A word of caution

A word of caution regarding the Trayvon Martin case:

While I agree that there do appear to be disturbing irregularities in the story of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin's death at the hand of George Zimmerman, a local Neighborhood Watch volunteer in Sanford, Florida, we all need to watch what we say right now. 

Trying Zimmerman in the media, or in the "court of public opinion" is without a doubt emotionally satisfying to many people. However, do we really want the current wave of passions flooding the media (both broadcast and social) to taint the potential jury pool if and when Zimmerman ever comes to trial? 

Go ahead: call for the Justice Department to conduct a thorough investigation of the case - in fact, more power to you if you do. Young people should be able to walk to the store and back without fear of being shot to death, whatever their race, class, or gender, and no matter what neighborhoods they happen to find themselves in. Just be careful that in calling for justice that we don't prejudice anyone's right to a fair trial. It's a right that any one of us might need some day.