Of all the news media reports about racial stereotypes, young black men racially profiled and speculations over if (George Zimmerman or Trayvon Martin) was the aggressor in this fatal drama; and whether or not if the shooting was self-defense, there is one big simple issue being overlooked: evidence has proved 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was killed not because of racial animus but due to a ‘tragic failure in communication.’
Lest we forgot, the lack of communication between federal agencies contributed to 911 attacks in New York, even to the point the first responders were uninformed on how to evacuate victims trapped in the burning buildings within a timely manner.
Had it not been for this awful failure, Trayvon Martin may well be alive today.
And here’s why lack of communication proved detrimental for the young kid. Evidence adduced during the ongoing trial and even the words spoken by Zimmerman show that when Zimmerman told police that Trayvon had asked him(before the teenager punched him in the nose):
“Do you have a problem?”
Zimmerman allegedly replied, “No I don’t have a problem.”
So let’s take a step backward. At this moment, assuming Zimmerman is telling the truth; why did Mr. Zimmerman never tell Trayvon, “Sir, I am with the Neighborhood Crime Watch. Why are you here? Do you live here? Are you visiting someone?”
To be clear, if Zimmerman had properly identified himself to Trayvon, it is likely no violence would have occurred.
By now, anyone following the case should know that on a rainy night on February 26th 2012 in Sanford Florida, Zimmerman, on night watch duty at Twin Lake Townhomes, had spotted Trayvon, grew suspicious and called police. 911 dispatcher advised Zimmerman he didn’t need to follow Trayvon and Zimmerman said “ok” and went back to his car. Then Zimmerman got out of his car to provide police his numerical location and this is when Trayvon allegedly attacked him.
According to Zimmerman, while Trayvon straddled him, he was punched, had his head struck against the concrete pavement. Bloody and beaten, fearing for his life, Zimmerman wiggled his weapon loose from its holster and shot Trayon dead in the heart, killing him instantly.
Now let’s revisit how people should identify themselves. Police officers identify themselves, even an undercover police officer will identify who he or she is, during execution of a search or arrest warrant. The FBI identify who they are, including security guards.
But not George Zimmerman! There’s not been one iota of substantial evidence that he identified himself to Trayvon Martin. Failing to do so, this probably created fear for Trayvon, and it appears, in all due fairness, Trayvon should have had a “right” to defend himself from Zimmerman.
Remember state witness Rachel Jentel? She was the young lady who was a friend of Trayvon who was on the phone with him before he got shot. Jentel testified while she was on the phone with Trayvon, before he was shot, that Trayvon referred to Zimmerman as a “creepy cracker” following him. Jentel also recalled overhearing Zimmerman say to Trayvon, “what are you doing over here?”
Again, there is no mention of Zimmerman identifying himself as a captain with the Neighborhood Crime Watch.
Zimmerman’s actions towards Trayvon were so reckless that night that the Neighborhood Crime Watch Program settled out of court with Trayvon’s parents for over one million dollars. The civil suit filed against Zimmerman and the Crime Watch Program exposes Zimmerman’s negligence in shooting Trayvon Martin. But if it is true that Trayvon was hidden behind bushes, and suddenly leaped out to attack Zimmerman; then Trayvon’s behavior makes him the aggressor, and Zimmerman is legally entitled to self-defense.
The bottom line is that a young man tragically lost his life, most likely because George Zimmerman never identified himself, and Trayvon was confused as to why this man was following him. A lack of communication exploded into violence and now Zimmerman is facing a long stretch in prison, if convicted.
Hopefully, in the future, a person in this situation will identify themselves in the dark.
