Yesterday we learned that Trayvon Martin's killer was released on $9000 bail after being arrested for yet another domestic violence incident. From the Daily Beast: At least this time he was arrested. A few months ago, that wasn't the case, as his estranged wife didn't press charges. The man has a history of violence. He's never truly been held responsible for his actions; he knows how to work the system. This week we saw a very similar situation. His Girlfriend, Samantha Scheibe called 911 after he pointed a gun at her. She was locked out of her home and called authorities. At that point, Zimmernman called 911 himself - to tell his side of the story. You see what's going on here? He's blaming the woman for his actions. Just like he blamed Trayvon, he blamed his estranged wife. All of these incidents over the past 8 years, it was always someone else' fault.

And through it all -- he was always given his precious guns back -- until yesterday. Prosectors say he has ‘nothing to lose’ and is a public threat. "Due to those factors and the defendant indicating at the time he was going to commit suicide, that he had nothing to lose, we feel that the victim’s safety and the community’s safety is our paramount concern."

If he wasn't thought to be suicidal, he'd still have those guns. His girlfriend and estranged wife would still be fearful for their lives, and may have to again if these charges are dropped or if he is found not guilty.

The sad part about this is this: If this had happened in a bar, or at a party, we wouldn't be discussing this in the framework of domestic violence. He would have been in jail for assault. Once again the burden is on the victim of domestic violence. This is why we have federal laws on violence against women. All that said - until state and local governments help by taking the burden of guilt off the victim, more women will suffer.

Now, I'd like to tell you a story.

One night many years ago, a 17 year old was witness to a violent situation. A rifle was involved. A man was verbally abusing a woman. The police were called by a third party (the 17 year old) After informing law enforcement about what had and was happening, the police went to question the parties involved. As a result, the man claimed the woman was the provoker. It was at that point police said they couldn't remove him from the house. Law enforcement informed the woman that they couldn't press charges. She had no physical injuries to prove her claims. They couldn't remove the man from the home without her further provoking an already violent situation by pressing charges. So - she did. Then the man pressed charges against her. He also informed the police that charges should be pressed against the 17 year old witness. Police talked the man out of that charge. Both adults were taken away from the home is separate police vehicles.

Did I mention that this incident happened in spite of an order of protection that had expired just a few days before? Oh, no I didn't. The order of protection was for 6 weeks, as a cooling off period due to prior domestic incidents. After it expired, he moved back into the home. What happened after the arrest is mind boggling.

The woman was ordered by a judge to stay away from the home, along with her 3 children. The man moved back into the house, by himself. This in effect made her homeless. She stayed with friends, her oldest stayed with friends. the youngest children stayed with family a few hours away. It took nearly a month to find an apartment she could afford with room enough for her and the kids. They never returned to live in the house.

This happened because she wasn't physically injured enough to prove she was a victim of domestic violence after an order of protection had expired.

In that vein, I believe George Zimmerman should never be allowed to own a gun again. Unfortunately, by the time that happens it may very well be too late for the next victim. He knows how to play the game. A 17 year old many years ago saw how it was played.

and
Rainie