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Another question for the knowing. If we had a map of the neighborhood, could put an X on the convenience store, an X on the spot of the encounter, and an X on the home of the father's fiance, how close are those X's going to line up. Martin was supposed to on his way home and he was walking, so I would presume he would take the shortest public route. Is that where he was, or off down some side street?? Just wondering. I've read all of this stuff and haven't seen anything on this topic.

I have concerns as well. Since the local police allowed Zimmerman to walk, they may not have done an exemplary job of collecting and DOCUMENTING evidence. Zimmerman reportedly had grass stains and moisture on the back of his shirt, and a bloodied nose. Someone should have photographed this, called a paramedic to treat and document it, etc. Evidence works both ways. It can convict you and it can exonerate you. Physical evidence and documentation in the form of photos, if made public during or following the trial, would go a long way to calm the angry mob.

The trial likely won't start for some time. The prosecution needs to get all of their ducks lined up, they need to find a cool venue to move to, and they will need to find a lot of people who know little or nothing about the case, so you can just imagine the quality of the jury pool.

I was around for the 1965 Watts Riots (funny how it all gets capitalized like an event, well it was). It lasted a number of days, at least 5 or so until the fires were under control, but the neighborhoods were destroyed and it took years to get over it. Given the Rodney King thing--I had long since moved to Texas--some folks out there never get over anything and sit and wait for an opportunity to raise trouble.

The problem is that Jackson and Sharpton are visible personalities who make a living from stirring hate from situations less than so deserving. The upside is that these guys are getting older (Jackson is 70 and Sharpton is 57) and at some point won't be able to stir the kettle, and I'm not particularly aware of many younger personalities who share this same approach. One well known minister in Dallas is known for his calming affect on his followers rather than the opposite, and from the religious community this seems to be more the norm that the 1960's style of civil rights fussing and fighting.