You don't convict for MURDER based on root causes. Murder needs two critical components that so many people forget - MALICE and INTENT. George Zimmerman would have had to get out of that car with the INTENT to go shoot and kill Trevon Martin in a malicious fashion, with no regard for human life.

That wasn't the case.

You could have convicted him for MANSLAUGHTER if the killing was unjustified and unlawful. Obviously, the jury didn't see it that way. There was reasonable doubt, enough for them to uphold the Castle Doctrine and say that Zimmerman had the right to stand his ground, to protect himself from death or severe bodily harm with lethal force.

End of story.

As I always say, the one left breathing has a large advantage in the version of the story that gets told. If you're going to get in a pissing contest with somebody, you better go all-in and come out dry.

Now, he'll get sued for wrongful death in Civil Court and probably lose...whatever money or future that he has. Zimmerman's life, though he is still alive as compared to Martin, is pretty much ruined. That's where all of the wannabe Rambo's on the Neighborhood Watch with a flashlight and a pistol need to think twice before they make chase. If a suspicious person is not immediately threatening your life or the life of someone else you want to protect, call the Police and let them do their job. If they don't get there in time to catch them, so be it...it's not worth getting into a fight with a street thug, ending up shooting somebody, and ruining your life. In that manner, I disagree with Zimmerman's actions. BUT, once committed, I don't disagree with him protecting his life with lethal force when the SHTF.

Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin; There is no doubt about that. There is doubt, however, as to whether or not it was with the intent to run him down and murder him, or in self-defense to protect his own life after the situation turned bad. I, for one, am glad that I live in a place where I can't be locked away based on the rulings of the court of public opinion...where media bias and people who want to rush in and make things about race can't trump the fact that the burden of proof rests upon the prosecution to disprove my innocence. It's sad that a young man lost his life for any reason and I can't imagine the pain felt by his parents. Color of skin is irrelevant in all of that. We'll never know for certain what really happened, but the legal process worked as it should.

Beyond that, I'm not an overly religious man, but I do believe in God. I believe that a man is ultimately judged by the content of his character when his time on Earth is through. That final verdict is always the right one...and the one that really matters. Zimmerman walks out of court with a good idea of what that final verdict will be - He's either comforted or haunted by that right now, but only he knows for sure.