On July 27, 1996 a bomb exploded in Atlanta Georgia's Centennial Olympic Park. Two people were murdered by the bomber; 111 more were injured. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centennial_Olympic_Park_bombing )
The Atlanta police quickly arrested security guard Richard Jewell. Jewell discovered the bomb and reported it to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. He then, with other security forces began clearing the area of bystanders.
The bomb exploded before the area was cleared.
Because the FBI considered Jewell a "person of interest" his name and photo were splashed across papers across the country and he was on every tv news and talk show on all the networks - he became the chief - and in many minds, the only - suspect. The FBI and GBI looked no farther than Jewell.
Everyone "knew" Jewell was the bomber.
Trouble was, Jewell was NOT the bomber.
All the while that Jewell was being defamed, the real bomber, Eric Robert Rudolph, was free and hiding in the hills.
When the Feds finally realized their mistake, the manhunt was on for another suspect.
This time it was Rudolph.
It took 5 years to find Rudolph. The man allegedly admitted to placing the bomb and was sentenced to life in prison.
For the last several days I have heard the talking heads and Liberal Leaders such as Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton rail at the Sanford Police Department for failing to arrest "the murderer of little Trayvon Martin ."
The national media has crucified George Zimmerman, and most of the local media have fallen into line.
Never mind that Zimmerman's attorney said there is evidence that Zimmerman shot Martin in self defense. Zimmerman is white, Martin is black, therefore Zimmerman must have murdered Martin in a deliberate act of racism - a hate crime so that the Feds - who, please remember, got it wrong with Jewell - can get involved.
I used to be a reporter. I often covered the courts.
I learned then that not everything the government claims really is what the government claimed. Very often, it is not what the government claimed.
I don't know if Zimmerman is guilty or not.
I don't know if Martin attacked Zimmerman, as Zimmerman claims.
I haven't seen the evidence. Neither have the so-called reporters. All the evidence probably has not been collected and sorted.
Unlike the media, I am waiting for a verdict following a trial.
I don't CARE what the media thinks. I really don't care what the cops - local, state, and federal - think.
I will when a jury returns a verdict.
It seems to me that following his exoneration Jewell successfully sued some of the media that rushed to condemn him. Apparently the media moguls have forgotten that it can be expensive to slander someone. If Zimmerman is innocent - and I'm not making any bets either way - I hope he sues for all he can get.
The only question about this incident that continues to nag me is:"Why does a Neighborhood Watcher carry a gun?"
Neighborhood watchers should carry two-way radios and cell phones; perhaps - only perhaps - a Taser-like weapon for self defense.
Apparently Zimmerman called for police assistance before any altercation with Martin; the police failed to respond in time. (I'm not privy to how much time elapsed between Zimmerman's call and the time the police arrived.)
The U.S. is based on a system that is supposed to mete out justice.
People, let the system have a chance to work.
