George Zimmerman to plead not guilty to second-degree murder in Trayvon Martin case

Hours 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."


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:

Follow US News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook

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Poeple we need to keep posting this until it sinks into people's heads.

Since when does the US allow any group to put a bounty on someones head and do nothing??? Where is the justice in this???

  • 3 votes
Reply#575 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:33 PM EDT

It's ok if its the Black Panthers of course.

  • 2 votes
#575.1 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:34 PM EDT

safe: since when does someone get shot in the streets and they let the killer walk?

  • 3 votes
#575.2 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:35 PM EDT

Toy,

When its self defense and the prosecution doesn't have a case. But Its NEVER ok for groups like the racist Black Panthers to put out a bounty on someone.

  • 1 vote
#575.3 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:38 PM EDT

Every damn day if you live near a black urban area. Are you really that ignorant?

  • 2 votes
#575.4 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:40 PM EDT

Toyota3, since when have you heard of a black man killing a black man and walking that did not get reported on the news. Thats right you havent, because it never makes it into the news, Oh and you think that gangs fighting dont kill one another and never get prosecuted. The only reason this is news is due to racist trying to break this country down. Wake up. It is a tragedy whenever anyone is killed, but let the justice system handle it not some hate group breaking the law putting bounties on someones head. What if zimmerman is innocent and some dumbazz takes the panther group up on their offer is that ok with you?

  • 1 vote
#575.5 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:42 PM EDT

@ GeneralJaffey.... coming from an idiot who relies on Fox news to tell him about "black urban areas"..lol.

  • 1 vote
#575.6 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:05 PM EDT
Reply

Here is a funny thing to think about: What if a white kid was shot dead by a black guy? Would it make national news? Hell no! It would barely be local news. There is such a double standard in this country when it comes to race.

I do feel bad that someone so young lost his life, however, he was threw the first punch, then Zimmerman acted in self-defense. I would do the same thing. All these dumb protesters are demanding justice, even when they don't know the whole story. Get your heads out of your butts people! The liberal media has completely turned this incident into a huge mess which got idiots like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton fired up.

I feel really bad for Zimmerman, he has already been "tried and convicted." All this is, is politics, they want to keep the peace even if it means putting an innoncent man in prison.

I truly feel that he did not mean to kill Treyvon, but of course the liberal media and all the stupid protesters don't see it that way.

    Reply#576 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:33 PM EDT

    Florida's judicial system is corrupt!!! I NEVER imaged in a MILLION years Cayce Anthony would be found not guilty yet she's a free individual today. And I purposely didn't use the word "lady" or "woman" because a real "lady" or "woman" would never have been accused of what she was accused of and more importantly, a real "woman" or "lady" would have screamed bloody murder that their child was missing within minutes of not being able to locate a toddler - Not wait 31 days!!! So when I heard the "lack of " in this case, I was not surprised when I learned it was in Florida. To me, its not about race as so many of you love to pinpoint issues to but yet, its about make judge is served and making sure everyone is obligated to the same rights.

    I hope the jurors of that case conscience never bring them peace and I hope Zimmerman rot in jail but again these happenings are in Florida so only time will tell.

    My daughter (for whatever reason) wants to attend the Univeristy of Miami and I pray she changes her mind!!

    • 1 vote
    Reply#577 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:33 PM EDT

    I am so sorry, but the world that a lot of black people live in is that "you are convicted until proven innocent". And the law really does nothing to help when things go wrong for them. I will give you a prime example, although the example is not related to this case. My cousin has been missing since February 13, 2012. She went missing from Lawton, OK, and it took the police there 3 weeks to fill out a missing person's report, and their reasoning for failing to do their job was lame at best! However I know of a missing caucasian female that went missing in my state and there were news hounds and the like all over it. The two girls are the same age.

    If the shoe were on the other foot and George was the one shot and killed, there would be people calling for swift justice and whether you want to believe it or not, Trayvon would not have simply walked away from the crime and spent 44 days living outside of a prison cell. People really need to wake up and face reality, racism does exist in this country, its just way more subtle than it used to be. To me this is a case of simple racial profiling on the part of George Zimmerman and it should not have gone as far as it did. I agree with what Bill Cosby said, when you walk around carrying a gun, you are aiming to shoot someone. I have said it before and I will say it again, If George had stayed in his vehicle, that CHILD would still be alive, and he wouldn't have to hide out.

    • 3 votes
    Reply#578 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:34 PM EDT

    I always noticed when there are missing girls in the news, they are all white and attractive. Those are the ones we hear about - the Smart girl, for example. All over the papers, magazines....

    • 2 votes
    #578.1 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:39 PM EDT

    Yep, the ones who's lives matter the most. Glad you noticed.

    • 2 votes
    #578.2 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:42 PM EDT

    Your assuming that George is guilty as well. When the dispatcher said we don't need you to follow him, he said okay and has indicated that he returned to his car where "the kid" jumped him and began to beat him. If that story is a lie, George belongs in jail as it is not a stand you ground issue. If his story is true, your statement should say if Trayvon did not jump an armed citizen watch member, he would still be alive. The most important point is WE, ALL of US, do not know. Stop demonizing George and portraying Trayvon as an angel until the trial is over, then demonize whoever loses (George or Trayvon).

    • 1 vote
    #578.3 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:43 PM EDT

    @GeneralJaffey if white girls lives matter the most why do u white men kill them so damned much? lol..

    • 1 vote
    #578.4 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:48 PM EDT
    Reply

    Whatever the charge, this will be a trial of the "stand your ground" law. Nothing more, nothing less.

    • 1 vote
    Reply#579 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:34 PM EDT

    Since the prosecution has to prove that it wasnt self defense and they can't. Zimm will walk and the riots will begin.

    • 2 votes
    #579.1 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:35 PM EDT

    Maybe... but who's ground was being stand??? :) George went after Trayvon first///we think we have been told...so Trayvon may have been standing his ground?? Or George...but George was first follower.....it gets very complicated.

    • 1 vote
    #579.2 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:23 PM EDT
    Reply

    I would hate to try to put together an unbiased jury for this one.

    • 2 votes
    Reply#580 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:34 PM EDT

    #579 is there such a thing at this point? how do you find an impartial jury after all this? its scary to think that there might be people out there who fit the bill. any defence attorney's out there.?

      #580.1 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:28 PM EDT
      Reply

      The liberal racist bigots and all their high profile racists have already convicted George. The only reason charges are being brought against George is an attempt to shut all these racist up. It has to do with politics and nothing to do with justice. Justice was served when George shot the punk gangsta trayvon. Here are some things that you need to think about and questions that need to be answered.

      trayvon, 6'2" 150 pound in shape athlete football player. Drugs found in his school bag. Burglar tools found in his school bag. Transfer from one school to another because he had problems with his fellow students. Suspended from school 3 times. Face book page shows him with a mouth full of gold teeth. How does a 17 year old afford to by gold teeth at around $400 per gold cap? All the liberal bigot racists out there would have you believe it was from selling skittles not dope. His face book pages shows him flaunting a punk ass gangsta attitude and mentality. That attitude and mentality is what he wanted the world to see and think of him. He attacked George you can tell by George's broken nose and cut up back of his head. Why did he attack George? George wasn't flashing his gun and threatening trayvon with it like a lot of the racist liberal bigots want you to believe. Nobody (not even trayvon) is so ignorant as to attack a person they know has a gun. He attacked George. He then discovered George had a gun while he was bashing his head into the ground. They fought over control of the gun, George won. trayvon lost. Stupid move on trayvon's part trying to punk the wrong guy that night. trayvon should have used his phone to call 911 himself instead of acting like a punk gangsta and trying to show George how bad a punk he was. The media and his momma want you to think trayvon was a 12 year old angelic little boy sucking on skittles instead of a pot smoking’ house breaking punk with an attitude. NBC edited the 911 tapes to play the race card in trayvon's favor. trayvon's momma calls in sharpton, and jackson to incite mob rule and lynch mentality. obamma says if he had a son he would look just like trayvon. spike lee gives out what he thinks is George's address to promote lynch mob justice. The black panthers put a $10,000 bounty on George's head. Where is the great racist white house messiah and racist puppet head of the department of justice? Are they trying to cool the racism? No!!! They are too busy playing the race card themselves in an attempt to get more black and racist liberal votes for obamma's re-election. They should be bringing charges against sharpton, jackson, lee, odonald, NBC, the black panthers, and any other person or group that is perpetuating the mob justice and lynch mentality in this case. Remember, a vote for oba-mao is an act of treason.

      • 6 votes
      Reply#581 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:34 PM EDT

      Blah Blah Blah, cry me a river.

      • 1 vote
      #581.1 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:49 PM EDT

      I voted for Obama and used to feel Blacks had a raw deal. But the kid in this case was a grown man, on drugs, stealing from people, shot by a spanish guy defending himself after being assaulted by the low life.

      And Blacks support the criminal, solely because he is black, and blame whites when the shooter was Spanish, and Blacks are allowed to threaten people and put out a death contract!

      I agree with Drkangel and just let one of you lazy, welfare living, dopehead goldtooth bums enter my yard in a Gangster Hoodie, and not only will I shoot you, I'll dig up your reliatives and shoot them too!

      So talk about killing whites, I have a suprise for you hate mongers, some whites fight back, and all your hate talk, and threats, are waking a sleeping giant!

        #581.2 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:12 PM EDT

        OOh billy is a Gangsta'. He was tested in the morgue, he was not on drugs, Zim wasn't tested.

        • 1 vote
        #581.3 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:16 PM EDT
        Reply

        raddave, if the old man is not hispanic then why did he resister to vote as a hispanic

        • 1 vote
        Reply#582 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:34 PM EDT

        So does this mean that the Blacks aren't going to burn down Sanford FL?

        • 1 vote
        Reply#583 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:34 PM EDT

        More white racist bs by blacks again NAACP IS= TO KKK

          Reply#584 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:35 PM EDT

          Wrong. The NAACP never killed anyone.

          • 3 votes
          #584.1 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:38 PM EDT

          I agree. His analogy is absurd.

          • 2 votes
          #584.2 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:45 PM EDT

          No they just slowly suck the life and effort out of the good folks in this country. That way no one can be charged with murder. It's this thing called political correctness, bet you've heard of it.

          • 1 vote
          #584.3 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:46 PM EDT

          NAACP +KKK The NAACP was started by whites , more of the white americans distorted perception about basically everything.. U people r diseased..

          • 1 vote
          #584.4 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:46 PM EDT

          Really Texas they dont pull the trigger but they light the fire that sets off the dynamite, both groups are racist hate groups that have fallen from the path that Dr. King had in mind for a peaceful solution.

          • 1 vote
          #584.5 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:49 PM EDT

          I'm pretty sure that if this had happened in Texas it would not be newsworthy. they have even stricter laws on the rights of one to protect ones property, and the well being of self and ones family. i read a story once that a repo guy was taking a truck out of the owners driveway and was shot and killed by the owner, legally because it endangered the owners ability to take care of his family,and ultimately endangering the families well being. he was set free..

            #584.6 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:48 PM EDT
            Reply

            Let me get this straight...

            A news story... saying that the prosecutor will be charging zimmerman (based on leaked information from an anonymous police department source) at 6pm ET... is making headlines... NOW?

            Damn you, media.

            I will wait for the prosecutor before I believe in any charges being filed.

            You've already made idiots out of yourselves by turning this into a race war, you don't need to humiliate yourselves any further.

            I will see what happens at 6PM and see what the prosecutor has to say about the CASE.

            • 1 vote
            Reply#585 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:35 PM EDT

            He's being charged. I know you're reeling from the shock, but you just need to get over it.

            • 2 votes
            #585.1 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:46 PM EDT
            Reply

            Now they just have to find Zimmerman........his attorneys don't know where he is, maybe his parents know.

            • 1 vote
            Reply#586 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:35 PM EDT

            Trust me,he is already in custody. That's what the 72 hour window was all about.

            • 1 vote
            #586.1 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:37 PM EDT

            Yeah, let's go beat it out of his parents. Well, at least the white father anyway...

              #586.2 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:39 PM EDT

              the only thing I will trust is if they find him in one piece. I think the worst happened before his trail he has been tried

              • 1 vote
              #586.3 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:40 PM EDT

              I got it if he isnt in custody lets twitter Spike Lee I know that dumbazz can give us an address on where he is located. LOL!!!!!!

                #586.4 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:53 PM EDT
                Reply

                This reminds me of the Monty Python movie. "So, George is made of wood and therefore, he is a .......anyone...Witch.... Burn him". He may or may not be guilty but in this case it does not matter. The mob mentality convicted him 2 months ago. The media continues his trial daily and this "Special Prosecutor" did what everyone predicted her to do. No grand jury and then to issue an arrest. When/if (More likely When) they lose the case, she will say "we tried so hard but sometimes the system fails" or she will get lucky and get a jury in some un tainted place (Like the land of Oz) and they will find him guilty. And the world will rejoice that this man (That nobody protesting knows) will be sent to jail for killing this kid (That nobody protesting knows). Sleep well everyone so blessed with god like knowledge of guilt and innocence. Score one to the mob.

                  Reply#587 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:35 PM EDT

                  I'm neither happy or mad this is going to trial. To tell you the truth incidents happen like this everyday through out the country. For something like this to spark a media thunderstorm which covers loose hearsay and racism based accusations is obscene. It's great to see them point out and make sure everyone is in the know that Zimmerman is half white and half Peruvian. It's like they want it to be about race. Blame media for poor coverage and adding fuel to the fire. If you want to get to the heart of the issue look at the "stand your Ground" law. People without proper training wanting to be police making bad decisions. I think it's everyone's right to own a gun if they like to but a carry and conceal for your average Joe so they can brandish weapons like the wild west is probably a little to far.

                    Reply#588 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:35 PM EDT

                    At this point, there is no proof one way or another that's been reported on the news of guilt or innocence in this case, for either party.

                    The facts we know are:

                    Trayvon is dead. Zimmerman shot him.

                    Trayvon punched Zimmerman in the nose and bashed his skull into the cement. There are videos that show this aftermath. I saw the stills myself. I am not into conspiracy theories, so I won't say they were doctored unless proven otherwise.

                    Zimmerman did get arrested years ago. Trayvon got kicked out of school on suspension because of drug-related offenses recently.

                    The Black Panthers have put out a 10K hit on Zimmerman. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have tried to get people to make this all about race, and are up in arms, though they have said NOTHING about the white teenage boy who was called racial slurs by a group of black boys that set him on fire a few weeks ago on his own porch. Double standard, much?

                    Zimmerman had to leave his home, family, and job because of harassment....isn't it innocent until proven guilty? There has been a police car by Zimmerman's neighborhood for protection (rightfully!), yet no police officer was in there. The police car recently had shots fired at it...and no one was there to do anything about it. Nice protection of the innocent until proven guilty!

                    If the same allowances are given to Trayvon, that he was an innocent kid who was scared (though he was 6" taller, albeit of a lesser weight), who was just minding his own business, why are they not given to Zimmerman? If you are pro Trayvon's innocence, Zimmerman is a bully and racist (though there is no proof of it being either way). If you are pro Zimmerman's innocence of accidental shooting by way of self defense, you must be a 'racist'. How is this right? It's not. There is no proof of Zimmerman's guilt of purposefully killing Trayvon. None. If such information is available, release it. Otherwise, this is a tragedy, plain and simple, and Zimmerman should be free and considered innocent until proven guilty. Trayvon doesn't have to be considered a thug, just an understanding that he made wrong choices. That is it!

                    • 4 votes
                    Reply#589 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:35 PM EDT

                    Yea.....it's called being a young black man...such a bad choice huh !!! WOW !!!!

                    • 2 votes
                    #589.1 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:39 PM EDT

                    There is no evidence that Martin assaulted Zimmerman and u know it he was on the phone with his GF up until the moment he was shot by Zimmerman, u idiot.

                    • 2 votes
                    #589.2 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:45 PM EDT

                    Alaskan,

                    There's a very critical piece you're leaving out. How the fight got started. There's at least one witness that was on the phone at the time with Martin to support his side. There is nobody that can testify for Zimmerman about his account of how the fight started.

                    • 1 vote
                    #589.3 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:48 PM EDT

                    You know what he stated is right until all of the evidence comes out its stupid to make assumptions. Both made bad decisions, No neighborhood watch person should have pursued on foot rather than keeping eyecontact and contacting the police department. But on the other hand if he did follow on foot and did not punch or assault the young man. It does not give Treyvon the right to attack the man, do you kick azz on someone following you down the street at night, just because they are taking the same path that your are. So like I said the evidence has to be presented I think it was a tragedy on both sides. When you shoot someone yes the family of the dead are scarred but the shooter is scarred for life and not a day goes by that he doesnt relive that moment over and over again.

                    • 1 vote
                    #589.4 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:00 PM EDT

                    Cowboy - Unless there's proof one way or another, no one knows how the fight got started, and no proof that Trayvon Martin is innocent OR guilty in ending up dead, or that Zimmerman is innocent or guilty of murdering this kid. That's the point. Martin obviously made some bad choices (going out late at night by himself), but I didn't say anything bad about him.

                    ShandiX - There IS proof that Martin attacked Zimmerman...I saw the video stills of the back of Zimmerman's bloody head. That does not mean Martin attacked Zimmerman first, or the other way around. Martin was on the phone with his girlfriend and said someone was following him and that he'd walk faster. Then the phone died. What happened after that is all assumptions. You are out of line calling me an idiot. Presuming you know everything is what makes you the idiot.

                    Butch - No one can back either side. Martin's girlfriend was told he was being followed, and she told him to walk faster. The phone then died. It points neither to innocence or guilt on either party. Zimmerman could have pursued Martin and caught up to him to ask who he was and Martin may have been mouthy and punched Zimmerman (as he claims) OR Zimmerman may have been a crazy racist bully that attacked Martin because he's a jerk. Either way is possible, but the only one who knows what happened is the only one living. Martin's girlfriend doesn't know anything except he was being followed. She doesn't even know if it was Zimmerman! It could have been another man. Innocence until proven guilty.

                      #589.5 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:13 PM EDT

                      Since when is 7pm "late at night"?

                        #589.6 - Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:39 PM EDT
                        Reply

                        That hate crime stuff is for the birds! It's only used if blacks or some other so called minority group is attacked! I never hear that a black is charged with a hate crime when whites are attacked! Once again it is a one way street. Get the feeling that things aren't fair and balanced. Well I'll be honest I am tired of it!

                        • 3 votes
                        Reply#590 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:35 PM EDT

                        "Hate crimes" are those that are perpetrated ONLY because of the person's minority status. Like someone is killed because they are gay, black, etc. If you kill someone for other reasons, it's not a hate crime - like you kill your wife because you can't stand her anymore.

                        • 2 votes
                        #590.1 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:43 PM EDT

                        I can't stand the concept of a hate crime. Tell the parent of a gay child, or a black child or any other person that they were beaten to death with a bat but don't worry, we are charging them with a hate crime. Hate is not a crime. Acting violently to it is. Killing someone with a bat vs saying I hate you and all you <insert evil type here>, should be the same. That person is as dead either way. Just another mob getting their way. "We are special and killing or hurting us or bulling us or just being mean to US is a special crime" is BS.

                        • 3 votes
                        #590.2 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:02 PM EDT

                        Damn Aunt Julia, so you are saying in a racial tone its OK OK to kill Whiteeeeee????? Really?????

                          #590.3 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:03 PM EDT
                          Reply

                          Do not follow what NBC has said. They are the ones that rigged the 911 call. Fair justice if he is innocent or guilty. Everybody needs to understand that. Treat George how you would like to be treated. That is the only way this will end correctly for all sides. It has to start somewhere.

                          • 4 votes
                          Reply#591 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:36 PM EDT

                          Hooray! A voice of reason!

                          No trial by media. I want real, non-doctored facts of what happened that day. Something that NONE of us have. All we have is what the media spoon feeds us from "anonymous" sources and people looking for their 10 minutes of fame.

                          He will find an impartial jury, if there are people out there as disgusted as I am by this trial by media.

                          • 2 votes
                          #591.1 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:38 PM EDT

                          MSNBC is not taking part of the legal process. They can talk about what they like. It doesn't affect the court room. Whatever they choose to report on or how they choose to present the information, that will not affect whatever evidence is presented in the court room.

                          • 1 vote
                          #591.2 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:50 PM EDT

                          Really Butch, ok black america if he is found innocent lets riot in the streets!!!!! We back the Black Panther group and they are putting bounties on every Whiteeeee that you can terminate.

                          What ever a news media gets involved in does contribute to the outcome of anycase. Where would you have to be from to not have heard about this case, So how can any person be chosen to be on a jury if you have been misguided by the news media.

                            #591.3 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:07 PM EDT
                            Reply

                            A pox on those states who try to get around the court system, with their BS, yahoo, wild west way of thinking!

                            They get a kick outta being uncivilized, yet calling it being civilized! BS, cowboy psychobabble--is what it is!

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#592 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:36 PM EDT

                            Zimmerman has not been found which leads me to believe justice was taken too soon and he is deceased or worse. This race hate inspired by Al and Jesse has lead to looting, shootings, and death only fanning the flame of hatred. Sad day for African-Americans.

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#593 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:36 PM EDT

                            Hey, white people stop pulling out the race card, doesn't matter if Zimmerman is hispanic, which u all seem to be stressing, or white he shot a child for no reason in cold blood.. That's it, sorry u cannot do that in America, hate to burst ur bubble.

                            • 4 votes
                            Reply#594 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:36 PM EDT

                            hey black people stop pulling out the race card. Trayvon's mom pulled the race card BEFORE the 911 tapes were released...do you even know what "in cold blood" means. Zman shouldn't have followed when 911 said don't. agreed. BUT should he have stood there and let Trayvon keep beating on him? you forgot that part moron.

                            • 2 votes
                            #594.1 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:40 PM EDT

                            Let me entertain ur delusional retelling of the events leading up to Martin;s death. Even if Martin had assaulted Zimmerman which is a @!$%#ing lie, what would u do if some weirdo with a gun accosted u for no damned reason? hmmm? Zimmerman was told not to leave his vehicle u @!$%#ing idiot, and he did.. He is not a law enforcement officer, he's a loon roaming the streets of Sanford armed and ready to take the law in his own hands he deserves to die..so do u.

                            • 1 vote
                            #594.2 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:52 PM EDT

                            They'll stop pulling the race card when dumb southern inbreds like you stop being racist.

                            • 1 vote
                            #594.3 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:53 PM EDT

                            There is no proof of your claims. It is innocent until PROVEN guilty, which has not happened. If you have the secret tape to prove Zimmerman killed Martin in cold blood, then produce it. Otherwise, you are spreading lies unless proven otherwise. Hate to burst your bubble.

                              #594.4 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:57 PM EDT

                              Ummm dear dumbass, Zimmerman was STALKING Martin for no discernable reason even law enforcement is beholden to a little thing called PROBABLE CAUSE. He was heard saying "Ficking coon" on the 911 call he was heard being told that he should not leave his vehicle. He chose to, he murdered an innocent kid in cold blood had Martin committed any crime aside from being black? Nope. STFU and start thinking.

                              • 1 vote
                              #594.5 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:02 PM EDT

                              ShandiX, are you a white boy hating youre own people??? Just Sayin Bad choices by both parties ended in tragedy.

                              • 1 vote
                              #594.6 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:10 PM EDT

                              ShandiX, your a bit mislead, misguided or just inflammatory. The dispatcher asked him if he was following him and Zimmerman said yes. Then he said we don't need you to do that and Zimmerman said "OK" and has said that he was returning to his car when he was jumped. In no audio that has been played in its entirety did anyone say "Don't leave your car." Your version just paints the picture you want. He may be guilty but you and I certainly do not know yet you call it murder. Murder is a criminal distinction assigned by a court of law and not a blogger. By saying it, you only help the media corrupt the eventual trial. Your just a guilty of jumping to a conclusion as those that say Zimmerman is innocent. Unless you were there, its just your opinion. Got to go, they caught a witch in my area and we are going to burn her... <Is it a hate crime to burn all witches> (If your a witch, that last part was a joke, I do not hate witches)

                              • 1 vote
                              #594.7 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:13 PM EDT
                              Reply

                              Some folks are making this a race issue when it need not be. What this should amount to is why a neighborhood watch person is carrying a gun when neighborhood watches are to "watch" and call the police if anything is suspicious. Mr. Zimmerman, from what I can figure out, called the police and told them he was pursuing Mr. Martin and the police told him not to pursue him. The right to self defense does not authorize someone to pursue somebody else....that is police business. I know little of the case, but so far not one audio expert has said the screams heard on the phone were from Mr. Zimmerman. Could a scuffle have ensued? Sure! After all, last I heard in AMerica was that a person does not even have to give a policeman information if asked by a police why they are where they are. Why would Mr. Martin be required to answer any questions by Mr. Zimmeriman regarding why his presence was in the subdivision. My guess is that Mr. Z will be charged with something, because from what has been leaked out so far, and from phone conversations, he continued to pursue someone when that is illegal in the self defense law. He will have his day in court, and he will probably get pro bono excellent right wing attorney help from the NRA. A good jury should only look at the facts. Did Mr. Zimmerman EVER pursue Mr. Martin. If so...then the self defense law is negated and Mr. Z would have committed a crime. It probably won't help his case that the police explicity told him not to pursue.

                              • 2 votes
                              Reply#595 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:36 PM EDT

                              It is not illegal to pursue someone in the self defense law. It wouldn't be self-defense if Zimmerman attacked first, though. Following something suspicious, which is what Zimmerman was doing (after many reports of break-ins in that neighborhood), is fine for him to do, even if a dispatcher asked that he not. It is not breaking a law to go against what a dispatcher requests. If Mr. Martin put his hands on Zimmerman first, Zimmerman is allowed, under the self-defense law, to defend himself in any way possible, up to and including killing the person who is attacking him if that's what it takes to secure his safe health.

                                #595.1 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:01 PM EDT

                                So white people get to engage in vigilanteism,and act on their rabid irrational fears on just about everything. let a black person do the same damned thiong to a white and lets see what the outcome would be, fukking racists..

                                  #595.2 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:08 PM EDT

                                  FYI, I do not know FLorida's law but the retreat clause is quite clear. Mr. Z was NOT in his home or castle. Here is some info.

                                  "Most statutes regarding self defense law also include a duty to retreat clause, wherein deadly physical force may only be used if the person acting in self defense is unable to safely retreat. We will discuss this duty to retreat in more detail later. Just remember that a person is generally not obligated to retreat if in one's own home. For example: a person doesn't have to retreat from the living room to the kitchen, then to the bedroom, then to the bathroom, in what has come to be called the "castle exception" (derived from the expression "A man's home is his castle").

                                  • 1 vote
                                  #595.3 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:10 PM EDT

                                  ShandiX- At this point, no one can say anything about vigilante action. Zimmerman was legally allowed to follow Martin (regardless of the dispatcher's request - they are not cops, and cannot issue legal orders). What happened after that is all speculation. There were already multiple burglaries in the neighborhood, which is why he went looking/running after Martin....to ask what he was up to, which is legal and non-violent, and not acting as a vigilante. After that, we have no proof of who attacked who. I have run up behind strangers to give them a glove they dropped...does that give them the right to punch me? Nope. I can also follow a stranger if I think they're up to no good.

                                  • 1 vote
                                  #595.4 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:13 PM EDT

                                  Kim-513698

                                  FYI, I do not know FLorida's law but the retreat clause is quite clear. Mr. Z was NOT in his home or castle. Here is some info.

                                  You can find the Florida Justifiable Use of Force @ http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0776/0776ContentsIndex.html&StatuteYear=2011&Title=-%3E2011-%3EChapter%20776

                                  There is NOT a retreat clause... Florida statute 776 was specifically written in 2005 to do away with the requirement. Castle Doctrine states generally have retreat requirements but even those are fading away.. Place of residence, be it a cardboard box under a bridge, is a castle and many states have removed the retreat clause.

                                    #595.5 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:20 PM EDT
                                    Reply

                                    One tragedy will lead to another. The crystal ball says this ends in acquittal and there will be riots in Sanford.

                                      Reply#596 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:36 PM EDT

                                      Crystal balls are notorious for being completely and utterly inaccurate. Try using logical deduction and reasoning skills. I hear they're more effective.

                                      • 1 vote
                                      #596.1 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:54 PM EDT

                                      There will be riots all over because if Zimmermanis acquitted themessage that will be conveyed is that any racistloser with a gun can shoot a black person down for nodamned reason.Getready.

                                        #596.2 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:58 PM EDT

                                        way to Go RacediX, you just showed your true self. Shame on you for having so much hate, but thats what the definition of a Racist is isnt it? Hate for another race. Shame on you.

                                          #596.3 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:13 PM EDT
                                          Reply

                                          Kenny Driessen: Zimmerman was told "he didn't need to follow Trayvon" not "to not follow him," there's a difference! It was for his safety, they ALWAYS tell people to not get involved. Zimmerman has thwarted several crimes in this multi-racial neighborhood and even called the police ahead of time and afterwards in this situation...yeah, sure sounds like he was out to kill a black kid. In his previous taped calls it should be noted that he has never racially been motivated in his neighborhood watch runs- ever! My brother is a poilice officer and he says they treat people at the scene all the time, just because a grainy video doesn't show what you want to see, does NOT mean it didn't happen. Paramedics were on the scene as well. The report shows he DID have head injuries and he DID have a busted up nose. Before my brother became a cop he was an EMT and says that not all broken noses show lots of blood or even disfigurement, but they can still be broken. He was questioned for 5 hours that night and brought back the following day for three more hours of questioning and was determined to not have committed the crime. BTW, there were also some blacks with some leadership on force when this took place. Isn't it great that mob rules and threats of civil disobedience influence our judicial system?! Plus, they're still showing the old picture of the fat Zimmerman jailbird and the old picture of the fresh-faced Trayvon instead of the recent picture on his Facebook page all thugged out and flipping the bird with both hands where he wrote underneath the picture "Nigga gangsta." That's the type of person Trayvon wanted to be known as apparently! You know, this was before his FB page was immediately scrubbed by his parents because it didn't want fit in with the image they wanted to portray him! I feel bad someone died here, but who is to say he didn't have a huge part of his own death? Let's let justice figure it out...but, let's keep in mind, there will be NO justice for Zimmerman as long as dingleberries like Farra-CON, Sharpton and Jackson are still breathing!

                                          • 1 vote
                                          Reply#597 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:36 PM EDT
                                          kyscottyDeleted

                                          There are so many news media and on the street pundints who are calling for justice for Martin's family. Justice is the right word. Lets not assume that justice means zimmerman goes to jail. There seems to be a lot of evidence to suggest that first-Zimmerman is not a racist-second that her was hurt in a self defense situation. Because injuries were not evident in the grainy video at police station then we have towait for the trial. If a policeman or emt person tended to zimmerman injuries to head and face , then the person who fixed him up can testify. If defense can prove that zimmerman has black friends, helps out with black kids and doesn't go around using racial slurs, then that evidence is there to digest.

                                          If he is ever found not guilty are all the people who caused such an uproar and ruined his lfe going to apologize for being wrong? Or will they just wait for the next situation that might seem to fit their race baiting agenda and then strik again -demanding justice?

                                          • 1 vote
                                          Reply#599 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:36 PM EDT

                                          Do we need to just get it over with in this country and "throw down"? I'll take my chances with the 67% percent of the population that'll eventually be against the 12.5%. People who think they want to riot and threaten, rob, murder and use the word "racist" to get out of everything will know true pain. Not what their so called community leaders have been teaching them for the past forty to fifty years.

                                          • 1 vote
                                          Reply#600 - Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:36 PM EDT
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