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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Zimmerman's former attorneys Hal Uhrig and Craig Sonner told reporters they had lost contact with Zimmerman and no longer represent him.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
I hope he gets off! screw the blacks
Call the Wambulance.....
racist troll
You forget Nancy..that Trayvon was a CHILD – 17 years old. Remember when you were seventeen? Meanwhile if you have a problem with someones color, take it to God....!
You know it's people like you who need God in their lives...how could you be so crass...actually, you are quite pitiful
i bet you'd like to screw all the blacks, wouldn't you? repressed desires are often exhibited by bigoted comments.
May God have mercy on your mean little soul.
you're an IDIOT!
You clowns don't want to believe the hard evidence in the case already known one fact Zimmerman was following Trayvon. 2. It was a racial slur not punks not cold lmaoooooooooo.
You'd rather believe some crazy story on how ZImmerman was jumped, your all ignorant to the 10th degree
What have black people ever done to you? So screw you whoever you are!!! You better learn some American History and learn that the same black people you hate so much, decendants built this entire country that you white eruopean/anglo-saxon people stole from the Native Americans!!!!
Wow NancyBrad. I am very sorry and very sad that you have such a mean-spirited view of me and other who share my skin color. I want you to know that I love you with the Love of God and I foregive you. I pray that some day the lord softens your heart towards me. Grace and peace to you and yours.
I'm black Nancy, why don't you bring your skink ass here and try to screw me. Put up or shut up!
I am sure it were anyone of the one's saying it doesn't make sense child they would want justice. So if you wish he walks or goes free his life will never be the same & he wil never have peace.
Nancy....what time is your Ku Klux Klan meeting you bigot!!!! You people are unbelievable all you see is skin color this is someone's son and your friend Zimmerman took his life and walked away...but im sure in your racist world that is justice....
You better buy magnums before you start.
No Nancy screw you. ITs people like you that U.S. look bad compared to other countries!
From a white male born in the south . You are a total piece of trash NancyBrad .
@nancybrad You need to get a life.
There is NOTHING wrong with black people, only people like you. You need to open your eyes and take a look at this world, we are all EQUAL. So keep your mouth shut if you have nothing nice to say, it's because of people like YOU that this world has problems.
You clearly lack education with a comment like that. God doesn't like ugly sweetheart, and your comment was very ugly.
racism is evil. you are evil.
he will get off beatin his meat in that cell. Lol
Your such and idiot. I don't even know where to begin. Please go back to your trailer and get off CNN.
If Geoge Zimmerman were black, Nancy, I am sure you wouldnt even take time to blog. However, if Trayvon was white and George Zimmerman were portrayed moreso as the hispanic he is.....I am sure you would have been at the head of the protest lines.
I am very disappointed to read some of these racist comments, especially NANCY- – screw the blacks? Check this out: the so-called Blacks (which we are not Black, we are Moors, dummy) will not have to lift a finger to retaliate against you NANCY and your ancestors who you got your racist spirit from. There is a spiritual war going on right now. READ your bible, or your Quran, or your Torah and you will see that vengence is with the Creator. When you see your family members begin to have sudden heart attacks and die suddenly or die in a sudden car acciident, only then will you understand that until you CHANGE your devil ways, no good will come to you. The 5th demension spirits are on the scene, DUMB NANCY Check the time we are living in as human beings. You study college ralated material, but you don't study the universe because you're too wrapped up in thinking you are superior. I know for a fact that ALL CAUCASIONS ARE NOT RACIST, but I can tell you, that too damn many of you are and I'm cool with it. You hide behind computers. Just don't cross my path is all. Peace to those who genuinely want it. To hell to those who don't.
Your one of the reason this country is the way it is, and if you have a problem with Blacks than show your face.
Does your comment make YOU feel better about yourself nancybrad? You display a wonderful example of narrow-mindedness right along with the hannity's and limbaugh's and the numerous people here and on other blogs that proudly announce their bigoted mind-set every hour of every day. Go right ahead and pamper yourself with a giant tap on the back as you reward yourself for being such a bigot. At least you are honest. NOTE: No apology is required.
You're very misguided. God forbid it was your son shot down. Loser. This is not about "the blacks" its about doing the right thing.
What a horrible ignorant thing to say!! Shame on you!
Just like a punk. Knowing you want say that in any Black person face.
You need to seek Jesus! I will be praying for you
WOW the racist are coming out of the woodwork...just like roaches. This includes you Nancybrad. That's right, sit behind your computer screen and play with those BIG BRASS BALLS you have as you , I, and the rest of the people on this board know, you don't have the balls to say this to ANY Black person's face, even a Black child. Keep preaching hatred and racial bigotry and one or all of your kids are going to marry a Black person. Then where will you be with all those MIXED BABIES? Seen it before and will continue to see it.
Screw whites.
Idiass....part idiot..part ass are you
I hope your caught running that mouth, then speak up...
You are so full of love and life!
nancybrad i'm glad you don't matter
Nancy, tell that to God if you get a chance to see him. If you do see him, don't be surprise because he is of color and his hair is made of wool. You'll catch that when you bump your head.
Shame on you Nancy, you have no idea what most colored people endure on a daily basis... Imagine having to actually LIVE in substandard housing, rodents and all. Imagine having to fight everywhere you go, even on your way to Panera Bread or Cosi or wherever you may go to eat. Then, imagine having to fathom the possibility that the police and paramedics may NOT come when you need 911.... Imagine all of that, then make a more educated, well-rounded and indiscriminate comment please.
hmm you're cool
That statement right there is why we have a problem in America!
Yeah, "NancyBrad" clearly thinks a girly-man name like that might bring some diversity to hicksville.
WOW!
lol... screw u
You are a riduclous racist.
Your comment helps nothing – only stirs the pot of hatred and conflict.
I just read the replies. While I believe what people have said in response, it's clear you're just an attention getter. You did this for responses. Well I for one am happy to see all the replies said the older white lady (aka: a lighter pigment of skin than Trayvon, that beautiful young childe). People are people, so what if the skin colors are different shades. Poor Nancy, but in a way I'm happy you brought all the people out who think racists are ignorant jerks.
Your just saying that you don't really mean it.
You were in church last Sunday and lead the congregation in prayer
Yet you harbor this secret desire to be seen as hateful or even evil, but the truth is
you don't have a hatred or evil bone in your body, your just no good at it face it.
I even bet you would sound funny cursing, but its okay, we are who we are.
screw the blacks huh, i bet you wanted to say something else, however i can't hate you nancy.
Your a lousy excuse for a human being NANCYBRAD.
brilliant
You are a sad example of the human race (no matter what color you claim to be).
This is all media fueled.
Yes, this is all media fueled. Zimmerman, in fact, did not shoot and kill an unarmed 17 year old kid.
Yeah..I agree...George Zimmerman should never have believed all the stereotypical portrayals of young black men in hoodies. Totally agree.
No, it's fueled by a gun-wielding vigilante having murdered and unarmed teenager. If it was two white guys would you believe that Zimmerman was acting in self defense? Or is there an unspoken assumption that some people are inherently guilty by nature of their birth?
Finally, the murderer bastd will get his day of reckoning.
thank you
No unnatural death should EVER go uninvestigated by any law enforcement agency regardless of the decisions of management!!!
WHAT??? They did investigate and who the he11 is "management"?
Amen! This is all that people are asking for!
Various predictions:
– He'll be charged with murder.
– The trail will be a long time coming, 3 years at least.
– He'll be acquitted,
– Another 8+ aftershock in Indonesia this week.
– Manson will be denied parole again in 2027.
– Bet on St. Louis to win their first Stanley Cup this year.
That's all I got.
Very accurate predictions.
Run now....you will never get a fair trial and the mob has made it clear that they don't care to wait for the facts to come out before passing judgment.
Sounds like remarks that someone should have shouted to Trayvon before Zimmerman convicted and sentenced the CHILD!!!
Trayvons screams will never stop. It became "sound"....and a sound that should have never happened. It was not inevitable, nor was it ordained as some religiously confused folks like to think. A child should NEVER have to scream for help at the hands of a stalker vigilante self appointed watchperson of any organization. May justice come, if not by law, then by the hand of God himself. God does love black people or he would never have made them or us.
Wait for the facts to come out....he admitted shooting him...you hear on the tapes following him, thats all the proof I need idiot...WAKE UP!
will they make it even a bigger joke, and broadcast the trial.....follow the money.
were is he the lawyers dont know. did he go to mexico just a thought.they should have been watching him arrest now you have to he running WHY
Who calls a 17 yr old a child? I hope the truth of what happens comes out in the trial!
About freaking time. I would love to hear how a kid walking around with some candy and tea posed a threat severe enough to warrant shooting him. Disgusting.
He is not kid, HELLO! He was 17 years old!!! But he still should have not been killed!!!
I have to believe that if anyone, including a black, were to have hit me in the face, bloody my nose, and get on top of me to drive my head into the sidewalk, that I would pull a gun and shoot the sucker if I could. Wouldn't anyone??
big question is why was a man with a history of violence and a restraining order against a former girlfriend LICENSED TO CARRY A GUN?? PS if he had a broken nose where was all the blood on his shirt? I'm glad the murderer will finally be charged. It's ridiculous that it took so long.
If Zimmerman was hurt that bad, he would have gone to the hospital that night instead of the next day. I've seen many a student resisting arrest by a police officer, hitting, spitting, kicking, etc. I've never seen the police officer shoot the kid.
Hey Joan what time is your Ku Klux Klan meeting?
when the video came out with him getting out of the cop car did you see him all bloodied with blood in or around his nose with his head bleeding? if he did not follow him with a gun i might add and harass him in the first place maybe he would not have gotten followed back to his car which he was instructed to stay in in the first place.
So Joan according to you the black kid attacked Zimmerman even though Zimmerman is on tape saying that he is following the black kid with skittles and tea. That is a known fact.....all that other crap you're spewing has not been proven but the one thing we do know is Zimmerman followed Trayvon. Get your facts straight.
That would be Trayvon standing his ground after being chased by someone with a gun
This is the problem. Certain people have turned this into race. This is not and should not be about race. Some people never get it. Mr. Zimmerman clearly has issues and he needs help. I am so tired of the racist comments and the divide that is taking place in this country. Some people will never understand how hurtful it is to be hated because of the color of your skin and the actions of others. Are all white people crazy, when a couple of white kids shoot up schools, or make up the majority of the child molestion population? Do I view all white men as pedophiles? or All white mothers as people that will kill their kids? or all white kids will eventually become serial killers or shoot up schools or be skin heads or devil worshipers? DO NOT JUDGE AN ENTIRE RACE BY THE ACTIONS OF OTHERS!!!! You wouldn't like it if it was done to you!!!!
Zimmurder's flimy defense will fall apart like cheap tissue paper at his trial
Except that was his side of the story, no one else's. His nose was clearly not broken and video disputes the supposed "gash" on the back of the head. Basically you've taken only his word for what occured and ignored the phone conversation that Trayvon was on, several neighbor's saying otherwise. Frankly I much prefer this go to trial so that the fact can come to llight. The man is certainly guilty of manslaughter and nearly certainly started the altercation himself. His entire excuse for jumping out of his truck was that he didn't know the cross streets down the road from his own house and he claims to have had to jump out of his truck to read the sign. Does that honestly sound plausible to you? Especially for a guy who patrols his neighborhood making 911 calls all the time?
nancybard wants to screw the blacks, lol
Yeah...IF that's what happened. More likely, from the phone records, Zimmerman followed as instructed NOT TO. Trayvon then became worried for his own life when confronted by Zimm. Zimm had a gun and Trayvon felt his life threatened and fought to save himself. THAT's what I would do. Zimm's a cop wannabe, plain and simple. Now, he will face his crime. Good on him!
You can't honestly believe that really happened. Are you serious? If the man's nose was broken, where was the blood? Wouldn't he have a lot of blood on his clothes? Was that cleaned up too by the paramedics at the scene. Be for real and STOP believing nonsense! Do you have a brain to think with?
Certainly...IF you did not provoke it....IF the child was doing something wrong to cause provocation....IF the black person was not a child...and IF you did not not have the gun for the purpose of using it in the first place. So sure...who could blame you.
I'll pull a card, how about the human being card. A human was shot and killed by a stranger for now reason. If he had returend to his home, none of this would happen. Of course the kid beat his butt. He was being followed, he did not know this GROWN man. He has been taught to fight if he is followed or feels threatened. Was Zimmerman a rapist, a robber, a serial killer. Surely a man with a gun, who is following you, saying only God's knows what-deserves a beat down. Get real
Joan, Zimmerman stalked Martin, even after the 911 operator told him not to follow him. He stalked the unarmed innocent 17 yr old, which may have provoked something and may not have. If you stalk someone and they allegedly attack you, you are not standing your ground. The person you are stalking is standing THEIR ground. Zimmerman put himself in harm's way by following the kid. He did not have to do that.
I would have to think that if a stranger was chasing me and continued to pursue me as I tried to walk quickly away, I might try to punch that person when they caught up to me. Wouldn't anyone? Only racism can make you see this through the murderers eyes instead of the victim's eyes.
No, because I'm not going to follow someone when a 911 dispatcher strongly suggested that I don't.. But see Joan, you left out a lot in that little scenario. Zimmerman followed Martin on a dark rainy night. He's much bigger than Martin. This boy didn't know who Zimmerman was or what he wanted. Martin was under no obligation to answer anything Zimmerman asked him, if he asked him anything. Just like Zimmerman wasn't obligated to stay in his truck as instructed by the 911 operator. Have you EVER thought that Martin was scared and attacked Zimmerman under the "Stand Your Ground" law. Probably NOT! Zimmerman is a COWARD and a BULLY that shot and killed a innocent kid because he started a confrontation that didn't go quite like he had planned. He got his A S S whooped and couldn't handle it. This is a lesson for all of you wanna-be heroes and cops; "DON'T START NONE, WON'T BE NONE". Leave it to the trained professionals. For ALL of you harping on the pictures of Trayvon. Melaninated (SP) people don't age as fast as those without melanin. This could be the reason he may not look 17. Get over it.
I bet you would shoot a unarmed 17 year old that had no weapon, minding his own business and just walking down the street and then claim he beat you up to claim self defense....GET REAL!
Of course I would do the same thing "IF" that happen. You weren't there so you don't know,but thanks for your pointless opinion.
if someone were to follow you from the store today, run after you, catch up to you, and you dont know who it is, you would fight for your life, you are winning (bloody nose whatever)
unfortunately, the person you are fighting has a gun and you dont so you die-
your family would want justice too
The person should have never been following you and Zimmerman should have never been following Trayvon and with a gun no less
what is everyone everywhere did the same = follow people for what ever reason, and because the person fight back is winning you shoot and then yell self defense – this isnt the middle ages and it isnt the 1950's – like I know you and people like Zimmerman wish it could be
Look, curmudgeon – as long as you keep referring to "the blacks", picking a different woman's name for your posts won't hide the fact that you're trolling from your single-wide.
See you are going by what Zimmerman statements, which you assuming is facts, if they have found his statements to be true, they would not be pressing charges....so to the people that keep saying to wait for the investigation to finish, well here we are, they are pressing charges......
@Joan...Now let me ask you this, how would you react if you were innocently walking down the street and you suddenly notice that you are being followed? The person continues to follow you. Eventually, this person steps out of his vehicle and you notice he has a gun. So now, not only are you being followed but you notice the person who is following you also has a gun. Next, this person decides to confront you. How would you react? I would fight for my life! If i have to punch, kick, bite, scratch..then so be it...i have no clue what someones intentions are who is following me with a gun!!! They most certainly can't have good intentions!
Maybe, but the real issue is that none of it had to happen in the first place. Zimmerman had to be aware that there was a potential threat in approaching someone in the dark. Unless, of course, he felt in control knowing that he had a gun.
Z was pursuing the guy and for that he was the perpetrator. If you were being followed by some random guy with a gun in the dark would you stop and ask questions or would you punch him in the face the first second you got and try to get away? Just because his skin is dark doesn't mean he didn't feel threatened. There was also no way for him to know what Zimmerman's intentions were.
George Zimmerman should've been in the hospital after that beating but yet he does not need to go to the Hospital and walks without any assistance into the police station. Also, if Trayvon was brutally attacking him, how did he manage to pull his gun out?
I would like to believe in 2012 in America your son, my son, their son can actually take a walk to the store and come home without being shot.....911 calls stated (Zimmerman) he is following the deceased, the cell call between he and his girlfriend (Martin) questioned pondering why someone would follow him....obviously it wasn't Trayvon's choice that night to be followed into the night and considered supect etc. from a quick trip to the store...I believe if anyone was being followed and confronted without knowing the identify of the other person your first instinct is self-preservation...had Zimmerman not had a gun both would be alive today and a child of 17 would not be in his grave waiting to see if justice prevails in the world...I for one would have a hard time stalking someone, following them and confronting then killing someone regardless as to who pushed who first, threw the first punch or questioned whom first...it's America and you should be allowed to walk free without fear of dying because someone else things you are "guilty" of something based on a "hunch"...
At least all the evidence will now be heard in its proper context....the court.
As well as any negligence in the collection and safe keeping of the evidence. How will the police explain how they lost the DNA evidence taken from Zimmerman's shirt? How will they explain a lack of evidence that is routinely collected during an investigation. If the police did a thorough job, it will come out. If the police did a shappy job, then that will come out too. We might see a house cleaning within the police department. Or we might see medals being handed out. At least the family of Trayvon Martin can get some closure.
Amen. That's all most sane people wanted. But Al Sharpton will credit hisself with the charge against Zimmerman.
oh; he now a hispanic guy, he is not a white guy anymore?
Zimmerman's father is white and his mother is Peruvian. This is old news.
I think that happened at birth and if you've been following the story that has been said ALL ALONG and it was his family that said it.
He never was white.
Unless they have a video-tape from Zimmerman or an eye witness fully exonerating Zimmerman hard to imagine the state not charging Zimmerman with something. I'm expecting to hear some sort of manslaughter charge followed by were not sure if Zimmerman is even in the country.
three years at least untill the trial starts.....
It's about time.
@nancybrad: you are trash.
Agree with you about nancybrad...
If Trayvon were white I am certain that there would be outrage and a demand for charges...
Good. Time for Zimm to clear his name then he can go about suing all the racebaiters that have slandered him.
Time to celebrate! If there was negligent investigation and handling of material by the police department, it will come out in the trial as well. If Zimmerman turns himself in, I'm sure he'll get bonded, but I wonder if they will allow him to leave the State on bond. I wouldn't think so. I wonder if they will think he is a flight risk now?