Just room for expansion of discussion on two distinct but semi-related issues:
#1 ) The Sanford Police Department insider leaks (Detective Serino?) of specific information to present the most negative light upon George Zimmerman. Specific leak of focus the Arrival Video of George Zimmerman to the police station.
#2) Detective Serino claiming George Zimmerman “could have” avoided the confrontation with Trayvon by just talking to him at “two” opportunities. (The legacy media currently having a field day with this one.
Regarding the leaked footage to ABC’s Matt Gutman. I’m working on something deeper in that regard, but I enjoyed DiwataMan2’s, video and thought others might enjoy based on recent events:
Considering the second point of “missed opportunities” to avoid confrontation. Froggielegs and Bob have valid points to reflect upon.
Froggielegs – Here ya go from the Governments Neighborhood Watch handbook which is issued to most Neighborhood Watch Associations.
https://www.bja.gov/Publications/NSA_NW_Manual.pdf
Starting on page 16 under the heading “Citizen Patrols” located on page 17 in the second paragraph it says…..
“Members should never confront suspicious persons who could be armed and dangerous.”
So Serino is claiming that George should of confronted TM when TM walked passed his car yet the NWA handbook says do not confront!
It also lists on page 21 the following under “What is Suspicious Activity”…
Suspicious activity can refer to any incident, event, individual or activity that seems unusual or out of place. Some common examples of suspicious activities include:
• A stranger loitering in your neighborhood or a vehicle cruising the streets repeatedly
• Someone peering into cars or windows.
• A high volume of traffic going to and coming from a home on a daily basis.
• Someone loitering around schools, parks, or secluded areas.
• Strange odors coming from a house, building, or vehicle.
• Open or broken doors and windows at a closed business or unoccupied residence.
• Someone tampering with electrical, gas, or sewer systems without an identifiable company vehicle or uniform.
• Persons arriving or leaving from homes or businesses at unusual hours.
• Multiple persons who appear to be working in unison and exhibiting suspicious behaviors.
• Signs of forced entry or tampering with security or safety systems.
At the bottom of page 21 and continued on page 22 under “Knowing What and How to Report” it says…
To report suspicious activities, crimes in progress, or possible terrorist activities, simply:
• Dial 9-1-1 and call the police department or sheriff’s office.
• Tell the call taker what happened and the exact location.
• Provide a detailed description of individuals or vehicles.
• Remain on the phone and stay calm.
• Be prepared to answer follow-up questions
So George doesn’t confront TM as instructed in the NWA handbook and he tries to keep an eye on where TM goes to give EXACT location as instructed in the NWA handbook and yet Serino is basically saying George should do the exact opposite. Confront him and not watch where he goes. If Serino has a problem with what George did, maybe he should go to the National Sheriffs’ Association, The Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice and file a complaint about a book they wrote and approved.
From Bob – This excellent research and find by froggielegs may be the key to dismissal of this case. George was a Neighborhood Watch participant. He was not a policeman which is the standard to which Serino was holding him in even suggesting that he was to speak to or approach a person who he considered suspicious.
froggielegs citation of chapter and verse of the protocol emphasized by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, United States Department of Justice may suggest why the public has not heard too much from DOJ since George was following their own rules evidenced by the publication found on one of the DOJ’s own dotgov websites. Serino had to be aware that Neighborhood Watch protocol were diametrically opposite of what is required of a police officer. Why was he using standards that would be applied to himself on Zimmerman?
This erroneous and egregious application of a standard that legally Zimmerman is unable to meet, and for innumerable legal and social reasons should not be required to meet, is the basis for the state’s argument that Zimmerman should have done something to prevent the contact with Martin which resulted in his legal use of deadly force to prevent his own injury or death. When exactly does Serino think Neighborhood watch members are going to attend the police academy and do his job for him?
This should be brought to O’Mara’s attention. The state is using an outrageous standard of behavior though up by a police investigator that was correctly rejected by a Chief of Police and Asst DA with jurisdiction which seemed to chap Serino’s ass. He then went outside the chain of command to hype (leak) his own outrageous legal standards for which he has been caught and hopefully pays the price.