Why don't you? Do you assume that because his story indicates self defense he has to be lying?
Not automatically, but I see that he has a vested interest in lying; in claiming the attack was more brutal and unprovoked than it was.
My position is not that enigmatic. He
sought out a confrontation.
I don't think he set out to kill or even hurt someone, but that's what happened. It stemmed from a God complex, from a guy who thought he was Wyatt Earp because he had a gun. He acted recklessly, confronted someone who was doing nothing wrong and who didn't want to be confronted, and got his ass whooped.
Had he not had a gun, the story probably would have ended there. He's all healed up now and he'd be getting on with his life, probably with the wisdom not to fuck with someone just because you don't like the way they look (meaning that he "looked suspicious," not black).
I think that Martin threw the first shot, but I think he did so because he feared he was about to be attacked. I don't think that was irrational on his part. A stranger is following you and now you ask him what the deal is and he reaches into his pocket. If this happens to me and I'm unarmed, I'm thinking this might be my only shot (like I said earlier).
The fact that he was
losing a fight is not relevant. Who is ultimately responsible for that fight, is.