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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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Personally, I'm glad Zimmerman is in custody and will go to trial. Whether he gets convicted of murder or some lesser charge is a moot point in a way, because at the moment his life is not worth a plug nickel. In jail or on the streets, someone will be out to get him. I just hope justice prevails, but the chance of that happening is slim to none. For now, it is a game of wait and see what happens.
It's about time!
The whole sitation is a tragedy. But would have been more tragic is to let Zimmerman go free without ANY charges at all.
OK, so who's this Martin Zimmerman guy and what's the BFD?!!
Well, we all knew this was coming. While I believe the charges are justified, it is also true that given the degree of notoriety and controversy surrounding the case, some type of charge against George Zimmerman was inevitable.
Let's hope that the legal system does its job in a way that is clear and transparent to all. Let also hope for peace on earth, the end of world hunger and the Cubs finally win the World Series.
I hope I hope Zimmerman gets the Johnny Cochrane law firm to represent him this way when he gets aquitted with the help of a black Attorney it might help to reduce at a least a little bit the rioting that will surely follow.
He will have a fair trail— its more then what Trayvon got! Down with justice_its the AMERICAN WAY!
If Trayvon Hit,They Must Acquit!
Ah Florida, a place where a thinking citizen always remembers to bring his gun to every fist fight.
why charge the man with a crime when they should be patting him on the back.all he did was to protect his neighborhood and take out a future gang member that would have killed more than one person and possible robbed many more.just give him a medel and be done with it.you just wait and see if that poor man is not convicted there is going to be riots in the streets and the color of their skin is not going to be white.lets just see what happens and how many of the protesters get shot when they try to riot in Florida.P.S if anyone needs help with the shooting ,I can come to Florida.
Well, It looks like racism is alive and well in America,But look who's wearing the hoods now. Were gonna have a trial and then were gonna have a hangin, sound familier?
Zim admitted following Tray this is all we know. So we know what Zims state of mind was in. He was in pursuit and he had a gun to defend himself if need be. We know what Zim was thinking "apprehend suspect and be the hero ". Tray on the other hand ran and was scared he had skittles and was headed home.. Sooooo....
This is a case of the tail wagging the dog...unreal...The white population in this country is bowing to the media and the Blacks!
Throw Race out of this. A Man shot an unarmed Kid. He should be charged. It's about time!
He will have a fair trail— its more then what Trayvon got! Down with justice_its the AMERICAN WAY!
Excuse Glen everybody he just crawled out from under a roclk lol
If I lived in a gated community with armed security, I would want them to protect me and defend themselves. Why was the boy there?????a 17 year old??? How many 17 year olds have commited serious crimes???
The prosecutor will charge him because of political correctness. A jury will have to decide. The prosecutor is not concerned about the cost. Sometimes the Innocent plead guilty because they can not afford to defend themselves.
Is the race card being played in this case? Is the accused white or hispanic? Is Obama white or black? The victim was black. The question is whether he was good or bad. So again I have to ask, why was he in a gated community
Daniel,
Have you been watching this case. He was in the community visiting with his father's girlfriend. If you cannot keep up, you should not be posting.
I find it frightening that those that are crying "Zim has already been convicted by the media" are the same ones saying that Trayvon was a "worthless thug" who was "on his way to becoming a gang member". Besides the fact that one of them is dead and can't defend themselves, and "Zim" admitted to shooting him, NONE of us have all of the facts. That is why an investigation, charges and a trial are needed. Guilty or not. That is all that the family wanted in the first place. That is what any of us would want for any slain family member.
This man will not get a fair trial because the gutless authorities were worried about chimp-outs across America, just like the OJ trial.
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So where was he?
Yesterday the big deal was the attorney's news conference and their saying they didn't know where he was. Now we get a report that he's in custody, but nothing about how or where that occurred.
Just goes to show you can be a lowlife thug and get a bunch of other low life thugs together to whine, and youll get our lowlife polititions to cower to the mob, the kid got what he deserved and Mr. Zimmerman will be aquited in a jury trial.
Yes folks, this message was brought to you by..
Sociopaths R' Us !!!
It will be impossible for him to get a fair trial anywhere in the world because of the prejudicial actions of the press and the likes of Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson, so he will have to be left free, irrespective of his innocence or guilt. Ironic.
Hey justpisssedoff..see you inf Florida..carrying.
We need to spank this government and take away their keys...........
Since when does the US allow any person or group to stand in the streets and preach of killing other people or allow a bounty to be put on someones head without the law or government doing something about it???
Since always....
I'm putting a "bounty" on Jesse & Al 50 cents each, about what they are worth !!!
jw...that's about what I gave your mom and sister....50 each and I want a refund
Looks like Al Sharpton and the rest of his Racist organization will need another reason to riot now that they succeeded in getting the guy charged. Hmmm wonder what will happen if he's found not guilty??
wow collapsed by the community is hugely popular in the Liberal vine today!
It's called freedom of speech. Some idiots don't believe in it.
but many are just idiots....
Martin has NO criminal history, not even an arrest. Zimmerman is an ass hole with an attitude who beat up his girl friend, and shoved a cop while telling him to **** off
And playing hookey from school is NOT a criminal record
Name calling shows your class.
tumbleweed needs to practice what he preaches.....see above posts!
It's called, as you put it, freedom of speech. I say a dude who beats women is an ASS HOLE
If you would have gone to school in America, you would learned about "freedom of speech". When you can put a name on the person your attacking, it's called a "personal attack". It then is not covered by our "freedom of speech". And you are lible.
go ahead put him away but that won't bring your @!$%# back will it. One less piece of @!$%# @!$%# to deal with. if there were more @!$%#s taken out like this maybe the thugs would behave. just if more were dying this way would be great.
Angry much........take a toke or something
Liberal media will go wild for this. Man's nose broken, defending himself...now has to go to court. ROMNEY 2012! YEAH
If you break my nose I have the right to kill you. The sad thing is that many posting here don't have a problem with this.
I suppose if some stranger with no uniform or badge started following you on a dark street, you'd probably lay down, submit and start whimpering. Personally I would have done just what the teen did, I'da beat the living crap outta Zimmy, call it self defense against a a strange fat white dude late at night with a gun, again, no uniform, no badge, no cop car. Yea, you guys woulda been tail between your legs in a heartbeat.
proves my point that most gun toters are cowards...it's why they carry....FEAR