George Zimmerman sues NBC and reporters over edited 911 call
ORLANDO, Florida – George Zimmerman sued NBC on Thursday, claiming he was defamed when the network edited his emergency services call to police after the shooting of Trayvon Martin to make it sound like he was racist.
The former neighborhood watch volunteer filed the lawsuit seeking an undisclosed amount of money in Seminole County, outside Orlando. Also named in the complaint were three reporters covering the story for NBC or an NBC-owned television station.
The complaint said the airing of the edited call has inflicted emotional distress on Zimmerman, making him fear for his life and causing him to suffer nausea, insomnia and anxiety.
The lawsuit claims NBC edited his phone call to a dispatcher in February. In the call, Zimmerman describes following Martin in the gated community where he lived, just moments before he fatally shot the 17-year-old teen during a confrontation.
"NBC saw the death of Trayvon Martin not as a tragedy but as an opportunity to increase ratings, and so set about to create a myth that George Zimmerman was a racist and predatory villain," the lawsuit claims.
NBC spokeswoman Kathy Kelly-Brown said the network strongly disagreed with the accusations made in the complaint.
"There was no intent to portray Mr. Zimmerman unfairly," she said. "We intend to vigorously defend our position in court."
Three employees of the network or its Miami affiliate lost their jobs because of the changes.
Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder but has pleaded not guilty, claiming self-defense under Florida's "stand your ground law."
The call viewers heard was trimmed to suggest that Zimmerman volunteered to police, with no prompting, that Martin was black: "This guy looks like he's up to no good. He looks black."
But the portion of the tape that was deleted had the emergency services dispatcher asking Zimmerman if the person who had raised his suspicion was "black, white or Hispanic," to which Zimmerman responded, "He looks black."
This highlights deception by deliberate withholding of information.
34 comments:
NBC should be ashamed and whichever editor thought editing the call was a good idea should be fired. I'm appalled they had the nerve to do such a thing. As a newspaper, we've rarely published an audio 911 call on our website, but I guarantee if one of us had fiddled with one before publishing it we would be out the door on our rumps in a big hurry!
OT..
Breaking News.
Tia Sharp's Grandmother Won't Face Charges
Police say Christine Sharp faces no further action in relation to her 12-year-old granddaughter's death.2:49pm UK, Friday 07 December 2012
Christine Sharp was arrested in August after Tia's body was discovered
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By Tom Parmenter, Sky News Correspondent
The grandmother of Tia Sharp, who was questioned over the 12-year-old's murder, will face no further action.
Christine Sharp was arrested in August after her granddaughter's body was discovered in the loft of her home in New Addington, south London.
The 46-year-old was questioned by police on suspicion of murder and bailed while inquiries continued.
Tia Sharp's body was found a week after the youngster was reported missing
The Metropolitan Police have now confirmed that she will face no further action.
The disappearance of schoolgirl Tia sparked a huge search around the Croydon area with family members leading the campaign.
Police officers had previously visited Christine Sharp's home but it was only days into the search that Tia's body was discovered hidden in the loft.
Stuart Hazell has been charged with Tia's murder and has been remanded in custody ahead of a trial scheduled for early 2013.
Another man, a 39-year-old neighbour, who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender remains on police bail until mid-December.
http://news.sky.com/story/1022247/tia-sharps-grandmother-wont-face-charges
OT..
Blogging On The Lam: McAfee Is Posting Updates From Guatemalan Jail
by MARK MEMMOTT
December 06, 2012 9:28 AM
John McAfee, with a woman described as his girlfriend, on the way into the Supreme Court in Guatemala City on Tuesday.
Johan Ordonez /AFP/Getty Images
Wanted for questioning in Belize about the murder of a neighbor, anti-virus software pioneer John McAfee is sitting in a Guatemalan jail — and blogging about the experience.
"I am in jail in Guatemala," he writes in one post. "Vastly superior to Belize jails. I asked for a computer and one magically appeared. The coffee is also excellent.
"Only time will tell what will happen. No one has a crystal ball. However, I would be truly shocked if I did not conduct the press conference tomorrow as I had originally planned.
"Stay tuned.
"I believe, by the way, that blogging from a jail cell might be a groundbreaking activity. Let's see if it catches on."
He's been detained because Guatemalan authorities say he illegally entered that country. They could deport him, which is just what McAfee doesn't want since he's trying to avoid being arrested in connection with the death of American Gregory Faull in Belize. McAfee says he's innocent.
Also today, McAfee writes that:
"My lawyer just brought a judge to the jail and the judge issued a stay order until a higher judge can review the case. This effectively stops Immigration from returning me to the Belize border.
"So..... the urgency is eased a bit."
Update at 1:45 p.m. ET. No Asylum?
CNN reports that Guatemalan authorities say McAfee will not be granted asylum in their country — which could mean deportation is imminent. There's no word about that now on McAfee's blog. His most recent post asks supporters to contact Guatemala's president "and beg him to allow the court system to proceed, to determine my status in Guatemala, and please support the political asylum that I am asking for."
Update at 3:22 p.m. ET. McAfee Taken To Hospital:
CNN and ABC are reporting that McAfee has been taken to a hospital. ABC says it's because of a "possible heart attack." CNN reports "his attorney reported he had convulsions."
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/12/06/166641617/blogging-on-the-lam-mcafee-is-posting-updates-from-guatemalan-jail?f=1001&ft=1
Good for him! I hope he wins. I'm sick and tired of irresponsible journalism.
W.72: I agree. There is enough real hate in the world; there is no need to perpetuate fake hate. Too friggin' lazy to go find a story so they make one they have more sensational.
I'm reminded of an article I read last night, following link's about body language (nonverbal cues, etc.) and the coerced confession of Nja. I read an article (I think on Psychology Today) that talked about bias and how some people (too many people) make things happen in SA or Non-verbal cues to "prove" a belief they already have.
That's why I think people always gotta be checkin' themselves. We come in to this with personal bias, strong ingrained convictions, it's very tempting to "tool" something to fit our own beliefs.
John, thanks again for the links. I found some great reads!
Mainah,
Your very welcome,one more site you maybe interested in,has some very good articles.
http://www.nonverbal-world.com/
off topic BBM
PHOENIX – A Phoenix judge is scheduled to sentence a Tempe woman who was convicted in her young son's disappearance nearly three years ago.
Elizabeth Johnson could face two to nine years in prison on Friday for her convictions in the Christmastime 2009 disappearance of her then-8-month-old son, Gabriel.
Authorities say Johnson told the boy's father that she killed Gabriel and dumped him in a trash bin, but recanted and told police she gave the infant to a couple at a Texas park.
She never provided the couple's names.
Authorities don't know if he's still alive.
A jury convicted Johnson of custodial interference and conspiracy to commit custodial inference in October. Jurors failed to reach a verdict a kidnapping charge and instead found her guilty of a lesser count of unlawful imprisonment.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/07/arizona-mom-missing-boy-to-be-sentenced/#ixzz2ENzRISNz
Good for him. However, I would have to think very carefully about going up against a huge corporation such as NBC. I would be afraid of being found in my cell hanging from my pajamas and declared a suicide. I once blew off conspiracy theories, however, the Clintons changed my mind. The "suicides" surrounding them are probably off the actuarial charts. Coincidence will only cover so much. The following is a report on the Clinton body count.
http://whatreallyhappened.com/RANCHO/POLITICS/BODIES.html
I would go after Vinny Politan. On his show, he led the wolf pack going after George Zimmerman. CNN doesn't seem to protect their hired help. They are replaceable. Jane Velez-Mitchell, Nancy Grace, Vinny Politan, et al are always going on about ethics, truth, and honesty. I have yet to see any one of them go against the party line that CNN dishes out if they personally disagree. Life style and private school tuition can eat into integrity.
OT: British nurse who was recipient of prank call commits suicide. That didn't take MI6 long did it?
Anon 12:07.
Aye?
It is interesting that very few if any have pointed out that Trayvon Martin also had the defence of Stand Your ground.
He was doing nothing suspicious and yet he ends up being tailed by an adult.
I know my normal instinct if i was being followed by an adult male would be to run and, if the man then confronted me and wen for me i would fight with all my might.
if i was going to possibly die at his hands i would make damn sure i would leave my mark on him so he could be identified.
If the man had a weapon which i either saw or felt on his person i would use every dirty trick i knew and some i thought up on the spur of the moment to save my life and make sure he couldn't use it or he would be so marked up he would stand out and be identified.
Is it fair that the Stand Your Ground defence be applied only to the survivor in this case.
A man who has failed to be accepted into the police force, an admitted criminal with a history of violence (even though the charges were eventually dropped) a wannabe cop who carried a loaded gun, who ignored the instructions of the dispatcher, who deliberately witheld information as to his location.
When someone is deceptive, they have a reason to be deceptive.
Check out this, "stand your ground, self-defense claim". It happened a few days ago, about 5 miles from my house.
He felt so immediately threatened that he left in his truck and went to get a friend before driving back by and shooting the victim.
Sorry, here's the link: http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/Waterville-shooting-leaves-1-man-dead-.html
From the story: While Tlumac (LE) led Partridge to the cruiser, Partridge said he had shot a man while defending himself, according to the affidavit, which includes a written transcript of a recorded conversation. "I tried to defend myself and I wasn't sure if I was doing it right, if I was doing the right thing," Partridge said. "And I shot the guy." Later, in an interview with state police Detective Bryant Jacques, Partridge said he had fired multiple shots at Smith because he was "scared and in fear," according to the affidavit.
Partridge's mother, Diana Michaud of Winslow, said her son obtained a concealed-weapon permit for a 9 mm handgun within the last few months. The family goes camping up north and keeps guns for use in case bears pose a danger, she said.
Partridge graduated from Winslow High School in 2001 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2002. He was a lance corporal and served four active and four inactive years, including about eight months in Iraq in 2005, she said.
Native Mainers don't buy a 9mm for bears...he served in the military, he knows the difference between self defense and murder...how ridiculous...
Embedded: He knew what he was doing was wrong, and NOT in self defense.
Zimmerman story is about a vigiante who chased down a kid, and then killed him within a few minutes. Z. now has to make it the kid's fault.
The forensics have caught a few lies from Zimmerman:
i.e.- I didn't chase the kid, that 'truck door sound followed by panting' is just wind noise.
- We wrestled for the gun. (Oops. no DNA from the kid on the gun)
As Hobs said- If he lied, it was because he had to lie.
Z. even telegraphed his intentions of stopping the kid (on tape) to the 911 operator. "But they always get away!"
Personally, I question the wounds Z. had. Were they self applied after the kid's death to support self defense?? We'll probably never know.
The bottom line to this case is simple, no matter if Z. is found guilty or innocent.
IF HE STAYED IN HIS TRUCK WAITED FOR THE POLICE, BOTH HE AND THE KID WOULD BE ALIVE. The police wouldhave questioned them both and they would have each gone home.
Amazing the clarity that a little time and a few deep breaths give. Z. didn't need to kill him.
Exactly, Deejay...a bit of the same story (see above) this week in my typically sleepy, small Maine community; a cold-blooded, vengeful, murder, (but) without the race element (so you won't hear about it on Ntl reports), with a perp who is now claiming self-defense. You can't chase someone down, shoot them and then say you were scared.
I'm glad he is suing. The truth needs to come out. The fact that the media can tailor their "reports" so they slant in favor of their one sided views should come to the end. I always thought that reporters "reported" the news. Not that they "created" the news by editing sound and pictures.
Regardless of how people feel about the stand your ground law, this lawsuit is right on the money (no pun intended).
Wow, is that Bozo's brother?
We pretty much know what happened?
Logan "was" deprived of his son.
He is still deprived of his son - not a past tense event.
Comments related to Elizabeth Johnson sentencing - live right now.
It wasn't right for the news to edit without letting people know. Regardless I feel Zimmerman should not make money from it. I don't think it was a big deal. When I am telling a story about someone and I'm not sure of their race I often say, he/she looked white/black/asian et.... People may think this is not a good but I don't meen anything offensive.
If the news had made it sound as if Zimmerman gave a reason the 'suspicious' person had to be black, I would have a problem with that.
When Zimmerman said there had been different break and enters and they were always getting away. (Not his exact words.) I can't remember if he said they were black. Does anyone remember if that was so?
STFU pig faced fascists
Um....
Troll: I'm not a fascist, I'm a Libertarian!
(Only a fascist would tell free people to "STFU".)
@Hobnob I love you..but first where do you find that Trayvon was confronted by GZ????.... I think the story has gained words as it crossed the ocean....... yes GZ might not have been accepted into the law enforcement, but also recall..trayvon was kicked out of school for drugs and stolen property???..from what i gave read gz did not confront tray... but followed him..because GZ was a neighbor watcher..after a rash of robberies.....<3 you hob but on this you should show SA and not just opinion..
@Deejay= really? he would self impose those?? ..Personally, I question the wounds Z. had. Were they self applied after the kid's death to support self defense?? We'll probably never know... have you ever given youself a broken nose or skull fracture..no..why? it would hurt too bad..okay skull fracture maybe you would do..or could do.....but the broken nose...the photos no one else has shown, because it would not be good news ratings.....NO you would not or could not.....I only say this after my nose was broke on a pig-shoot weigh in....it hurts...... do SA on this care...all i ask of you and hob and others who say GZ acted out of anything but kindness
I hate libraries.books are fascists opinions!!!
"when someone is deceptive they have reason to be deceptive"
Goes both way Hobs, both ways.
Have you ever heard the line- 'If you shoot someone on front porch, quickly drag the body inside your home so that it is unquestionably self-defense??'
This is my PERSONAL opinion that follows: GZ ran up, confronted, and then killed the kid, expecting him to be a thief. When the youth turned out to be carrying only a cellphone, ice tea, and candy, GZ realized he was in big trouble. GZ has been through
Handgun Carry classes - he knows you can't run up and shoot unarmed people walking on a sidewalk. He knows at that moment he is probably facing jail time.
So to answer your question, yes- I believe GZ banged his nose with the gun and his head on concrete. A person facing considerable jail time might do exactly that to create plausible self-defense.
I acknowledge that this scenario may not have happened, but GZ started telling lies about his actions to police in the first hour. Why did he lie if there was nothing to lie about???
@ sella
George z did NOT have a fractured skull, a possibly not even a broken nose. The medical examiner said trayvon did not show any signs of even being in a scuffle, let alone a major fight.
If you bare knuckle punch someone in the head your hands will show bruising. As will that persons FACE. It's not like television, fighting HURTS. Zims story shows him to be a liar, because the photos show the face of a guy who possible ran into a tree, not a fist. Not a single lump or bruise on his face, and only minor cuts and scrapes. A bloody nose. Give me a break. Wanna be cop tried to grab a unarmed kid who tried to pull away, (possibly elbowing zims nose) and dragged him to the ground, zimm got the mount and pulled his weapon ( or had it in his hand when he confronted him) and shot the kid because he was winded and suddenly afraid or angry.
Peter Hyatt is able to see those that had potential go down the tubes with their incapacity to do statement analysis when they get their emotions involved. Its disconcerting to see how very few are out there that can actually discern truth. Despite their long, long, long versioned analyses of statements that they like to dissect and then post, like cats leaving lizard heads in their owner's front door.
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