The Killing of Trayvon Martin, A Test Of Faith

Trayvon Martin is gone and nothing that happens now will bring him back, nor do I believe that a guilty verdict would have brought justice. Don’t get me wrong, I'm saddened and sickened by what I believe to be a failure of the justice system, or as some have referred to it, the In-justice system in Florida, but I believe that true justice does not come from courts of law, only punishment (rightly or wrongly), protection (by incarceration or fear of incarceration) and vindication (in cases of the unjustly accused or incarcerated).


ROBERT ZIMMERMAN

Upon hearing the not guilty verdict my emotions briefly ran through the same as many are likely feeling, sadness, anger, outrage and even hate. I was particularly incensed when I saw interviews with George Zimmerman's brother Robert Zimmerman. Not because he is defending his brother, that is something I can easily accept; it is that he admits and clearly agrees with George, that he does not and should not bare any regret, nor can they even acknowledge that George, against all instruction and training to the contrary, wholly instigated the events that led to him taking a life.

At this point Robert Zimmerman should accept the jury verdict of not guilty and be quiet. His seeming arrogance and lack of compassion for Trayvon Martin and his family, are only further fuelling the anger of those who will wish to seek retribution outside of the legal system. It's like pouring salt on a wound and then expecting the wounded not to lash out in response to the pain you've inflicted. 

If Robert Zimmerman is truly concerned for the safety of the Zimmerman family he should shut up, stay off of television, go home and ask God for forgiveness and thank Him that his brother is alive and not spending the next few decades in prison. 

Trayvon Martin is dead. The Martin family and their friends have lost their son, brother, friend. Your brother took a life. Your brother instigated the events that caused him to take a life. Your brother is alive. Your brother is free. How is it that you, your brother and family are the only victims? (Yes I say 'only' because I truly believe that there are always victims on both sides)


DON WEST

I shudder at the thought of people like Don West as part of the 'justice' system. I believe Don West represents much of what might be wrong with the American justice system and, while I will not say that he is a racist, in my heart, and by looking at his own words and actions, I am confident in stating that he is most likely a bigot. 

Defend your client yes, but after your client is found not guilty, remember that there is a dead teen and a grieving family on the other side. 

As he is a lawyer I would think he would respect that 'justice has to be seen to be done' and not have the audacity to call the prosecution of Zimmerman "disgraceful" and to make a statement like "It makes make me sad that it took this long and under these circumstances to finally get justice,". 

You won your case, your client if free, you made a ton of money, so life should be pretty good for you right now. How could you be so callous as to, as stated previously, pour salt on the wound?


RACE & THE LEGAL SYSTEM

Well what about the race issue? Yes, I fully believe that if it were a white teen instead of Trayvon Martin or if it were a black man who had murdered an unarmed teen instead of George Zimmerman things would be very different, but there is no point playing 'what if'. 

It was Trayvon Martin, a black teen, killed by George Zimmerman, a white man, who pursued him. The killer said that he was defending himself. Trayvon could not tell his side of the story because he is dead. George Zimmerman had every reason to lie. It was proven that he did lie. A jury decided that the killing was justified and found the killer not guilty of doing what we all know he did. How is that even possible?

What this tragedy shows us is that the US is still operating within a highly flawed legal system that is stacked so much is the favour of and against individuals based on race when it comes to 'justice'. 

Bigots like Don West can be arrogant, insensitive and crass in their pursuit of 'justice' for their clients because the odds are stacked in their favour. It is the system and those in it that must be attacked (and I DO NOT mean in any physical or violent sense). All members of the system of law and order should be screened to weed out such individuals. 

In my opinion, a bigoted or racist lawyer is at least as dangerous as a racist of bigoted police officer, judge or jury member, regardless of which side they are on. Given how integral they are to the system of 'justice' what psychological screening is there for lawyers anyway?


THE JURY

As for a jury that could not even come to a verdict of manslaughter, I think in our minds we all knew from the beginning, although we held out hope in our hearts for better, that this particular jury, in this particular state, would never convict this man of this crime. The trial was theatre and the verdict was a foregone conclusion once the jury was selected, so no one should be shocked by that. 

Shouldn't it have been as simple as the fact that an unarmed teen, committing no crime was killed by an armed man who instigated a confrontation with him without justification or lawful right that resulted in his death? I get that second degree murder was inappropriate but how can you come to the conclusion that there is no guilt on the part of the killer and that his actions require no punishment whatsoever? You can't, unless you are already biased and disregard fairness, reason and common sense.

The legal battles in the courts of man are not over, the system needs to be changed and action needs to be taken to make it happen. This we know is true. Violence will solve nothing. This we also know is true. Hatred and anger will only consume and harm those who allow it to find a home in their hearts; and the change and coming together as one that the death of Trayvon Martin should bring about will be lost in misery and despair.


GEORGE ZIMMERMAN

George Zimmerman killed an unarmed teenager. Only he Trayvon Martin and God know what truly happened. The rest of us are all guessing. 

Everything I have heard and seen lead me to believe that he should have been convicted of manslaughter. 

A jury found him not guilty so George Zimmerman is not in prison; but George Zimmerman is far from being a free man and will never be so long as he lives.



I wrote this in part because I need it to stop rolling around in my head, but more importantly I wanted to release it. I am a man of faith and I know that God knows the truth of exactly what happened that tragic night. He will judge all involved in this tragedy for their words and their deeds. 

God will judge Trayvon Martin. God will judge the man who took his life. God will judge those who defended him and will continue to do so. God will judge those on the jury. God will judge any who take it upon themselves to try and exact vengeance for Trayvon Martin. God will judge you and I for what is in our hearts and minds.

For the family and friends of Trayvon Martin; for the family and friends of George Zimmerman and George Zimmerman himself; for the supporters on both sides who have faith; your faith is being tested. So having shared my thoughts and feeling a sense of peace, I say to you with love and compassion in my heart, Let Go and Let God.

Romans 12:19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God : for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.