Trayvon Martin, as Metaphor for Due Process and Justice

The facts and facts in issue are still foggy. However, there is a groundswell of ‘opinion’ in the public domain, tending to suggest that the circumstances and events leading up to the death of young Trayvon Martin, will severely test the due process, policing techniques and strategies, and importantly, why that process is not playing itself out, sooner than most people expect. Parties must eschew playing the ‘race card’ because that will not be the real lesson to be learnt, rather, this is about justice for a young boy brutally gunned down in his youth. As all parties to this crime – the victim and the alleged accused- are busy marshalling their cases, it is important we dont lose focus of the issues, nuances and process; because, ultimately it is the ends of justice that will be best served if we keep our focus. Read and watch CBS News video here http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57403856/trayvon-martin-case-escalates-into-a-cause/

The lessons of the last 4 decades has taught us to be very wary and circumspect of eyewitness accounts; expert evidence/witnesses, science and forensic. The legal maxim still holds true today, and in relation to this case, that, it is better to set 1000 guilty persons free, than allow one innocent person to be convicted and sent to prison. Mindful of this dictum, it behooves the authorities to set legal protective mechanisms in place, whilst asking probing questions, engaging with the law and ensuring all revelant facts are unearthed and placed before a proper judicial authority -judge, jury and grand jury. As the facts continue to unfold, we must be guided by fairness and the law, in order to avoid convicting the innocent. On the flip side, the full weight of the law must be brought to bear on George Zimmerman if he is found guilty of killing Martin Trayvon. This is one killing too much!