After the verdict in the George Zimmerman case, the entire nation is protesting, insisting that justice was not served. The justice system actually worked in that case. The verdict, in that case, was the right verdict. There was not sufficient evidence to support a conviction. The State did not meet their burden of proving the case. There was reasonable doubt. The justice system worked. The presumption of innocence is alive and well. For defense lawyers everywhere, this is a huge relief. Whether George Zimmerman used excessive force is certainly up for debate but the fact remains, there was reasonable doubt so an acquittal was the correct verdict. Meanwhile, while the Zimmerman case is the only thing we’re hearing about, a woman in Florida woman was convicted by a jury for firing a warning shot in an effort to scare off her abusive husband. The jury deliberated for 12 minutes. She was sentenced to 20 years. This woman is African American. The Florida “stand your ground” law, allows people to use potentially deadly force anywhere they feel reasonably threatened with serious harm or death. Marissa Alexander’s husband tried to strangle her. She tried to escape by running into the garage so she could drive away but she couldn’t find her keys. So she picked up a firearm and fired a shot into the wall to scare him off. She said, “I believe when he threatened to kill me, that’s what he was absolutely going to do, That’s what he intended to do. Had I not discharged my weapon at that point, I would not be here.” Not only does this comply with the “stand your ground” law. It meets the standard of self-defense. She did not shoot at him. She fired a warning shot. Her life was in danger. She used reasonable force under the circumstances. Where is the outrage over this case? Where is the media? I googled “woman convicted of discharging firearm” and got 1 hit. A CNN story. That’s it. The video clip associated with this article shows Ms. Alexander’s supporters singing in protest to the verdict and/or sentence in the courtroom. These peaceful protesters who are also African American are escorted out of the courtroom by a gaggle of old, fat, white bailiffs. The good old south! Where are Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson now? Where’s the righteous indignation? Why don’t Americans get it?
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