Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin
From my limited knowledge of the Florida self-defense law, your interpretation isn't accurate. There is no duty to retreat and force can be met with force anywhere. Whether Zimmerman was on the street or in his house is irrelevant under the Florida law. It's just whether he had a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily harm caused by Martin.
Bad laws produce bad results.
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This is an example of another case like this. (I couldn't find the news article.) Yoshihiro Hattori was a Japanese exchange student that went to the wrong house for a party. The home owner became upset because the young man rang his doorbell several times and was speaking (to him) unintelligibly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshihiro_Hattori
In that case, unfortunately, the jury ruled that it was self-defense that the homeowner had a reasonable fear of this student that he believed to be drunk or high.
This is the statute in the Florida law that they are talking about
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/.../0776.013.html
It is clear from this that (in Florida) if someone is entering your property or dwelling you have the right to use deadly force if you feel threatened (unless they are your child, dependent, or leasee). This law goes on to include being at your vehicle - that you have the right to defend yourself and your vehicle. In the initial statement - Zimmerman said he was at his vehicle, but the other report said he was inside the house. If the later reports were that he came out of his house and into the street to confront Martin, then I think they may be able to make a case against Zimmerman.
