The Trayvon Martin case has gotten attention for a lot of things, such as racial profiling and Florida’s gun laws, but it hasn’t gotten much for the actual case itself. Putting aside all of those other points, however important they may be, is that a unarmed person was shot by an armed civilian. A lot of our viewers called up to complain Zimmerman won’t get a fair trial because of all the media coverage, but if he had been arrested in the first place there wouldn’t have been all this coverage. George Zimmerman needs his day in court to prove his innocence, just like any other murder suspect.

A special prosecutor in Florida announced second-degree murder charges have been filed against neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

The news comes the same day Mayor Bloomberg traveled to Washington to announce the creation of the "Second Chance on Shoot First" campaign. The initiative will try to reform or repeal the "Stand Your Ground" laws that exist in more than 20 states. Those calling for stricter gun control laws say claiming self-defense after a shooting leads to "justifiable homicides." Do you agree?

What's your reaction to second-degree murder charges being filed against George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin? Is the charge appropriate? Do you support an effort to reform "Stand Your Ground" laws in Florida and beyond?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

The appropriate charge is excessive force. But let's face it, none of us were there except for the eyewitnesses who claim Mr Zimmerman, as big as he is, was beaten by Trayvon Martin, who did not deserve to die, yet was not the innocent lamb portaryed in his elementary schol pictures released.

It will be very hard to prove that Mr Zimmerman committed murder. The best shot is negligence of some sort. Zimmerman has a temperment that made it apparent he should never have had a gun, and while he worried, Trayvon used what he learned from the streets to provoke an altercation. It was kismet of the worst kind that these two met.

Yes I think these laws should be repealed. They're dangerous & gives would be vigilantes a license to kill. We already have self defense laws.

As for Zimmerman only because there isn't premeditation I'd charge him with manslaughter. Personally I consider it murder when he pursued someone who was unarmed and didn't provoke any attack!

Teri
Jackson Heights

Where are they getting their information from to build this case? What do they know now that the didn't know before? One person is dead and the other is MIA. What kind of charges will be imposed on this Zimmerman? The lawyers that were to be representing him, I might ad sight un-seen have pulled out of the case because he was not taking their advice pertaining to this case that still did not get off the ground and thus we are back to speculating. [IT’S ALWAYS SOURCES SAY] THIS MAYOR LOOKS MORE AND MORE LIKE A FOOL. HE HAS SO MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THE NRA AND NOW WE FIND OUT THAT THEY GIVE MORE MONEY TO NEW YORK THAN ANY OTHER STATE AND BLOOMBERG RESPONDS THAT NO THEY DON'T THAT HE DOES.

I MEAN NOW HOW MUCH MORE CAN WE TAKE WITH THIS BOUGHT AND PAID FOR 3RD TERM MAYOR.

THIS MAYOR HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS HERE IN THE OUTER BOROUGHS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS HE ALWAYS DOING IN WASHINGTON AND TRYING TO CHANGE LAWS IN OTHER STATES.

HE SHOULD LEARN TO MIND HIS OWN BUSINESS AND START TAKING CARE OF US IN THE OUTER BOROUGHS.

maxxiee
mp

Zimmerman was a self-appointed vigilante. He is on tape disregarding a 911 order not to pursue Trayvon. He is indicted by his own words on that tape. He should have been arrested and locked up immediately.

Apparently, this is not the only time he has interfered with actions of private individuals going about their normal, peaceful business. I’d like to know who empowered him to be the “neighborhood watchman.”

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

Mr. Zimmerman's act of defying the order by law enforcement officials to cease pursuing Mr. Martin disqualifies his position that he was justified in killing Trayvon under the "Standing Your Ground" law, and the law as presently enacted leaves a lot of wiggle room for haters and vigilantes to maim or kill innocent people.

Felix
Bay Ridge

I get "sick" to gut- to have this blamed on White persons. And- if Blk Panthers take over- can s.one pls ask what type gov't do they have planned & how will economy work? soc sec? fs?

and- news people- if going to list Caucasian every time there's a crime or mixed crime, pls do list ALL ethnic, racial backgrounds when reporting on crimes- so people get a true picture of the world, society

Note: I- v ill- had a related-type of "reverse" situation come up while at hosp- whom do I call, what media would back up my Life, protection ? which makes me feel strangled, no voice in society, & "robs" me & society of a fulfilling Life, eg still traumatized & health not yet bounced back as a result of the ugliness & breaking of my "boundaries", eg

there are good, bad, abusive, ignorant, evolved & unevolved persons of all races, ethincities, crazy to put 1 group on a pedestal

Theresa
East Village

First off I'm glad it only took a month for Florida to decide and act on this case, good to see they are as on the ball about murder as they are about election fraud. Secondly Bloomberg using this to further his agenda is just more of his grandstanding, while he's making speeches did he mention Ramarley Graham?

The Shoot First Ask Questions Later or Stand Your Ground Law is just a really blown up version of laws that already exist in many places, which gives people reasonable rights to defend themselves. In Florida it was a knee-jerk reaction to all the car-jackings that were going on, where instead of actually trying to prevent crime they took a Wild West approach which helped fuel what is going on down there now. Basic common sense in these matters should trump everything else, i.e. if someone is threatening you with bodily harm you have the right to defend yourself with equal force.

Following someone who has not looked your way, leaving the safety of a vehicle that can easily be used to remove yourself from the area, and then shooting someone is just a drive-by, plain and simple. It's just like how you can reasonably defend yourself if someone breaks into your home at night, but you can't shoot someone on your porch for just ringing your doorbell. It's common sense, but in this country that seems to be in short supply.

RL
The Bronx

The 2nd degree murder charge filed against George Zimmerman is appropriate and justified. Zimmerman was the aggressor and initiated the fatal confrontation by ignoring the 911 dispatcher and jumping out of his car to pursue and confront Trayvon Martin. Even the two Florida legislators who wrote Florida's "stand your ground" law have stated publicly that Zimmerman can't hide behind the law to justify the vigilante action taken. Zimmerman must be tried and convicted, and go to jail for as long as Florida law allows.

PETE
MANHATTAN

While it is tragic when anyone gets killed, especially a young person, why has this case gotten nation attention? Mr. Zimmerman may or may not be guilty of a crime.....we don't know yet.......and if he is guilty he should be punished. It seems to be that because Mr. Zimmerman is 1/2 white and Trayvon was black that this incident has been transformed into a RACIAL killing. Why is it that anytime a black person is killed or assaulted by someone white it is racial, but when a black person kills or assaults a white person it is just a standard crime/murder???? I see Reverend Al Sharpton and the crew are protesting all over the place. (I cant believe that anyone takes the Reverend Al seriously after the Tawana Brawley disaster in the 80's, but that is a debate for another day). All of the local interviews I have seen so far are in Harlem......I am assuming to get the black point of view????? Instead of protesting the death of someone 1100 miles away......why arent these NY'ers protesting for the 15 cops we have had shot so far this year and the one that was killed? Oh yeah....because most of those cops were white and the person doing the shooting black.

George Zimmerman has now been arrested and now justice can begin in a death that didn't have to happen. What happen that night will come out in the trial and hopefully the truth can come out and justice can prevail.

Frederick

My wife and I are very proud of Mayor Bloomberg If we all adopted the stand your ground law we all would be gone back to the wild far west life.

But we are more civilized now

Andrew
Sunnyside Gardens

Self defense went out the window when he pursued Trayvone who was trying to get away from him. The 911 operator even told him not to. It was his intent to kill that poor boy.

Danielle
Richmond Hill

Since the Trayvon Martin slaying occurred, I have been looking for an answer, or theories to one very basic question: Trayvon Martin had his cell phone right in his hand; he was even talking on it - to his girlfriend. He knew he was being followed. All he had to do was get off the phone with her and press, I'll bet, one app button for "911." I'm wondering why he didn't. His killer had the cops on the phone!

Charles
Stuyvesant Town

T. Martin had the right to Stand your ground and protect himself from this assailant / stalker Zimmerman!

David
Woodhaven

IF IT WASN'T FOR THE MEDIA THIS INCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN SWEPT UNDER THE RUG

PEDRO
BRONX

Hi this is alcira from queens...I think this charge was way overdue zimmerman saw himself as a cop and obsessed regardless his obsession it doesn't give any man cop or not to come and pursue trayvon for his appearance which is a almost normal and completely wrong ongoing thing in this country...his family needs justice and he needs it this shouldn't be a topic because its popular it should be a topic because what's right needs to be done!

I can't be any happier than now. Finally justice have been served at least in that one case.
I'm in favor of the stand your ground law because I know I will never be on the other side of the gun or whatever weapon people use to defend themselves. I believe that people should have some kind of protection, the peace of mind of knowing that justice is there for you. I think that there have to be some modifications stand your ground should stand to protect us but have to be modified. I think that in cases where race, gang, sexual orientation is involved there has to be an investigation as to why happened to make sure wasn't a bias attack, I'm one of those who didn't know of the stand your ground law and cases like this one definitely let people know of stand your ground. It has to be modified and let people know what they can't do with this.

I am happy because I'm a future father and I want a safe street for my son, Zimmerman's arrest let it clear you can't abuse this law and today I'm sleeping at peace.

Victor
Jamaica, NY

Stand your ground was meant to protect your right to Defend yourself in your home in the case of home invasion. It was poorly written and dies not serve the purpose it was meant for.

Cases like basically the whole USA Vs Zimmerman definitely open people's ears to the stand your ground law, I sure learned of stand your ground a bit earlier in January youtuber kevinbrueck reported of a young lady in an unnamed state called 911 because some guys were outside her door with knives trying to force their way in, she asked if she could take deadly action which she did. To me, that's how should be done if you are in your house, if done otherwise, time to make a police investigation.

Victor
Jamaica, NY

I feel justice was served and charges should also be applied to members of the police force who were involved wirh trying to sweep the issue under the rug. Treating the victim(Mr. Martin) as a criminal. Proof of racism still exsisting.

James
Harlem

Trayvon Martin's shooting was a tragedy. However, I believe that the law that has made it an issue is a very necessary one. We live in a culture where gang violence is increasingly on the rise. Those who would prey on our citizens often believe that they may do so with impunity and that belief is often well founded. American's need the ability to protect themselves but often fear considerably that anything they may do in their own defense will result in legal repercussions. In a society where the criminals are armed with automatic assault rifles and law abiding citizens are prohibited specifically from owning mace or tasers in some areas and may even be charged for carrying a hand tool. Law enforcement officers from Mexico are running to America for sanctuary from gangs that are increasingly making parts of the southern US in addition to their own country a war zone. And our youth are being raised without a moral compass, many especially in our minority communities, being taught that violence and criminality are both virtuous and humorous. This has shown itself more and more in recent years with tragic results.
Little five year olds raping four year olds in our schools. 14 year old snipers on roof tops killing pregneant women. And bullying driving kids to take their own lives or those of others. As much as we'd like to deny it. To call ourselves a civilized society as the mayor has done.....CLEARLY we are NOT! We need the right and the ability to protect ourselves. This transcends municipal regulations.

This is a matter of natural law. The police, the government, they can't or won't adequately deal with the problem. We must have some natural deterants. I am adamantly opposed to taking lives. I'm opposed to the death penalty. I'm opposed to euthanasia. I'm even opposed to deforestation and I'm a vegetarian. I don't like death.
And unfortunately, as messed up as it is, that's why our citizens need the right to protect themselves, sometimes with lethal force. I understand that in this particular instance, its quite questionable whether the youth posed anyone a danger, maybe he did maybe he didn't.

That's why Zimmerman's on trial, and it will be up to the prosecutor and the Jury to determine the right thing. But a far as the law goes we need to know that we can protect ourselves.

I think they took too long to put Zimmerman in jail he ran after this kid with the intention to kill him, he knew perfectly well what he was doing. He is not a cop so he doesn't have the right to take justice into his own hands. Anybody else would have been arrested and kept in jail until they investigated what happen.

I have a question: why is it that when a person of any other color kills a black person, there's an uproar and the Sharptons and the Jacksons come out ranting, raving and marching creating more tension, but they never say a word when a black person kills a black person which seems to happen every other day, like the 9 month old black baby shot with an AK47 a few weeks ago in Detroit. There were over 40 black on black shootings in Chicago just over the St. Patrick's Day weekend, where's the outrage about that from Sharpton, and Jackson; it wasn't even a headliner. What about the white guy who was robbed and then stripped right on the sidewalk in Baltimore by a bunch of blacks while they all just watched and laughed, where's the national outrage, it was hidden on page 48 because it wasn't a white on black crime which the news media salivates over. Why don't Sharpton and Jackson march through the ghettos and clean them up, instead they hang Zimmerman in the media before he even goes to trial—they never let the legal system take its course.

Britt
Manhattan

My sincere condolences to the parents of Trayvon Martin and his family. His Mother is a very strong and brave woman and his Father is commended for wanting more answers that led to today.

Thank GOD for a Woman! It took a “Woman” to get an arrest for Trayvon Martin’s murder. We thank Prosecutor Angela Corey and her staff for her due diligence in her investigation to come to the conclusion that George Zimmerman should be arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Murder. The Sanford PD (Men) and the District Attorney who told the initial Investigating Officer to let Zimmerman go, were too lazy to do their jobs. They get paid by the taxpayers to provide protection and justice to the people, yet they only collect a paycheck. They are no better than the “average clock watcher” waiting to go home. Now the Sanford PD will go on trial along with Mr. Zimmerman. True justice will be to see Mr. Zimmerman found guilty of murder(though most likely manslaughter) and the Sanford PD held accountable for letting him go. The Sanford PD Chief needs to be FIRED!!!

When President Obama's second term is over, we are ready for a Woman to be the President of these United States......

Rosalie
Jamaica, NY

Does Zimmerman have a relative that has connections within the judicial system that was assisting in preventing his arrest?

Angel
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

There were 42 shooting incidents over Labor Day 2011 in NYC. Why is the mayor now suddenly in an uproar about illegal guns when it's become a sporting event here?

Laura
Astoria, NY

In New York and many other states, for the purposes of self defense, forceable rape
or sodomy, robbery, kidnapping, arson, and certain other crimes are the legal equivalent
of deadly physical force.

An intended victim, believing, as would a prudent person, that he or she is about to be victimized, may use deadly physical force against, and even kill, an attacker, whether or not the attacker is armed and regardless of whether the victim feels that his or her life is actually in danger.

The problem with many of these laws is that, while escape is always advisable and preferable, even when it is possible, it is not required. This creates an invitation to an otherwise avoidable confrontation that can result in needless bloodshed.

These laws need to be changed such that any inquest into a defense of justifiable homicide would consider the degree of participation, and precipitation, of the shooter and whether or not escape was possible.

But escape is not the same as submission, however, and no victim should be expected, let alone required, to submit to a forceable rape or sodomy or to surrender his or her property in a robbery.

Mr. Zimmerman was indeed the likely aggressor in the Trayvon Martin shooting, but, had Trayvon been armed, the result could have been very different regardless of who was at fault. Guns don't kill people, but untrained, stupid, trigger happy, gun freaks do. We need better controls on the sale, possession, and use of firearms.

BIG ANDY
Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn

Its such a shame that it took a child loosing his LIFE and his parents fighting for justice and oh yes Thank you to the media for bring this child to a national level. Because this would have been another coverup.

Guns don't kill people; people kill people. It makes no difference what you have in your hand, a gun, knife, bat, rock, pencil, acid, a pillow, even spreading aids can be used as a weapon. Anyone of these items can be used for malice. It is people we need to pass laws on. Tougher laws. If made laws tougher on individuals who who commit crime,we may have a reduction in crime across America. The idiot who shot Trayvon was a coward with a gun. This is the type of person I don't want to see have a gun. Where I am from we fought by hands. That is what makes you tough. I own a gun and I don't want a law watering down my right to carry because of cowards like george. I owned a gun and I am trained to have one. I know when to pull and when just to leave it in my holster. I support training for individuals who want to own a gun. I don't want to think about breaking the law by pulling out my gun if someone is trying to attack me or my family.. We are living in a dangerous society and some times it takes deadly force to back someone or some people up. Deadly force should only be used with good judgement. Criminals, attackers, predators, are not going to ask you before they attack you "how do you want to be attack; with a gun or a knife?" Stand your ground means "by any means necessary". It could be a knife or a bat. I believe this was a bad situation that has gotten attention of the masses and there are those who want to make us weak and not protect our well being.

Mayor Bloomberg's video/photo opportunity appearance today in criticism of Florida's Stand Your Ground laws is an attempt to counter the bad press this week in New York Magazine which features an examination of the criticism of his police departments' disproportionate and unfair targeting of black males in this city, legitimized by New York's Stop and Frisk laws.

Over the last 25 years in New York City there has been a disturbing and dismaying litany of police killings of black men and women with no justice available in state courts. Special laws allowing collusion by officers involved in a shooting lobbied into law by their union, and changes of venue to Albany to escape justice are recurring tactics used to subvert the rights of one segment of New York City's community. Let's hope the DOJ's investigation of systemic racism in New York City begins to address this problem.

W.E.B. DuBois' premise about the problem of the 20th century is still with us, our President notwithstanding. Bloomberg's "these are not the droids you seek act" is not fooling many of us. I know that a main tenet of the press is to report and not to judge, but I hope that NY1 continues to shine a light on the concerns of the African American male population here.

In order for you to understand why simmerman wasn't prosecuted before this and why and I'm almost sure of what the outcome will be of not gealty you have to go with hetting camara

Erdon

I believe that this should be tried not only as hate crime but also first degree murder. Zimmerman had a pre-conception about this young man without reason. In addition, he may have been compelled to use his gun simply because he had one in his possession. Zimmerman did not follow the orders of the police and proceeded to action. Neighborhood watchman with a gun? The optimal word is "watchman." Not law enforcement. It pains me to think that if Zimmerman had listened, the Martin family would have only been offended by a police visit about a "suspicious" person bearing candy and beverage...smh!

MSK

I will rejoice when there is a condition. I watch your show every morning, you are essential to the start of each day. Please keep up the good work.

Signed.
I'am Trayvon Martin.

1. I would like to know why did Zimmer continue to follow Trayvon after being told not to do so?

2. If he was following Trayvon in his vehicle why did he get out?

3. Why didn't just sit in his vehicle and call in his location and wait until the police arrive

Z.