This is deja vu all over again.
Following people who both a) are making an attempt to run away and b) are unlikely to know who you are, and why you're following, most definitely limits your right to self defense. Doesn't matter if you're neighbourhood watch or not.
As I understand it, Zimmerman, while he had in fact gotten out of his car to follow Martin, had stopped and began returning to his car upon being informed by the 911 operator he was speaking with that he shouldn't do that.
It was then that Martin accosted him and the scuffle ensued that apparantly resulted in Martin grasping for Zimmerman's gun that prompted Zimmerman's most tendentious action -- shooting Martin.
If this is an accurate version of the story then it would appear to me in fact maybe it was ZIMMERMAN who was retreating and MARTIN who was attacking.
This would appear to paint DeSelby's above comment in a somewhat different light than I'm sure he intended.
But, OTOH, I've heard other iterations of this story as well.
I do, however, sorta wish DeSelby would refrain from taking "potshots" at our boardmembers........
I think some attitudes towards self defense on this board are a bit careless at times.
.......especially when his own facts are not exactly "cast in titanium."