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(Image source: Essence)
BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN
Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law gets its first public hearing Tuesday
since neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman shot and killed unarmed teen Trayvon Martin.
The case has sparked a national debate over the state law, which says a person can use
deadly force if reasonably threatened.
Ahead of Tuesday’s public hearing, local media anticipate tension.
WFLA: “The task force already received nearly 6600 e-mails from across florida and the nation.
Many expressed sharply divided opinions on this law.”
WTVT: “Some of them saying that Governor Scott Walker should keep the law, others complaining
and declaring they will vacation somewhere else in protest.”
Zimmerman claimed self-defense under “Stand Your Ground” after he shot and killed Martin,
and though he’s since been charged with 2nd-degree ***, critics’ outrage persists
over the law. The 19-member task force assigned to review the law includes a mix of lawmakers,
police and lawyers. And WFTV reports, some have alleged that task force is biased. And
the station’s legal analyst doesn’t expect much to change.
“...several members have publicly supported the law. we asked if they'll really do an
unbiased review. … I don't think there is enough support to do away with it, maybe enough
support to fine tune it.”
The editorial board of the Tampa Bay Times recently called for the repeal of the law.
The paper published analysis of nearly 200 “stand your ground” cases, and concludes...
“...the law is inconsistently applied and too easily invoked. It has been used to exonerate
drug criminals and people on violent rampages...”
Likewise, the Palm Beach Post calls for a hard re-thinking of the law.
Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, who heads the task force, is urging the group to “step
back from the emotion” of the Zimmerman case, and look at the facts.