For the second night in a row, New Yorkers ranked the Trayvon Martin shooting as their top story of the day on NY1.com. Can it be the media are just following the public's lead? Tens of thousands of people have protested, hundreds of thousand have signed petitions. Let's hope something good can come of this, no matter the verdict.

One day after he was charged with second-degree murder, neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman appeared before a judge today in Florida. An arraignment date was set for next month, and Zimmerman only spoke to acknowledge the charge before him. Zimmerman's lawyer says he will plead not guilty, claiming self-defense under Florida's controversial "stand your ground" law. No request for bail was made.

The case has garnered national attention after Zimmerman shot unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin in February. Martin was walking to the home of his father's fiancee when he was confronted by the 28-year-old volunteer. Zimmerman faces 25 years to life if convicted.

What questions do you want answered in this case? Should Zimmerman face second-degree murder or a lesser charge of manslaughter? Should he be released on bond? Would you be able to be an impartial juror at trial? Will Zimmerman get a fair trial in Florida?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

As much as I would love to blame this all on zimmerman I can't ..the state of Florida and society is just as fault as zimmerman..if this law was never implemented he would have thought long and hard before following after Trayvon..if society would stop judging ppl based on race and what they wear Trayvon would still be here today

Danielle..Brooklyn.

John,

Justice should ,be done!!! Zimmerman shot someone's kid not an adult and I think this has brought national attention because it was someone's child. No gun was found on him. He only went to the store for some skittles and Ice Tea. So, he wore a hoodie, that is all stereo typecast. It is really so sad that the parents lost their CHILD because of racism, hoodism, typecastism, and guns laws in the State of Florida that are totally out of line with reality.

Jeanne
Brooklyn, NY

My only question is why people won't hang back and let the justice system take its course? I realize that racial arsonists like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have an interest in fomenting as much attention here as they can -- it's the business they're in -- and the apparent victim's family obviously is entitled to speak out, but what's the excuse for everyone else? Let the prosecutor do her work!

Bruce
Upper West Side
Manhattan

John,

I’m glad this self-appointed neighborhood vigilante has been arrested. One question hasn’t been asked: Who authorized him to wander around, carry a gun and interfere with residents freedom of movement in their own neighborhood? I’d like to hear from the neighbors.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

Hi John,

The primary question I'd like answered simply is WHY? I feel that he should face the charge he was brought up on of "SECOND DEGREE MURDER" Possibly a flight risk, he should not be released on bail no matter the amount. Thankfully, Mayor Bloomberg is leading the fight to repeal the stand your ground law at issue in this case.

Joyce
Springfield Gardens

BASED ON WHAT I'VE HEARD ABOUT THIS STORY, DISPATCH ORDERED THE GUNMAN ZIMMERMAN TO STOP FOLLOWING TRAYVON MARTIN. ZIMMERMAN CONTINUED THE PURSUIT. HE FAILED TO FOLLOW A LAWFUL ORDER. BESIDES, YOU CAN'T BE THE PERSON THREATENED IF IN FACT YOU ARE THE PURSUER, YOU NOW TURN INTO A PREDATOR.

JOE, BAY TERRACE

Hi John;

Snap poll suggestions;
Should George Zimmerman have been indicted?
A. Murder (2nd degree)
B. Manslaughter
C. Should Not Have Been Indicted

Should there be a national gun control law making it illegal for volunteers such as G.Z. to carry guns?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Depends On Training

Thanks,
Ted from LES

I think Zimmerman should face whatever charge the prosecutor sees fit after reviewing the facts. I have no knowledge of the requirements for 2nd degree murder in Florida but I don't think he should be released on bond because I don't trust him or his father's connections!

Teri
Jackson Heights

Hi John,

I think we just have to wait it out. If this is the decision that they came up with it might have been the influence of the media, public and Bloomberg. He's always looking to grandstand along with all of the others. Like everything else it became political. Instead of letting system take care of it according to the laws of that state.

Thank you John,
maxxiee
mp

I am very concerned about the Trayvon Martin case, why only the charge of Murder 2 and not Manslaughter? No prosecutor would have charged Murder 2 buy itself. No prosecutor! I don't get this. If I didn't know better -- I say this is a ploy for Martin to go free. You trump up a charge you know you can't win and you lose accordingly; mission accomplished; political bias carried out; Zimmerman goes free, the people are totally fooled not knowing any better and everyone goes home and it goes on and on until people know better. I hope I am wrong but I just don't understand why she did not bring the charge of manslaughter? It was appropriate for what evidence she has. It is highly unlikely Corey will be able to prove malice aforethought and will have a pretty hard time proving intent. I just hope I am just being paranoid here and there is no political bias for who are on top in this Country and their ilk to walk freely about the courts and assured of winning verdicts. I only hope I am wrong and just being paranoid.

Eileen

"Stand your ground" is one of the most American laws in the nation. I just hope that jury is as multicultural as possible.

Jeremy
Forest Hills

Yes, the murder charge is appropriate for G. Zimmerman. But it shouldn't end there. The district attorney who initially tried to cover up this crime along with the police chief who resigned should also be brought up on charges.

Vern

im an international student this is not about black and white but justice i was not there but zimmemer desobeyed his dispatcher i was clearly told we dont want u to do that so why he kept following tryvon and second thing i dont understand how come u shot someone to death and not been taking to the custody even when u killed someone in front of the judge an arrest should always be made cuz killed an human being not a dog

Moc

Your expert is wrong. Cops do stand their ground, just look at Sean Bell and Amadou Diallo. They've never convicted a cop for killing an unarmed man, maybe they will convict a vigilante.

Meryl from Manhattan

I would hate to be an innocent George Zimmerman. Media coverage is deciding his fate either way. I am living proof. I believe he did it. Don't really know why, but I believe he did. I guess I am watching too much media.

Peter, queens

George Zimmerman has the right to bail. Discovery process will reveal the evidence for prosecution. Nevertheless, parents are responsible for their children behavior. Law enforcement should increase stop and search procedures this will prevent further unnecessary suffering . Zimmerman will be exonerated.

Joy

Casey Anthony got a very fair trial…she is free as a bird! Nobody ever worries about African Americans getting a fair trial….I hope George Zimmerman rots in jail For murdering American citizen in cold blood!

Charles
Chelsea

If I were called for jury duty in the Zimmerman case I COULD NOT be partial...As for this being tried in the media, it's there because of race baiters Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Charles Barron, etc, who want Zimmerman's head....They're not seeking justice!!! As for Trayvon being "innocent" he was anything but....And yes this IS being tried because of the pressure of the black community primarily!!

If this were a black on black or black on white this wouldn't even be an issue or in the media!!!

Carmen
East Williamsburg Brooklyn NY

If you take a look at past trials with Conrad Murray , Casey Anthony and O.J. Simpson . All Three trials were cases that dealt with Murder and all were exploited by the Media . Now ask yourself : Did those trials have Impartial Jurors ? ? ?

-CrisTo
(Lower Manhattan)

John,

Casey Anthony got a fair trial in Florida. Everyone said she killed her own daughter. As far as I'm concerned the state has more evidence on Zimmerman than they had on Casey Anthony.

Wayne
Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn

Hi John,

I think it’s very doubtful whether Zimmerman can get a fair trial by an “impartial” jury since the media, once again, has convicted someone before they were even arrested. Since the shooting was cast as racial from day-one thanks to the totally incompetent media editing of the original tapes highlighting his comment of “he’s black” probably to get higher ratings (that in itself should be a prosecutable crime). About 99% of the opinions I’ve heard on the news by black people already have him convicted (they keep incorrectly referring to him as a “child” when he was almost 18 years old), so if there are any blacks on the jury, that again would appear to reduce any chance for a “fair trial.” The media continues to fuel the fire by rarely referring to Zimmerman as Latino, another minority, and instead always as white. Why can’t the media report the facts like they used to decades ago instead of constantly distorting it. There is still plenty of room for doubt since the latest news releases state that Zimmerman’s phone calls to the police shows that he wasn’t out of breath or even panting as if he had chased someone, plus the eye-witness who states that Martin was on top of Zimmerman while they were on the ground.

Regards,
Walter,
New Dorp

1. I believe that Zimmerman would get as fair a trial in Fla. as he would anywhere else in the U.S. The tragedy has been continuously aired, nation-wide! The facts are the facts: he pursued the young man, defying the dispatcher's command, and carrying a deadly weapon---to me that's intent.

2. Rocket scientists can see that this man should be prosecuted to the fullest. He's not law enforcement; that law is unconscionable and should be overridden by the Feds if they try to use that bogus law as a defense.

3. The entire situation is sad---from the delay in the arrest, to the attitudes of those in authority---very cavalier; and it suggests, once again, that the lives of people of color---black males in particular---is not valued.

Charlene

John,

Trayvon will not get a fair trial. When perpetrators are related to judges, the law is in their favor. The Corruption in the court systems including judges is out of control in this country. I pray for Trayvon and his family.

kate
midtown east

Will George Zimmerman get a fair trial? Has he been treated FAIR up to this point?? He killed somebody and go to go home. Is that FAIR enough for people. There are people in this country who don't know who the vice president is, so there are people haven't heard of the case.

Toni

If George doesn't go to jail where it will be the safest place on earth for him, where else is he gonna live on this planet?

Arthur

i feel like Zimmerman should get a life sentence because its not fair that gets to see daylight behind bars and trayvon martins prarent got to visit their son in a cemetery .... had it been the other way around trayvon wouldve been sent to jail with a possible life sentence ... and its not fair ... i feel this shooting was out of racism.Zimmerman is guilty and does not deserve any fairness

Shantel

I do not believe that Zimmerman would get a fair trial anywhere in the state of Florida. Unfortunately, I have to agree with the previous caller, had the tables been turned and it be an african american male with a judge for a father, the people would be more out raged and these questions that your show is based on would not be asked. He should not be released on bail nor should he be charged with anything less than 2nd degree murder. He did not have to kill that child, he could have shot at his knee injuring him if he was in fact being attacked. He has a history of violence, I also have to agree with the man who was interviewed, the only reason this case has gone to trial is because of the public outcry for justice.

I pray for justice.

Julie
Jamaica Queens

Zimmerman is gulity of murder.

Chalise

People are not understanding what the race issue is w/ this case. Its not the idea that Zimmerman is white and Treyvon was black. Its the point that black men are targeted by EVERYBODY. IF treyvon were white, he most likely wouldn't have been shot. N addition Al Sharpton and the other black activists mentioned DO reach outto their communities calling for an end to black on black violence. There agenda is to call attention to the targeting of black males by Police in ALL states. Police are here to protect the public, and blacks are not protected in the same way.

Vera

No bail, no way. His lawyers didn't know where he was. His family wouldn't say, he's a risk and his safety is in jeopardy.

CF

all this just reminds me of Bernhard Hugo Goetz

Tribble

My feelings are that it is truly unfair that Zimmmerman is going to be trialed by a kangaroo court. They might as well not spend money on court perceedings; just send him straight to jail. Sharpton and the rest of the black community have already condemned Zimmerman to death anyway, and the state of florida is following through despite its current law so again why bother with a trial since he never had one from the beggining....

John from Staten Island

Without question he will have a jury of his peers. He will not do time. I'm grateful for men like Rev Al Sharpton who bring these atrocities to a National stage. One caller tonight made a good point concerning murders and drugs in the black and latino communities. I for one and Rev Sharpton for two do find this troublesome and both he and I have spoken publicly about this.

Rev Vernon

I know he claims that He stood his ground. But what about Trevon? he could had also done the same, sadly it came to who had the "bigger" gun. I think its going to come down to who attacked first, and the only witness is now dead.....go figure...

Antonio