There are obviously, at this stage, two potentially-conflicting accounts of what occurred prior to Martin's death — Zimmerman's being unflattering to the late 17 year-old. Think Progress writer Judd Legum dismisses what he sees as a smear campaign against the child:
Ultimately, whether Martin was a perfect person is irrelevant to whether Zimmerman’s conduct that night was justified. Clearly, there are two different versions of the events that transpired on February 26, the night Trayvon was killed. There are conflicting statements by witnesses and conflicting evidence as to who was the aggressor. Zimmerman has the right to tell his side of the story. But his opportunity to do this will come in a court of law after he is charged and arrested. In the meantime, Zimmerman’s supporters should stop trying to smear the reputation of a dead, 17-year-old boy.(Image: "Sen. Kevin Parker, D-Brooklyn, left, Sen. Bill Perkins, D-New York, center, and Sen. Eric Adams, D-Brooklyn, wear hooded sweatshirts during session in the Senate Chamber in Albany, N.Y., on Monday, March 26, 2012. The senators wore the sweatshirts to protest the shooting death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watch volunteer." Mike Groll / AP, via Greenwich Time)