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Subscribe to RSSHours after Florida Special Prosecutor Angela Corey announced that George Zimmerman had been charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, Martin's parents told NBC's Brian Williams that Zimmerman's arrest helps fulfill their goal of bringing their son's shooter to justice.
Updated at 7:09 a.m. ET: George Zimmerman is in custody in Florida and will be charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, authorities announced Wednesday. His attorney said he would plead not guilty.
"We did not come to this decision lightly," Angela Corey, the special prosecutor appointed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott to re-examine the case, said at a news conference in Jacksonville.
Read the criminal information (.pdf)
Corey had previously said she wouldn't present the case to a grand jury, which took first-degree murder off the table. Second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara — who took the case late Wednesday after Zimmerman's previous attorneys withdrew — said Zimmerman would plead not guilty and that he would seek Zimmerman's release on bond. Zimmerman was scheduled for an initial hearing Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Florida special prosecutor Angela Corey announces that she will seek a second-degree murder charge against George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. NBC's Kerry Sanders reports.
"I think he's troubled by the fact the state decided to charge him," O'Mara said. "I would think anyone charged with second-degree murder would be scared."
Corey said she decided last week to seek the charge but needed several days to make sure all details were in order. She said she had informed Martin's parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton.
'A heart has no color'
In a brief statement in Washington at a news conference at a gathering of the National Action Network, Fulton said: "We just wanted an arrest, and we got it, and I say thank you. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus."
"I just want to speak from my heart to your heart, because a heart has no color. It’s not black, it’s not white. It’s red. And I want to say thank you from my heart to your heart," Fulton added, according to NBC News.
Trayvon Martin's mom: I believe killing was an 'accident'
(The National Action Network is a project of the Rev. Al Sharpton, host of MSNBC-TV's "PoliticsNation," who has played a prominent role in advocating for charges against Zimmerman.)
“I think they decided to review it based on public pressure," Sharpton said, according to NBC Miami. "Had there not been pressure there would not have been a second look."
“Tonight maybe America can come together and say only the facts should matter when you’re dealing with a loss of life," he added. "This is not a night for celebration. This is a night that should not have happened in the first place."
On NBC's Rock Center Wednesday evening, Fulton said that she found Corey professional.
"I believe there is a human side to her," she said. "I believe she looked at the evidence, spoke with the witnesses and determined what (Zimmerman) should be charged with."
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Kerry Sanders and Pete Williams of NBC News and NBC station WESH of Orlando, Fla., contributed to this report by M. Alex Johnson of msnbc.com. Follow M. Alex Johnson on Twitter and Facebook. |
Ben Crump, the attorney for Martin's parents, said the decision was about "justice, justice and only justice." He said it was important that Zimmerman have a fair trial, even though "we believe in our hearts that he was wrong to kill Trayvon Martin."
Corey refused to discuss details of the case, saying she was committed to protecting the interests of both Martin and Zimmerman.
"So much information on this case has gotten released that should never have been released," she said.
Zimmerman, 28, arrived in a police caravan at the Seminole County jail about 8:20 p.m. ET. Under Florida law, he must be taken before a judge within 24 hours of his return to the county, where he has acknowledged he shot and killed Martin, 17, in the town of Sanford on Feb. 26. Corey wouldn't say where he was being held to protect his safety.
Scott, who appointed Corey after Seminole County authorities declined to bring charges, said in a statement that the matter "is now in the hands of the judicial system and I am confident justice will prevail."
Attorney doubts fair trial
Zimmerman, whose father is white and whose mother is Peruvian, says he shot Martin, who was black, in self-defense after following him in a gated community in Sanford. Police questioned Zimmerman but decided against pressing charges.
The lack of an arrest or charges had sparked protests nationwide, with critics alleging that Zimmerman confronted Martin because of his race. Zimmerman's supporters deny that.
Trayvon Martin's parents say they're thankful there was an arrest but that 'this is just the beginning.' NBC's Ron Allen reports.
The decision whether to arrest Zimmerman was delayed for several weeks because Zimmerman had indicated that he would argue self-defense under Florida's so-called Stand Your Ground law, which shields subjects from prosecution if a judge determines that the shooting was justified to protect life or property.
Corey called the law "a tough affirmative defense to overcome," but she said, "If 'Stand Your Ground' becomes an issue, we will fight that affirmative defense."
O'Mara, Zimmerman's attorney, told reporters that he didn't think Zimmerman could get a fair hearing "today" because "the emotions are just running high in Central Florida."
"I am hoping the hatred settles down," he said.
A federal civil rights investigation is also under way, but U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday that the Justice Department had to meet a "high bar" to bring any charges.
The main federal role is to "support the state in its ongoing investigation," Holder told reporters Wednesday morning in Washington. At the same time, he said, the Justice Department is conducting its "own thorough and parallel investigation" to try to resolve the case "in as fair and complete a way and as quickly as we can."
More on the Travyon Martin case from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- NBC: George Zimmerman in custody, charged with second-degree murder
- Vote: Do you agree with the decision to charge George Zimmerman?
- Trayvon Martin timeline: Key events in the Sanford, Fla., shooting case
- AG Eric Holder: People 'rightly concerned' about Trayvon Martin death
- Trayvon Martin's parents on arrest: "Thank you, Lord"
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this whole thing has become ridiculous, a circus, and blown way out of proportion. if it were the other way around, nobody would be saying anything. this subject really needs to be dropped. I mean this has become about race, rather than the actual incident itself. not to mention media and protestors don't mention the actual facts because they don't want to put Trayon in a negative light and want to make it about race. I'm sick of being in a country were a group of people or race is too scared to say something because we'll be called racist when we're clearly not.
Got kids ???
I have two children and this story "has become ridiculous, a circus, and blown way out of proportion".
Yes it has. A media manipulated circus.
this is how things play out in America, one case in thousands gets attention and everyone fixates on it, at least people are paying attention to something besides reality tv or sports
Well, second degree murder - that means the law says that he didn't intend to kill the kid - haaaaaa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha - oh suuuuuure!!!! he didn't want to kill him. Yes he wanted to kill the kid - send him to prison for life.
Ok Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson....
Your platform has dissolved.
Go home and FINALLY leave the innocent community of Sanford ALONE.
AMEN
Here we go again, a special prosecutor trying to make a name for herself! OJ case all over again
I just hope Justice for this young boy is serve.... George Zimmerman did not has to kill him. May he rest in peace, When all this is over. Amen..
Let's now hope everyone will settle down and let the legal system handle this situation. All the back and forth will prove nothing nor will it settle this case. It is now up to the court, like it should be. Hopefully Rev Jackson and Sharpton will shut up and go home and quit agitating. Hopefully they will take the The New Black Panther Party with them.
Get a large percentage of white women and other minorities on the jury and Z-man is cooked. Now, can we please stop letting this mess completely consume the news.
A severe travisty of unjustice was done today charges should be filed against the martins for harasin an innoncent man who was actin in self defense if i was zimmerman i would sue the ass off of the martins and persuing the arrest of the martin faimly and all those responseable for the bounty that was put on his head.
Wow. 54 pages of comments and no one, not one of us, yet knows the truth.
I'll wait for the truth.
Nowhere man- doesn't have a point of view- etc
racist. Thats what this whole thing is all about. This is old news and needs to be eliminated from the public. If this was one of the good ole boys, this wouls not have made no headlines. What a joke
They went ahead and charged him with second degree murder to calm down those racist black people, so that they won't riot. It is a shame that he was charged for defending himself, it goes to show you that criminals can get away with anything these days.
Lock your doors and board up your windows stay inside your home or you too might end up in jail for defending yourself and family.
Hey EL....you are sincerely stupid.........
Let me guess your black ? figures
you got it
Sadly, i think you are right.
right there in those few exchanges is what is wrong with people..have to put color first...I am white, you are black...I am black you are white...BFD! everyone needs to get over what color they are and just be flippn people, we all bleed red. here are the facts..1 human killed another human...it is up to the courts to figure out if it was justified or not
Hey El please do board up your windows and stay inside we'll all be safer. lol
Why don't you punk gun toting right wingers go post your racist comments on the FOX News website. Never met a gun owner yet who wasn't an insecure punk that questioned his own manhood or sexuality.
AMEN !!!!!
You have now...
Needle Pud Jones?
@David-1023706 only in your mouth...
Dave you are the punk and I will tote my gun any and every where i so choose.
i carry a weapon not to be racist or some one who questions my own sexuality or is a punk but to defend my family and myself...I don't see color just a threat and for the record the average police response is about 5 minutes it only takes me a few seconds to draw my weapon on an intruder in my house...and for the record I pride my self on not being a racist, not because it is the in thing to do but because it is the right thing to do
I don't know...there are these groups of people called "gangs" that own guns and I'm pretty sure they fit the profile of "punks" (among other words). Sounds crazy, doesn't it!?
Holder is simply atempting a reversal of "Strange Fruit." Now Zimmerman may be guilty and he may be punished, but he deserves a fair trial first, not a vigilante pre-hanging by the countrys' primary vigilante-leader-lawyer. There should be a way the citizens could have a "Special Prosecutor" appointed to investigate politicians and their appointed hacks. Anyway, "Strange Fruit" is getting a resurgence.
Thank goodness this terrible man has FINALLY been arrested. Perhaps now in a court of law the truth will come out.
"Terrible man" .... seems you have already decided BEFORE you know the TRUTH ... how sad.
He will plea bargain down to manslaughter and 15 years when they show their evidence- voice analysis of the cry for help and no powder burns
"Whether or not Zimmerman is innocent or guilty of murder and if you take racism out of the equation, Zimmerman was told not to pursue Trayvon by the dispatcher and police but did."
actually he did just that but I guess that doesn't fit into your narrative...
The police did not tell him crap and the dispatch told him "we do not need you to do that". never was he told not to follow Trayvon. I would bet that Trayvon was one of hte people that had been breaking into the houses the last couple of weeks in that same neighborhood and that is what he was doing out that night, scoping out his next job.
politicsa win again ... but it is probably better to have the trial .. .then maybe the actual truth will come out .. .not the sensationalist press rants designed to stir emotions, not to report facts ...
of course we all know what will happen .. .no matter what the truth really is, if he is not convicted, there will be riots and those doing the rioting will be black ... and that's not racist .. .that is simply telling it exactly like it will happen ... .
"it's probably better we have a trial" ??? !!!! No $hit dumb a$$ !!!!!
forget your meds did you ... "cowboy"
Based on all the evidence shown, both with law enforcement and in the streets, you clearly don't want justice; you want revenge. You are no better than the lynch-mobs of the KKK or any other hate-driven organization. Shame on all of you that are preparing to spill blood in the name of revenge. Listen to your hatred.
Wheww!!!!!!!
Sure glad he got arrested.....now do ya'll ganstas and hood rats promise not to riot????
only if the gun toting cowards promise to not shoot every person that scares them!!!
Have you ever met a gun toter that WASN'T a coward? NO That is why they carry guns, scared little girls
I would venture to say you are the coward.
Have you noticed Blacks also carry guns. They need them to rob white people ..Maybe like the 4 blacks in Knoxville Tn .. Raped the teen age girl, beat her teen age boy friend to death and THEN set their bodies on fire. Yes thats what I call Cowards. They walked free for 6 months too. Families of those teens just sat quietly and let the law enforcement gather enough evidence to convict all 4. So if Zimmerman is found not guilty..BLAME IT ON THE RUSH TO JUDGEMENT. Pushing for justice too fast may have caused mistakes by the prosecutor and DOJ investigators
Are you kidding Me!!!! Justice"for Trayvon"??Sounds like the investigation is already biased to me.Why not seek JUSTICE.....PERIOD!! We still don't know what REALLY happened that night. The loss of any young persons life is a tragedy, but not every Black shooting "victim" is Nelson Mandela!! Maybe,just maybe Travon got fed up with being followed and had a "moment" , nomsayin? Yeah...you know...we ALL know.At least Mr. Zimmerman will have HIS day in court and explain HIS side of the story.
It would be best if that moron left the explaining part to his lawyer but doubt that will happen considering he ditched his lawyers and decided to have a heart to heart chat with the lead prosecutor.
Are you not keeping up with the wittness stories on how the events unfolded. When Zimmerman was ontop of Trayvon he had the upper hand he coulld of just knocked him out. There was no need for any shooting. Either way there could of been a better outcome... And obviously when Trayvon as yellling for help he was not winning the fight. It all comes down to this regardless on whether or not a fight broke out between the both of them it could of left as just that a fight. I remember the old days when you would get into a fist fight with someone and then shake their hand afterwards. No weapons, No guns. He shot and killed an unarmed man that can not be disputed.
Interviewer: Alright, Mr. Wilson, you've done just fine on the Rorshact..
your papers are in good order.. your file's fine.. no difficulties with your
motor skills.. And I think you're probably ready for this job. We've got one
more psychological test we always do here. It's just a Word Association. I'll
throw you out a few words - anything that comes to your mind, just throw back at
me, okay? It's kind of an arbitrary thing. Like, if I say "dog", you'd
say..?
Mr. Wilson: "Tree".
Interviewer: "Tree". [
nods head, prepares the test papers ] "Dog".
Mr. Wilson:
"Tree".
Interviewer: "Fast".
Mr. Wilson:
"Slow".
Interviewer: "Rain".
Mr. Wilson:
"Snow".
Interviewer: "White".
Mr. Wilson:
"Black".
Interviewer: "Bean".
Mr. Wilson:
"Pod".
Interviewer: [ casually ] "Negro".
Mr.
Wilson: "Whitey".
Interviewer: "Tarbaby".
Mr.
Wilson: [ silent, sure he didn't hear what he thinks he heard ] What'd you
say?
Interviewer: [ repeating ] "Tarbaby".
Mr.
Wilson: "Ofay".
Interviewer: "Colored".
Mr.
Wilson: "Redneck".
Interviewer: "Junglebunny".
Mr.
Wilson: [ starting to get angry ] "Peckerwood!"
Interviewer:
"Burrhead".
Mr. Wilson: [ defensive ]
"Cracker!"
Interviewer: [ aggressive ]
"Spearchucker".
Mr. Wilson: "White
trash!"
Interviewer: "Jungle Bunny!"
Mr.
Wilson: [ upset ] "Honky!"
Interviewer:
"Spade!
Mr. Wilson: [ really upset ] "Honky
Honky!"
Interviewer: [ relentless ] "NIG-GER"
Mr.
Wilson: [ immediate ] "Dead honky!"
Is this really supposed to serve any purpose?
I think I did acid with your sister when she was pregnant with you by your dad.......
It is to show what a joke this whole thing is.
That is as funny today as it was when Richard Pryor and Chevy Chase first did it--back when people could laugh at something funny!
I got ya. I'm not sure "joke" is really the most accurate word. How about, "witch hunt, travesty, farce, sham, distortion of truth, perversion of justice, lie, jump to conclusion..."
I really do agree with your point, I just don't care for the word, "joke" for this one.
How come nobody has mentioned the fact that when the police arrived Zimmerman had grass stains on his back and a bloody nose?
irrelevant....he should have never approached martin in first place. Cops told him not to. If you follow me down the street for no reason, your nose will bleed as well!!
He had plenty of good reasons to follow him IMO, the area they were in had houses robbed multiple times by black teens. That lame defense won't do him any good in court.
facts aren't an issue in this case Trouble46545, it is appease the mass of blacks that only mattered in this situation
Dave-540326- You are just a frustrated impotent goober.
There is no way that Zimmerman can get a fair trial. The jury should appropriately be composed of an equal number of blacks, whites and hispanics. Half young and half old. His attorneys should petition the courts to move the trial out of county or even the state. I would also like to see charges brought up against Spike Lee and the Black Panthers. A group of blacks just killed an white couple here in Oklahoma. They had been married for over 40 years and he was a veteran of war. They were beat viciously but you don't hear squat from the media about that. Do you? Zimmerman has already been convicted by the media. The blacks love to use the race card even when the accused is guilty as hell. Just look at what happened when O.J. Simpson was arrested for killing a white woman and a white man. Zimmerman's only hope is for a jury member to refuse to find him guilty which would result in a hung jury. Otherwise I think his goose is cooked.
You don't hear about the other cases because there is no doubt about who is guilty and the police handle it correctly. It's so obvious that it's not about the color of the shooter or victim, but rather that the police failed to act appropriately.
Yeah look what happened to OJ. He was convicted on trumped charges in a hicktown like Vegas. Probably to get revenge for Nicole Simpson.
IF (BIG IF) Zimmerman's side of the story is true and accurate, then this is yet another dark day for America. I find it troubling that mob justice might be overruling the laws of our land here. Next thing you know some black guy breaks into your house, you shoot him and you're the one charged with a crime! You white people better either wake up and see what's happening here, or move to a different country where 12.6% of the population doesn't overrule everyone else.
bobaboey that has already happened in Oklahoma. A pharmacist Jerome Ursaline ( a white older male) shot a young black man who burst into the pharmacy with a hand gun. Jerome Ursaline was arrested and charged with murder because the blacks were threatening to riot. You can look up the story at the KFOR channel 4 website. The blacks seem to be getting away with a lot of stuff because they threaten to riot.
I Googled it and for those of you who can't find the story, his name is spelled Jerome Ersland. I guess the moral of that story is if some black kid robs you, shoot him once and run away. And hope he doesn't have a gun tucked away somewhere and shoot you in the back as you're running away from him! You better wake up, white people! The criminal has more rights than the victim!