Unequal justice? 80-year-old arrested for wounding home burglar; Zimmerman walks free after killing Trayvon
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Unequal justice? 80-year-old arrested for wounding home burglar; Zimmerman walks free after killing Trayvon

Chicago : IL : USA | Apr 07, 2012 at 8:05 PM PDT
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elderly man arrested for shooting burglar

Does justice look different in various parts of the U.S., and if so is this what separate and unequal looks like in 2012?

28-year-old George Zimmerman is walking around a free man after killing Trayvon Martin with a shot to the chest on Feb. 26. Florida's Stand Your Ground law is protecting shooter Zimmerman from arrest or charges even as a mounting pile of circumstantial evidence points to a caculated killing. From eyewitness, ear witness and other witness accounts, any reasonably intelligent person can deduce some of what happened that night. Anyone who listened to the haunting 911 tapes and heard desperate screams for help that lasted more than a minute knows that logically, it was the unarmed teen screaming not the killer with the power of a deadly weapon on his side.

While Sybrina and Tracy Martin buried their 17-year-old son, Sanford police and the State Attorney's office treated the teens death like it was roadkill.

Meanwhile, on Chicago's South side in Illinois, 80-year-old Homer Wright was arrested for protecting his home and family when alleged burglar, 19-year-old Anthony Robinson broke into his Englewood business, also his place of residence. He lived behind the Tavern he owned.

According to CBS 2 local news, the elderly Wright was arrested and released on $120,000 I-bond for shooting Robinson in the leg on the night for breaking into his busniess he had for 40 years.

The alleged teen thief was arrested and charged but local residents are outraged that Wright was also arrested and charged with unlawful use of a weapon. Authorities say he had a gun when he was barred from owning one because he is a convicted felon. His felony conviction was more than 20 years ago, mind you.

His grandson Courtney Cook is hopping mad that they arrested his grandfather for protecting his wife, home and his business. Seen on CBS 2 News, he said, "....He is 80 years old; what is he suppose to do? Be a victim?"

Neighbors, actvists and Wright's family are staunchly defending his right to protect himself regardless of being a felon. They feel his safety and that of his family came first.

Richard Kling, Professor of Law at Chicago Kent University says if Wright had used a knife, he would not have been charged. Speaking to ABC 7 News, Kling said that Wright wasn't being charged for defending himself and his home but for using a gun which he was prohibited from having.

The law seems to be downright convoluted and deeply unbalanced. One man walks away after killing a minor and a senior citizen is arrested and charged for protecting his family in his own home, when he only shot and wounded the burglar in the leg, and did not shoot him in the chest to kill him like the self-appointed neighborhood watchman in Sanford.

Moreover, Zimmerman was also carrying a gun illegally on that night. Though he had a license to carry a weapon, neighborhood watch personnel are prohibited from carrying a gun on their watch. He broke the rules just as Wright did. The operative word her is "watch." Zimmerman was suppose to watch, not follow, stalk, and shoot to kill anyone regardless of what they might be doing and the 911 operator he called that night about Trayvon acting "suspicious" reminded him of that fact. He distinctly told the watchman not to follow the teen. We all know the end result of that.

A Grand Jury in the Sanford case is suppose to convene on April 10. Let's see how the winds blow in Florida on this one. Lady Justice should wear the same hats in all states and in all cases. Fair and equal justice for all.

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Unequal justice? 80 yr old man arrested for shooting burglar but Zimmerman free after killing teen Trayvon?
VeronicaS is based in New York City, New York, United States of America, and is an Anchor for Allvoices.
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Posted By Deepizzaguy George Vieto | about 1 year ago
You have a good point there Veronica that George Zimmerman is walking the streets for killing Trayvon Martin and this man is arrested for defending his home from a burglar. Something is very wrong here.
Reply By VeronicaS VeronicaS | about 1 year ago
Thanks for commenting. There are so many things wrong her George, oh let me count the ways!
Posted By kafantaris kafantaris | about 1 year ago
It is time that we look at the Trayvon Martin killing for what it is -- a criminal homicide, only incidental to race. One cannot draw a much different conclusion by listening to the cries for help heard in the recorded 911 calls.
Even without them, however, it seems improbable that a confident, stocky-build man, with a gun in his holster, would need to beg for help -- notwithstanding the claims of Zimmerman, his father and his brother. Our understanding of human nature and common sense tells us that such cries would come from someone who is severely threatened and acutely aware of his imminent death.
Any doubts of this are removed by merely listening to those multiple “help, help” pleas loud enough to be picked up during the 911calls. Aside from their heart-wrenching intensity, we also note that these cries go on for over a minute. Was Zimmerman telling Martin during that time that he was about to pull the trigger? Why else would Martin need to plead for help with such desperation?
If Zimmerman was threatening to shoot Martin in those two minutes before we hear the shot, what we have then is a cold blooded murder – and by one clever enough to now use our racial divide to get away with it. We should see through this tactic and not let him do so. Not only because such defense would further divide us, but also because an unrepentant criminal would get away with murder.
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11548279
Reply By P-E-Z P-E-Z | about 1 year ago
There an eyewitness from only a few feet away and your theory not even close to what they saw. The witness said that the guy in red was on the bottom being beaten he was the one screaming for help. Then there a another 911 caller that says a guy in white (gray) is beating a guy on the ground. Then you have 13 yo who was asked if the guy on ground was wearing white grey black or red? The kid said red. That was Zimmerman in red. If he was holding his gun and threatening to shoot him, why Zimmerman have any injuries? Then have the problem that since he called the police if brandish the weapon he would arrested threatening reckless endangerment and lose his permit. He knows the cops are coming. One thing the police did confirm is spent round was in the guns chamber and magazine was full. If the gun is not broken its highly likely that both men were struggling for the gun. Now explain to me the why the cop heard an exited utterance from Zimmerman to the EMT "I was calling for help no one came."
You can hear interview with "John" it was in front of his home where it happened.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/report-witness-claims-trayvon-martin-attacked-george-zimmerman/

You are right the person screaming was in no doubt some in fear for their life. Like someone who being beaten. Most people who have a gun pointed at them freeze, they don't scream like that. There many studies on this.
Reply By VeronicaS VeronicaS | about 1 year ago
Thanks for commenting. Your analysis of what happened is the best i have red so far..thank you--really appreciate your insight. I have been saying, writing and shouting this from the roof-tops since day one.
Posted By dunite dunite | about 1 year ago
i hope there's a law covering this case that provides for the old man right to self-defense and protection to his property and the people at the judiciary would act fairly and equally with respect to these rights :-) thanks susievee!^^^ stay well and have a nice day!
Reply By VeronicaS VeronicaS | about 1 year ago
Thanks Dunite and same to you. The law is askew and something need s to be done about this unequal justice.
Posted By hmichaelharvey Harold Michael Harvey, J. D. | about 1 year ago
It is unfortunate that Mr. Wright has to face charges stemming from a break-in of his home and business. I hope he finds a loop hole in the law or that the court will do substantial justice in this case. Also this case presents striking parallels to the Trayvon Martin case.
Reply By VeronicaS VeronicaS | about 1 year ago
Thanks for commenting Harold. Maybe he needs your services--this is so outrageous. Meanwhile, Trayvon and other killings are ignored.
Posted By P-E-Z P-E-Z | about 1 year ago
Interesting but you have different issues here. In case of Mr Wright you federal gun control law that keeps all convicted felons from legally owning a firearm. The question is should convicted felons be able to get all their civil rights including 2nd Amendments Rights? It doesn't say what felony he convicted of doing. (just says a weapons charge) The question becomes should people who have a felony conviction but not career criminals be able to get their 2nd amendments right say restored 6 years after the conviction it the have no other crimes? There are people that do things that are stupid but are not career criminals, Should theirs rights be returned? Think so. Being in Chicago almost impossible to legally have a gun. (maybe he bought one on street because he not legally buy one.) Personally unless it it involves rape murder assault or armed robbery i see no reason this right can't be restored. Hey think Martha Steward will start gunning people down? I think is something that should be looked at. You also to Chicago gun controls which makes it almost impossible legally have a gun. Gun control laws do reduce crime. After the Heller case in DC made firearms legal crime dropped 46% in one year. The places were its hard get a gun legally crime gets and stays high. I simply put control laws only stop honest people gums. Criminal do obey laws by definition.
Reply By VeronicaS VeronicaS | about 1 year ago
Thanks for commenting. I agree that felons should be looked at case by case. His convictions were not severe and were decades ago. If one paid for his crimes, they should be allowed to assimilate back into society--allowed to vote etc.

Zimmerman was not suppose to be carrying a gun either for neighborhood watch personnel are prohibited from carrying weapons while on watch. Why was he charged, especially since he killed a minor?
Reply By P-E-Z P-E-Z | about 1 year ago
Zimmerman has Concealed carry permit that allowed him to have a weapon at all times. He was not patrolling when this happened. He was on his way to go grocery shopping which he did every Sunday night. Its not true that neighborhood watch personnel are prohibited from carrying weapons. Its suggestion from the National Neighborhood Watch program. This development HOA formed its own watch program not associated with that group. Also watch program in Detroit Mich. does not recommend against having a weapons. He was not charged that night because his story matched the closest eyewitness, his physical injuries, and passed a voice stress style lie detector. Under Florida law if a self defense claim is made you need have probable cause to show the self defense claim is false. No one but police and Da know all the evidence is. Some of the forensic evidence may not even been complete yet. Autopsy take 6 to 8 weeks to get the lab reports back. The gun and both parties clothing were sent to crime lab. In Florida the speedy trial laws work against the DA if the evidence is not all in yet. You have 15 days to disclose all the evidence to defense once the person is charged. Then can make motion to have the case dismissed if there not enough evidence. Charging someone too early can actually harm the case. Arrest often come weeks or months later. So far there nothing out the ordinary in this matter. The other problem is no one knows who started the physical confrontation for sure.
Posted By P-E-Z P-E-Z | about 1 year ago
In terms of the other case in Florida this case besides the hype really turns on the last 60 seconds or so. Both made GZ TM both made poor chooses. Zimmerman getting the of the truck, Trayvon not going home. If he could have been when GZ was still phone 911, if can do 5.5 sec 40 yard dash he home behind a locked doors. (75 yards) he came to confront Zimmerman. Up to this point neither has committed a crime. Both given what they know has acted reasonably. Once they are face to face who though the first blow is critical. If Zimmerman landed the first punch then got then got a beat down its a manslaughter he is aggressor, If Martin through the first blow and gave the beat down then this a justifiable homicide. In all honesty, the autopsy report not completed ballastic and clothing examined are all pending. Arrests and charges could take months. But this could ether way.
Posted By P-E-Z P-E-Z | about 1 year ago
btw the Charges against Mr Wright have dropped but they kept the gun. Which means he be forced buy an other illegal gun.
Reply By VeronicaS VeronicaS | about 1 year ago
Thanks. I will do the research and report accordingly.
Posted By mhatter99 Martin Kloess | about 1 year ago
well written - thank you
Reply By VeronicaS VeronicaS | about 1 year ago
Thanks for reading and you're welcome.
Posted By Damien3000 Damien3000 | about 1 year ago
For the sake of clarity...

Does the law say he can not OWN A GUN or does it say he can not USE A GUN?

If it only says he can not OWN A GUN, and he is married... Problem solved.

The gun is his wife's. He just used/borrowed it.
Reply By VeronicaS VeronicaS | about 1 year ago
Neighborhood watch personnel are prohibited from carrying a gun on their watch...ask any police officer or law enforcement personnel.
Posted By AdmirerOfTruth AdmirerOfTruth | about 1 year ago
"Moreover, Zimmerman was also carrying a gun illegally on that night."

The above statement taken from the article is patently untrue. There is no law against Neighborhood Watch members being armed. If I'm mistaken then I challenge the author to produce the text of that law.
Reply By VeronicaS VeronicaS | about 1 year ago
I have heard many legal minds and police officers say that a guns are prohibited on neighborhood watch. They call it watch for a reason--they are not the police.
Reply By AdmirerOfTruth AdmirerOfTruth | about 1 year ago
Ahh, I see. You "heard..." I don't suppose you can name a couple of these "legal minds and police officers" that you "heard" this from?

Even if Neighborhood Watch has a rule against members carrying firearms that doesn't make it "illegal" as you asserted.

Check this out:
http://www.sanfordfl.gov/investigation/docs/Zimmerman_Martin_shooting.pdf
"Mr. Zimmerman holds a concealed weapon permit issued from the State of Florida. He is authorized to carry the weapon in a concealed manner wherever Florida Statute dictates.

Mr. Zimmerman was not acting outside the legal boundaries of Florida Statute by carrying his weapon when this incident occurred."

That isn't something I "heard" from some source that I can't name specifically. That comes straight from Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr., the City Manager of Sanford, FL.

If you are really interested in getting at the truth and not just trying to fan the flames then you would correct this false information that you included in your article. It was NOT illegal for Zimmerman to be carrying his weapon that night.
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