Toure' Takes it to Piers Morgan

Toure’ once again stirred the whole debate about innocent until proven guilty last night. He absolutely blistered Piers Morgan in an interview on CNN. I get the concerns about judging before the facts are in and the constitutional principle, but as I said earlier the courts need to dispense blind justice-- I don't. While many question the media speculation and rush to judgment as to Zimmerman’s guilt, there have been many examples of irresponsible journalism either in defense of Zimmerman, or in presentation of the facts. Again and again and again Zimmerman’s backers and friends have come forward to tell his side of the story, and in almost every case they have been allowed to leave huge gaps in the story, or present their facts with very little effective challenge from the media. Zimmerman’s lawyer, after talking to his client, appeared on Today and many other media outlets, talked about the before and after, but was allowed to say he knew little about the during. Later, Zimmerman’s father appears and attributes damning comments to Trayvon Martin, but is not asked the most obvious question: “Why do you think your son did not tell this story to the police immediately after the incident?” None of these comments is in the Police incident report.  Now the brother comes forward on Morgan’s show and makes claims that the medical records will substantiate Zimmerman’s story. Morgan neither asks him to substantiate that claim or requests any clarification of the wildly inconsistent stories that the family and friends have already put out there.  

Earlier this week, I saw a CNN  Early Start talking head, Zoraida Sambolin, frame a question with something like “Now that news has come out that Trayvon initiated the attack…” I was shocked and looked around for the video or media coverage, but have been unable to find. Perhaps I made a mistake, perhaps I heard it wrong.  I do not believe that Ms. Sambolin meant to suggest that Trayvon was truly responsible, but I do believe she is but one example, Morgan is another, where the reporting and framing of the issues has been sloppy and highly undisciplined.

I will grant that the reporting that condemns Zimmerman has been wildly speculative in cases, but in other places the media has been just as irresponsible in presenting every new leak, or element of the story as the final word. In the process both Trayvon and Zimmerman have each been repeatedly vilified. This is not, however, a balanced equation by any means. Zimmerman and his people can tell their version of events. Trayvon of course cannot.

Once again, my bottom line is that it seems eminently clear to me that there is more than adequate cause to believe a crime has been committed. As a result I am mystified that an arrest has not been made. I agree with those critics of the media that caution about a trial by media, but believe the only reasonable response to that can be charges, arrest, and a trial. ARREST ZIMMERMAN NOW.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2qOUfQEMRI