Robert Green wrote:
No matter what an investigation show, Florida authorities are under a
lot of pressure from assorted protest groups. They may charge him
just to appease them. I would hope they still go by facts of the
case though, not political pressure.

Agreed. However it shakes out for Zimmerman, there's going to be a
lot of discussion about Florida's gun laws and I suspect some changes
will be made. The law, as many do, had good intentions. It was meant
to avoid criminalizing and unduly harrassing people who had clearly
shot in self-defense. Without witnesses and with the conflicting
evidence that's shown up, it may never be possible to determine what
happened that night in Sanford with certainty.

I disagree on two fronts:

1. The authorities will not arrest Zimmerman just to appease those who are
exercised over the incident.
a) Zimmerman can always be arrested later. If done now, the "speedy trial"
clock starts. Why would a prosecutor limit himself unnecessarily?
b) If an arrest takes place without sufficient evidence of probable cause,
every functionary involved opens themselves to false arrest civil suits.
c) An arrest would serve no purpose. Zimmerman would get bonded out within
the hour. Probably even released on PR.

2. There will be no changes in Florida law.
a) Those who spotted the "flaw" in the SYG law made their case when the
law passed originally. There is no reason to believe legislators have
changed their mind; at least none have made a public statement on the
subject that I've heard.
b) This is FLORIDA, for crying out loud! Remember, Florida was the first
state in the nation to pass "shall issue" concealed handgun permitting.
"Shall issue" means that if an applicant meets the statutory requirements
for concealed carry (able to stand up, see lightning, and hear thunder), the
permit MUST be issued. There is no discretion on the part of the issuing
agency. That is, Florida believes in private citizens killing the goblins.
It's a money-saving measure, at least for the state.