed by neighborhood watch person, George Zimmerman on February 26 in Sanford, Florida, on March 21, 2012 in Miami, Florida. The Justice Department and the FBI opened an investigation into the death of the black teenager, and the local state attorney announced that he had asked a grand jury to investigate. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: A reporter waits to broadcast at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Protesters demonstrate at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: People attend a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Protesters demonstrate at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: A protester holds a sign with pictures of George Zimmerman at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Protesters demonstrate at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Protesters demonstrate at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Sanford resident Rodney Stokes carries his son Rodney Stokes Jr. on his shoulder at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Protesters demonstrate at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Protesters demonstrate at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Rev. Al Sharpton (R) looks on at a rally with Tracy Martin (R), father of slain teenager Trayvon Martin, on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Rev. Al Sharpton departs as media are reflected in a vehicle window at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Comments

[lestergrovecity]

09:47 AM on 04/21/2012

The judge that lowered Zimmermans bond shares my last name, ouch!!

[GoBarbara]

07:59 PM on 04/20/2012

Question - there's always a nosy parker in every condo that knows everyone's business, who lives where, who didnt throw the trash out properly, or appoints themselves in charge of safety...how come George didnt know Trayvon belonged to condo xx and didnt recognize him? Or seen him going TO the store?

[lestergrovecity]

09:49 AM on 04/21/2012

Trayvon wasn't a regular there but visiting his dad at his dads fiances condo..

[GoBarbara]

07:51 PM on 04/20/2012

when you're a...baby.

[oregonian68]

09:26 AM on 04/12/2012

What an incredibly misleading headline.

[edwardl1959]

09:07 PM on 04/11/2012

To all of you that were Zimmerman supports need to understand why he was charged. He was charged to prevent what in law is called; a Slippery Slop. This means that all you gun tooters that feel that it is your right to kill a person ( namely: Black Person) because you think that they are a thug because, he is wearing a hoodie, you will not be able to easily claim self defense. That would cause a land slide of cases of claims of SYG cases. This may go to Appeals if he is found guilty. This will cause a revamp of the SYG law in Florida. So, you could say that all of you that feel one less thug on the street is a good thing. You can say that you helped the DA make her decision. You cannot just take the life of an unarmed person that had no plan of committing a crime and, then claim self defense.

[juliana1217]

12:46 AM on 04/27/2012

a " slippery slop " ? ? and what's a " gun tooter " ?

[NeverForget History]

08:10 PM on 04/10/2012

I've been waiting for the following result, and there it is. This may explain why the grand jury hearing was called off on such short notice with no explanation given to the press:


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/10/trayvon-martin-case-george-zimmermans-attorneys-quit_n_1416031.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D150772

"George Zimmerman's attorneys said in a press conference Tuesday afternoon that they will no longer be representing him. The attorneys claim that Zimmerman repeatedly rebuffed their legal advice, and that they have now lost contact with him.

"As of now we are withdrawing as counsel for Mr. Zimmerman," Craig Sonner, one of his attorneys, told reporters outside the Seminole County Courthhouse in Sanford, Fla. "We've lost contact with him. Up to this point, we've had contact with him everyday. He's gone on his own. I'm not sure what he's doing or who he's talking to, but at this point we're withdrawing as counsel. If he wants us to come back as counsel, he will contact us."

Sonner said that he had never met Zimmerman face to face, and that their conversations have all taken place via telephone."

[Chimoch]

10:23 PM on 04/10/2012

I bet he is with his mother's family in Peru.

[NeverForget History]

09:05 PM on 04/11/2012

What I found hysterical was the lawyers spent their entire time circling again. "Yes, he disappeared on us. We never met him personally. Don't have a clue where he's at, but we're certain he's still in the US, and his health isn't good." As it turns out, Zimmerman apparently still is in the US, because he was arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder. Look out - not guilty by reason of mental defect or disease may well be on the horizon as the primary defense. Only time will tell again.

[Amber McCoy]

06:09 PM on 04/10/2012

Im sorry, If i was walking alone at night as a teen and some guy is following me, I'd think he was a pervert who wanted to 1. sexually assault me or 2. Kidnap me or 3.Kill me. It may not be illegal to follow someone but it sure makes you seem suspicious. I'd be prepared to defend myself if the guy following me confronted me. Id try to punch him and bang his head into the ground if I could get the upper hand. Would it still be self defense if Treyvon was a female?

[GoBarbara]

07:53 PM on 04/20/2012

Yes and I think Zimmerman looks like someone as a white woman, Id avoid, honestly. LOL

[Panthre4]

05:18 PM on 04/10/2012

If Trayvon felt harassed, he should have ended his phone call with his girlfriend and himself called 911. Zimmerman was the one trying to include law enforcement, not Trayvon.

Following does not = Harassing.

Using lethal force in self defense is only legal as a response to force. That is Stand your Ground. Unless George physically attacked him, Trayvon is guilty and got himself killed. Having a gun doesn't make George guilty any more than having skittles makes Trayvon innocent. Carrying a licensed gun while being on a recorded phone call with authorities demonstrates Zimmerman's intent to work within the law. Trayvon's actions and his history (theft, graffiti, drug paraphernalia, getting caught in restricted areas, starting a fist-fight with a stranger) demonstrate a desire to break the law.

I have yet to see a Trayvon groupie cite 1 law that George broke leading up to the shooting. Not one.

[freedom is right]

06:11 PM on 04/10/2012

Well said. And a point that I haven't thought of myself. If Trayvon was feeling so threatened.. why didn't HE call 911??

[Try the truth]

07:19 PM on 04/10/2012

He did what he should of done keep walking and get closer to home! Sad you folks blame a murdered child!

[Mattylock]

11:02 PM on 04/10/2012

There's no reason to think of irrelevant points.

[Try the truth]

07:22 PM on 04/10/2012

There is NO neighborhood watch in that complex, he was told not to follow, if there was a watch group they aren't supposed to carry weapons, he may not of broken a law but he didn't do anything he should have! You just need to make it ok so you can lobby for hoodie season, like deer season, there is something wrong with you folks!

[ROB266]

08:26 PM on 04/10/2012

lets put a hoodie on Zimmerman and hunt him down

[freedom is right]

09:50 PM on 04/10/2012

He was appointed by the homeowners association.. please do some research before making statements of "fact". And he was not "told not to follow". It was a suggestion for his own safety. As a watchman it was his duty to keep an eye on Trayvon.

And even if GZ didn't do anything he "should have" that still doesn't make it legal for him to be physically attacked. And the evidence does support his claim that HE was attacked. What's wrong with us "folks"? We look at the facts and the evidence and don't let our personal biases and what we WANT to be the truth get in the way. Only a liberal would see that as "wrong".

[racerrodig]

04:58 PM on 04/10/2012

Watching CNN and the plot thickens. I think I see a white Bronco.

[joekiggy]

04:52 PM on 04/10/2012

It's not self defence if you're the one harassing the person in the middle of the night with a gun, no uniform, not identifying yourself as anyone with any authority, against the direction of 911 operators. Except in Florida. In Florida, Martin's only valid defence in being accosted like this would have been to act on this feeling of being threatened by shooting Zimmerman first.

[Panthre4]

05:10 PM on 04/10/2012

Harassing? What makes you think Zimmerman was "harassing" anyone? Is there evidence to support or even suggest this? No. Zimmerman followed him, which is legal in 50 states in the US.

[NeverForget History]

05:55 PM on 04/10/2012

Merriam-Webster is delighted to explain the definition of the word harass to you:

"1a : exhaust, fatigue b (1) : to annoy persistently (2) : to create an unpleasant or hostile situation for especially by uninvited and unwelcome verbal or physical conduct "

Pay very close attention to the number 2 defintion which doesn't include the word persistently. All that has to happen to harass someone, not desiring to be approached by a total stranger verbally or by physical touch, is one time and one time only.

[edwardl1959]

03:51 PM on 04/11/2012

Following some one is not against the law but, depriving someone of life and liberty is. That my friend is what the Constitution provides. That is indisputable. To stop someone is a violation of a persons right of liberty. This equates to unlawful detainment, unless you are a officer of the law.

[Panthre4]

04:49 PM on 04/10/2012

All you kids are happy to play the media's game. Tom Brown is playing you like finger puppets.

Banging the head is dangerous, and the head injury was reported by police from day 1, at the scene. Additionally, George was not obligated to wait until he felt his skull cracking. All this "position of the wound" BS is laughable, half the internet are forensic experts because they watch CSI?

It's not essential to his case anyway. Zimmerman reported Trayvon attempting to steal the gun. Any cop anywhere would have legal grounds to shoot that person at that point. And they would. Before you libs respond that Zimmerman wasn't a cop, you should remember that in free societies the citizens enjoy the same freedoms as the authorities. For all the Trayvon lovers that think 911Operators and Cops are the only true authority in society, I hear North Korea is lovely this time of year. In America, anyone has the right to self defense, even George Zimmerman.

[NeverForget History]

05:56 PM on 04/10/2012

Wrong again. Those were only allegations from the Zimmerman camp still gone physically unproved, from the moment Zimmerman murdered Trayvon Martin.

[edwardl1959]

03:55 PM on 04/11/2012

When someone has a gun and you are in fear of your life it is not stealing if you take the gun from them knowing that it can end your life. Your argument is nullified by the gun. If he tried to take it from Zimmerman then he feared for his life and Zimmerman MURDERED HIM.. You can't have it both ways..

[806Kelly01]

04:49 PM on 04/10/2012

offense is not the same as defense. Zimmerman was on the offense.

[redheadwoman]

04:25 PM on 04/10/2012

When I first saw this headline, I thought the lawyer was saying Zimmerman was shaken by one of his parents when he was a baby. But no, he's using "shaken baby syndrome" as a defense for an adult, which is absurd----- babies' brains have more easily ruptured blood vessels than adults' brains and are easily damaged by shaking. There is no shaken adult syndrome. HOWEVER---and I am not being snarky or hateful here---from the first time I saw the photo of Zimmerman I wondered if he had fetal alcohol syndrome. His face exhibits some of the characteristics: i.e. eyes very close together, flat cheekbones, and elongation of the ridged area between nose and lips. Plus, one of the big behavioral signs, poor impulse control, has been demonstrated by Zimmerman repeatedly.

[molly cruz]

03:48 PM on 04/10/2012

You might turn and attack a stranger who first follows you in his car and then gets out and confronts you. Whatever the case, Zimmerman put himself in danger by choice; so the law doesn't really apply. He provoked the very incident he states he was defending himself from. He defied the orders of the 911 operator, by following the boy, and the tenets of the Neighborhood Watch Association: NO WEAPONS. This was premeditated murder in sheep's clothing and the man should swing.

[Panthre4]

04:28 PM on 04/10/2012

911 Operator ordered him to do nothing --> "We don't need you to do that"

Orders from a 911 operator are not law, or binding in any way.

Neighborhood watch guidelines are not binding.

Zimmerman followed someone else, it's Trayvon's fault that meant "putting himself in danger". Trayvon defenders prefer a legalistic society to a free one. Following someone is perfectly legal, and not really even suspicious if you're on a recorded phone call narrating your actions.

Zimmerman looks guilty if you don't care about details and human rights. Zimmerman was legally allowed to do everything he did. Trayvon started a brutal fistfight with a stranger, endangering his life.

[NeverForget History]

04:54 PM on 04/10/2012

That isn't true. But then there has been no truth posted by the Zimmerman Defense Camp and National Fan Club.

[Alicia Zarycki]

05:21 PM on 04/10/2012

Stalking is NOT legal. Being chased by someone with a gun who has no authority is being stalked and Martin had every right to attack Zimmerman under the Stand Your Ground law.

[80moi]

03:25 PM on 04/10/2012

What do you call a thousand lawers at the bottom of the ocean?
A good start. :)