GEORGE ZIMMERMAN; NOT GUILTY, BUT NOT INNOCENT EITHER . . .

As this is written, a jury of six women in Florida has found George Zimmerman “Not Guilty” of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. It is critical to understand that they could render a verdict only on the charges with which they were presented, and most people following the trial agree that the prosecution presented a weak case because they could not prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, the crimes with which Zimmerman was charged.

 

Watchers of this case will mostly also agree that Trayvon Martin was doing nothing wrong when Zimmerman, contrary to both the rules of the neighborhood watch to which he belonged and police instructions, got out of his car, carrying a gun, to confront Martin who was merely walking through his neighborhood. Did Martin overreact to being stopped by Zimmerman? Perhaps the answer is yes, he may have overreacted in the way a 17 year old black kid in a southern town would, but that did not justify homicide. Had George Zimmerman remained in his car and simply allowed the police to do their jobs, both would have been alive today. Had he not been carrying a gun, there might have been a fight between them, and one or both may have been injured, but they would have been alive today. Unfortunately, he did neither and Trayvon Martin is dead, but the key question for this jury was not whether George Zimmerman was innocent, but whether he was guilty of second degree murder or voluntary manslaughter, and their answer was “NO.”

 

For the failure to convict Zimmerman, I blame the prosecution who not only overcharged him in what was clearly a politically motivated charge, but failed to charge him with the lesser charges of Simple and Aggravated Assault, of which he would probably have been convicted. There are three tragedies associated with this case; Martin is dean, Zimmerman is walking free after killing him, and some future “Zimmerman” with a permit to carry a gun will feel more justified in using it because of this verdict.

 

Under United States law, in every jurisdiction, a jury acquittal is non-appealable. This trial is over. Now, “Part II” of the “trials” of George Zimmerman begins; the inevitable civil suit. It will come, and he will probably lose when the standard of proof is a “preponderance of the evidence.” There may be little to get from him, but at least Trayvon Martin’s family will feel some measure of justice. The most important thing that must come out of this saga is to take steps to prevent this tragedy from being repeated.

 

I AM AMERICA

July 4^th, 2002

Dr. Eric E. Shore, Esq.

 

I am America.

My name is recognized by people of every nation on Earth, no matter their language. Some see me as the coming of age of Humanity in freedom and prosperity. Others see me as “The Great Satan;” to be feared and kept at bay because contact with my culture causes their anachronistic parochialism to crumble.

I am America.

I am the unthinkable for some, and the unimaginable for others because I am all colors, all beliefs, all ages . . . there is no “them” and “us” to me. I embrace all people because I am all people. I am the “One” that arises from “many.” I am the first republic since Rome and the first in recorded history to embrace the “Rule of Law” and the certainty that government rules only by the consent of the governed. I am the first to ever be born of “We the People.”

 

I am America.

I am more powerful than the next five nations on the planet combined, yet I do not conquer. I have an economy that dwarfs those of the next ten countries’ combined, yet I do not dictate. I give more of my wealth to the needy of the world, than nearly all other countries combined, yet never publicize it or seek praise. When others are in pain, I am there. When tragedy strikes, I am there. I had the power to rule the world when no one could have prevented it, yet chose to spill my own blood to protect others’ from losing theirs to tyranny. I die each year to feed the hungry, heal the sick, and free the oppressed.

 

I am America.

I am not perfect, but I correct my mistakes. I have enslaved the helpless, but then set them free, and offered a hand as they rose to equality. I have brutalized and taken lands from Native Americans in my rush for expansion, yet honor them today for their character and heritage, and leave them with a degree of sovereignty and independence reserved for them alone. I have taken part in atrocities around the world in the name of freedom, but have arrested and imprisoned my own people when they were shown to have been responsible. I am the only one to have ever used atomic weapons in anger, yet only to end a war I did not start.

 

I am America.

My belief in my future gives me faith, my dreams give me hope, and my history endows me with charity. It is my diversity, though, which provides the strength to realize these ambitions; and my desire to change the world for the better which directs my destiny.

 

I am America.

I am the Last Best Hope of Humanity.

 

© Eric E. Shore, 2002