Newt Gingrich addressed the Trayvon Martin killing with CNN’s Piers Morgan on Thursday, calling the incident a “tragedy.” Gingrich later told Morgan that he did not believe that the stand-your-ground law applied to the Martin case. ”I think Americans can recognize that while this is a tragedy — and it is a tragedy — that we’re going to relentlessly seek justice, and I think that’s the right thing to do,”
Gingrich also expressed faith in the justice system stating ”I’m sure he’s going to present the evidence, not just the 911 call but the previous 911 calls and the fact that the police have been dealing with this guy, apparently, for a year. I have faith that the American system of justice will in fact work, and this is why you have a balance between the police and the district attorney.”
Morgan later addressed what many perceive as the dangers that lie within the stand-your-ground law asking Gingrich “Isn’t this stand your ground law a lot of old nonsense? Dangerous nonsense, that’s now being abused, left, right and center, by people who just want to shoot people?” Gingrich responded ”I think, Piers, you just took an enormous jump. That’s like cities that have rules that even if somebody breaks into your house, you can’t defend yourself. Both extremes taken in the wrong direction are false.”
Gingrich’s remarks echoed a sentiment held by many who do not see the killing of Trayvon Martin, as a matter of self-defense. ”The young man apparently was not following the person who’s being investigated, Apparently, the shooter was following the young man. That’s not a stand your own ground, that’s a chase the other person into their ground. And I think you’re going to find the law, as interpreted normally, doesn’t apply to this case.”
Mr. Gingrich has stated that he does support the stand-your-ground law, and the right of citizens to protect themselves from intruders. However, Gingrich’s perception of the law seems to suggest that he shares the widely held belief, that the shooting of Trayvon Martin had absolutely nothing to do with the law.
