A neighborhood watch, also called a crime watch or neighborhood crime watch, is defined on Wikipedia as an organized group of citizens devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within a neighborhood. Neighborhood watches are not vigilante organizations. When suspecting criminal activities, members are encouraged to contact authorities and NOT (my emphasis) to intervene.

As I listened to the opening testimony at the George Zimmerman murder trial, I believe this is a key piece of information. Zimmerman was a member of a neighborhood crime watch. As such, it was his responsibility to “report” suspected criminal activity to the police. It was not his responsibility to take any action.

So you have to ask yourself why was Zimmerman armed with a 9mm handgun? If he had no intention of confronting suspected vandals or burglars, then what’s the point of carrying a gun?

Let’s be honest. Had Zimmerman followed the directions of the 911 operator and remained in his vehicle as instructed, Trayvon Martin would be alive today, and Zimmerman would not be facing second-degree murder charges. His decision to carry a gun and then leave his vehicle to follow Martin gets at the heart of the matter, which is intent.

Vigilante is defined as an individual that has decided to take the law into his own hands. Once Zimmerman left his vehicle and pursued Martin he was no longer a watchman for the neighborhood, he was a vigilante looking to provoke a confrontation.

Zimmerman is quoted as saying to the 911 operator that Trayvon Martin was someone who was “up to no good,” even though Martin was doing nothing but walking through the neighborhood talking on his cellphone. Zimmerman described Martin as a “punk” and declared, “They always get away.”

It will be difficult to prove intent in this case. However, Zimmerman’s actions offer strong evidence of his intentions that fateful night. He had armed himself, and he ignored instructions to remain in his vehicle.

As prosecutor John Guy said in his opening statement, “George Zimmerman did not shoot Trayvon Martin because he had to. He shot him for the worst of all reasons: because he wanted to.”