the Trayvon Martin case

I try to refrain from commenting upon criminal proceedings in the courts, at least until after a verdict is rendered. In truth, there will remain much unknown and unknowable as to precisely what happened the night that Trayvon Martin died. But, speaking as a person fortunate to be a parent, may I say that I ache for Trayvon's parents. For a parent to lose a child, under whatever circumstances or reasons, is among the hardest of life's experiences. It is against the natural order: our children are supposed to out-live us. Thus, when such anomaly does happen, it's not only immensely sad, it is, in a sense, perverse. So, I wonder what it will mean for America, now and in the future. I ask myself, "Did it have to happen?" "Did Trayvon have to die?" I don't know. I believe in the right to defend one's self and one's family, even to the point of "stand your ground" should it be necessary. For example, there are some who cannot run---literally. Thus, running away is not an option for them. The defendant did not know whether Trayvon was armed. Yet, I question as to whether the defendant's use of his handgun was necessary. I'll never know: just like all of us. It's possible that Trayvon tried to seize the defendant's gun. There was evidence of a significant struggle, however that might be described or defined. We don't know what caused the struggle. Essentially, this is a case for which we cannot know whether "reasonable force" was used by the defendant in defending himself. It's possible that this is a case in which the law cannot provide a sufficient or adequate remedy. The Law abhors an unjust result . . . . but the Law cannot, in many cases, insure against an unjust outcome, or prevent injustice in the first place. Let us each pray to God for peace: peace within ourselves, peace with our neighbors, and peace in our nation. And may healing come to those in need.