Assault or Self-Defense on the Montreal Taxi Video? 2nd video added
The Trayvon Martin case in Florida hinges on that critical moment where Zimmerman and Martin come together. If Zimmerman pursues Martin and fires at him while running away, then it's murder, clear and simple. But if Martin attacks Zimmerman and bashes his head against the curb, Zimmerman's defense is on a lot more stable ground. But, it will be Zimmerman's word and some evidence from neighbours phone calls that will determine the case. There is no impartial observer, or better yet, a video camera to capture the scene.
In Montreal over the weekend, a cabbie ran over a dude in the street. Not a pedestrian, but one of a group of guys who got into a confrontation with the cab driver. Allegedly, over a door slammed too hard. So, the cab gets vandalized for lack of a better term. A few guys bang on it, one guy jumps on the roof, they inflict extensive damage. What do you do if you're the cabbie? You would leave, wouldn't you? But how hard are you going to avoid a guy who's damaging your car? Watch the video. He had a chance to drive off in a different direction unimpeded. He chose to turn back down the street. However, the guy who was run over did not back off at all. He mistakenly believed the cabbie was not going to run him over therefore allowing him to damage the car even further. He was not run down on the sidewalk nor did the cab driver swerve towards him on the street.
Montreal police have now charged the cabbie with assault causing bodily harm, but also three guys from the street have been charged. One guy vs. a car is an unfair fight. You can drive away without hurting anybody. So, how many is a fair fight? If a hundred guys surrounded a car and started wailing on it, you'd back the driver for fearing for his life. You have the right to flee the scene when threatened. Everyone is well aware the damage a car can do to you. I think the cabbie panicked a little, seeing the scene was getting more chaotic. The idiot who was run over should know better than to mess with a car. That's why we teach our kids to look both ways and cross at a light. The car never loses. Kids don't know any better. This guy is drunk and violent. I have no problem with the cabbie running him over.
Watch the video - tell me what you think. We'll discuss it more on the Tuesday show.
This video shows the guy who got run-over at the end.