Interview by Matt Mallory
USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- As a self-defense instructor, I teach civilians and law enforcement about situational awareness, use-of-force levels, hands-on tactics, and how to use both lethal and less-lethal tools. If you are in the industry that I am, or simply watch the news, you know the name George Zimmerman.
A man by the name of Trayvon Martin lost his life that cold Sunday night on the 26th of February 2012. The news spread across the nation like a wildfire in California. The news reported that a young black boy was murdered by a “white man”. As the dust settled, that turned out NOT to be the truth. Adding fuel to the flame, President Obama made the statement that “If I had a son, he would look like Trayvon…” This situation was the spark that set off the Black Lives Matter movement. Just as things started to die down, they flamed back up with the 2014 Michael Brown shooting by office Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, which saw the creation of the slogan “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot“.
To teach my students about real life self-defense cases, I felt a good story to tell was that of George Zimmerman.
My goal was to provide a firsthand account of his life-changing battle to survive a deadly encounter. At the start of 2018 my quest began. I noticed a George Zimmerman on Facebook who had mutual friends, I thought, it couldn’t be, but after some research, it was “the” George Zimmerman. I sent a friend request with no expectations that he would accept it, though he did. Soon after, I sent him a message introducing myself and asking if he would be willing to talk with me. My goal being, to tell his story to better my students understanding on the importance of not being in the fight in the first place. He agreed, and we spent months trying to get our schedules to match up for that phone call. In hindsight, it was a blessing since something better was in store.
Fast forward to the fall and I was booked to work as pro staff for Laser Ammo’s booth at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference. I sent George a text asking if he wanted to have dinner with me while I was in Florida. He accepted, and we picked a mutual night to meet up in person. At that time, I didn’t know he had only done a few public interviews to include Sean Hannity. The same day he did the exclusive interview with Hannity he turned down Barbra Walters for an interview. I’ll save that story for another time.
Though he agreed to meet me, I still wasn’t sure if it would happen. I mean, he doesn’t know me from Adam. If it didn’t happen, I couldn’t blame him, as he has been targeted by everyone from a sitting President all the way down to average citizens. George has had death threats and was shot at in 2015 by a deranged person, by the name of Matthew Apperson, who was sentenced to 35 years (20 and 15 running concurrently). Come to find out, George vetted me through our mutual friend, Andrew Branca, and the meeting came to fruition.
George was celebrating his birthday the night prior to our meeting so I was tasked with picking our meeting location. He suggested Longhorn, Olive Garden, or Buffalo Wild Wings. I chose Olive Garden for a quiet location for us to talk. I had a list of questions that I wrote down, then typed out, and wrote down again, in preparation for our phone call those many months prior. I considered bringing a video camera to capture the meeting but thought that was too much for a dinner setting. I then planned to record the audio from my phone, but little did I know that my plans would change once again.
I arrived at the restaurant and was quickly seated by the hostess. I texted George letting him know I had arrived. I was not sure of what to expect from George. I only knew how the media portrayed him. He had been nothing but a Southern gentleman to me in all our correspondence leading up to this night and he truly had no need or reason to meet with me. Shortly after texting him, he replied stating he was walking into the restaurant. I then went to meet him at the door. As I shook his hand, my first impression was that he seemed to be a polite and soft-spoken person.
That impression carried on through the next two-and-a-half hours that we spent together. I never did see an evil killer that the media portrayed. Could it have been a front? Sure, it was possible, but time would tell.
I truly wanted to get-to-know the real George Zimmerman. As we sat down, I, in normal fashion, handed him one of my PS&Ed (www.psanded.com) business cards along with our company Velcro patch. I then thanked him for agreeing to meet with me. I let him know that I was planning to record our conversation but at that second, I felt led to not record it and for us to just talk. I conveyed this to him along with my desire to have him come on my YouTube Channel Meet The Pressers as a guest to tell his story, in person. He agreed, and I suggested we do it around the time the movie comes out. Oh, I guess this is a good time to tell you that George flew to California last year to be a subject matter expert for a movie that is being made about that night back in 2012. It is scheduled to be released in the end of July.
The waitress kept returning to our table to take our order, but our short time together was much like two lifelong friends catching up and not looking at the menu. We finally ordered our meals and when they arrived, I prayed over our meeting and the food before we dug in.
Life Before
As we began to eat, I hit George with my first question. What was your life like prior to that February night in 2012? He began to tell me how he was raised Catholic and that his grandmother lived with his family as is a tradition for many Hispanic families. He was married, had a home, a good job making a handsome hourly wage, and was enrolled in college – setting his sights on getting a degree – all while mentoring inner-city youth in Apopka, Florida. This stood out to me as something a good person would do to make their community better.
Leading up to that terrible night, George said that there were many burglaries in their community. His wife wanted to move but due to work and schooling that wasn’t financially feasible. She urged him to do something. There were neighborhood watch signs throughout the neighborhood, so he decided to join the local watch. Come to find out, there was no formal neighborhood watch. So, what does any citizen concerned about their neighborhood do? Gather the masses to form a neighborhood watch of course. I could relate because I did the same thing when we lived in the City of Syracuse, NY.
The Night of the Deadly Encounter
I asked George to walk me through that night that changed his life forever. He began to do so in epic fashion.
It was a cold and rainy Sunday night. Like all other Sunday’s he would go out to the store to buy chicken and other food for the diet, he was on. He continued then stopped short and asked me for a piece of paper. I flipped to a blank piece of paper in my notepad that contained all the questions I had for him. I then slid it along with my pen across the table to him. He began to sketch out while explaining that the gated community he lived in wasn’t fully gated all the way around. He said that a bordering swampy area would dry up throughout the year allowing people to come and go undetected.
George continued his story on how he was driving out of the gated community and the light from another vehicle lit up the alleyway behind a house. He noticed someone standing in the shadows. He thought that was odd due to the cold rainy weather. The suspicious behavior made him concerned for his neighborhood, so he called it in to authorities.
He continued to use the sketch to show me how that night’s events continued to play out. He showed me where he pulled up to the clubhouse and shortly after, a hooded man, later found to be Trayvon Martin, circled his vehicle a couple of times, all while reaching in-and-out of his pockets as if trying to intimidate George. Trayvon then went out of sight behind a building. To help provide police with the location of Trayvon, George got out of his vehicle to get a better vantage point. He informed the dispatcher of this and the dispatcher stated that they didn’t need him to do that. However, by now George was out of his vehicle and moving to a better position. George saw lights in the distance and thought the police had arrived. He later realized that was not the case.
Headed in the direction that the lights came from coming around the side of one of the townhouses to the “T” in the sidewalks he was, without notice, punched in the face by Trayvon, instantly breaking his nose. Trayvon then grabbed George and tried to throw him to the ground multiple times. George held his own for a little bit but eventually was thrown to the ground. Once again George referred to the sketch showing me where they were by this time, which was a little further up the sidewalk from the initial attack. He said that the ground sloped down on one side of the sidewalk and his legs were down the hill while his head was on the sidewalk. Trayvon was now on top of George punching him repeatedly in the face, MMA style, as George described. Every time George tried to sit up Trayvon would slam him back down to the ground and in-turn his head would bounce off the sidewalk, causing him excruciating pain.
To get away from the pain being inflicted on his head, George tried sliding down the hill out from underneath Trayvon. This caused George’s red windbreaker to slide up revealing his Kel- Tec PF-9 9mm handgun holstered on his hip.
Trayvon noticed the gun and said, “You’re gonna die tonight!” At that point, George realized that it wasn’t his gun or Trayvon’s gun, it was “the” gun in the fight!
Without any prior experience of drawing and shooting from the holster, George knew it was either now or never. He unholstered the firearm and fired one shot at the man who he felt was trying to take his life. The response from Trayvon was like that of an old Western movie. He said, “Ya got me!” At that second George thought his shot missed. To him, it seemed as if Trayvon was making a statement to concede defeat and not that he actually was hit by the bullet.
In that instance George wasn’t worried about his safety or that somebody was trying to kill him, he was more concerned that he missed Trayvon and might have hurt somebody else in a nearby house. To me, this was one of many enlightening times in our meeting. More concerned for the life of his neighbors than his own life.
George was now able to get out from underneath his attacker. Trayvon collapsed onto the ground clutching his chest while mumbling illegible words. A neighbor came out asking what was going on and shortly after a police officer showed up. George said the officer was calm and asked him what had happened. He informed the officer that his firearm was holstered on his side. The officer later retained the gun. Emergency teams worked on Martin. Medical attention was given to George on the scene before he was taken to the police station, for over 5 hours of questioning. Though his head felt as if it was going to explode, he endured the questioning. He was able to clean up in the bathroom at the police station, though after the fact, his attorneys were not happy with George’s decision to do so since it disposed of crucial evidence that could help his case. Little did anyone know that this night’s events would become such a national case.
Life After that Terrible Night
Being that Florida is a stand-your-ground state – meaning that you do not have a duty to retreat when posed with danger if you are legally allowed to be there – and all the evidence showed that George was defending himself, no charges were brought against him that night. It wasn’t until later when then President Obama called governor Rick Scott and demanded that he find somebody in the state of Florida that would prosecute George. After consulting multiple district attorney’s, the Governor found one in Jacksonville that would take the case. This began the 3.5- million-dollar battle for George to stay out of prison. George fought off death that night but never fathomed the war to save his life was just beginning.
While awaiting trial, George spent his time in solitary confinement. His confinement was more solitary than other inmates due to threats made on his life and his high-profile case. He spent much of his time reading the Bible and Phil Robertson’s book “Happy, Happy, Happy”. Being locked up with minimal interaction with others day-after-day is sure to beat down the morale of anyone. It tends to make people depressed or harden them from emotion. George admitted having a bad boy phase after being acquitted which gave him many run-ins with the law.
When he was finally acquitted of all charges, and released from prison.
Shortly after that his cousin drove in from California and they watched a Duck Dynasty marathon. His cousin knew he needed to laugh again with everything he had been through. Phil Robertson was just the medicine he needed. He made him laugh so much that he wanted to meet him and the family in person. On a whim, he just up and drove to West Monroe, Louisiana in search of the family that helped him be happy again. Little did he know the Robertson’s had been praying for him during the whole ordeal. The trip had many positive outcomes. He broke bread with the Robertson family, was born again and found a truly remarkable family who is now lifelong friends.
Through his ordeal he has met other big names in the self-defense industry, to include Andrew Branca and Massad Ayoob. George said that though this incident changed his life in a prolific way, there are great people he has met because of it and that has been positive.
George’s life drastically changed that desolate night. Most places won’t hire him because of bad publicity. Businesses that have given him a chance, eventually end up letting him go. When people harass your employees while at work, well that is not good for business. To pay his bills, he was reduced to selling the firearm that was used to save his life. A winning bid brought him $250,000. Though this seems like a lot, in comparison to what he has lost and the expense of the trial, it is a drop in the bucket. To keep afloat, he has used his artistic ability to paint and sells his works of art whenever possible.
My last question of the night for George was “If anything, what would you have done differently that night?” Without hesitation, his response was “I would have never left the house!” His answer struck me deep. I thought he would say, I would have just called 911 at the time I saw the suspicious silhouette lurking next to the building, in the rain. Or possibly, I would have stayed in my vehicle after the person circled it in an intimidating manner. For him to wish he had never left his home was a statement for sure. Your life can change in an instant based on decisions that you make.
After multiple refills of our drinks and getting close to being kicked out of the restaurant, because they were closing soon, we thought this was a good spot to call it a night and agreed to reconnect soon. We left the restaurant together and took a final photo together before parting ways.
My Final Thoughts
Some thoughts I had during our dinner meeting. First, a dispatcher’s advice – though in this case, good advice – is not a lawful order. Second, George did not seek out Trayvon with a gun in-his- hand. That is, to me, he did not have the intention to “hunt-him-down”. He only drew the firearm as a last resort to defend himself from the grave bodily harm being imposed and his death that was impending.
In the months since our dinner, George and I have kept in touch, talking on and off as topics come up in the news and in life.
In a phone call with George earlier this year, he said to me “I feel like that’s your duty. Once you make a call and you ask for assistance, you ask for police response. I feel like it’s your duty as a civilian, or as a concerned citizen, to be able to relay that information to them so that they can respond rapidly and accurately to your call for help.”
To this day, George feels he did everything correctly and did nothing wrong that night. However, he agrees with me in that, if you don’t want your life turned upside down like his was, it’s better to not be in the fight in the first place. As well, the decisions you make can put you in harm’s way in more ways than one and the situation may not turn out the way you think.
If this case was tried in my home state of New York I would have no doubt that he would be in prison. I train many thousands of students annually, all over the country, and my advice is to have a higher level of thinking. Taking the higher road, if you will. The old saying, I would rather be tried by 12 than carried by six, is foolish in this day and age!
I agree with George in that those who carry a handgun for self-defense should know how to use it and practice doing so but they should also investigate insurance like the USCCA membership or CCW Safe. This coverage will help cover legal fees but there is still no guarantee that you will be acquitted. Hence, staying out of the fight in the first place is the best advice. Even if you have a great legal defense team, your attorney does not pick the jurors for your trial. The attorneys only deselect some that are the worst for their case. Ultimately, the pick comes from a jury pool “of your peers”. Don’t count on your jury being made up of gun-toting, hardworking Americans that are a USCCA or NRA member! The hand you are dealt in court can be much like playing Russian roulette. I would prefer to not be caught with the “Dead Man’s Hand”!
Right after his life was turned upside down, never to be the same again, he risked his own life to save the life of a family in an overturned SUV. Only a selfless person would do something like that. This in a day and age where people would rather pull a cell phone out to record people dying rather than lend a hand to those in need. I came out of my dinner meeting with George feeling that I met a man that tried to do the right thing but got a raw deal in the end. I pray that no one goes through what George did and that is why I bring his story to you.
I have been telling my students for years that it’s better to not be in the fight in the first place! You will survive 100% of the fights that you are not in. These days, to be judged by anyone, even 12 jurors can be almost as bad as being carried by six pallbearers. To put everything in context, in a moral of the story kind of way, I would say: “You could do everything for the right reason, do nothing illegal, and still be prosecuted or persecuted – by a jury of public opinion – for the decisions that you make.”
Shoot straight and stay safe.
About Matt Mallory
Founder and Lead Instructor of Public Safety and Education (a.k.a. PS&Ed), Matthew J. Mallory is a U.S. Army veteran, former adjunct college professor, and a highly experienced firearms instructor whose passion for weapons and self-defense began at a very young age. Currently, Matt works as a sworn New York State Law Enforcement Officer, firearms instructor (USCCA, NRA, UTM, Utah, and New York), self-defense instructor (NY, TASER, ASP, Safariland, and Sabre Red), and gun store owner. He teaches more than 60 different firearms and self-defense courses, over 200 times each year, to many thousands of students all over the country. He co-hosts a YouTube show called Meet The Pressers and also travels the county working as a brand ambassador and pro staff for many companies (USCCA, Laser Ammo, Shooter’s Technology Group, Mantis, and Angel Armor). His over 35 years of vast experience and passion for teaching ensures that his courses are educational and highly entertaining. You can learn more about Matt at www.PSandEd.com.
So basically, a person who is already sympathetic with Zimmerman wrote a propaganda piece based solely on Zimmerman’s word. I’m not fooled..
The goal was to bring a first hand account life changing self-defense experience to the masses so that they don’t have a similar fate. I was NOT sympathetic to Zimmerman up till just before interviewing him.
@MattMallory, I always appreciate it when an author answers comments. Your article seems to have attracted more than the usual trolls, here, today. Don’t lose any sleep over them.
@WB – Every once in a while we get a herd of group thinkers. In this case there’s a herd of racist who assume that because travon has dark skin, he’s obviously a hero and victim. Whether one believes or not, it is best to here about an event from primary sources. GZ is the only living person who can give a first hand account. His story is consistent with all the evidence, so I tend to believe the majority of it. Those saying he shouldn’t have exited his vehicle are bordering on saying that we have no right to… Read more »
Are you F__KING SERIOUS?This A__HOLE George Zimmerman hunts down a black teenager ( with the preconception the young man was up to no good) starts a fight get his ass kicked pulls out a gun kills said teenager and calls it self defense, Has anyone every tried looking at this from Treyvon’s POV? going to the store, then being followed by some creeping grown man. I AM TERRIFIED EVERY TIME MY SON OR GRAND SON LEAVES THE HOUSE. AS A BLACK MAN WHO HAS SERVED HIS COUNTRY AND SHED BLOOD IN THE WAR ZONE THIS IS…… i can find no… Read more »
@b68, used to use a different name, what was it. In fact you admitted using several other names. Thank you for your service, what was your MOS, again?
Unfortunately, I am terrified that people are railroaded, like GZ, and others, like you, are used as pawns in a bigger con game. I can only pray that you are educated on the deceptive practices of the left and come to the realization that you are being played!
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thetrayvonhoax?fbclid=IwAR0HwvRQh6xarG5f-f7n133eKouOBlhixLx4LIo6632ZsMlMbegXZD16Jbw
FACTS:
GEORGE ZIMMERMAN WAS ON Temazepam WHICH CAUSES RAGE, AGGRESSION AND HOSTILITY ACCORDING TO PARAMEDIC REPORT
HE ALSO MOLESTED HIS COUSIN, POSTED PICTURES OF A DEAD TRAYVON MARTIN WHILE THREATENING ANOTHER PERSON
THEESE ARE FACTS.
THINK ABOUT THAT THE NEXT TIME YOU DEFEEND A MONSTER WHO IS OBVIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL
Can you provide evidence of your facts or is what you are stating as facts just rumors and hearsay? Was there a charge or a trial on these facts that you speak of? Provide proof or it did not happen. George did have a trial (a sham and political game) and was acquitted of all charges. That is a fact. Links are in the comments above and below.
Soooooo. Racism is still up and running in the full effect! Matt terrible story! You could have done much better but it’s obviously that this story wasn’t just for your students but to also show what type of person you are and how you think. You never said anything about what GZ did wrong all you did was defend him in which he was the offender and never the victim. Just because he got his ass whooped by someone he shouldn’t of been bothering in the first place doesn’t make him a victim that just tells me and others that… Read more »
@Unique, Based upon your own words. I think that your racism is showing. I think you want to say your piece, and shut down other peoples comments and ideas down. I think that you b68g are the same troll.
Glad you liked it. Here is another one for you that tells the FACTS. Facts matter. I pray you see the light! https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thetrayvonhoax?fbclid=IwAR0HwvRQh6xarG5f-f7n133eKouOBlhixLx4LIo6632ZsMlMbegXZD16Jbw
Read more: https://www.ammoland.com/2019/07/seven-year-later-george-zimmerman-speaks-someone-he-trusts/#ixzz64GKthfrp
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution
Follow us: @Ammoland on Twitter | Ammoland on Facebook
FACTS:
GEORGE ZIMMERMAN WAS ON Temazepam WHICH CAUSES RAGE, AGGRESSION AND HOSTILITY ACCORDING TO PARAMEDIC REPORT
HE ALSO MOLESTED HIS COUSIN, POSTED PICTURES OF A DEAD TRAYVON MARTIN WHILE THREATENING ANOTHER PERSON
THEESE ARE FACTS.
THINK ABOUT THAT THE NEXT TIME YOU DEFEEND A MONSTER WHO IS OBVIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL
what i poosted are real facts
not alternative facts
not . some video somee racist made
Read more: https://www.ammoland.com/2019/07/seven-year-later-george-zimmerman-speaks-someone-he-trusts/#ixzz64GKthfrp
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution
Follow us: @Ammoland on Twitter | Ammoland on Facebook
FACTS:
GEORGE ZIMMERMAN WAS ON Temazepam WHICH CAUSES RAGE, AGGRESSION AND HOSTILITY ACCORDING TO PARAMEDIC REPORT
HE ALSO MOLESTED HIS COUSIN, POSTED PICTURES OF A DEAD TRAYVON MARTIN WHILE THREATENING ANOTHER PERSON
THEESE ARE FACTS.
THINK ABOUT THAT THE NEXT TIME YOU DEFEEND A MONSTER WHO IS OBVIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL
Your verbiage is uncooth and nothing that I condone!
Sorry Matt but sometimes ya gotta call it like it is. Especially with the latest news that Jeantel could be a stooge for the real witness on the phone with the punk that assaulted GZ. No surprise to me since the whole thing was a setup by DearLeader himself. I hope GZ add’s former Gov Scott to the list in the lawsuit.
You are more than disgusting calling a 17 year old BOY a man and making it a clear point.
You scared, threatened, shakiest gun in the west, obviously physically insecure POS.
There are MANY scientific reasons the LAW says 17 is NOT A MAN.
May you meet the fate you truly deserve.
Your flawed thought process is what is wrong with this world! A 17 year old can be charged as an adult if they commit a heinous crime. Twenty six is a magical age under Obamacare. Guess they are kids until they turn 27 now. LOL
You’re all a bunch of coward racists. If you poke a stick at a snake, expect to get bit. It was a gated community first of all, he was carrying ice tea and candy and was talking on the phone. It’s raining and he’s wearing his hood. Zimmerman profiled and stalked him. Was specifically told NOT to follow him, and ended up getting his ass beat for sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. He was neighborhood watch, not security and not police. So If I have a gun what you’re saying is I can go around stalking and harassing… Read more »
Nuts. Seek the truth, it will set you free. Right or wrong, Z… had to stand trial, a trial with a good portion of the nation pre determined as to the facts. Even O Bama bin Ladin got in on it. Maybe one can get hold of the court records through a FOIA, that is the only way I know of to get the truth, the whole truth– unless you were a part of the jury. Until that happens, speculation only fans the flames of hatred, racism, lies and the like. I hope the day never comes when you have… Read more »
Well said!
@Fake – incendiary language, poor grammar – I mean beginning to think we’ve got a flock of foreign trolls attempting to incite violence. Guess I shouldn’t feed them either.
I followed this case day by day. First of all T. Martin did not circle Zimmerman’s car. Secondly, Zimmerman did not linger in isolation in jail. He was originally granted $150,000 bail, but because he and his wife tried to deceive the court by transferring assets it was raised to 1 million, which he met with a bond. Martin was no criminal. The whole time of the incident up to the last minute he was on the phone with a friend. He was scared by Zimmerman. Guess what my Son got suspended in high school also. He is now a… Read more »
You may want to read the current Ammoland article about people using “strawman” arguments because that is what you are doing.
“First of all T. Martin did not circle Zimmerman’s car. “
If you mean ’circled back around to Zimmerman’s truck’ how do you know? The jury at Zimmerman’s trial disagreed with you,
Do you not remember the phone conversation Martin had with his friend up until the minute of the shooting? I listened to every word of her testimony.
If you believe that water buffalo then, you’re real retarded, sir.
RoyD you are a not a nice person, you might even be a racist pig IDK, how would you like someone to start calling a female family of yours nasty names? your daughter or your wife maybe, you see you have to be careful hurtful name calling shit goes both ways
what kind of human being does that? (auction the gun he murdered a child with) not a very good one i venture
Desperate people at desperate times. Why do people rob banks? Steel food to feed their kids. etc. Does not make it ethically right but it was a legal transaction, not a crime. Did you read the article? I explain it therein.
Being vile I should not criminal. If it were, we could not possibly build enough prisons – even if we converted every school (including colleges and universities) into prisons. While individuals may shun vile people, government may not punish them.
I followed this case closely. Zimmerman was able to use Florida’s Stand Your Ground law because no one else saw what happened. Subsequent attempts to employ it have been less successful. A verdict came down today, in fact. Michael Drejka was convicted of manslaughter. His actions were similar to Zimmerman’s. He harassed another unnecessarily. The difference is that there was video footage to contradict his original story – so persuasive in fact that he abandoned the SYG defense. Even though he was shoved to the ground no one on the jury believed he was in danger. And only police officers… Read more »
I agree 100%
Look, another lame brain idiot posts their drivel. Your post shows you no nothing about the facts of the case. You can remedy that if you care to.
“know” not “no.” Too early in the morning.
Zimmerman did not use ‘Stand Your Ground’ at all, it was a straight self-defense case. When your on your back getting your head pounded against the sidewalk, ‘Stand Your Ground’ isn’t an option.
Correct!
how does anyone know for sure what happened? the only other story died. i guess it is true. the victors write history
Victors do write history, but we also have physical evidence. Trust me, this was not a victory for GZ any more than me putting down my beloved-dying dog was a victory for me.
Shoved to the ground in defense of a eoman and child whom he had approached to harass. Footage clearly.shows his aggressive actions.
Pity that Matthew Apperson was q bad shot.
It was a tragedy that TM died. Even GZ agrees. All lives matter! It is people like you that make the hood what it is! Also, try using correct spelling/grammar. No cost for the English lesson.
My only concern is that all your students will be left unchecked and more innocent kids like Martin will lost their lives from the monsters your will create in the likes of GZ.
What a joke in the name of a write up.
Calling Trayvon innocent and a kid is the joke here and it is also ignorant!
BTW, I teach my students to stay out of the fight in the first place. That was the whole premise of my meeting with GZ and runs heavy through the article. Are you sure that you read it?
You are a terrible teacher and guaranteed racist. Carry on
Yeah I would be upset and supportive of ol’ Zim as well. It must be tough these days…your own women select against you, there is still no viable micro penis treatment available. Its like you are living dinosaurs, only this time you are driving yourself extinct… no comet needed. Enjoy your guns!
“The old saying, I would rather be tried by 12 than carried by six, is foolish in this day and age!”
Oh really? So you’re saying your really would rather be dead than defend yourself and go to court because of it?
Not me!! I want to live and be able to continue protecting my family. None of them want to attend my funeral until I’m old and gray!
My point was that times are changing. Not that I am happy that they are changing but we must realize such and adapt so that we don’t end up in a situation like George did. I am not saying don’t defend yourself in fear of being prosecuted or persecuted, what I am saying is that civilians need to do everything they can to avoid potential threats at all costs first and then only as a last resort use deadly physical force to stop DPF against you. Even if things all go right and you did everything within the law that… Read more »
Obama furthered the abomination of justice by inviting TM’s parents to the Whitehouse.
“Birds of a feather.”
Good article and thanks for the shout out to CCW Safe. I use their service and they don’t spam me or try to entice me to join with giveaways.
Thank you!
Being an independent and not conservative nor liberal, and not looking at this case from any ideological side, just the facts, it still is informative to read this article to see what George’s perception of the event is today. I do believe he was innocent based on all the evidence. I do think some of the stuff he states today is slightly inaccurate, but expected, not because he is lying, but because our memory isn’t a recording but constantly being modified and subject to imperfect recall. You still have to match up what he says to the physical evidence, statements… Read more »
Matt, I am curious why you think that Zimmerman would have been prosecuted in New York and found guilty. If you look up the Christopher Cervini case, Roderick Scott was found not guilty in a similar case in NY. And honestly, his evidence of self defense was much weaker. He shot a kid from a distance and he was not mounted so he has the ability to retreat. Zimmerman was mounted and could not retreat. Other than politics, I think he would have been found innocent in all 50 states.
Thanks for your input. I speculate that George would be found guilty in NY being that NY is a duty to retreat state and Geroge went towards what he perceived as a threat. See the below recent case where someone used and illegal gun in a justified self-defense case. Now, this is all speculation and would come down to where the case was tried in NY State. NYC vs. the Adirondacks vs. the Syracuse vs. Ithaca
Different areas are comprised of different people (a.k.a. jurors) with different views.
https://cnycentral.com/news/local/da-actions-of-oneida-co-homeowner-who-killed-intruders-with-illegal-gun-seem-justified
But did he? He was reporting someone who had run away and only left his car to ascertain direction and stopped 30 seconds after when tol it wasn’t necessary. There is no evidence of him moving towards Martin or even of awareness of where Martin was.
Are you for real? If he stopped 30 seconds after he was told to how did he end up killing him NOWHERE near Zimmerman’s car?
no one knows shit the only other person that was there is dead. ONLY IN AMERICA CAN YOU START A FIGHT WITH A BLACK CHILD GET YOUR ASS KICK PULL OUT A GUN KILL SAID CHILD AND CALL IT SELF DEFENSE. BULLSHIT. one has to wounder if it happen to your kid or other close relative would you be such an ANAL ORIFICE, so please DISLODGE YOUR CRANIUM FORM SAID ANAL ORIFICE
Only in America will you have to spend Million$ defending yourself in court after protecting yourself from some hoodrat that has attacked you.
FTFY
That wasn’t the conclusion reached at the trial. Zimmerman was on his way back to his truck, as instructed by the dispatcher.
If he was on the way back to his truck as told how did he reach Martin and kill him?
You are too stupid to be making any statements about this matter.
Just a thought. I don’t think Martin said ‘you got me’. I think the shot compromised his ability to speak and he was trying to say ‘you shot me’.
80% finish your business drop it on the scum and split while removing gsr from hands and clothes with hand sanitizer.
@Retired, paint the pads of your fingers with clear nail polish. Buy an old framing hammer at the flea market. When leaving do not run. Take 6′ of any wire that will not break under pressure. Make a loop that will not come apart under pressure. Wrap and secure 12″ of wire around a short fat handle. Put handle in weak side hand, and wrap the handle in your hand with a couple feet of duct tape. Slip over their head, and play the stay away garret game until they move no longer. clip wire. Do not run. Do not… Read more »
Mr. Matt Mallory provides us with an important first-person perspective regarding George Zimmerman’s encounter and more importantly an OUTSTANDING lesson regarding civilian responsibilities and crime reducing efforts within our neighborhoods. We all make our choices, this includes the Violent Criminal Actor (VCA), and it’s very clear to me that Matt Mallory has some great content for his students—with Zimmerman’s own words. This is outstanding Educator/Instructor research and effort on Officer Mallory’s part. As a Peace Officer I know all too well lawful and righteous actions do not always result in an easier life. Matt Mallory and George Zimmerman have given… Read more »
Thank you!
“The old saying, I would rather be tried by 12 than carried by six, is foolish in this day and age!”
Is it really? I’d rather be alive, even if I have to fight in a different way for the rest of that life.
I’m sure Zimmerman is no angel, as none of us are, but he was within his rights and should not be persecuted.
I feel that the state should pay for Zimmerman’s legal defense.
George Zimmerman got out the car to follow Trayvon Martin he told dispatcher oh s*** he’s running and that’s when he got in car and the dispatcher asked him are you falling him and zimmerman says yep to the dispatcher the dispatcher says we don’t need you to the but he continued to follow him as a result everything that happened happened read this the truth or lie had he stayed in that car and listen to the dispatcher the scenario would be way different and everybody was Common Sense knows that
Can you please form a coherent sentence.I think I know what you are trying to say, but didn’t you read the article ? He was already out of the car. Yeah the scenario could be a lot different. Martin might have decided to rob a home w/ women & children He may have had the urge to rape or kill.some innocent, defenseless people. So yeah a lot could be different.
Are you talking about the recordings that NBC acknowledged they edited, making Zimmerman look like a racist?
Terry, even if he did follow Martin, how does that justify Martin assaulting him? I would assume if you are here reading on this site, you are a firearm owner and well-aware of the laws regarding assaulting others and those pertaining to self-defense. There is no right to assault anyone, even if they are following you in public or you suspect that he/she might be.
Spewing the same bilge as hands up don’t shoot! Wondered when one of you would chime in.
How bout don’t curb stomp people and your heart won’t be blown out?
How bout don’t try to kill a officer with his own gun and he won’t dump half a mag in ya?
in dhimmi-rat world, it’s always better to let a punk-thug pound your head into the concrete rather than do something? FU
You left out the part where George Zimmerman said okay to the dispatchers suggestion that he stop following trayvon Martin. We don’t know if he continue to follow trayvon Martin or not. The evidence seems to suggest that trayvon Martin for whatever reason decided to turn around and go back and confront George Zimmerman after he got away from George Zimmerman and after George Zimmerman stopped following trayvon Martin. We don’t know what happened only George Zimmerman knows the truth. Or maybe trayvon Martin lied in wait we don’t know or maybe a million things. Unless you were there or… Read more »
Inaccurate telling of the events. I Zimmerman stated that Martin was running. The dispatcher asked Zimmerman which way Martin was running. Zimmerman then exited the car to better see which way Martin had run towards. The dispatcher hearing his heavy breathing and the wind realized that Zimmerman had exited the car and asked him if he was following. When Zimmerman said that he was, the dispatcher said this was not necessary. I Zimmerman then acquiesced by saying OK and stopped. We know this because I Zimmerman is heavy breathing stopped and so did the sound of the wind. Furthermore, he… Read more »
Mic drop!
My point was that times are changing. Not that I am happy that they are changing but we must realize such and adapt so that we don’t end up in a situation like George did. I am not saying don’t defend yourself in fear of being prosecuted or persecuted, what I am saying is that civilians need to do everything they can to avoid potential threats at all costs first and then only as a last resort use deadly physical force to stop DPF against you. Even if all things all go right and you did everything within the law… Read more »
I am curious to know if the burglaries in George’s neighborhood stopped after this shooting. I have never found any information on this aspect of the case.
George said he never looked into that. he’d be interested to know himself.
Matt, thanks for sharing this with us. Good luck in the future George.
ras 52, Thank you!
Few will think to associate treyvon martin and the broward county school system, notable for a mass murder by another “ignored” problem student just last year.
As I recall, there have been several curious incidents in that area, ranging from vote fraud centered in the elections offices to school board members taking bribes to drugs missing from the crime lab and misidentification of suspected drugs to fraud and corruption in the county healthcare establishment.
And debbie wasserman shultz of the 2017 IT scandal represents that district…
What’s in the water down there?
The school system covering for Trayvon’s B&E played a role in his death. If he had received an attitude adjustment at that time, he may have been salvaged.
Tween and especially teen years are the most difficult. When parents fail to teach, fail to discipline, they do a terrible disservice to their children. There is no doubt in my mind that if Trayvon’s parents had given him as much attention before he died as they have invested in profiting from his death, that he would be alive today.
dhimmi-rats want penalties for anyone defending themselves against “poverty-criminals” – gz case was just the beginning
No good deed goes unpunished…
This is literally the biggest piece of garbage ive heard in my life. Let’s just look at this one section: “To help provide police with the location of Trayvon, George got out of his vehicle to get a better vantage point. He informed the dispatcher of this and the dispatcher stated that they didn’t need him to do that. However, by now George was out of his vehicle and moving to a better position. George saw lights in the distance and thought the police had arrived. He later realized that was not the case.” So instead of drive away to… Read more »
Today is the 6 year anniversary of The verdict of the Zimmerman trial… check out tonight’s episode of Meet The Pressers with our special guest George Zimmerman… the show streams at 8PM EST on https://www.youtube.com/MeetThePressers?sub_confirmation=1
A well balanced interview with George. He did what he thought was right that night and he made some mistakes in hindsight. Something we would all do under the stress of the situation unless we have mentally prepared to know what to do.
Trayvon Martin’s Mom Announces Run For Office In Miami
https://blackamericaweb.com/2019/05/20/trayvon-martins-mom-announces-run-for-office-in-miami/
The Trayvon Martin family has made quite a lucrative business out of claiming victimhood even though their poor parenting was the cause of a good kid’s life getting derailed. Until his father’s divorce from Alicia Stanley, he was a good kid with a bright future. All images shown of Martin in a positive light all date back to when Alicia Stanley and her daughters were in his life. Him moving to live with his mother was the worst thing that could have happened.
Thank you!
One of the most interesting articles I have read in a longtime on shootings. In my opinion it was a 100% ‘clean shoot’ but the waters were muddied by Obama and his comments not forgetting other political sabotage.
One point that raised concerns was that no longer can you count on the jury system and that is deeply worrying.
Being a Brit I have always thought that the jury system was the best, no more.
I wish George the very best and hope that he will make progress with his life, he deserves to.
Don, have to agree with you. The spin put on this case by the MSM driven by Obama is the scary part. In similar incidents in Ferguson and Baltimore it’s clear the MSM can incite race riots simply to raise revenue for their outlets rather than simply reporting the news.
Thanks Don Watson!
Don, Thank you!
I COMMEND GEORGE ON HIS STRENGTH TO PUSH FORWARD . I AGREE HE WAS RIGHT IN WHAT HE DID, AND KNOW WHAT HE HAS WENT THROUGH AND HAD TO ENDURE . ON NOV. 16TH 2005 I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON 3RD SHIFT AT 11;30 PM IN MY CAR.AS I WAS GOING THROUGH THE TOWN OF WALNUT COVE A CAR PULLED OUT AND STARTED TO FOLLOW ME. AS WE WERE GOING OUT OF TOWN THE CAR CAME UP ON MY BUMPER AND I TOUCHED MY BRAKES AND IT BACKED OFF , ONLY TO COME RIGHT BACK UP ON… Read more »
You should have never turned yourself in to police.
This incident was a turning point in slanted journalism. The media took everything they could find out and twisted it to the advantage of the deadly intent demonstrated by Trayvon Martin. George Zimmerman was the victim of extreme prejudice from a world trying to prove it is anything but. Barack Obama was elected by this same misguided attempt to prove how little prejudice people have. But it in fact proved exactly the opposite. Trayvon died by his own hands. His aggression and militant attitude cemented his ultimate fate. Race had nothing to do with it. He was a troubled young… Read more »
Wrong! Race had everything to do with what happened. He was raised by people so invested in their perceived victimhood that the results were preordained. “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” The parents and those others involved in his “training” did not do the right thing and he paid for it.
George was innocent, but he is still a IDIOT.
I disagree, George was doing the right things to become a productive citizen. He contributed to his community in a multitude of ways. He and his family, and many other families like Officer Wilson’s, they are the victims. Their plight is a result of Obama’s FBI and DOJ allowing this to continue.
James Wagner……..I suspect you might be the one to fail the IQ test.
I recognised that the campaign smearing George Zimmerman was similar to the kinds of campaigns sued in DC to push legislation. That was enough to make me highly suspicious of it. It did not take long to start finding outright lies, and yes, Black Liars Matter just as much as any others. That campaign was, and is an ongoing violation of George’s and many other people’s civil rights. Since it has continued over the past seven years, and since it is organized nationwide, it should be prosecuted. There is a clear profit motive component. Isn’t it time to demand that… Read more »
opps. sued in DC was supposed to be used in DC
It’s good to hear that George is “surviving” at least. Very good article and while I will trust the 12, I know the risk as a former LEO myself. I am old now and will not surrender the last few years I may have to some miscreant!!
Excellent and informative article. Our modern day society puts the innocent more at risk than the law breakers.
Thanks for sharing the facts that the biased press did not share.
Nothing informative about this article. Just a gullible replay of Zimmermans lies. Notice how the author makes no mention of the accusations of child molestation by Zimmermans cousin or the domestic violence situations. And he repeats Zimmermans version of the car crash rescue when we now know Z was called to the scene by the officer who wrote the report deliberately to try to rehab his reputation. With all we have seen of this mans character in the last few years anyone who still believes his version of events needs their head examined.
Accusations are NOT proof ! I’m sure if he was guilty ? He would be in court. Especially being on the Media’s hit list.How about you give us the real version since you were there..
You must be one of Travers side of this story, in other words on the leftest side. Anyone with one eyed half sense can see GZ was in the right and no one can change facts.
@Mike and DG, It calls them “Zimmerman lies”. I wonder what GZ said that It is referring to; and can he prove that they are lies. I think that the lies are “Cageliner lies”?
Drogers57, Thank you!
Nobody has done more harm to the image of gun owners in the U.S. than George Zimmerman and his defenders. Zimmerman needs to shut up and disappear. He may have fooled you, or perhaps you’re just cynically using his name to make some clickbait. But the sooner this weirdo disappears the better. It is almost entirely the fault of his paranoid, self-important, cowardly, trigger-happiness, that gun ownership has acquired the image of being for delusional weirdos who think every kid in a hoodie is out to get them. If you were after anything other than making some clickbait, you’d realize… Read more »
@JC – when has been an “attention whore”? I have read articles about that him and about that night, but do not remember him being quoted, nor have I seen him on TV. If he was seeking attention, I don’t doubt he would have been on TV more. The story you tell is what the media concocted, largely be abuse Zimmerman did NOT pander to the media. Guess one lesson to be learned is to find a legal team familiar with media relations – who can help shape the narrative. Maybe is Zimmerman had been an “attention whore” then media… Read more »
So you think Zimmerman puts gun owners in a positive light? Is this the guy you want people to think of when they think of guns? Because every time he gets attention, that’s what happens. He’s always belly-acheing about his problems. He brought all this on himself, and now plays the victim for attention. If you have any brain at all, you have no sympathy for this attention whore.
And yes, he’s in the media again, with another pointless attention grabbing stunt. Guy needs a psychiatrist or to be committed.
@JC, Would you judge all Moslems by one Jihadi? Would you judge all women by the one that rejected you? Would you judge all Lithuanians by one Lithuanian? Your question assumes to much and is not logical.
@JC, Apparently you would abridge the First, Second, and Sixth Amendments. Then you accuse us of judging every kid in a hoodie, just exactly what you do infra. Even your illogic is inconsistent.
Higgy Baby, you are just being silly. Quit it.
Barack Obama could have been a “uniter” in this deeply divided country in which we live. Having a white mom and a black dad gave him the perfect situation, able to see both sides of a coin, so to speak. Instead he was The Divider in Chief. His commentary was uninformed, but he didn’t care that he didn’t have any of the facts right—he HAD to weigh in on the side of racial divisivness, because that’s who he is. Had this been 2 black guys, 2 white guys, or 2 Hispanic guys, he would have never uttered a word-wouldn’t have… Read more »
Obama is a Marxist Kenyan! He’s not for uniting ANY Americans!
@Roger, Unfortunately Barry Soetoro derived American citizenship through his mother. Barry is a derivative citizen. So Barry Soetoro is a Marxist American (and maybe Kenyan), etc. etc. But Barry Soetoro was not a “Natural Born Citizen” of the United States eligible for being POTUS.
Exactly! Soros homo meat puppet!
I disagree. I think Obama intended what he stated from the beginning and tried to be a uniter. It is a fact that the far right started attacking him from the get go with insane accusations like the birthed and Muslim accusations. The problem is he wanted to please everyone and was a wishy washy Charlie Brown type. He also wanted to solve many disparities that do exist in the country, but surrounded himself with firm believers in the grievance industry within the Democratic Party which eventually kept in pushing him to be more vocal in the victimist oratory. Especially… Read more »
Obama was/is a POS because he didn’t fall far from the tree. You apparently know next to nothing about from whom he came and how he was raised. You can change that with some honest research.
Why has George not sued the State of Florida, ex-Gov. Scott, and the prosecuter? This is a clear case of a false and malicious prosecution. If the local district attorney won’t take the case and you have to shop for one that will, it is obvious abuse of government power. This is just one more reason Scott needs to be primaried and dumped by the voters next time around. He’s just another RINO.
George said that he hasn’t found an attorney willing to make a case. If any attorney out there is willing he is interested.
Unfortunately, that is a lot of money to invest for a ore risk win. And we already saw how the same Debra Nelson dismissed the NBC lawsuit with extreme prejudice. On the other side, notice Benjamin Crump and company have never had the balls to sue George for the tort death of Trayvon ala the civil suit against OJ where he was found liable. I think it is because they know they would lose and a lot that wasn’t allowed into the criminal case would come out. They were looking to get paid and extorted the HOA instead who caved… Read more »
I just got done watching this riveting movie. It just shows even more that we have a #FakeNews problem in our country. At the expense of George Zimmerman they stopped at nothing to push a false narrative so that their agenda would succeed! Wake up people! You can’t be so dumb as to think they are your savior. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thetrayvonhoax?fbclid=IwAR0HwvRQh6xarG5f-f7n133eKouOBlhixLx4LIo6632ZsMlMbegXZD16Jbw
Watch Klint Macro and I interview GZ on our show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ae3zZAMnKk&t=78s
Yall need to leave that george zimmerman alone. He iis a great guy who just defended himself after getting into an argument with his wife and went out defending his neighborhood….
While on the prescription drug Temazepam which HAS THE SIDE EFFECTS OF AGGRESSION, HOSTILITY AND RAGE According to the paramedic report but burried after TRACES of WEED were found in Trayvon’s system
yalls unfaris the to the rright wing hero that posted a picture oof a dead trauvon WHILE THREATENING ANOTHER PERSON.
i’M A CHRISTIAN YALL!!!!