Trayvon Martin's Mother: 'Justice Will Be Served'
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 4:25PM
In a daytime exclusive interview, Anderson Cooper talks with Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, parents of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old who was allegedly shot to death in a gated Florida community on February 26 by a white, self-appointed neighborhood watch volunteer; 28-year-old George Zimmerman.
“It's a nightmare. It's hard to sleep,” says Sybrina. “Everything reminds me of him and the only thing that's fueling us to keep pressing on for justice is the fact that we know that justice will be served.”
Trayvon Martin's father, Tracy, says he believes watchman George Zimmerman, who local police have declined to arrest, was out for a confrontation before killing his son.
“Zimmerman had in his mind at that point that he wasn't going to let whoever that individual was get away,” says Tracy to Anderson. “That he just wanted confrontation. He was told by the dispatcher stand down, don't follow this individual, he pursued it anyway.”
“Do you believe if your son had been white that Zimmerman would have been arrested?” Anderson asks.
“I honestly believe had Trayvon been a white kid, Zimmerman would have been arrested,” says the grieving mother. “I just feel as though the Sanford police department is doing us an injustice.”
On the night of the shooting there were several 911 calls played by neighbors reporting a fight. In one of the calls, there is a voice in the background calling for help.
Sybrina says he believes that voice on the line is her son, telling Anderson, “I believe that's Trayvon Martin, that's my baby's voice. Every mother knows their child, and that's his voice. “
“He was afraid for his life,” says his father, “He saw his death coming. He saw his death coming. The screams got more frantic.”
“I can hear the 911 tapes in my head. I can hear him yelling,” says Sybrina. “It's just very difficult as a mother to know that I had to bury my child.”
The shooting happened in the backyard of witness Mary Cutcher, who called 911 that night, but says that she “wasn’t taken seriously.”
“Did you feel like they had already made up their mind one way or another?” asks Anderson. Mary says, “Yes.”
911 Calls Are Absolutely Trayvon Martin, His Mother Says (01:17)
The killing of Trayvon Martin has outraged many people in this country and there is still a lot that is unknown. To Anderson, Trayvon Martin's parents express appreciation to the public, and demand justice in the death of their son....
To see more of Anderson’s interview with the parents of Trayvon Martin, watch “Anderson” on Thursday, March 22.
Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton have created a petition to prosecute the killer of their 17-year-old son, Trayvon. To sign, go to Change.org.
“It's a nightmare. It's hard to sleep,” says Sybrina. “Everything reminds me of him and the only thing that's fueling us to keep pressing on for justice is the fact that we know that justice will be served.”
Trayvon Martin's father, Tracy, says he believes watchman George Zimmerman, who local police have declined to arrest, was out for a confrontation before killing his son.
“Zimmerman had in his mind at that point that he wasn't going to let whoever that individual was get away,” says Tracy to Anderson. “That he just wanted confrontation. He was told by the dispatcher stand down, don't follow this individual, he pursued it anyway.”
“Do you believe if your son had been white that Zimmerman would have been arrested?” Anderson asks.
“I honestly believe had Trayvon been a white kid, Zimmerman would have been arrested,” says the grieving mother. “I just feel as though the Sanford police department is doing us an injustice.”
On the night of the shooting there were several 911 calls played by neighbors reporting a fight. In one of the calls, there is a voice in the background calling for help.
Sybrina says he believes that voice on the line is her son, telling Anderson, “I believe that's Trayvon Martin, that's my baby's voice. Every mother knows their child, and that's his voice. “
“He was afraid for his life,” says his father, “He saw his death coming. He saw his death coming. The screams got more frantic.”
“I can hear the 911 tapes in my head. I can hear him yelling,” says Sybrina. “It's just very difficult as a mother to know that I had to bury my child.”
The shooting happened in the backyard of witness Mary Cutcher, who called 911 that night, but says that she “wasn’t taken seriously.”
“Did you feel like they had already made up their mind one way or another?” asks Anderson. Mary says, “Yes.”
911 Calls Are Absolutely Trayvon Martin, His Mother Says (01:17)
The killing of Trayvon Martin has outraged many people in this country and there is still a lot that is unknown. To Anderson, Trayvon Martin's parents express appreciation to the public, and demand justice in the death of their son....
To see more of Anderson’s interview with the parents of Trayvon Martin, watch “Anderson” on Thursday, March 22.
Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton have created a petition to prosecute the killer of their 17-year-old son, Trayvon. To sign, go to Change.org.
Community Questions
Why was Trayvon Martin killed? Why is the shooter still free? Is racial bias involved?
Join the conversation.
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Comments
I would like to see a physical comparison of Martin and Zimmerman.
I am shocked beyond belief that a grown man can kill a kid on the street and not be arrested. I am ashamed to be an American. This senseless murdering and hiding behind being afraid is cowardly bull****. American justic needs to stop the double standard. The world can see that justice only works for those of a certain race. The world wants to say that racism doesn't exit, it is plain as glass that, that is a lie. I feel like there is going to be an all out war if this injustice does not stop. A murderer who is plainly guilty should not have a jury of their peers, but the peers of the victim.
I am happy that that child is not mine because I would have taken up arms and that it is "A Time To Kill"', not "Kill Bill" but "Kill George".
God so love the world He gave! Wo to the man that taketh life.
Hearing of the incident of Trayvon brought about some very bad feelings for me. I am almost 100% sure this was racially motivated. I can remember a few years ago, I sent my teenage son wearing a "hoodie" and shorts; black in a predominantly white neighborhood to go buy a newspaper. a cop passed him at the newspaper stand, did not say anything to him at the stand, but as soon as he turned on a his street to come home, the cop turns around and followed him to his house, then began questioning him if he lived here and also told him he looked suspicious, why? maybe it was the "hoodie". After listening to the 911 call and the racial slurs "f****ing coon" that Zimmerman made, along with the comment of "they always get away", brings me to believe it was definitely racially motivated. Zimmerman was clearly told by the 911 dispatcher "we don't need you to follow him." Also, when he was told to meet the officers at a location he also said, "have them call me, and I'll tell them where I'm at." What was his intentions? To continue following Trayvon. Zimmerman was clearly the aggressor. Trayvon is not here to tell us his side of the story, but one thing is sure the Almighty God above sees and knows all, and even if man(the police) don't punish Zimmerman for his actions, the good Lord will."vengeance is mine saith the Lord, I will repay"
The media is biased in showing those old photos of Trayvonne and a smiling young Kid. What happened is-Trayvonne was beating Zimmermans but and he (Zimmerman) felt for his life and shot him. I suspect Trayvonne was no angel. It really isn't a race issue because I'm black and I know a lot Black dudes that would've shot him if he was getting the best of them in a fight.
@ Michael
You don't have your facts correct.
This article refers to Zimmerman as a White person, because that is what Officer Ayala refers to him in his police report. "I observed a WHITE male, wearing a red jacket and blue jeans." Have you even read the Police Report? Thought not.
And yes Michael, Zimmerman is self-appointed. According to the head of the National Neighborwood Watch, this gated community is not even registered.
Whatever pictures are being portrayed of Trayvon in the media, are irrelevant.
Although also irrelevant, Trayvon was suspended for 10 days, for being tardy to English class. That has been reported in the Miami newspapers, nothing has been concealed. Have you read any of the newspapers?
The only eyewitnesses who have come forward before the cameras, have contradicted Zimmerman's claim of Self Defense. I have read no reports, or heard any witnesses which support Zimmerman's claim. (Only the police have said they have evidence backing Zimmerman's story, and no one trusts the police. Remember, they are the ones who refused to release the 911 tapes, until they were sued to do so. They also were the ones who lied to the Martins about Zimmerman's background. They also were the ones who let Zimmerman go home in the clothes he had worn during the shooting, eliminating any chance of obtaining ballistic evidence, which would support or NOT support Zimmerman's claim of Self-Defense).
According to the 911 calls, Zimmerman identified himself to Police Dispatch as a Neighborhood Watchman, when he reported Trayvon as a "suspicious" person. Martin can be heard on the 911 tapes asking Zimmerman? "Why are you following me?" Zimmerman could have easily identified himself as a Neighborhood watch person, just as he did when he called 911, but he did not.
Instead, Zimmerman answers a question with a question. He responds by saying, "What are you doing around here?" Martin is under no obligation to answer Zimmerman, as he is doing nothing wrong, and has absolutely no idea who this strange gun toting person is, who is stalking him. (Yes, Zimmerman decides to put himself in harm's way, by following this "suspicious", "up to no good", "on drugs or something", "hands in his waistband" UNARMED Martin, after Police Dispatch advises him not to). Zimmerman was the one who was looking for trouble... not Trayvon.
I also find it very interesting, that Martin's father said the police told him, that Zimmerman's record was squeaky clean, and that Martin had been shot in the "chest." Zimmerman has a previous arrest record, prior to appointing himself as a Neighborhod Watch Captain, where he assaulted a police officer.
According to the police report, the 1st officers on the scene find Trayvon face down in the grass, with his hands underneath him. An eyewitness on the scene, has come before the cameras, and said that she saw Zimmerman straddled on top of Trayvon, while he was face down on the ground, with Zimmerman's hands on Trayvon's back.
I find it interesting that the police officers made sure to include the injuries of Zimmerman in their police report, but did not even report a single thing they saw regarding Martin's injuries.
According to Officer Ayala, he and Officer Rajmondo found Martin face down, with his hands underneath his body, and they had to turn him over, to start doing chest compressions, and mouth to mouth, in efforts to get him to start breathing.
If Martin was shot in the chest, as reported by Martin's father as told to him by police, wouldn't there have been something in the police report about it? I mean, they got a good look at his back, and then have had to get a good look at his chest when they turned him over to start CPR.
Today, I hear Jesse Jackson say that Trayvon was shot in the back of the head, but I cannot confirm how true it is, as I have not seen any actual reports.
So no Michael, there will be no "setting me straight." Again I say, a crime has been committed. And it is unsettling to know that an unjustice has perhaps been committed by the Police Department as well.
I am also curious to know if the Sanford Fire Department has a Treatment Report of Zimmerman's injuries. Zimmerman's lawyer is saying the gash on Zimmerman's head was so bad it needed stitches, and that he had a broken nose. According the Police Report, Zimmerman was given first aid by the SFD, and then was "cleared" by the SFD, and transported to the police station.
There are images of Trayvon from his facebook page, showing friends asking him who he got in a fight with, perhaps this is why he was suspended for 10 days. There are also images of someone saying "we need to talk business" and then asking about getting some "trees" from him.
He's being painted as a victim when its clearly not the truth. Also, why cant anyone use recent images of him? Why must you use 4+ year old pictures?
I was moved to tears by the image created from the Miami Heat in a moment of unity for support of the family of Trayvon Martin. I would love to see every single team member in the NBA display the same unity pictured in their hoodies in the same power stance across America to show their support as well. As I watch sports,I seem to see that 90% of our American Blacks are our major players in most team sports. Don't sacrifice playing a game; don't go on a strike for a day; just decide on a unity day when every member of the NBA and NFL as well, join together to show support for this family on a national level. This would really make an impact on America's public and show that we will not tolerate this vigilante type of behavior. Dress in their team colors and call the media to let them know to take their pictures, and show it on national networks. Believe me, it will stop the marching and demonstrators which might escalate into a really dangerous situation.
The facts;
The media is biased. Note the start of this article. Zimmerman is referred to as a white self appointed neighborhood watch captain. He is hispanic and is not self appointed. We are starting out badly.
Next, we were shown all kinds of pictures of Trayvon as a young child, so innocent, such a nice smile. A football player. Fact is, he has not played football in 4 years and the new pictures have him with a bunch of gold teeth and flipping the bird. Why did the main stream media not show these?
Trayvon was depicted as less than 6 foot tall and 140 pounds. Now we are hearing 6'2" and 160... pounds. Perhaps thos is still a lie. Could it be 6'2" and 190 pounds? Really, what is his weight? Is he only 6'2"?
We were told what a good kid Trayvon was. Then we heard that he was suspended from school for 5 days. Now we know it was 10 days. You have to do something serious to get 10 days. Once real reporters looked into this to see what he was suspended for, Trayvon's family attorney had that file sealed.
We were told that Zimmerman followed Martin and attacked him. Then we heard that Zimmerman was returning to his truck and Trayvon attacked Zimmerman. An eye witness backs this story up.
We heard the screams of Trayvon in the 911 call. Everyone is so sympathetic. Then we hear that those screams are Zimmerman. Really?
If an arrest could be made, it would have been made by now. All of you liberals, put on a thinking cap for once in your lives, do you think that if Zimmerman can be arrested, would he be by now? Why isn't he under arrest? Fact is, Trayvon Martin attacked Zimmerman, and the only reason that this determination has not been released is because of the pressure put on those doing the investigation. They want to try and avoid riots and also want to give us white guys enough time to buy ammunition and guns to prepare, just in case. I don't need time. I'm ready. Let's roll!
For concerned mom;
You have reading comprehension problems coupled with the fact that you buy into the media bias. Let me set you straight:
FL Statute Title XLVI Chapter 776 - JUSTIFIABLE USE OF FORCE
776.013 (3) Home protection; use of deadly force; presumption of fear of death or great bodily harm.
A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.
- MY OPINION: Martin was not engaging in any unlawful activity. He had a right to be in the place where he was, as he was visiting his father and his father's girlfriend. Zimmerman approached Martin, while in possession o*****un. When Martin asks, "Why are you following me?" Zimmerman doesn't identify himself as a Neighborhood Watch person, instead, he asks Martin, "What are you doing around here?" A scuffle may or may not have insued, but under this law, unarmed Martin had a right to stand his ground, and meet force with force, because he felt threatened by a gun toting Zimmerman. However, Zimmerman did not have the right to stand his ground, as he was the aggressor entering Martin's space. Perhaps Martin thought Zimmerman was a Predator. Most children are taught to run from strangers, and fight to escape.
Michael: This law specically addresses the one doing the shooting. It's not relevant whether Martin had a right to be there. Only Zimmerman, and he did have a right to be there. It's also not relevant whether Martin could stand your ground. Martin was not attacked. He attacked Zimmerman. Therefore the relevancy here is whether Zimmerman had a right to stand his ground, and he did.
776.012 Use of force in defense of person.
A person is justified in using force, except deadly force, against another when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another against the other’s imminent use of unlawful force. However, a person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if:
(1) He or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony; or
(2) Under those circumstances permitted pursuant to s. 776.013.
- MY OPINION: Key word in that 1st paragraph being "unlawful force." Zimmerman could have, and should have retreated to his vehicle, which would have prevented imminent death or great bodily harm to him [Zimmerman]. He'd already done his job as a Watchman by observing and reporting. It should have ended there. Instead, Zimmerman stepped outside of his role as a Watchman, and into his role as a Predator/Provoker, by disregarding Police Dispatch instructions, pursuing a retreating person, confronting, questioning, and possibly trying to apprehend a law-abiding unarmed Martin.
Michael; There is no evidence that Martin was trying to apprehend Martin. The law specifically states that Zimmerman did not have to retreat. In fact, it looks like he was on his back getting beat and could not retreat.
776.032 Immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action for justifiable use of force.
(1) A person who uses force as permitted in s. 776.012, s. 776.013, or s. 776.031 is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force, unless the person against whom force was used is a law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 943.10(14), who was acting in the performance of his or her official duties and the officer identified himself or herself in accordance with any applicable law or the person using force knew or reasonably should have known that the person was a law enforcement officer. As used in this subsection, the term “criminal prosecution” includes arresting, detaining in custody, and charging or prosecuting the defendant.
(2) A law enforcement agency may use standard procedures for investigating the use of force as described in subsection (1), but the agency may not arrest the person for using force unless it determines that there is probable cause that the force that was used was unlawful.
(3) The court shall award reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs, compensation for loss of income, and all expenses incurred by the defendant in defense of any civil action brought by a plaintiff if the court finds that the defendant is immune from prosecution as provided in subsection (1).
- MY OPINION: (1) Clearly Zimmerman is not a police officer, so he does not qualify for immunity. (2) Key word is "probable cause." According to the obvious evidence... Trayvon's Deceased Body, Zimmerman's Fired Gun, and Trayvon's Cell Phone... Plus the 911 calls... Zimmerman defying Police Dispatch Instructions to not pursue Martin, and who ultimately attempts to take the law into his own hands... Plus the Police Report... Which states the description of the offense as HOMICIDE-NEGLIGENCE- MANSLAUGHTER-UNNECESSARY KILLING TO PREVENT UNLAWFUL ACT... Plus the 6 witnesses statements... One of which claims shooting was not in self defense. There is surely enough probable cause to make an arrest.
Michael; if there was enough probable cause to arrest, they would have arrested already. There is not only no cause to arrest, most of the evidence points to Martin as the aggressor. Also, the law specifically says that if you stand your ground legally then you are immune from prosecution and civil lawsuits. It clearly will depend on whether Zimmerman's actions were justifiable. So far it appears that they were.
776.041 Use of force by aggressor.
The justification described in the preceding sections of this chapter is not available to a person who:
(1) Is attempting to commit, committing, or escaping after the commission of, a forcible felony; or
(2) Initially provokes the use of force against himself or herself, unless:
(a) Such force is so great that the person reasonably believes that he or she is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm and that he or she has exhausted every reasonable means to escape such danger other than the use of force which is likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the assailant; or
(b) In good faith, the person withdraws from physical contact with the assailant and indicates clearly to the assailant that he or she desires to withdraw and terminate the use of force, but the assailant continues or resumes the use of force.
- MY OPINION: There is no indication that Zimmerman actually saw or obseverved Martin commiting a forcible felony. Zimmerman said Martin was up to no good, and looked suspicious, but never said he saw Martin breaking any laws. Zimmerman initially provoked the use of force against himself by Martin, because he pursued a law abiding, retreating Martin. Zimmerman did not exhaust ANY reasonable means to escape Martin. He deliberately provoked Martin, and when Martin possibly stood his ground, Zimmerman shot him. Martin was running away, according to Zimmerman's 911 call, demonstrating a desire to withdraw and terminate the thought of any use of force, but Zimmerman initiated the unlawful use of deadly force for no reasons indicated under any of these laws.
Michael; Martin was not committing a forcible felony. But, it also says that a person may use deadly force if that person reasonably believes that he or she is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm. This is the case here. Martin was on top of and beating Zimmerman. He was allowed by law to pull his gun and shoot. By the way, beating someone is also a forcible felony.
A crime has been committed. I support the Martin Family in their demand for an arrest of George Zimmerman.
Michael; A crime was committed. Martin committed an aggravated assault upon Zimmerman and paid the ultimate price for his actions. If Martin were alive he would be facing 10 years in prison for what he did if they tried him as an adult.
To his mother's wishes that justice be served.
It has already. Your son attacked someone viciously and he got what he deserved.
Zimmerman wanted to know what this "suspicious person" was doing in his neighborhood, which has had 8 break-ins in the past 15 months. He called the police and proceeded to keep an eye on Trayvon. When Trayvon noticed he was being followed (confirmed by the phone call with his girlfriend) he confronted Zimmerman. Trayvon then struck Zimmerman, knocking him to the ground. Trayvon was seen by an eyewitness on top of Zimmerman, beating him. Zimmerman had a bloodied nose and wounds on the back of his head, along with grass stains on the back of his shirt. His wounds, his shirt, and an eyewitness all corroborate this story. Before shooting Trayvon, Zimmerman looked at the eyewitness and called for help; this is the voice you hear on the 911 recordings. Zimmerman then drew his weapon and fired one shot and killed Trayvon.
Zimmerman's actions were in no way illegal, he has the backing of Florida's "stand your ground" law. There is no evidence that Zimmerman initiated the conflict, only that he was suspicious of Trayvon and confronted him asking what he was doing there.
Zimmerman has not been arrested because he didn't do anything that broke Florida law. Some may think it was stupid of him to confront Trayvon, but he was only being a watchful neighbor trying to protect his neighborhood.
Once again, I reiterate, the voice calling for help on the 911 tapes is Zimmerman, as corroborated by an eyewitness, Zimmerman's wounds, and the grass stains on his back.
This was wrong and to show really how we feel we should have a 'hoodie day'
Pick the day of the week Trayvon was shot and that day everyone in this country, everyone from the President to the all government officials, to all of Wall Street, to the large cities and small towns; from all ethnic groups; all colors of skin and all ages wear a hoodie as a call for people to come to reason about how we treat one another.
The are over 300 million people in this country.....we should all be ashamed of what an injustice this was.
I have posted a few of the laws pertaining to this case, and added my opinion underneath each one. Please share thoughts on your interpretation of these laws.
FL Statute Title XLVI Chapter 776 - JUSTIFIABLE USE OF FORCE
776.013 (3) Home protection; use of deadly force; presumption of fear of death or great bodily harm.
A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.
- MY OPINION: Martin was not engaging in any unlawful activity. He had a right to be in the place where he was, as he was visiting his father and his father's girlfriend. Zimmerman approached Martin, while in possession o*****un. When Martin asks, "Why are you following me?" Zimmerman doesn't identify himself as a Neighborhood Watch person, instead, he asks Martin, "What are you doing around here?" A scuffle may or may not have insued, but under this law, unarmed Martin had a right to stand his ground, and meet force with force, because he felt threatened by a gun toting Zimmerman. However, Zimmerman did not have the right to stand his ground, as he was the aggressor entering Martin's space. Perhaps Martin thought Zimmerman was a Predator. Most children are taught to run from strangers, and fight to escape.
776.012 Use of force in defense of person.
A person is justified in using force, except deadly force, against another when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another against the other’s imminent use of unlawful force. However, a person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if:
(1) He or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony; or
(2) Under those circumstances permitted pursuant to s. 776.013.
- MY OPINION: Key word in that 1st paragraph being "unlawful force." Zimmerman could have, and should have retreated to his vehicle, which would have prevented imminent death or great bodily harm to him [Zimmerman]. He'd already done his job as a Watchman by observing and reporting. It should have ended there. Instead, Zimmerman stepped outside of his role as a Watchman, and into his role as a Predator/Provoker, by disregarding Police Dispatch instructions, pursuing a retreating person, confronting, questioning, and possibly trying to apprehend a law-abiding unarmed Martin.
776.032 Immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action for justifiable use of force.
(1) A person who uses force as permitted in s. 776.012, s. 776.013, or s. 776.031 is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force, unless the person against whom force was used is a law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 943.10(14), who was acting in the performance of his or her official duties and the officer identified himself or herself in accordance with any applicable law or the person using force knew or reasonably should have known that the person was a law enforcement officer. As used in this subsection, the term “criminal prosecution” includes arresting, detaining in custody, and charging or prosecuting the defendant.
(2) A law enforcement agency may use standard procedures for investigating the use of force as described in subsection (1), but the agency may not arrest the person for using force unless it determines that there is probable cause that the force that was used was unlawful.
(3) The court shall award reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs, compensation for loss of income, and all expenses incurred by the defendant in defense of any civil action brought by a plaintiff if the court finds that the defendant is immune from prosecution as provided in subsection (1).
- MY OPINION: (1) Clearly Zimmerman is not a police officer, so he does not qualify for immunity. (2) Key word is "probable cause." According to the obvious evidence... Trayvon's Deceased Body, Zimmerman's Fired Gun, and Trayvon's Cell Phone... Plus the 911 calls... Zimmerman defying Police Dispatch Instructions to not pursue Martin, and who ultimately attempts to take the law into his own hands... Plus the Police Report... Which states the description of the offense as HOMICIDE-NEGLIGENCE- MANSLAUGHTER-UNNECESSARY KILLING TO PREVENT UNLAWFUL ACT... Plus the 6 witnesses statements... One of which claims shooting was not in self defense. There is surely enough probable cause to make an arrest.
776.041 Use of force by aggressor.
The justification described in the preceding sections of this chapter is not available to a person who:
(1) Is attempting to commit, committing, or escaping after the commission of, a forcible felony; or
(2) Initially provokes the use of force against himself or herself, unless:
(a) Such force is so great that the person reasonably believes that he or she is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm and that he or she has exhausted every reasonable means to escape such danger other than the use of force which is likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the assailant; or
(b) In good faith, the person withdraws from physical contact with the assailant and indicates clearly to the assailant that he or she desires to withdraw and terminate the use of force, but the assailant continues or resumes the use of force.
- MY OPINION: There is no indication that Zimmerman actually saw or obseverved Martin commiting a forcible felony. Zimmerman said Martin was up to no good, and looked suspicious, but never said he saw Martin breaking any laws. Zimmerman initially provoked the use of force against himself by Martin, because he pursued a law abiding, retreating Martin. Zimmerman did not exhaust ANY reasonable means to escape Martin. He deliberately provoked Martin, and when Martin possibly stood his ground, Zimmerman shot him. Martin was running away, according to Zimmerman's 911 call, demonstrating a desire to withdraw and terminate the thought of any use of force, but Zimmerman initiated the unlawful use of deadly force for no reasons indicated under any of these laws.
A crime has been committed. I support the Martin Family in their demand for an arrest of George Zimmerman.
To Trayvon Martin's parents : You have done such a wonderful job in doing what's right for your son , you have maintained your dignity & you have a son who is now loved by so many , prayers by so many for him. SO many now Love you & embrace you as well . So many Pray for you & will continue to do so . When you're feeling weak & don't know how you are still standing , know that many prayers are lifting you , many angels surround you , and know how proud Trayvon is of you both. many Blessings