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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Zimmerman's former attorneys Hal Uhrig and Craig Sonner told reporters they had lost contact with Zimmerman and no longer represent him.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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FINALLY! We're getting somewhere. I believe that Zimmerman should have BEEN arrested for such a crime. Murder is murder and I believe that it was not self-defense because Zimmerman got out the car! The car was his safety and he wouldn't had to "defend" himself if he would have just minded his own business and left the boy alone.
You are so dumb it is almost sad.
I second the opinion.
So now the USA has degenerated into fascism where the rule of law is trumped by the mob and a yellow press.
This is a sad day for America.
So you agree Martin attacked Zimmerman ...after Zimmerman got out of his vehicle?
This will be interesting, per FL law as it stand today,
if he "felt a threat" he is allowed to shoot based upon the
NRA backed law. Fl is not the only state with such a law
either.
I agree. The key here is not to overcharge. That is how Casey Anthony got off. Prosecutors swung for the fences, when a tripple would have scored a run. How's that for a sports analogy.
Sweet Meat Zimmerman will be very popular in prison!
HA! Or he'll be skewered by an inmate or ten. Probably skewered after Bubba is finished... LOL wink.
Look, it's absurd that this case has become so much about race. I ask any parent in here if this happened to their son , how would they have reacted. I mean your kid is walking home from the store at halftime of a game. He said I'll be back in a second pops, I'm going to grab something from the corner store. And next thing you know he's been shot by the neighborhood watch lead? I mean black , white, green, or blue how would react as a parent especially if the man wasn't arrested?
I agree with what you are saying. Race aside, this is a tragedy that no parent should go though.
I guess I just make sure my kids aren't hoodie wearing druggy gang bangers
Franky, it's the usual suspects (Al Sharpton and his gang of fellow demagogues) who have chosen to make this about race.
I agree this is not about race. This is about the unwarranted killing of a young teen.
THE AGGRESSER IS THE CRAZY MENTAL EVIL ZIMMERMAN WHO POLICE TOLD HIM TO BACK OFF , AND DON'T PURSUE TRAYVON MARTIN , BECAUSE ZIMERMAN IS NOT A POLICE LAW KIND OF GUY . ZIMMERMAN SHOULD NOT HAVE SHOOT TRAYVON MARTIN ON THE CHEST AREA , HE CAN SHOOT AT THE LEG AREA IF HE SHOOT , BUT BECAUSE ZIMMERMAN WAS EVIL ENOUGH TO SHOOT TRAYVON MARTIN IN THE CHEST AREA , AND SO ZIMMERMAN WILL BE PAY FOR HIS EVIL KARMA ACTION , AMEN .
You are a complete and total embicile. I doubt you have enough sense to get out of the bed in the morning. Plus I bet you are a black racist.
You must have not gone to school. How can you seriously write what you posted? Makes no sense.
zimmerman was too busy having his head smashed into the sidewalk to look where he was aiming.
Let Justice Reign or the Heavens fall. But you know what will happen if he's found not guilty or the case is thrown out. By the way – if you have a gun and you feel threatened enough to use it, the 'best practice' is that you don't aim for the leg. You aim for the chest. If you aim for the leg and miss, you're screwed.
were you there ? Sure sounds like you know more than the witness, who was
Why did OJ get away probable murder while Zimmerman is charged with a questionable murder? Have the times reversed discrimination, making probable crimes by whites 'sure things' while the same can no longer be said about blacks in similar situations?
The difference with OJ is that Zimmerman admitted to shooting the kid and then claimed self defense. If thats all that needs to be said to be let go from being arrested, we would have an even more overwhelming amount of criminals on the street.
Dughh...Zimmersan admitted to killing the kid.
Wow, Amazing...You don't see the injustice and tragedy of this kids death, you only embrace the corrupted, racially motivated heart and mentally in which you and those who look like you, posses.
Surely you are related to this guy below:
As a WHITE American living in America, my fear and hatred of BLACK Americans is so paramount, that I must embrace every opportunity to inject my venom of stupidity and ignorance, regarding the reality of RACISM in America. As a coward, I hide anonymously in my home, concealing my face behind my computer, that I may impart my innermost darkness and evil of RACISM upon society. Sometimes when hanging out with the boys...the KKK that is, I feel somewhat empowered as we hide underneath our HOODIES....oops, I mean HOODS. Even while wearing my costume, I still find it hard to escape the cowardly person that I am. What a miserable life I have, never really having understood who I am, or my worth. You see, my parents raise me to believe that I was superior then people of color. But DANG BLASTED @#%...the more I live, the more I realized that people of color are not only my equal, but in most cases, more educated, innovative, talented and skilled than I. Please understand that my ignorance of hate towards people of color was handed down from my parents. Hopefully I will not spend the rest of my life in gross darkness and ignorance. Maybe one day I will face my fears of black people, enabling me to embrace justice for all people, that I may live in peace, harmony and REALITY with all of humanity.
Wow, Amazing...You don't see the injustice and tragedy of this kids death, you only embrace the corrupted, racially motivated heart and mentally in which you and those who look like you, posses.
Surely you are related to this guy:
As a WHITE American living in America, my fear and hatred of BLACK Americans is so paramount, that I must embrace every opportunity to inject my venom of stupidity and ignorance, regarding the reality of RACISM in America. As a coward, I hide anonymously in my home, concealing my face behind my computer, that I may impart my innermost darkness and evil of RACISM upon society. Sometimes when hanging out with the boys...the KKK that is, I feel somewhat empowered as we hide underneath our HOODIES....oops, I mean HOODS. Even while wearing my costume, I still find it hard to escape the cowardly person that I am. What a miserable life I have, never really having understood who I am, or my worth. You see, my parents raise me to believe that I was superior then people of color. But DANG BLASTED @#%...the more I live, the more I realized that people of color are not only my equal, but in most cases, more educated, innovative, talented and skilled than I. Please understand that my ignorance of hate towards people of color was handed down from my parents. Hopefully I will not spend the rest of my life in gross darkness and ignorance. Maybe one day I will face my fears of black people, enabling me to embrace justice for all people, that I may live in peace, harmony and REALITY with all of humanity.
Everyone seems to forget that Zimm had a violent past...including assault on a law enforceny officer, my god I carried my weed sacks to high school too, n ive never killed a fly... All of u act like saints...which are from the devil..dont forget.
I'm guessing manslaughter will be the charge, as he will probably be alleged to have been negligent in escalating the situation by following Trayvon. Based on the evidence in the public domain, I think a homicide charge is a longshot as there is too much contrary evidence to get a homicide conviction.
That's about how I see it as well. Negligent manslaughter. Possibly reduced on plea to aggravated assault and battery.
Yep..but I wouldn't be surprised with a Homicide charge. I think there is going to be some strong evidence presented. George knows this. His lies are falling apart.
I don't give a damn about negative comments. All I know is that George Zimmerman would not have been charged if Trayvon Marton was a Hispanic kid. It's all about race and CNN and others who have played that card need to show their cards or STHU.
Wildone you are one ignorant person. He killed the kid and was not arrested what other information you need.
I now feel threatened by the NRA even when I'm out in public, doing no wrong.
The NRA? How so?
He wont even come close to being convicted. What a waste of taxpayer money. All the defense has to do is point to the lack of evidence which caused him not to be arrested in the first place. This just goes to show you, if you yell loud enough and cause enough problems for the community, someone weak enough will break. Lets hope the vultures of parents the little runt had will go away now. Their 15 minutes are up.
Johnny America would you be saying that if it was your son that was gunned down while walking home from the store
Are you crazy! I mean really are you crazy?? Bad police work doesn't trump the truth.
To Johnny America:
Wow, Amazing...You don't see the injustice and tragedy of this kids death, you only embrace the corrupted, racially motivated heart and mentally in which you and those who think like you, posses.
Surely you are related to this guy:
As a WHITE American living in America, my fear and hatred of BLACK Americans is so paramount, that I must embrace every opportunity to inject my venom of stupidity and ignorance, regarding the reality of RACISM in America. As a coward, I hide anonymously in my home, concealing my face behind my computer, that I may impart my innermost darkness and evil of RACISM upon society. Sometimes when hanging out with the boys...the KKK that is, I feel somewhat empowered as we hide underneath our HOODIES....oops, I mean HOODS. Even while wearing my costume, I still find it hard to escape the cowardly person that I am. What a miserable life I have, never really having understood who I am, or my worth. You see, my parents raise me to believe that I was superior then people of color. But DANG BLASTED @#%...the more I live, the more I realized that people of color are not only my equal, but in most cases, more educated, innovative, talented and skilled than I. Please understand that my ignorance of hate towards people of color was handed down from my parents. Hopefully I will not spend the rest of my life in gross darkness and ignorance. Maybe one day I will face my fears of black people, enabling me to embrace justice for all people, that I may live in peace, harmony and REALITY with all of humanity.
It's official. There is no need for jurys and judges. The plantiff and the media are basically turning this into a circus act. Innocent or guilty, there is no way this guy is going to get a fair trial.
It is a tradegy on many levels: for the Martin family, for the Zimmerman family, and for the US population. Remember, you are not privy to the details, you are not the jury or judge. Let the people we support with our tax dollars do their job and pray for the correct outcome!
There are some really dumb ignorant white folk in this world. The more I've been exposed to you the more it is apparant.
George Zimmerman is INNOCENT until PROVEN GUILTY !!!!! It's NOT the other way around !!!!!
Actually, he's admitted to it ..... there is absoloutly ZERO Doubt that he did it ..... he should have to prove his self defense in a Court of Law. If they had arrested him and given him his day in Court from the beginning, it wouldn't be the Circus it is.
Better find him guilty or the chicken heads will riot. LA riots v2. Media have already found him guilty. I'm not on either side, but damm. BTW, where's the outrage from the VIDEO of the guy being beaten and robbed by a mob of black guys?
There is no outrage. Want to know why? Because no one cares.
the outrage wasn't over the act of violence (there's plenty of that to go around) the outrage was over the cops not arresting someone who had just killed a boy in cold blood
Yes where are your white supporters...no one is stopping you from rallying for this man right is right regardless of color...so when will I see you marching for him since you have so much to say about it and no action behind it...don't speak unless you have something real to say!
Hey Fox news! How does it feel to know you were on the WRONG side of an issue once AGAIN.
WOW! Fox News does not even have there comment section active!!! HHMMM!
Great post Joe once again Sean Hannity has found himself talking to much again.