He is now a free man after a six-woman jury found him not guilty, putting an end to one of the most racially charged trials in recent U.S. history. There remain, however, those who think justice was not served and want the federal government to intervene.
“They will make a choice about whether they will pursue criminal civil rights charges. … There is reason to be concerned that race was a factor in why [Mr. Zimmerman] targeted young Trayvon,” said NAACP President Benjamin Jealous during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” program Sunday. “It’s important, just as we all put our faith in this justice system in Florida and in the jury, that we let the justice system run its course. There will be a federal civil rights phase. We are putting our faith in that system.”
The NAACP also has begun to circulate a petition calling on the federal government to act.
A federal review of the case already is underway, the Justice Department reiterated Sunday. Officials first announced an investigation into Trayvon’s death last year.
“Experienced federal prosecutors will determine whether the evidence reveals a prosecutable violation of any of the limited federal criminal civil rights statutes without our jurisdiction, and whether federal prosecution is appropriate,” the agency said.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, an MSNBC talk-show host and a former Democratic presidential primary hopeful, said Sunday that he, along with the Martin family, recently met with a U.S. attorney to discuss the case and push for action.
The prosecutors made a huge mistake in keeping race out of the trial, when there was every indication that race was the only reason that young Trayvon lost his life that night.
I think that there is very little doubt that Zimmerman would have reacted completely differently if Trayvon had been a seventeen year old boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. So as far as I am concerned the Reverend Al and the NAACP are on the righteous path of seeking justice for the Martin family.
And I hope that the DOJ sees it that way as well.
I agree with you, Gryphen. Some people on the Huff Post blogs are telling me I do not have my facts straight. I said Zimmerman is a "wanna be cop" who should never have been allowed to be on the neighborhood watch with his background. He should have stayed in his vehicle, and nothing would have happened. It is a sad state of affairs when a kid cannot make a quick trip to the store, and end up dead. Trayvon did not start this mess, he was an innocent victim. Florida must be a hell of a place to live, especially if you are black.
ReplyDeleteThe Martin family should sue the Homeowners' Association for negligence for allowing an armed person to do watch patrol. The people that run our HOA shouldn't be responsible for packing a pea shooter let a lone a gun.
DeleteRJ in Brownbackistan
RJ -
DeleteDone.
"Trayvon Martin’s parents have settled a wrongful death claim with the homeowners association of the Retreat at Twin Lakes, the Florida housing complex where their son was shot and killed by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman.
The undisclosed sum is believed to be more than $1 million, the Orlando Sentinel reported."
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/trayvon-martin-death-civil-case-housing-complex-settled-1-million-article-1.1308943
Agreed. And I know the GOP is aching to use this against the President (heck, I already saw them blaming him for the entire trial...the thinking being that had he not mentioned the killing, Zimmerman would have NEVER been arrested at all) but we have to be able to trust the justice system to fairly treat all of us.
ReplyDelete"... the same prosecutor who lost the Zimmerman case recently won a conviction against Marissa Alexander, a black woman who fired a warning shot to chase off her abusive ex-husband, hurting no one. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Twenty years for a warning shot against a known abuser versus no time at all for killing an unarmed teenager leaves you scratching your head and wondering if justice is not just blind but also insane."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.slate.com/articles/life/florida/features/2013/oh_florida/zimmerman_reaction_in_florida_history_of_shameful_jury_decisions.html
Yeah, I didn't think they worked very hard for Trayvon. Political.
Deleteshe had the option to accept a plea deal for 3 years in jail and chose not to
DeleteThe facts of this horrific travesty speak for themselves.
ReplyDelete1) Zimmerman was told by police specifically to NOT GET OUT OF HIS CAR and pursue Trayvon
2) Zimmerman purposely and maliciously followed Trayvon with a loaded weapon on his person, and provoked a confrontation for no other reason than he "suspected" him of doing something.
3) Zimmerman can be heard on a recording of one of the 911 calls made on the night of the shooting saying "f***ing coons" under his breath, and "punks always get away".
http://www.policymic.com/articles/5756/trayvon-martin-911-call-george-zimmerman-racial-slur
4)It is 100% certain that at least at one point Trayvon knew he was being pursued, and kept walking away, and put on his hoodie, although he should have been running for his life. His friend on the phone told him to run
but he said he wasn't going to run, but just walk fast.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/20/trayvon-martin-final-moments_n_1366697.html
Although no one can prove exactly the sequence of what happened, it is %99.999 certain that Zimmerman profiled Trayvon as a black criminal solely because of race.
It is %100 certain that Trayvon was shot dead, and Zimmerman is the only witness to what really happened.
I think even if Trayvon had turned around and attacked Zimmerman, and had started the fight, that Geroge Zimmerman should do time.
20 years for a warning shot, but ZERO time and no probation for probable manslaughter?
If Zimmerman had been put away for his 20+ years of sexually molesting his younger female cousin he would not have been out there that night with a loaded gun.
ReplyDeletebut doncha' know - rape is not a crime in this country. Women are supposed to submit for their safety and their bodies have a warning system so they CAN'T get pregnant from RAPE.
ReplyDeleteI put this on the other post about the demonstrations, but here it is again. You can sign the petition at colorofchange.org.
ReplyDeleteI believe someone is going to remember to sue for Wrongful Death. It worked with O.J. and he denied killing his wife. Zimmerman doesn't deny he killed Trayvon.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they are waiting to find out if the Feds Do file a criminal charge.
Personally, I feel that having Al Sharpton involved might be detrimental to the cause.
ReplyDeleteBecause of the Tawana Brawley fiasco Reverend Sharpton lost a lot of credibility with me as well as others who have voiced a like opinion.