CS Monitor: Trayvon Martin case: Task force wants changes in Stand Your Ground

[Patricia M. McBride]

This should be of great concern to everyone in the state of Florida, because this law allows you to defend yourself against someone aiming to cause you harm or trying to kill you. If they weaken it, basically they will be siding with the perpetrator of a crime instead of the victim, and I, for one, believe a strong stand your ground law makes a criminal think twice....................because their victim has rights too!  Certainly, this was yet another bill our legislature did a miserable job writing (or should I say their legal team did), and clearly defining a few points might be in order, but I don't want it changed to favor the criminal.  I understand there was a big booha over one case here in Florida that drew all the publicity seekers and racists instead of allowing the police to do their job and the law to be followed, but you can't weaken another person's ability to defend themselves against an attack to suit the criminals and law breakers..............just my thoughts.  What is your opinion? 

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The group of legislators, attorneys, police and legal experts stopped short of calling for an absolute repeal.

By Gary Fineout, The Associated Press / April 30, 2012

 

An independent task force wants major changes, but not an outright repeal, of Florida's "stand your ground" law after the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin.

State Sen. Chris Smith, the organizer of the group, delivered the recommendations to Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders on Monday.

Smith said the group — which included prosecutors, defense attorneys, police chiefs and law professors — could not reach a consensus on whether to get rid of the seven-year-old law that allows a person to meet force with force if they reasonably believe they are in danger of being killed or seriously harmed. The law removed a duty to retreat that previously was in the state's self-defense law.

"We took an adult look at 'stand your ground," Smith said. "We had adult discussions, not political, but adult discussions on 'stand your ground.'"

Neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman said he acted in self-defense when he killed Martin earlier this year in Sanford. A special prosecutor, however, charged Zimmerman with second-degree murder following weeks of outcry and protests. Zimmerman has posted bail and is currently in hiding as he awaits trial on the charges.

Smith, a critic of the existing law, put together his own task force to look at the law after complaining that Scott was waiting too long to respond to the Martin killing. A separate task force assembled by the governor is scheduled to hold its first meeting in Tallahassee on Tuesday.

Read more here:  http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0430/Trayvon-Ma...