'Justice' it seems is a word used loosely by today's media and as evidence I point to the Trayvon Martin case. I was resisting writing an article on this due to the already thousands of blog article and hundreds of media articles but I have found it astounding what gets reported as 'fact'.

Trayvon Martin, a seemingly all American 17yr old high school football player from Florida was tragically shot and killed by George Zimmerman. Martin was found dead and unarmed while Zimmerman claims self defense after engaging in following the 'suspicious' teen.

The family, as one would expect, is calling for justice. The media frenzy behind it has ignored facts, reported assumptions as fact and whipped up an irrational nationwide 'Call for Justice'.

Make no mistake, I am not defending Zimmerman. Based on KNOWN FACTS, I hold NO opinion on his innocence or guilt. What I am defending is the principal of JUSTICE which is a word being tossed around like a catch phrase of the day instead of one of our founding principals.

What is known about the case:

28 yr old George Zimmerman made a 911 call reporting a suspicious black male he was following in his vehicle. Despite a 911 operator's advisement he continued to follow the suspicious male, Trayon Martin. Some time between that call and the police showing up, George Zimmerman shoots and kills Trayvon Martin.

What happened in between is not clear or known.

George Zimmerman claims self defense. He was found at the scene bleeding from the nose and the back of his head. According to the police report, his back was wet and he had grass stains on his jacket. 911 calls made from neighbors noted someone crying out for help but none report who was crying for help. There were NO eye witnesses to the altercation other than Zimmerman and Martin.

Contrary to media reports and the Martin family, Zimmerman was immediately taken into custody and brought in for questioning. he was also treated at the scene for his injuries.

There is NO evidence to suggest that Zimmerman did anything more than follow Martin. The question needing to be answered is WHO escalated this to violence. Zimmerman, though advised against, was within is legal right to follow Martin. That he engaged Martin or Martin, as a reaction to being followed engaged Zimmerman is not known.

Sadly this might never be known.

With the facts known however I cannot dispute or disprove Zimmerman's self defense claim. There are only two witnesses. With one dead  and the other protected from self incrimination, the full and real story might never come out. But Justice is only served when we charge and convict based on FACTS and EVIDENCE, not assumptions and feelings or sympathy for a life admittedly cut too short.