E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSTrayvon Martin's final phone call -- made to his girlfriend -- is shedding new light on the moments leading up to his deadly confrontation with a neighborhood watch volunteer. NBC's Lilia Luciano reports.
Updated at 8:01 a.m. ET: A 17-year-old boy whose death has sparked national outrage fearfully told his girlfriend over the phone moments before he was shot to death that he was being followed, contradicting the shooter's self-defense claim, the family’s lawyer said Tuesday afternoon.
Benjamin Crump, the lawyer for Trayvon Martin's, held a news conference on Tuesday to discuss the teen's phone records in the hours before he was shot in the gated Twin Lakes, Fla. community on Feb. 26. Crump said Martin, a black teenager, had gotten caught in the rain and had put on his hoodie, unaware he was being followed by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, NBCMiami.com reported.
"He's just a kid trying to get home from the store and get out of the rain, that's it, nothing else," Crump said.
Martin was unarmed and had gone to a nearby store to pick up a bag of Skittles and an iced tea when the confrontation occurred. Earlier on Tuesday, ABC News reported that Martin's girlfriend said she they were on the phone together at the time.
Trayvon Martin lawyer speaks: Read more on NBC Miami
"He said this man was watching him, so he put his hoodie on. He said he lost the man," the girlfriend, who was not identified, told ABC. "I asked Trayvon to run, and he said he was going to walk fast. I told him to run, but he said he was not going to run."
Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, the parents of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed Florida teen shot dead by a neighborhood watch volunteer, tell TODAY's Matt Lauer they want justice for their son and want the shooter, George Zimmerman, arrested.
Call logs from Martin's phone confirm he spoke with the 16-year-old girlfriend interviewed by ABC News minutes before his death, the news station reported.
More than 435,000 people, many alerted by tweets from celebrities such as movie director Spike Lee and musician Wyclef Jean, signed a petition on Change.org, a social action website, calling for the arrest of Martin's shooter, George Zimmerman, who has claimed he acted in self-defense. On Monday, the Justice Department and FBI announced they opened an investigation into the shooting.
Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law could complicate Martin case
Although Martin initially told his girlfriend he wasn't going to run, he eventually did, she said, but the stranger managed to corner him.
"Trayvon said, 'What, are you following me for,' and the man said, 'What are you doing here.' Next thing I hear is somebody pushing, and somebody pushed Trayvon because the headset just fell. I called him again and he didn't answer the phone."
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
After that, the line went dead, she said. According to ABC News, other than screams on 911 calls as Martin and Zimmerman scuffled, those were the last words Martin said.
Mom: Trayvon Martin was killed because of 'the color of his skin'
"What George Zimmerman said to the police about him being suspicious and up to no good is completely contradicting to what he was doing," Crump said Tuesday. "This claim that Trayvon Martin was the aggressor is preposterous."
Martin's girlfriend is traumatized, Crump told reporters.
Grand jury called in Trayvon Martin case
"She couldn't even go to his wake. She was so sick, she spent the night in the hospital," he said.
Zimmerman called police 46 times
Zimmerman called 911 dozens of times in the months that led to the fatal shooting, The Orlando Sentinel reported Monday evening. The Seminole County Sheriff's Office released six calls he had made, four of which called police to report "suspicious" persons -- all of whom were black -- in or near the Retreat at Twin Lakes enclave, the paper said.
The other calls were about a neighbor's open garage door and children playing in the street at dusk, reported The Sentinel. None of the newly released calls are related to Martin's shooting.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
Leave a Comment:
how much you want to bet it was Zimmerman who hung up the phone - right before he shot this poor kid. I hope the FBI dusts that phone for prints.
I am more heartbroken than angry about this story. The concept of neighborhood watch is great, it promotes safety and a community coming together. However it is very apparent that this person had a fixation with the law (calling 911 several times in a year). It is also beginning to look like he might have gendar bias in the activities that he feels he saw. He should not have been on a neighborhood watch program, and probably should not have been able to own a gun.
If he has truly lied about who screamed.... and with voice analysis of various phone calls (there seem to be several calls in play at this point) they will be able to tell....and if the phone call from the boy himself is to be believed then this man was the aggressor. All of these things point to somebody who was out for vigilanty justice - not keeping a neighborhood safe.
Local law won't investigate for fear of a black eye, this is why the FBI will take over on this. Hopefully the truth comes to light, and hopefully it will start a dialog that changes this ludacris self defense law.
I feel horrible for the child's family, and for the family of the man who did the shooting - this was a totally needless act that has put a hole in the lives of too many people.
Zimmerman projected - saw a threat where no threat was present because he wanted to see it. He then pursued and confronted an unarmed teen. The difficult part of this case is that the events leading up to the altercation become only partially relvant in court if Martin became threatening or agressive toward Zimmerman. This reaction to being followed by a stranger could be understood, given the testimony of his friend. Perhaps he confronted Zimmerman, the situation escalated and became an altercation. Where Zimmerman will have a problem in front of a jury, is explaining how an altercation escalated to the shooting death of an unarmed man, whom he had pursued and cornered. It could be said that "Reasonable persons" would have followed at a distance, observed and obeyed the directives of the 911 operator who told him to stand down. Given Zimmerman's history and almost obsessive engagement with "watch" and frequent calls to 911, his lawyer could pursue insanity here. Obviously this guy has screw loose.
the only problem with the confrontation theory you state is the phone call that has the boy being pushed at the end of it......
Otherwise I agree
At this point there are no eye witnesses who claim to have seen what went down. Yes, the ending has the boy being pushed, but in court this could be used by either side. Did Zimmerman push him off after being attacked? Reasonable doubt, when eye-witness accounts are not in play, becomes a matter of "what if's" and "just maybe's" for the defense to create even the smallest hole in the prosecution's theory. We lack enough evidence and info here to do anything else but speculate and as clear cut as it might seem, or how imbalanced Zimmerman might appear, prosecution must prove the case. This means the defense will dredge up absolutely everything to create a murky cloud surrounding this incident. This will include digging up this kids past. Even if he has one minor legal infraction on his record, they'll drag the kid through the mud. Pre-med Murder 1 seems unlikely. 3rd or Manslaughter seems inevitible unless an eye witness comes forward or Zimmerman confesses. Messy case.
Retardican,
The police have dug in this childs life and found nothing but they never looked it Zimmerman
Retardican.... I am wondering how Z-man struggle with the kid in self defence. while holding his phone. The calls for help being heard on the 911 call, are coming from who?
After his conviction, he should be dragged into the street and executed. Then, who ever has the responsibility of charging people, the DA or Police...whoever is the idiot who for one second thought zimmerman should not be charged...this person, or people should be publicly lashed and then fired. Then, the people who hired those people should be fired.
Check out the latest death count in Detroit and Chicago last night. Is the justice department investigating those.
If we can only make it to November.
the fact that you make this a political issue is sad.
The justice department considers looking at cases when they are requested to - as happened by the city's mayor and congressional rep. Additionally I will ask how many of those deaths you mentioned look like they may have a hate crime attached to them, and how many of those ARE NOT being looked at by the justice department.
99% of the people who work at the justice department are not political appointments, they are hard working people like you and me. Put your personal political issues aside and honestly look at this situation for what it is.
What happens in November that will stop murders, and how?
Santorum will get elected and everything will be magically fixed because God will make it so for him.
Politicians are a reflection of the population.
I have to wonder if the police looked to see if Trayvon had called anybody in the moments before he died and spoke with this 16 year old. If not, then they are more inept than people thought. I also think it speaks volumes that they didn't announce a Grand Jury to look into this until after the Justice Department and FBI announced they were going to investigate. I think Florida is scared that their entire justice system is going to be exposed as more flawed than we already knew it was. They now know that they are risking Federal oversight in at least that county, if not the entire state.
More nonsense and pure BS. The FBI and Justice Department should be MORE concerned with the JUSTICE DEPARTMENT program called "Fast and Furious" where they Deliberately had gun stores sell weapons to known gang members and THEN ALLOWED Them TO WALK across the Border into Mexico.
Englishlass, this article was not about the FBI or Justice department except in that they have announced they are looking into the killing of an American citizen by another American citizen which does not appear to have been investigated by local law enforcement. This article has nothing to do with "Fast and Furious" (which IS being investigated, btw). You are WAY off topic for this article.
The anti-gun lobby just can't wait to run out and make up all types about the carrying of fire arms and self protection. The statistics JUST DON'T Support their Nonsense. The TRUTH is that since various states have passed Concealed carry laws and even open carry laws, the number of deaths by firearms has dropped radically in every state. The OTHER truth is that the highest rate of murder with a gun is in the cities with the MOST stringent anti-gun laws. Yes, I'm talking about New York, Chicago, Detroit and Washington ,DC.
Putting his "hoodie" on or up sure made this kid look innicent (ever watch any of the video shows on crime.
When confronted why not say "My Name is _______— and I live at xxxxx on YYYYY street?
DO I condone the shooting of tis poor teenager? NO, but I think the hysteria, lies and pure Bovine feces being put out is ridiculous and SHAME on the FBI and "Justice Department" for jumping into the fray.
I think Holder and the Justice Dept are just trying to cover up and distract from the fact that they had gun stores sell weapons to KNOWN Felons and THEN ALLOWED them to "walk" across the border into Mexico where they are responsible for numerous murders of Mexican citizens, PLUS the killing of a Border Patrol Officer. I saw no big stink about THAT in the news.
Go clean up the gangbangers and the illegal gangs that ILLEGALLY own guns before you screech about armed citizens who are overwhelmingly Honest and Do NOT go around killing people. Only an idiot would claim that a Concealed carry permit is a "license" to kill somebody and the only people I've heard that from IS the anti-gun NUT CASES.
I said before, and I will say it again - the ONLY reason the justice department is looking into this is because they were requested to by the Mayor and congressional rep. That is standard, it doesn't always mean they will open a case, although that looks likely here. You don't even have to be an elected official to ask justice to look into a crime. If you have some evidence of a crime, and any way to show that local law enforcement might have missed things or not done their job you can contact the justice department and request that they investigate.
This situation is tragic. The one thing it is NOT is political
Englishlass, the topic of "Fast and Furious" has been covered by the news quite extensively. If you have missed the coverage that is not the fault of the news media. Please stay on topic for this article.
The "Neighborhood Watch" person killed an unarmed teenager. He lied about the event to police and claimed self-defense after he stalked the kid (despite being told not to by the police) and gunned him down. This is NOT a case of an armed citizen protecting himself from a criminal. The "Stand Your Ground" law in Florida is what people are referring to as a "license to kill" and not the concealed carry law. I am considering getting a concealed carry permit myself and we have guns and rifles in the house. I am appalled and sickened by what happened to this teenager. The man who killed him needs to be arrested and prosecuted for at least manslaughter, but it sounds more like at least second degree murder if not first degree. The "armed citizen" in this case was WRONG and all of the "screeching" is justified. Your comments are off-base on this article.
How sad, English. You take a story of an unarmed boy being shot what what appears to be a guy who had no business having a gun on a citizens' watch (I don't want anyone around my house with a gun personally unless s/he is a trained police person) and who obviously has some issues, and you turn it into all kinds of nonsense. I could make comments about how I feel about so many people having guns, but I won't. This is about this boy, neighborhood watches with guns, and the fact that many asked for it to be investigated. THAT is the subject. Save your screeching comments for another article..oh, and by the way, if citizens want to complain on either side of the gun control issue they are entitled to do that.
englishlass. I like it when people like yourself, live their lives so fearful. If the nation was ever to be invaded by outside forces, I do hope the gangbanger are willing to fight.
I do not know if we would be able to count on you. Soldiers have guns, as do the enemy, yet soldiers die. You know those soldiers die so this young man can wear his hoodie. His hoodie did not kill him.
The kid was under no obligation to tell the scumbag where he lived. The neighborhood Rambo was not a police officer conducting an investigation. Idiots like him give every gun owner a black eye.
This just makes my heart hurt. :(
If there was not a cover up by the police this vigilante would be in court this seems to be a open and shut case of over reacting he did not think there was a black boy who is not a thief or about to commit a crime what bothers me is what motivates the police to display such ignorance for the rule of law
They ( the police) department should be investigated, the only person that did their job was the dispatcher, and we should thank that person for trying to disuade Zimmerman from doing just what he eventually did, took this young mans life, I would like to hear what that dispatcher is now thinking. How sad, I will not be letting this matter die , until justice has been served.
Our Florida "MAKE MY DAY" law has screwed up the logical assumption. Can you stalk someone and then justify killing because you were afraid they were going to hit you? The law says you can stand your ground and kill if you are afraid. It does not say that you lose the right to stand your ground if you caused the problem. This is a bad law. Like this comment if you want the law changed. Reply if you support the current law.
To all the people trying to use this for their anti gun propoganda focus on the issue. Someone who was intent on harming this young man. Whether he used a gun or any other weapon this young man was not safe because the "neighborhood watch" had an over zealous fool on patrol. No matter what the young man did he would have been harmed and that has zero to do with guns. Be outraged at the man no the weapon he chose. Prayers and sympathies to the family of the young man. Such an unnecessary tragedy.
I am not a pro-gun guy by nature, but I fully agree with you in this case. That being said - I do think that the stand your ground law needs serious modification.
My problem is not with the weapon, it's with the law. See my comment above on the Florida "MAKE-MY-DAY" law.
It doesn't give you the right to chase someone down and murder them. The guy needs to be arrested and charged and put away.
I am failing to see the connection between the color of this kids skin and why he was killed. I would sign a petition in a heartbeat, support people in wanting an investigation into this, and possibly an arrest. But you lost me as soon as you turned this into a race battle.
People want equality and racism to be abolished... but then they (the same people) throw race back into your face whenever something happens. I'm sick of it. People should be signing petitions and being outraged over the fact that these people are making this a racial issue.
The kids was killed... clearly obvious. This guy really didn't have any reason to be doing what he was doing (it's not what neighborhood watch is)... clearly obvious. What's not is that he was "white" (hispanic) and the kid was black and that's why he was killed. GTFO.
Unfortunately, your post makes you look like a racist.
J, Maybe you think this guy would have killed a white boy. I don't think so. ALL of his 911 calls about suspicious people in the neighborhood were about BLACK people. Do you think no white people every walked by? Do you REALLY think he would have killed a white boy?
You know, if I see a guy walking in my neighborhood I don't automatically assume he is "suspicious". Now if he started skulking in bushes and peering in windows where I knew he didn't live I would call him "suspicious", but walking down my street is legal no matter what color you are. It is there as well, and this guy has a history of calls about non-emergencies. I have no idea why their watch people have guns anyway, and then he disobeyed the instruction to leave the guy alone and stay back. He screwed up and I hope he never touches a gun again.
Maybe if you were not and I assume ( white) you might know what its like, I am black, and I do not play the race card, if you cant see anything that might be racist about his act, its best you dont sign the petition, because it has nothing to do with you. We all see what we want to see, plain and simple. You're not obligated to be apart of the real solutions that is creating greater divides in USA, just sit back and finish watching Fox News, something I'm sure you have no problem seeing.
I don't think "they" made it a race issue. I think the shooter (Zimmerman) himself made it a race issue because he obviously had a problem with black people. If the boy had been white and if Zimmerman (Hispanic) had a problem with white people it would also be a race issue and it would just as appalling. No one deserves to be killed for walking down their own street!
J Shield.. you would be surprise at what really happens to people. This nation would not exist if it had not been based on which race was targeted at different periods. It is why melting pot was expessed.
It is so sad that you cannot go and get snacks without being stereotyped as a thief or up to no good !! This Zimmerman Idiot obviously had no life where he was dialing 911 for an open Garage door ? Children playing after dusk ? I feel he should have went in for questioning as well as given a sobriety test to boot !! Prayers to his Family.
I have heard on other threads and places about due process..bs.. its been weeks since this happened and all the police can seem to do is defend Zimmerman.
And yes I have personally been arrested put in jail and questioned later....no need to wait for a grand jury or the prosecutors office or whateverer. They lock people up for questioning everyday.
Cops are always overstepping their bounds to be judge and jury and now they want to slow play it. I'm pissed.
I have an 18 yeard old son, great kid, and live in what would be considered a nice neighborhood. If this happens here, they will be arresting someone, or at least picking up another body, I promise.
How tragic for this young life to be lost. RIP Trayvon Martin. I feel for the loss of life and my most sincere thoughts are with the family. I hope for justice in this case, and for Zimmerman to pay for his senseless act. It's called common sense. Why was he following Trayvon? You think a concerning 911 call was going to cover your racist motive?
At the least this Zimmerman should be held acountable for the misuse and abuse of the 911 emergency call system
Quite simply Mr Zimmerman is a racist and a bully, If Trayvon had been 6"4 and weighed 260lbs and there was no gun involved Mr Zimmerman would have stayed in his car until the police arrived.
SO a young man witnessed a middle aged man staring at him from a car, fled, and PERHAPS fought back when he was cornered. There's absolutely nothing in this scenario that would prevent the DA's office from prosecuting this locally without federal intervention. When this guy left his SUV to pursue someone who posed no threat to him, the stand your ground law ceased to be a defense.
My point is, I think it's beyond discussion that Zimmerman needs to be prosecuted for murder. A huge chunk of focus should be placed on WHY it's taken public outrage to get the ball rolling. I don't think it would have taken the DA's office a day to compile enough evidence to warrant a murder trial. I would hope that if I were killed while climbing through a neighbor's window (and this kid wasn't), that law enforcement and the DA's office would take the time to find out what was going on before dismissing my life.
No, our stupid "MAKE-MY-DAY" law is not at all clear that you lose the right to stand your ground after you chase someone. The Sanford Police had decided there was no reason to question the self-defense claim under the current law, and so no reason to investigate further. The law badly needs to be changed. The killer may get away with the crime because of this stupid law. See my comment above and "Like" or Reply.
@RainKing "When this guy left his SUV to pursue someone who posed no threat to him, the stand your ground law ceased to be a defense."
That is the exact problem with the Law in Florida people are talking about. In Florida, if YOU are the agressor / instigator, YOU have a "right to not retreat" and use deadly force if YOU feel afraid for your life; even though YOU caused the problem to start with. That's why it's called the "Make My Day" law.
Example: In Florida, I break into your home. I find you sleeping and start punching on you. You start fighting back. I can then take out my gun / knife whatever and kill you and claim "self defense" beecause "I was in fear for my life." The law specifically has a "right to stand your ground for agressors" clause in it.
Any person with even a smidge of common sense knows that in this instance, self defense should not even be claimable for Zimmerman. He stalked Trayvon and murdered him. By his own testimony on the 911 call, he said he was following him
"Are you following him?"
"Yes I am"
"We don't need you to do that sir."
.....
"Where can the police meet you?
"yeah"
"so meet you at the mailboxes in the front"
"Ummmmm you know what, have them call me and I'll tell them where I am"
Clearly Zimmerman was looking for a confrontation. I mean, what would you do if you were walking home at night, and somebody was following you? You walk, they walk. You stop, they jump behind a tree / fence. You start walking faster, they start walking faster. You run, they run after you. I know I would run if I were in that situation too; as fast as I could. 70 FT from his house.... Trayvon was running home and trying to get there as fast as he could; probably scared for his life. Even one of the 911 calls, a guy said "Yeah the guy was on the ground screaming for help, I was about to run over there with my dog. I went to grab the leash and heard the gunshot."
I mean, couldn't Zimmerman of just shouted from a distance. All of this could have been avoided.
This is a perfect example why the moron in the White House should not be elected and never should have been elected, I saw a resent documentary this organization did on the National Geographic Channel it was bull it reminded me of the documentary with Geraldo Rivera and Al Capones vault. wiht all thats going on in the world the President commits tax dollars to the search for someone who's been dead for 75 years. Good to see Oduma has his prioities in order!!!!!
I think you missed the point of the article. It isn't about politics, it is about a 17 yr old boy being shot for no reason, and local athorities who may have not done the proper work to investigate. At the risk of sounding like a broken record - anybody can request the justice department look into a crime or potential crime particularly when there is some evidence that local law enforcement did not due the due diligence.
This has nothing to do with "committing tax dollars" and everything to do with what the everyday, not politically appointed, rank and file do at the justice department.
Please leave your politics at the door on this issue
Hey, JT, did Obama write the Stand Your Ground law in Florida? If he did, then shame on him. If he didn't, then you seized an opportunity to bash someone who has NOTHING at all to do with this senseless crime. I believe that regardless of what law is on the books in Florida, Zimmerman was over-zealous at the very least in targeting this young man. Zimmerman deliberately disobeyed a police command not to follow. In my opinion, Zimmerman was just itching for the chance to do something that would, in his mind, make him some kind of protector and hero.
The "Stand Your Ground" law is another legacy of the Bush clan wrecking America!
Ok I knew that someone would misdirect this event and their comment, ( yrss) , since I'm praying for Trayvon's family, let me also pray that you'll find the right medication to get all of that misdirected hate out of you. You need help, just like your mentor ( Zimmerman)
Something worrisome about anybody who bases their ideologies and beliefs about reality on documentaries they see on the boobtube. "a resent documentary"? How many times was it sent to you before you saw it? (good f'ing grief)
"MAKE-MY-DAY" laws that encourage killing people on the street are pure Right Wing stupidity, and you blame Obama. Are you capable of rational thought? For others, with some intelligence, Please see my comment above and like or reply, your choice.
JT posts the same anti-Obama crap in every topic he reads, regardless of the subject of the topic. I finally put him on "Ignore."
He looks guilty as hell to the average person (unless person is a racist or a troll). However this is Florida. Where Casey Anthony was found not guilty.
To hear young Trayvon screaming for help while being attacked by crazy Zimmerman, and then hearing the helplessness in the voices of the people who called 911, was so heart-wrenching. Especially when hearing the older woman (on the 911 tapes) hysterically and remorsefully speaking with the 911 operator because she felt powerless to help young Trayvon, that hurt me to my heart to hear the pain in this woman’s voice who was so devastated by the fact that Zimmerman could kill this young man (and those were her words). And, the 911 caller’s fears forced me to imagine what poor Trayvon went through while being attacked and then killed by Zimmerman. I mean, really, who can justify what Zimmerman did to young Trayvon? And when you hear young Trayvon screaming in the background and pleading for his life, why didn’t Zimmerman hear this young child’s plea and retreat? Instead, Zimmerman shot young Trayvon to death. Zimmerman’s actions to me sounds animalistic, and you could hear in his voice that he was detached from what the 911 operator was telling him not to do. If you listen to those tapes and how Zimmerman spoke, you could hear that he was zoned in on his prey and that prey was Trayvon Martin! One would have to be extremely insensitive and lower than a dog to attempt in any way to justify what Zimmerman did to young Trayvon. Zimmerman committed MURDER! And for any person who has come out on Zimmerman’s behalf, especially after hearing those 911 tapes, is lower than an animal, lower than Zimmerman at best. Friend or not, family member or not, I could NEVER speak on behalf of an animal like Zimmerman. To hear young Trayvon begging for his life and Zimmerman ignoring those pleas, makes Zimmerman lower than an animal. You CANNOT hear those tapes and then say anything good about Zimmerman. Zimmerman should go directly to jail for life and this neighborhood watch team needs to be dismantled immediately. They are profilers and deadly.
You NEVER have to retreat under Florida law! See comment # 37 above and let us know how you feel.
You don't have to retreat if someone is trying to harm you. Chasing them down and murdering them is an entirely different matter.
Paging Jose Baez - another slimeball murderer for you to defend....
I think the low life scum that shot that child to death in cold blood should go out the same way that poor child did. let him walk the street in the dark and have people follow him and then hunt him down like an animal and then corner him while he is defenseless and absolutely terrified.....let him take his last breath the same way that innocent kid did. I dont often think this way as Im not a violent person however when it comes to children and they way this man hunted this kid down, took his life from him and his loved ones in such a cold calculated way deserves no mercy. God bless his family!
Zimmerman is lying , but they ( the authorities) might want to arrest him for his own protection, and I thought I read that Trayvon was 70ft. from his home, then this says that he also lived in that community, if I'm correct or in the very nearby vacinity. When the dispatcher told Zimmerman not to continue to follow this young man, thats when he( zimmerman) decided that was not good enough, I dont want to use the term (emotional) because his lawyers might use it as a defense, I want to use murderer because that's what he is and committed murder is what he has done. This man was a big man and Trayvon was a medium sized kid, and just because he was 17years old , did not mean he could not have stilled looked 13 as some of his pictures are showing. Come on people in comment World, lets stayed unified for once and help to get justice for this young man, even if the World around is divided.
I was a law enforcement officer for 23 years. What exactly does one have to do to become a neighborhood watch "captain"? Is there a promotional exam given for each level of the rank structure? It seems to me that this guy was suffering from a severe case of "wannabe syndrome".
This is a very sad case. This kid died needlessly at the hands of someone who lacked common sense.
This is simply the case of a racist predator who has tried to use the legitimacy of a neighborhood watch to justify his sick mind. He should get the death penalty.
I'll bet the worst charge he gets is second degree murder or manslaughter since it wasn't pre-meditated.