I don't know all the facts anyway.
What is a person walking around checking out people with a loaded gun for in the first place ? Is it a high crime area ?
What should one do when there's a person apparently aggressively stalking them ? Should you hide in a bush/alley and then jump them ?
Would someone wailing blows from above in a dirty fighting manner cause one to fear for their lives ?
I'm not from the USA, in what circumstances can a non professional carry a gun in a police function, then intimidate, then shoot to kill if the intimidated person reacts. How would I react to some dude in civilian clothes acting like Judge Dredd hassling me at night ?
emotional :
I'll let you decide that one. I just think its a tragedy.
Rioting :
I haven't tried it myself. Normally I like to try things before deciding. Seriously though, the universal and ancient principle is that the crime's of one from a group should then not be retributed on random people from that group.
I'll bite.
yes. it was a high crime area, string of home robbers in that neighborhood.
guy on his cell following you... that's "aggresively stalking"? If I thought someone was following me, I'd lead them to a public area and confront... not a dark walkway
you lose the guy... the 911 op says don't follow them, you start to return to your vehicle, and get jumped... guy jumps on top of you and starts laying down punches.... at that point... do you know if he is going to stop?
in the usa, you can carry to protect yourself, family and friends.... at that point, you take on a large responsibilty, to know the law... and the burden if you ever have to use deadly force... it's not easy, we are not judge dredd... I hope to never have to use it.
The "professionals" who carry guns are supposed to be held to the same standard. They are not above us, though they, sadly would not have had this trial had it been a plain clothes cop instead of a former neighborhood watch citizen.
We do not have a good account of the situation.. we have the victors story... and that is where the trial comes in... is he truthful.... was he really jumped? Was he returning to his vehicle when he was jumped? Or did he track down the guy until he got into the confrontation. There are many holes in the events... I personally think he was on a hunt and don't buy his story.... but, if he was retreating and attacked as he says, he is in his rights to defend himself....
Stand your ground is not an open invitation to bully... it's very clear... that's where the jurors have to decide this case... was he an aggressor, or a victim... can I follow a unusual person in my neighborhood, after a string of crimes and if they attack me, defend myself? It's a tough case... not open and shut...