Andrew Branca – 5th Anniversary at Legal Insurrection
From the Zimmerman trial to Stand-Your-Ground, the best coverage anywhere
On June 5, 2013, Legal Insurrection commenter Andrew Branca came on board at my request to help cover the upcoming trial of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin.
Andrew’s his first post here, Getting to Murder 2: Finding George Zimmerman’s “Depraved Mind”, evolved into the best coverage of the Zimmerman trial anywhere.
July 2013 would turn out to be the most heavily-trafficked month in Legal Insurrection’s history (even as of now), as Andrew’s coverage was the best found anywhere. For hundreds of posts, see our tags George Zimmerman Trial and Trayvon Martin.
But don’t take my word for it, take the word of Don West, Zimmerman’s co-counsel, as to the quality of Andrew’s coverage:
It’s impossible to summarize in one post all of Andrew’s insights and coverage, but if you had to read one post, read Andrew’s February 2015 post, Zimmerman Trial Redux: Busting the Myths Again.
Over the subsequent years, Andrew brought his expertise in the law of self-defense to coverage of several other high profile self-defense cases, including:
The “loud music” shooting by Michael Dunn
Freddie Gray death
Keith Lamont Scott shooting
Terence Crutcher shooting
Walter Scott shooting
Andrew also has taken to task the numerous misstatements by political and legal pundits of the Stand Your Ground laws. This interview on German N24 TV addresses many of the misconceptions:
If you want to know more about The Law of Self Defense, buy his book!
Or attend one of his seminars, in person or online:
In the past year Andrew has written much less frequently, in part because of his booming seminar business, in part because there haven’t been any big self defense cases recently.
Andrew sent this message to readers:
It’s been humbling to be a modest contributor to such a great site. Quite a lot has changed for me personally since I wrote my very first post for LI. I’m please to report that our efforts at Law of Self Defense continue to expand from our original book to now include a great variety of use-of-force classes, DVD instruction, an Instructor Program, a weekly live show, a popular Patreon page, legal consulting services, and a great deal more. In addition, I’ve since managed to escape from the People’s Republic of Massachusetts to Colorado, where, yes, I substantially contributed to the local firearms economy immediately upon arrival. (Please don’t move to Colorado, by the way, it’s terrible here.) Finally, although recently my contributions to LI have been sporadic at best, I look forward to when the next big self-defense case hits the national radar screen and I can again offer some modest insight into the real-world practice, politics, and justice (or lack thereof) of use-of-force law.
Can we get a round of applause? If you clap really loudly, maybe he’ll come back soon.
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Comments
Very kind, Professor. 🙂
–Andrew
I have your book. I open it and share it to remind myself and others of the pitfalls of being in the right, yet at the mercy of leos. Thanx beyond words.
I watched THE trial. I read your posts. You deserve every accolade. You were so correct in your assessments of the testimony, the evidence and the outcome….you da man! It just doesn’t get any better.
“From the Zimmerman trial to Stand-Your-Ground, the best coverage anywhere”
I’ll second that…!!!
And I’ll triple it. Outstanding stuff, Andrew. I inhaled every detail of your articles, couldn’t wait for the next one and enjoyed all your interviews.
And I don’t own a gun. Never fired one, other than a BB rifle. I am, however, thanks to Hogg/Israel, a newly-minted NRA member.
Bit of a Catch-22 here: I’d love to see more articles reflecting your knowledge and common sense judgment, just hope we don’t need them again, if you know what I mean.
Yeah, I’ll see your triple and raise you a fourple.
I certainly wouldn’t want folks to think that my limited recent contributions here are any negative reflection of Legal Insurrection by me (or me by them!). 🙂 This place is awesome. I just feel obliged to focus my limited resources where I can have the most impact at any particular point in time. When there’s a big case to cover, this is definitely the place. When there’s NOT a big case, however, there’s relatively limited value I can add here, without just getting repetitive. So, it’s just a prioritization issue.
–Andrew
The coverage of the Zimmerman trial on LI is what brought me here to begin with, after following a link on FreeRepublic.com.
Now, it’s the first site I go to when I get home.
I appreciate all I’ve learned here from the Professor, the contributing authors and the commenters.
Mr Branca’s coverage of Thugvon drew me to LI. I knew a media propaganda campaign when I saw it. It was pretty hard to find actual facts, LI was the best source for early factual information on that and on numerous similar cases. Media coverage of this and subsequent similar cases changed my perception to viewing them as nearly totally useless. Today, media is in a death spiral.
Me too! [Not #MeToo]
2nd (or 5th it) to the above sentiment.
Mr. Branca, thanks for all your good work.
“(Please don’t move to Colorado, by the way, it’s terrible here.)”
Pulling our leg, I see. Such a large state CAN’T be ALL terrible.
Or maybe you’re talking about state government or how Colorado is turning more blue.
Thanks for your efforts, Mr. Branca. Those of us hungry for knowledge are aided greatly, and I’d much rather have citizens informed about the legalities of defending themselves than not. It’s one way of helping others and I’m a big fan of that.
I always enjoy Andrew’s posts on self defense legalities. He is certainly one of the most knowledgeable men in the field of lawful self defense. I’m glad to hear that his person endeavors are going so well. I look forward to his next post.
Congrats! You know me as Marty Smith on Fake Book
Andrew’s coverage of the Zimmerman trial deserved a Pulitzer prize.
What’s going on with the “Popcorn Shooting” case?
Here, here!
The “popcorn” case deserves Zimmerman-trial levels of coverage, except the authorities are slow-walking the case to such a degree that it’s impossible to sustain any interest–which I guess is the point. It’s been, what, 3-4 years? And we’re only now setting a trial date? And based on the vagaries of FL self-defense immunity law there could STILL be yet ANOTHER self-defense immunity hearing? Madness.
–Andrew
Not to mention a great teacher and one hell of a nice guy in person.
Thanks Andrew.
Ha, the emphasis on “in person” is noted. And probably true. 🙂
–Andrew
LOL, no offense intended my friend.
My favorite thing about your work is that every time I argue with a stupid head about these cases I had all the facts on my side and I win every time. Very valuable! Thank you!
Andrew, it was the Zimmerman coverage that first drew me here to LI (although you may not want that credit, LOL). Your analysis was akin to getting the story a day ahead of the pundits and MSM.
And my understanding of Stand Your Ground issues cones entirely from reading your work here. And has been of use to me in several debates with the Left (none lethal).
Thank you so much for the time and energy you have put in here. I’ve linked to your works from several sites so you have reached and affected more people than you think. Bravo Zulu.
Were you the one who advised us not to get into a dispute with the police on the roadside but to cooperate and make our case in court instead?
Because I came across two very undisciplined police officers in Baltimore last year who were eager it seemed to pull on me and in the back of my head I was de-escalating the situation even though I was in the right.
I was shocked at how unprofessional they were. The first one ambushed me with a flashlight blinding my eyes without even identifying himself first.
And as hot-headed as I can get, it could have been trouble had I not learned, from you I think, just how dangerous such a routine incident could be and how quickly it could escalate.
Congrats, Andrew! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts, always learn something.
From a fellow attorney and retired LE instructor: Congratulations !
I recommend your book to all that approach me as they begin their journey as gun owners and those who carry.
Let me add my congrats and thanks. I read every word you wrote on the TM case. As an unindicted felon (owner of ARs) in the state of Massachusetts, I value your insight greatly.
Mr. Branca’s comment count on each of his posts was always astronomical. It goes to show that his information and experience in the Laws of Self Defense are highly desirable.
I read every word Andrew wrote during George’s trial, enthralled at his ability to cut directly to substance of every argument or contention. It was beautiful to watch Andrew take so many idiots out to the woodshed and help them divest their opinions and jailhouse lawyering in favor of actual law.
I’m a Massachusetts transplant and decided to get a Class A LTC. Unbelievable, so far it has been 86 days since filing the application and still nothing. It’s gotta have something to do with that speeding ticket I got back in 1968!