Note from the CTH: This post is independently authored by an anonymous guest of the Treehouse. This is part Six in a series of independently submitted guest posts. We are unable to determine or validate if the content discussed is indeed the substantive final content of an upcoming book, we are the conduit host and present for informational purposes of discussion:

George Zimmerman was not involved in the collaboration of this book and makes no guarantee of its accuracy or content. The comments added here to the known text of the Osterman book were not made by George Zimmerman, and should not be construed as the only comments that George Zimmerman may have regarding the publishing of this book.

As previously presented by the guest author: Upon initial review there appear to be numerous “mistakes” in [an upcoming] book, and even several specific items that we feel are outright fabrications. These aspects may be intended to help the book sell well, but they also present some serious factual concerns.

It is understood that neither Mark or Sondra Osterman would intentionally try to harm George, but it is critical for the public to understand George does not condone this book; nor does he agree with the timing of the publication of the book.

The areas of concern will be highlighted, and honestly rebutted, during the course of a number of guest posts here at the Treehouse over the next several days.

These areas to be addressed could potentially be damaging to George Zimmerman, and I feel it is important to address each of them individually.

In the next several days the excerpts, responses and summaries you will read are my “Guest Posted” words and my opinion. While I will share the content of the upcoming book, as I know it, the rebuttal or challenge to the book will be mine alone.

The intent of rebuttal is meant to bring these fabrications, falsehoods and concerns to light, and such retort is provided for the benefit of those who will ultimately read the published book and have questions about its accuracy.

I am, quite simply, trying to get out ahead of what “could be” a well intended attempt at public support, which simultaneously creates a significant and potentially damaging series of unintended consequences.

There is nothing of substantive value to dispute in this chapter, it is all about Mark and Sondra Osterman and Who They Are:

Mark Osterman Writes:  We thought we would let you know a little about us personally and perhaps offer more insight as to why we felt compelled to write this book in defense of our friends, George and Shellie Zimmerman.

So, who are we, other than friends of George Zimmerman, who remains one of the most hated men in America? I was born, Mark Charles Osterman on May 27, 1968 in Detroit, Michigan. My mother and father divorced, both remarried and I have one biological sister, three step sisters and one step brother. My mother and her husband live in Flint, Michigan and my father and his wife now reside in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The family moved from Detroit to Wadsworth, Ohio when I was in the fourth grade. At eighteen I enlisted in the Army and spent time in Fort Benning, Georgia in infantry and airborne schools, then did two tours in Germany.

After the service I moved to Florida, far away from the cold Michigan winters, where I pursued a career in law enforcement and spent time enjoying my passion for scuba diving. I have earned 10 diving certifications to date. I have always followed college football and been an avid fan of recreational pistol shooting.

In 1991, I was recalled to active duty during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. […] I returned to Florida and was employed by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff. I’m currently a law enforcement officer with the Department of Homeland Security.

I cherish my roles as husband and father. My friendships are also important to me and consider friends as family. This is why I was broken hearted for my friend, George Zimmerman on the evening of the shooting of Trayvon Martin. I remain concerned and prayerful for George and Shellie. I want him to be treated fairly. This entire situation was overlaid with politics, innuendo and half truths from the start, but I kept trying to reassuring George he would not be arrested and therefore would not need to stand trial.

Sondra Writes:  […]  Our personal lives and family principles are deeply rooted in the Christian faith. Mark attended a Lutheran church as a youngster, and I grew up in a spirited Pentecostal church. We were married in a Methodist church and now our family worships together at a non-denominational church not far from our home.

I can’t pinpoint one specific reason as to why we were drawn to George and Shellie Zimmerman. They were caring, loving, genuine people, easy to be around, warm, and embracing. We would never have dreamed that our friendship would be tested to the extreme when George was accused of profiling, following, then murdering young Trayvon Martin last February. We miss the Zimmermans. We miss the conversations, the fun, the time spent just hanging out together with our friends; one of whom will be on trial soon for second degree murder. If found guilty, George faces a possible lengthy prison sentence. We hope not, we pray not, but many people feel this is the least punishment for the gun toting, over zealous neighborhood watch captain who took the life of an unarmed teenager. Of course, we believe otherwise.  […]

Three years ago when Breanna was about seven years old, she wondered why she could never hear Santa when he came to drop off her gifts. “If I could hear him or his reindeer, then I could let my friends know he is real,” she said with a little girl’s reasoning. George overheard us talking about this and decided he would dress as Santa that Christmas, place gifts under the tree, making just enough noise in doing so that Breanna would hear him as he did his Santa magic.

That Christmas Eve our family read the Christmas story from the Bible, as is our tradition, then we heard something (or someone) in the living room. Mark asked Breanna and I to stay put while he checked it out. Then, he returned telling Breanna to be extra quiet as he directed her to walked on tip toe, then peek around the door. You should have seen her face. There was Santa hard at work placing gifts around the tree. She ran to her bed and begged us to go to bed quickly, so Santa wouldn’t take away her gifts.

The next day, Christmas Day, Breanna was telling all her cousins that she had seen “Santa’s butt” while he put presents under our tree. Later, during a party at Shellie’s parents’ home, she was telling George what she had seen the night before. He listened intently and acted as if he was fascinated by her story. Breanna remembers that special Christmas to this day and still has no clue that Santa was actually her friend, George; the George we know and love.

Mark Continues […] In my six years as a Deputy Sheriff in Seminole County I saw and experienced things the average person would never see, not even on the reality television shows featuring real cops. No Hollywood writer could conceive the craziness and bizarre people policemen and fire rescue personnel have to deal with on a daily basis.

I’ve responded to residences for every reason imaginable; like showing up to explain custody paperwork served by court order; arriving to negotiate peace between neighbors because overlapping sprinklers are making one residents grass grow differently than the others. I once entered a residence where a 6 foot Nazi flag was exhibited and Hitler’s portrait hung over the fire place mantel. Of course, I never indicated how offensive this display was to me; a product of a German Catholic mother and father with English-Jewish heritage. Ancestors from both sides of my family bravely made the journey to America to embrace all she stands for. But, you see it all the time in law enforcement; minds distorted and poisoned by prejudice and hate. Even when presented with absolute truth such people, like those above, have been programmed for racial divide, which brings to mind George’s situation.

Similar to the skinheads and Neo Nazi groups most civil folks abhor, another group, just as racially prejudiced (The New Black Panther Party), passed judgment on a man who at that point had made no public comment, no evidence had been presented, and no arrest made. The case was being investigated. It seems to me that before an individual or group leaps to conclusions, they would want to back up their opinions with facts; they would want to wait to hear all angles of a topic. Even a self serving media eager for higher ratings wouldn’t report innuendos to stir more outrage in this case – would they? They did.  […]

[…]  George and Shellie kept in contact regularly while they were separated. They would call each other or Skype everyday. I’m sure it made the time apart a little easier. But the pressure was mounting everyday for an arrest to be made. They couldn’t help it; they were continually waiting for the other shoe to fall. They wouldn’t have to wait much longer.

{END}

To Be Continued…..