I hope all states that have these laws will review them to be sure that they are clear and easy to understand.
GZ is the aggressor, because he followed/chased/pursued/stalked Trayvon Martin in the dark, both by car and on foot.
Definition of AGGRESSOR
The party who first offers violence or offense. He who begins a quarrel or dispute, either by threatening or striking another.
AGGRESSOR | Definition of AGGRESSOR (Black's Law Dictionary)
This is the part of the SYG law that can potentially apply to GZ:
776.041 Use of force by aggressor. —The justification described in the preceding sections of this chapter is not available to a person who:
(1) Is attempting to commit, committing, or escaping after the commission of, a forcible felony; or
(2) Initially provokes the use of force against himself or herself, unless:
(a) Such force is so great that the person reasonably believes that he or she is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm and that he or she has exhausted every reasonable means to escape such danger other than the use of force which is likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the assailant; or
(b) In good faith, the person withdraws from physical contact with the assailant and indicates clearly to the assailant that he or she desires to withdraw and terminate the use of force, but the assailant continues or resumes the use of force.
This is what great bodily harm means:
"Great Bodily Harm"
"The term `great bodily harm' as used in statute stating when an assault and battery becomes aggravated, is not susceptible of precise definition, but implies an injury of a graver and more serious character than ordinary battery. Herrington v. State, 352 P.2d 931, 933 (Okla. Cir.)."(15)
"Great bodily harm" means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death, or which causes serious permanent disfigurement, or which causes a permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ or other serious bodily injury."(16)
Illinois Statute §7-8. Force likely to cause death or great bodily harm
If GZ story is true, at best, his alleged injuries would constitute substantial bodily harm (and it's a serious stretch):
"Substantial Bodily Harm"
"'Substantial bodily harm' means bodily injury that causes a laceration that requires stitches; any fracture of a bone; a burn; a temporary loss of consciousness, sight or hearing; a concussion; or a loss or fracture of a tooth.(6)
Use-of-Force Definitions
SYG does not apply to GZ, even his attorney knows it. There is no separate self-defense law in FL, only SYG.
