Zimmerman case shows twisted system

I am very disturbed over the perversion of the justice system in the George Zimmerman case. The prosecutor initially concluded after thorough investigation that there was insufficient evidence to try George Zimmerman, as it was clearly self-defense. However, to appease a segment of the public, that prosecutor was fired, a special prosecutor brought in, and George was tried for second-degree murder. When it became obvious that second-degree murder could not be proven, manslaughter was offered to the jury as an option. Even this was unsupported, resulting in the “not guilty” verdict.

Was George innocent? Probably not. But George did not plead “innocent” but rather “not guilty” of second-degree murder. George is still responsible for Trayvon’s death, and should be subject to proportionate punishment. Had a lesser charge than manslaughter been offered to the jury, the result may have been different. (One juror has indicated that they felt “George was guilty of something but not these charges.”)

The investigation also turned up no evidence of racial profiling. George, a neighborhood watchman, had the right, as well as the responsibility, to observe and report anyone who looked suspicious. George did exactly that, calling 911. Had Trayvon merely returned to his father’s home, nothing likely would have happened. George was physically assaulted, during which he tragically shot Trayvon in self-defense, as confirmed by the verdict. George was later shocked to learn that Trayvon was dead, proving that it was not intentional.

We are now left with the Jacksons, Sharptons, and Congressional Black Caucus who “only know that Trayvon’s civil rights were violated” (while being conspicuously silent regarding Trayvon’s own actions that night) and are determined to pervert the justice system further by insisting George be tried on federal civil rights charges.

Jeff Tenwinkel

Hoffman Estates