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Zimmerman charged with second-degree murder
George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who says he was acting in self-defense when he fatally shot teenager Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, has been charged with murder in the second degree, special prosecutor Angela Corey told reporters Wednesday.
Read the charges (PDF) | Read Corey's remarks (PDF)
Corey said that Zimmerman has surrendered to authorities in Florida and has been arrested. The charge carries a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.
Police say Zimmerman fatally shot Martin, a 17-year-old African-American, on February 26 in Sanford, Florida, after Martin began walking home from a convenience store. Zimmerman, who is Hispanic and was a neighborhood watch volunteer, had called 911 to complain about a suspicious person in the neighborhood. He was released without charges after claiming self-defense, but the case was referred to Corey for a review as thousands converged on Sanford to join in protests calling for Zimmerman's arrest.
The following are running updates on the story:
[Updated at 7:30 p.m. ET] Zimmerman's new attorney, Mark O'Mara, said that he expects to file a motion seeking bond for Zimmerman on Thursday. Currently, Zimmerman is being held without opportunity for bond.
O'Mara told CNN by phone that he thinks Zimmerman is "troubled by the fact that the state decided to charge him," but that he "understands what is in front of him," and he's "doing OK."
At a news conference outside his office seconds later, O'Mara told reporters that Zimmerman voluntarily surrendered to Florida authorities, and that authorities were in the process of moving him to custody in Seminole County, Florida.
"He's concerned about getting a fair trial and a fair presentation," O'Mara said. "There's obviously been a lot of information flowing. I think a lot of it has been premature and inappropriate."
"The worst thing that can happen in this case is that it doesn't get tried properly," O'Mara said. "Give us our chance to do it the way it's supposed to be done."
On Tuesday, Zimmerman's former attorneys Hal Uhrig and Craig Sonner told reporters they had lost contact with Zimmerman and no longer represent him.
iReport.com: What's your reaction?
[Updated at 7:04 p.m. ET] Sanford's mayor, Jeff Triplett, called "for continued calm in Sanford, its surrounding communities and around the nation."
"The case is in the hands of the justice system. Please allow it to work through the process and come to a natural conclusion," Triplett said in a news conference in Sanford, following Corey's announcement.
[Updated at 6:58 p.m. ET] Martin's father, Tracy Martin, thanked "everyone for being compassionate about this."
"As (Martin's attorney, Benjamin Crump) said, this is just the beginning. We have a long way to go, and we have faith," Tracy Martin said.
Trayvon Martin's parents and their attorneys were at a news conference with the Rev. Al Sharpton in Washington, D.C., where the parents have been visiting an annual conference held by Sharpton's National Action Network.
Tracy Martin spoke of the marches in which people called for justice in the case.
"The first time we marched, I looked to the sky and said, 'I will walk by faith,' Martin recalled. "We will continue to walk by faith. We will continue to hold hands on this journey - white, black, Latino.
"We will march and march and march until the right thing is done."
[Updated at 6:56 p.m. ET] An emotional Sybrina Fulton - who is Martin's mother - reacted to Wednesday's news:
"First of all, I want to say: Thank God. We simply wanted an arrest," she told reporters in Washington, D.C. "We wanted nothing more and nothing less, and we got it. And I say thank you. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus."
[Updated at 6:49 p.m. ET] The attorney for Martin's parents, Benjamin Crump, standing with the parents and the Rev. Al Sharpton, told reporters in Washington, D.C., said that if one were to look at the facts and evidence fairly, Zimmerman "had to be arrested, and this matter had to go before a judge and a jury."
"We can take a short breath, because we are just now getting to first base," Crump said. "This is only first base. Trayvon's legacy cannot be tarnished based on people doing sick things and acting (on) ignorance or using violence."
[Updated at 6:42 p.m. ET] The Rev. Al Sharpton, standing with Trayvon Martin's parents at a news conference in Washington, D.C., said "there should be no high-fiving" over Zimmerman's charge.
"There’s no winners here. … This is not about gloating. This is about pursuing justice. We have not won anything. All we have established is we have the right to redress," Sharpton said.
Sharpton said that he believed public pressure didn't lead Corey to file the charges, but he believes public pressure caused Florida's governor and Corey to review the case.
"If we did not get this far, we would condemn them," Sharpton said. "We must say that despite the fact that we are of ... different political persuasions ... we came together and said only the facts should matter."
"We are trying to make sure that something happens so that this will not happen again," Sharpton said.
[Updated at 6:34 p.m. ET] Benjamin Jealous, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, issued a statement following the announcement of charges against Zimmerman:
“Forty–five days after Trayvon Martin’s life came to a violent end, the wheels of justice have finally begun to turn. This is an important first step toward bringing justice for Trayvon and his family," Jealous' statement began.
"As we have seen, the system does not always work perfectly. But we have shown that when we stand together as a nation we can compel it to work. For the NAACP, this case has always been about the rule of law. We are encouraged by today’s charges, but we know that this is just the beginning. We anticipate and expect a thorough federal investigation of the Sanford Police Department and their role in exacerbating this tragedy," Jealous said.
Jealous said "Trayvon’s case moved the nation because it underscored the twin tragedies that affect so many of our young people: Trayvon was profiled because of his race—looked upon as a threat rather than the loving son he was."
"And then, once he became a victim, he was neglected by the very police department tasked with protecting our communities and families," Jealous said. "As a nation, we’ve got to address the issues of racial profiling and the valuation of black mens’ lives by law enforcement. In the months ahead the months ahead, the NAACP and our allies in the civil rights community will continue to take these issues on as well as the urgent need to repeal stand-your-ground laws.
"Tonight our thoughts and prayers are with Trayvon’s family. We are grateful for the courage and tenacity of Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin that continue to help shape a national movement for justice for their son and for all of America’s children.”
[Updated at 6:20 p.m. ET] In Florida, a charge of second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, according to CNN and HLN legal analysts. Florida does not offer the chance for parole for those convicted of the charge. The sentence would, however, take into account several mitigating and aggregating factors.
[Updated at 6:17 p.m. ET] Zimmerman is being held without opportunity for bail, but Zimmerman's lawyers are entitled to request a bond, Corey said. Once they do so, a bond hearing will be held, she told reporters.
[Updated at 6:16 p.m. ET] While Corey said that Zimmerman surrendered and is in the custody of authorities in Florida, she declined to say exactly where, citing concerns for the safety of Zimmerman "and everyone else."
[Updated at 6:12 p.m. ET] Corey said she wouldn't discuss what led her to file the second-degree murder charge, other than her conclusion is based on her review of the evidence.
Florida state attorney Angela Corey said she spoke with Trayvon Martin's parents before telling the media about the charge against Zimmerman.
[Updated at 6:07 p.m. ET] George Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the February 26 shooting of Trayvon Martin, Corey said.
What happens now that Zimmerman is charged in Trayvon Martin death?
[Updated at 5:51 p.m. ET] George Zimmerman has turned himself in to law enforcement and is in custody in Florida, according to CNN legal analyst Mark NeJame.
Zimmerman also has a new attorney, Mark O'Mara, according to NeJame.
NeJame reported that Zimmerman, before he surrendered, was "out of the state of Florida, as I understand it, for his safety."
On Tuesday, Zimmerman's former attorneys Hal Uhrig and Craig Sonner told reporters they had lost contact with Zimmerman and no longer represent him.
[Updated at 4:55 p.m. ET] Florida Gov. Rick Scott has released a statement ahead of the special prosecutor's news conference:
"We are fortunate in our state that most Floridians and local civic leaders are law-abiding, responsible citizens who all want justice to prevail. No matter what State Attorney (Angela) Corey determines following her investigation of the Trayvon Martin tragedy, I trust in the goodness of all Florida citizens to allow our justice system to reach an appropriate conclusion in this case."
[Updated at 3:34 p.m. ET] The parents of Trayvon Martin plan to hold a news conference after the special prosecutor makes her announcement.
Martin's parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, will be accompanied by their attorneys and the Rev. Al Sharpton in Washington, D.C., where the parents have been visiting a conference held by Sharpton's National Action Network.
[Updated at 3:07 p.m. ET] Many people in Sanford, Florida and around the world have been captivated by the Trayvon Martin case and have lent their support to Martin's family.
Upon hearing the news that special prosecutor Angela Corey was holding a press conference today to update the media, Martin's mother Sybrina Fulton tweeted that the case was in God's hands now.
[tweet https://twitter.com/SybrinaFulton/status/190153784981327872%5D
[Updated at 3:02 p.m. ET] The office of special prosecutor Angela Corey has confirmed that a news conference updating the media on the Trayvon Martin case will begin at the State Attorney’s Office in Jacksonville, Florida at 6 p.m. ET.
[Updated at 2:51 p.m. ET] Corey's office, which is investigating the Trayvon Martin shooting case, said that charges against George Zimmerman have not been filed. The office would not confirm whether the office planned to charge him, according to HLN's Josey Crews.
Earlier, CNN reported that Corey is expected to announce a decision Wednesday regarding whether she will file charges against Zimmerman, and a senior law enforcement source familiar with the Martin death investigation said that Zimmerman would be charged.
[Updated at 2:39 p.m. ET] George Zimmerman “will be (criminally) charged if (he) hasn’t been charged already,” according to a senior law enforcement source familiar with the Trayvon Martin death investigation.
It's not clear what the charges would be.
[Initial post, 2:29 p.m. ET] A special prosecutor in the Trayvon Martin shooting case is expected to announce a decision within the next four hours regarding whether she will file charges against George Zimmerman, CNN reports.
The news comes a day after attorneys for Zimmerman told reporters they had lost contact with Zimmerman and no longer represent him.
Police say Zimmerman fatally shot Martin, a 17-year-old African-American, on February 26 in Sanford, Florida, after Martin began walking home from a convenience store. Zimmerman, who is Hispanic and was a neighborhood watch volunteer, had called 911 to complain about a suspicious person in the neighborhood.
Zimmerman told Sanford police the shooting was self-defense, and Zimmerman was released without charges. Authorities have said Zimmerman was not immediately charged because there were no grounds, at the outset, to disprove his account that he'd acted to protect himself.
But thousands converged on Sanford to join in protests calling for Zimmerman's arrest and criticizing the police department's handling of the case. Martin's death has triggered a nationwide debate about race in America and Florida's "stand your ground" law, which allows people to use deadly force anywhere they feel a reasonable threat of death or serious injury.
soundoff (5,135 Responses)
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@cnnbrk on Twitter
Unbelievable. GZ had a gun and followed a teenager with skiddles and shot and killed him. He should be charged with 2nd degree murder and face the courts. If he is innocent, the jury will decide. The rest of you are sick!
Some of you racist idiots just don't get it....that's why the world is the way it is.
So he got charged. Good luck finding a jury that will convict him!! Probably end up a 50/50 decison and he will walk. No way in hell they can allow a full black jury. heh heh heh....
Let's hope accountability works both ways: http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/11/opinion/granderson-violence-race/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
So, you are saying that blacks, who shoot and kill people don't get prosecuted? I'm confused by your assertation? Either blacks commit alot of violence or they don't? Your implication is what we call a paradox. If it is the case that blacks commit crimes and don't get prosecuted then it would be the case that blacks wouldn't be in jail. If it is the case that they do commit crimes and are convicted in jail, then it can not be the case justice doesn't work both ways. So, you see your world view , can not be simultaneously true, blacks are criminals, but blacks don't get prosecuted?
Save the state not the defendant that's the real reason Zimmermann, hispanic, is in jail. This case is not over. Let the prosecutor find the real reason why Martin walked in between homes? Why did Martins girlfriend not call 911?
Here we go with the nutty paranoia. You know nothing about this case except what you've seen on TV. Let the law do its work.
thankfully there will be as trial where we hopefully will find the truth. Whether guilty or not, you know Zmmerman was screwed when first words out of prosecutors mouth was about Travon's dear sweet parents and several references to justice for Travon. Investigations are suppose to be about determining truth but this clown needed a sacrificial lamb
It's hard for you to conceive that they found probable cause to arrest Zimmerman instead of making up excuses for him! You do recall that the investigating officers originally on the scene wanted to charge Zimmerman because they did not believe his story but the prosecutor decided not to file charges @ that time. Stop making up excuses, these people are trying to do their job & be neutral. Are you serious about his girlfriend calling 911? Not a lot of people think in a situation such as this & I'm sure his girlfriend did not think he'd be killed! This young man was minding his own business & there has been no report of him walking between houses. Now your adding more to the case. Even if that was the case people walk through people yards a lot to get to their destination & they're not approached.
@Anand Gandhi: Because she didn't live near there. The 911 system is local...
Zimmerman is a hero....he deserves a holiday...nevermind..how bout the entire month of February!!!!!!
Your an idiot he is part Hispanic.
Racist a00hole
Dear White America,
You're Stupid!
Sincerly,
The UNITED States of America
Whether innocent or guilty, if Zimmerman is the best we can do for a hero, we're in really bad, sad shape.
I wish you go somewhere and die slowly. I dont know what happend none of us every will. However i do belive he should at least have to face a jury. He may be innocent but there is no way he should not have to prove his innocence
You are the problem with this case
are you stupid hillbilly???
what if i shoot you and have a day off???
i'll let you pick the ammo too .308 cal, .40 cal or a 12 gauge
Why are you so concerned about black history month? If you are that concerned maybe you should try doing some research instead of posting ignorant remarks. Whites history is naturally taught in school & the only time people really learned about their history was during the month of Feb. Stop trying to minimize the validity of the month to sprew your ingorance!
white america
are you stupid hillbilly???
what if i shoot you and have a day off???
i'll let you pick the ammo too .308 cal, .40 cal or a 12 gauge
WOW IM AMAZED AT HOW RACISM IN AMERICA IS SO STRONG, IF RACE DIDNT PLAY A FACTOR , WE WOULDNT EVEN BE HEARING ABOUT TRAYVON MARTIN, BUT I BELIEVE THIS CASE IS MORE ABOUT STEREOTYPING AND FEAR, NOT RACISM AND IM SORRY ALL WE CAN DO IS THINK ABOUT RACIAL INJUSTICES, WHEN ALL MANKIND CAN FALL VICTIM TO STEREOTYPING AND FEAR, DO FORGOT ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WERE VICTIMS OF CRIME AFTER 911 JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE THOUGHT TO BE MIDDLE EASTERN/TERRIOST.
Wow you're so clever.... take your hate mongering self to George zimmermans website and make a donation. He is going to need all the help he can get.
you could have led the KKK. No one cares about your opinion. We see your true self
Angela Corey came across unbiased and fair. The charge is not surprising considering the evidence (911 phone calls, neighbors’ accounts of the event).
WHY YA! They have to calm the herd somehow. Black people murder white people at 7X the rate of white on black murder. For black people only being 12.6% of the population of people. They cause most of the crime. So mathematically black people are to be questioned and feared. This self defense might have been justified. But at least Zimmerman wasn't out robbing and raping then murdering someone. He was trying to help a community.
fail!!! What a loser
Sick whites pedophiles outnumber any other race. Want to keep profiling?
Selective facts.
Sick whites pedophiles outnumber any other race. Want to keep profiling?
you know, i would like to inform you that you are a dumb stupid fool
I do no know where did u got the statistics .. may be from GOP talking points or Fox.. but that is a crude way of saying that White do not get caught murdering so they are no white criminals.. Look at wall Street and all the crimes committed by so called whites in past 10 yrs to tank this economy.. and no body got caught .. and yeah people want to Prosecute OB but not Bush for war crimes .. u r a racist bigot
Steve you are full of ignorance! How about worrying about the crime that happens in the white community more often such as pedophila, embezzlement, serial killing, murder for hire, taking out life insurance policies on their loved ones including children for money. We all have a reason to fear the white man too! Also, blacks, Hispanics, Asians & other cultures have a reason to distrust the white man based on history. So all other races should just look @ whites & deem them untrustworthy because that's how you're trying to label black men. Also, you shouldn't worry about the crime among blacks because they typically are killing their own kind! Please do not ever think it's a one way street because I get paranoid around white & black men sometimes! Whites have a stigma attached to them to whether you believe it or not. Zimmerman may not had been out robbing but he sure was arrested for ASSAULT & RESISTING ARREST! So let's not throw stones! Clean out the speck in your eyes before you start trying to clear out the speck in someone else's eyes.
A good reason to talk about everything else is so this doesn't happen again. It is possible to change hearts and minds with civil discourse.
A careful consideration of all the angles may change a worldview for the better.
I saw a guy get kicked in the face in Baltimore by a group, I dont see Jesse Jackson and the pastor from NYC go and protest
yeah, like they can be there for every case
I assume you stopped and rendered assistance...or at least called for help?
I saw that video too, Brian. And it disgusts me. No there is no national uproar because the local authorities started taken actions about that case IMMEDIATELY.
There are going to be a lot of comments about the decision to charge George Zimmerman. Some are for him and the actions he took. Some are against what he did. It's one thing to talk about the case but what's really disappointing is how nasty people have been with their comments about race. I guess all the talk is wrong. Racism does still exist and if you want to see it, just read comments online.
OMG Florida's District Attorney's Office is RETARDED. NEWS FLASH DA's Office: 782.04 of the Florida Code gives a list of what falls under for 2nd degree. NOT THIS CASE. He's now gonna walk like Casey Anthony did. He SHOULD be charged with Voluntary Manslaughter. 782.11 of the Florida Code is their best bet to get charges that STICK. It's almost as if they want him to walk to start riots. this is retarded!
There's always two sides to a story and unfortuntely, the other side isn't here to provide his side. So all you judgemental, racist idiots, who have no clue about anything, KEEP YOUR MOUTHS SHUT!
And the hate lives on! History is almost always the best teacher and to that end many of us could see this ugly divide coming long ago. When you fail to really deal with a major issue it almost always will come back and bite you. Some less than educated person name Steve reported some bogus stats from the FBI without any real understanding of history or what he was saying. Go back and check your history and perhaps you will be better informed as to what is true and what is false. I hope and pray that we get better in this country or lots of others will die for nothing as well, black and white. Amazing, but not surprising!
IF ZIMMERMAN LOSES LETS ALL GO TO THE NEAREST BLACK NEGHBORHOOD AND RIOT AND KILL
You will have your opportunity! Now lets see if you actually have the heart, or are you like most cowards simply hiding behind your computer screen.
I'm not much for killing, but it would be tempting to start with you.
IT'S AMAZING HOW A LOT OF WHITE PEOPLE ARE NOW ON ZIMMERMAN'S SIDE BECAUSE A BLACK KID RECEIVED PUBLICITY FOR BEING UNJUSTLY MURDERED BUT LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT A LOT OF THESE SAME WHITE FOLKS DO NOT LIKE HISPANICS AT ALL BUT SINCE IT INVOLVES A BLACK KID I GUESS THEY'LL TAKE THE LESSER OF THE TWO EVILS IN YOUR MIND! GO LIE DOWN & PRAY YOU HYPOCRITES! WHITES TALK WORSE ABOUT HISPANICS THAN THEY DO ABOUT BLACKS!
That why I'm tea bagging ya mom boy times have changed
@WHITE AMERICA Quote: "IF ZIMMERMAN LOSES LETS ALL GO TO THE NEAREST BLACK NEGHBORHOOD AND RIOT AND KILL"
Just FYI, CNN has a record of your IP address with each post. This kind of post can be considered a incite to riot and at the wost, a call for domestic terrorism under the Patriot Act. If you have any questions, feel free to ask your local law enforcement.
You're too late... a few white men already been to the neighborhood....but If I was you, I wouldnt be treading into black neighborhoods with intent now.... trust me, these young brothers are locked and loaded.... sometimes I really can't believe what I am reading but to be hated because of skin color is the most absurd reason ever....... A child was killed , a family lost a son.... Zimmerman wasn't even hired by the association, and they are distancing themselves as far away as possible......and you people spew hateful things like that will exonerate a murderer .....
The real thing will be to convince a jury – beyond a reasonable doubt – that he is guilty of murder. I hope the prosecution has some evidence that we don't know about, because from what I've seen there's going to be plenty of reasonable doubt to be overcome.
Exactly. The REAL Trayvon Martin is going to be exposed for the Drug Dealing, Thief, Gansta-Wannabe Punk he really was.