An unarmed 25 year old Black man was shot by a father and son after they followed him in a pick up truck while he was jogging. They confronted him because they said he resembled a suspect involved in a series of break ins. In Florida and some other states if you think someone poses a danger to your safety you can legally use deadly force, known as 'stand you ground' and if you kill the person involved you can use 'stand your ground' as a legal defence. Originally the 2 killers were not even arrested because the local prosecutor argued there was no probable cause to arrest retired policeman Gregory McMichael and his son Travis. There is a video showing the incident on YouTube and there's plenty reports of the incident on the net. How can the US claim to be a civilised nation when this kind of thing can go unpunished, these 2 took it upon themselves to pursue and kill a jogger because of the crazy self defence laws in US states that allow people to confront another person at gunpoint and attempt a citizens arrest.
Madness this. I believe the guy who shot him was an ex cop who had previous interaction before with the lad. It’s absolutely appalling and no excuse for this at all. Hate breads hate and unfortunately this seems to be the life here in the USA at the moment. Hopefully things will change after November and start to go in the right direction. Someone sensible can replace the King with no clothes.
Its disgusting, as is the ridiculous argument that some people have, that this wouldn't be getting attention if their races were reversed. That's because if 2 black guys had pursued an unarmed white jogger and killed him, they'd be lucky to even be in jail right now. More likely they'd be dead. Whereas the only reason this got passed up through 3 courts is because of the media and public pressure to do some actual justice.
The DA blocked the cops from arresting the two blokes because she's a friend of the family apparently. Corrupt much.
It's absolutely disgusting. America is barely out of the dark ages when it comes to racism. The idea that they could essentially get away with cold blooded murder because they "suspected him of a crime" and then "feared for their lives" is just beyond anything I can comprehend. Anyone who played a part in trying to bury this needs to be sacked from their positions.
I lived in the States for a number of years in the late 80's early 90's..without doubt the most racist country I have ever been to, so this is no surprise to me at all.
I know others who've said exactly the same. One of my mates literally said where he lived was worse than South Africa in the 80s! (and he worked for the press in the 80s and spent a lot of time reporting on SA!) Terrifying really.
It does seem obvious to us that two white men gunning down an unarmed black man, is murder. However I think I read, if he had been chased by them, if he had stolen something they would have been justified.. USA weird country! The few times when I have been in the US and it's not NewYork or Boston, the contrast is huge. I have not been to Chicago, that is supposed to be very flawless and as for the South...its a different world
Living in Los Angeles is a lot different from living in Cleadon Village. It's like being on a different planet. Hopefully one day the words equality, humility, respect, empathy will be just a few of the words that will be associated with this part of the world.
