re: #194 Dark_Falcon

It’s not simply a lack of empathy, it really isn’t. Many people, myself included, are deeply skeptical of having a criminal case play out in the press, due to the American news media’s long history of trying to shape opinions and interpretations of cases to fit the interests of media organizations.

Further, with Florida having appointed a special prosecutor many worry that continued press leaks jeopardize the ability of the special prosecutors office to do its job. Those are concerns driven by the interests of justice, not by a lack of empathy.

If the press and the public had not gotten involved, George Zimmerman would have walked away totally scot free. It was OVER as far as the Sanford PD was concerned. There was no investigation. It was just a dead black 17-year old kid, and nobody in a position to do anything about his killing gave a shit. Life had moved on for them.

I’m as cynical as anyone about the media, but in this case they’re a very positive force for justice.