[Hoot Gibson]

It doesn't matter that he didn't technically break the law man! He called 911, the number we're all supposed to call if we feel we're in some type of danger or to report a crime, ect. He was advised to not confront Martin, because he wasn't under any threat of harm, and neither was anyone else. Of course that wasn't an order. But the fact that he called 911, was advised that police were en route, ignored it and followed Martin with a firearm. This, at the very least, shows intent to start trouble or take things into his own hands...and this is where Mabslaughter instead of murder comes in.

Like you said, he didn't break a law by ignoring the 911 operator...but it does show intent to start shit. That's why, in my opinion, he's guilty of Manslaughter and should serve a few years because of it.

Yes, it does matter whether Zimmerman simply exercised bad judgment when he followed Zimmerman or technically broke the law! It is not unlawful to suffer a lapse in judgment.

No, Zimmerman following Martin does not demonstrate intent on his part to start trouble or to take matters into his own hands. That will be the argument that the government will make during Zimmerman's trial but it is not hard to imagine that the defense will have an equally plausible explanation for Zimmerman's behavior. The 12 jurors do not have to be convinced that Zimmerman (or his lawyer) is telling the truth - they only need to find reasonable doubt with the prosecution's version of events is correct to vote for acquittal.

Zimmerman is fortunate that he has plenty of money to pay for an effective defense, because the state will be spending a fortunate trying to convict him. The government wins many cases and extracts guilty pleas from defendants who cannot afford competent lawyers - especially when the feds get involved. Most people charged with serious crimes in this country cannot afford to pay hundreds of dollars an hour for a good lawyer. Ironically, by generating so much publicity about this case, the Rev. Al may have actually improved Zimmerman's chances of being found not guilty.