They are following the law no matter how they vote. The law allows for a jury system to interpret the law in any way they see fit.
No and no. They must follow the law as presented to them. In this case, they only needed to decide whether the state proved beyond a reasonable doubt that GZ did not have a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily harm unless he acted in self defense. Now, of course the jury has room to decide whether GZ's fear was "reasonable." But to use an extreme example, if a juror were to vote not guilty just because they don't like black people, that's not following the law. If a juror were to say "I just don't think GZ proved he was acting in self defense," that's not following the law. If a juror were to say "I don't know if he acted in self defense or not, but I feel terrible for Trayvon's parents, so I'm voting guilty," that's not following the law. If a juror were to say "I think GZ profiled Trayvon so there's no way I'm even going to consider self defense," that's not following the law.
GZ was the aggressor, so he couldn't act in self defense as he was on the offensive. He started a fight, began to get his ass kicked and then shot TM. I mean this isn't hard.
following someone to ask them what they are doing isn't against the law or an act of violence IMO.
I would consider it an act of violence when you are armed and they are running away from you.
Wouldn't Trayvon have been at home if he was scared and running away?
I'm just going off of the account that Zimmerman gave during the 911 call.
Pretty sure he said he was getting away and lost site of him during the 911 call. Not certain though.
Dispatcher: He's running? Which way is he running?
Zimmerman: Down towards the other entrance to the neighborhood.
Dispatcher: Which entrance is that that he's heading towards?
Zimmerman: The back entrance...rough ridin' [disputed/unintelligible]
Dispatcher: Are you following him?
Zimmerman: Yeah.
Dispatcher: Okay, we don't need you to do that.
Zimmerman: Okay.
Dispatcher: All right, sir, what is your name?
Zimmerman: George...He ran.
Dispatcher: All right, George, what's your last name?
Zimmerman: Zimmerman.
Dispatcher: And George, what's the phone number you're calling from?