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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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Ok....Trayvon is gone, Zimmerman is arrested, we know no justice will ever come from this, we know that blacks will burn and loot and create chaos if Zim is found not guilty, so the jury will weigh in on the least amount of disruption for material loss purposes no innocence or guiltiness will ever be proved. If the blacks had there way Zim would already be hanged and rotting, the jury in this case will put Zim away whether or not he acted stupidly but innocently. The blacks want blood and they are loud, aggressive, and destructive!!!!
fruity tootie,
What better example do we need that racism still exists in this coutnry. Thank You for make it very clear. Now F.O.!!
Zimmerman should have received free tix to DisneyWorld !!!!
Cell #4 on the 2nd floor IS known as "Disney World"
He'll have a ball !!!
just like your chin. A place where all men come to rest their balls.
The self described Hispanic George is one dum sumbich' Regardless of the outcome, he's ruined for life.
Guns will make idiots out of you, that's for sure. Poor hispanic George, wanted to be a tough guy and couldn't handle the little wimp 17 year old so he shot him. Well, I guess the saying if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen should be changed to if you can't stand the heat, get a gun, it'll make a man out of you.
BTW, can't wait to see the coroners toxicollogy report, it's hispanic Georges only hope.
WHY oh Why does all of this insanity happen in Florida? Bush/Gore, now this! Why have a trial , just sentence him, the media, Sharpton, Obama, Holder, the NEW Black Panthers have all found him guilty, there is NO one left to seat a jury.
THis is not gona be a fair trial. OBama and the black panthers and the anti gun liberals are going to be sending their goons to intimindate the jury
What?
Paranoid much?
colorado against travon martin
So, I guess the KKK now has branches in Colorado.
if Zimmerman's coward bitch ass did not have gun, his ho ass would not have left his truck, which was illegal to begin with, when the police say stop, put your hand up, drop you weapon, empty your pocket, we don't need you do that sir! ... these are direct order from a police officer and it is ""Illegal"", to disobey a lawful order given by a Police Officer ..... Wake Up ... China became the Number One Nation in the World while you were sleeping .....
I might have seen you on Hardcore Pawn.
HANNIDY , '' YOU LOST '', RUSH , '' YOU LOST '', SANFORD , FLORIDA , AND ALL YOU VIGILANTE LYNCH MOB LAW MAKERS , '' YOU LOST '' , KU KLUX KLAN , '' YOU LOST '', REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVE TEA PARTY RACIST , '' YOU LOST '' ALL OF YOU INTELLECTUAL RACIST CONSERVATIVE RIGHT LEANING RADIO TALK SHOW HOST DEVILS '' YOU LOST '', ALL YOU CHRISTIAN PROFESSING '' M O R O N I '' WORSHIPERS AT THE ALTAR OF JOE SMITH ACCURSED BIBLE TEACHING , '' YOU LOST '', ALL YOU CLOSET RACIST JUST PROUD OF THE SKIN YOU'RE IN , '' YOU LOST '' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND TAKE ALL OF YOUR DEEP SEEDED RACIST JUDGMENTS AND '' SHOVE THEM '' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Weak.
@repubs or just plain stupid I bet you lunch that GZ is aquitted. The only losers are TM,his family and GZ's family.
I wonder who is up for relection this time? This case is going to be turned into a circus just like the Anthony trial. I wonder if the prosecutors are reaching to high on this one?
Is there a paramedic report saying George Zimmerman was treated for a broken nose and what ever else was claimed to have happened to him. I know p[eople have a right to carry in this country but really should he have been carrying a gun? If the paramedics prove GZ was in fact getting a beat down does he not have the right to defend himself?
There are a couple of considerations I haven't heard anybody mentioning:
Florida has a Stand Your Ground law, that, as insane as it is, allows anybody to use deadly force against anybody whom they feel is threatening them.
Zimmerman was carrying a gun, he followed Trayvon even after he was specifically told not to. Trayvon may or may not have attacked him - the only witness besides Zimmerman is dead, so we will never know.
If Zimmerman was following Martin in the dark, behaving in a threatening manner, doesn't the law also protect Martin? Didn't Martin have the right to Stand his Ground, to use deadly force if he felt threatened? Instead of worrying about whether or not the guy stalking with the gun had the right to shoot the guy he was following, and whether or not he was justified because the guy he was following attacked him, why isn't anybody talking about the guy who knew he was being followed in the dark by some creep having the right to use deadly force to defend himself too?
And, let's imagine that Martin had been carrying a gun. Let's imagine that he followed somebody, that there was recorded evidence that Martin admitted he was following them, that he was told to STOP following them, but that he didn't. Let's imagine that Martin shot someone - anyone - dead. Would we even be having this conversation? I think we all know that we wouldn't - Martin would have been in jail for several weeks now.
and the latino and black war heats up
dj......I'm a hard drinkin' small thinkin' white guy but I'll bet the bar a drink the Latinos will win this one easy! Not in court, the Blacks whine too loud, but in the street where it matters Oh yeah!
George Zimmerman the moral of the story "YOU LIVE BY THE SWORD, GET READY TO DIE BY THE SWORD"! Justice has prevailed for Trayvon and Special State Attorney Corey has deadlock your defense. 1. You can't claim it a justifiable homicide 2. Alibi 3. PTSD (mental issues) and lastly your watered down killer of an excuse "Stand your ground! You took a life which you precipated all of this and now there is no law that can back you up for your blood thirst of killing!!! I'm pray for the family of Trayvon Martin and god will surely avenge your loss and soothe your pain. RIP Trayvon
George is for certain one stupid sob, but, he's got a few things going in his favor as well. Don't think it's a layup, it's not.
If Zimmerman had been arrested (as he should have been) on the same day that this incedent occurred (but with his father being a highly regarded Florida judge and all ...); this story would not have made the news.
What makes this story news worthy is the fact that Trayvon (the victim) was shot and killed by Zimmerman and remained uncharged until now. Race certainly is not the issue. The real issue is one of accountibility. If you strip away race from the equation, then the story would read: A man, while on neighborhood watch, shot and killed an unarmed teen on his way home from the store with a bag of skittles and an iced tea. The man remains uncharged.
The public outrage would still remain because of the lack of accountibility. People become very upset when an obvious wrong is not addressed and remediated. This is what make the story significant. Anyone who only sees the race factor is missing the real point.
Zimmerman WAS arrested that night.
Lack of facts is what Trayvonm's supporters are all about
His father is not i repeat not a judge in FL moron so get your facts straight moron.
Hey roger Freak! I would like to hear your tune if it was your son that was shot by a gun toting, vigilante creep!
FINALLY!!!
Retired Police office. The entire case rests on how much of an injury Zimmerman sustained and if the jury believes him when he says he was in fear for his life. You don't have to be armed to present a threat. Many a police officer has shot an unarmed man after engaging in a physical altercation. The lawyers will look at the body positions when the shot happened as well as any dialog between the two that might have been overheard by any witnesses in the area. This is a tough one!
2nd Degree murder--OBAMA will lose the election, I live near the projects here in Brooklyn NY and I know a punk when I see one--Trayvon is a punk and got what he deserved!
even if he was a punk it doesnt mean he deserved to get killed. where did you come off saying something like that?
This has nothing to do with Obama, you idiot!
If your obsession with Obama runs THAT deep, here's a toast to your heart attack when he wins re-election! ;-)
Sounds like you really know a lot.
Another trial that will make the lawyers a ton of money and the boy is still dead. Who wins?
hopefuly the jury will be sympothetic to zimmerman and harsh to the martins
Hopefully the jury will know exactly what happened! Oh and you're against Trayvon Martin? I didn't know you were there, and saw everything that happened,that night?My My you're truly amazing.Maybe they can use you on the witness stand,since you are all knowing about this case.I mean Holy Crap you saw everything,didn't you?
Here's a News Flash Mr. or Ms. know it all who knows sh it! There was a very good reason why they charged this guy!It was not just because a bunch of people were jumping up and down,screaming for him to be arrested!
There had to be some pretty good dam compelling and substantial evidence in order to charge Zimmerman with 2ND DEGREE MURDER!That's right under there from 1ST DEGREE MURDER!
Chew on that for awhile,since you know exactly what happened.
when when when when when ----- Will They Post A Real Picture OF The innocent Theif??? Must i look at his 4th Grade Class Picture. P O S T A R E A L P I C T U R E
WHY Wont They Post A Real Photo????
I am so happy that the killer Zimmerman is going to court. What a bunch of BS about stand your ground when you stock a 17 year old kid. Hope he gets life. Sick and tired of all the racists red necks on here. I am white, but want to see justice done.
Do not know what the facts are yet. What if you are wrong?
REALLY?? Google this: The double murder of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom
When you stock someone with a gun and pull the trigger your guilty in my book.
learn to spell dumbass it is stalk not stock and martin was hardly a kid quit looking at the old photos of him moron
Angry white male. Last time I checked a 17 year old is still a child. Your name says it all. racists.
I bet Zimmerman is regretting not listening to the law when the 911 told him to not pursue Trayvon. Zimmerman caused a death of another and is going to pay!
Yes, could not agree more with you.
@BITTERSWEETSYMPHONY 911 did not tell Zimmerman not to follow. He called the police department not the 911 emergency operator. Also, he was acting on the charge of being the neighborhood watchman. Treyvon attacked him and Treyvon paid the price for his thug mentality.
Did your mom not tell you a Thug is a racists term?
poltergiest, he did call 911 and they did tell he didnt need to follow. he followed and trayvons death was the result. even if trayvon was a thug it doesnt give anyone the right to murder him. if it was your child you would be outraged.
If it were my child who had been kicked out of school his ass would not have been out of the damn house in the first place.
if its racism,second degree might be right ,if it wasn't racism maybe manslaughter, but let justice run its course.also i'll stick my nose out a little, why is it when the situation is reversed , its never racism, and or ,nobody ever hears a pip?
All the Democrats who used Treyvons death to race bait, white hispanic ETC, should be ashamed. You lied and didn't care about this kid at all, the facts are the facts, George Zimmeran is a hispanic registered Democrat, what he is or how he votes shouldn't matter but you Democrats are addicted to your great society divide and conqer hate ideology.
I never once bought the self defense BS, it's stand your ground not chase after, this law is a good one but must be made clearer if guys like George Zimmerman can use it to get way with murder.
Treyvon could have been a drug dealer gang banger who was kicking Zimmerman's ass, none of that matters, Zimmerman provoked, and a jury of his peers must take all the evidence into account and make a correct, lawful, fair verdict. I just dont see them not convicting him, the stand your ground law is not relevant here.
he did call the kid a coon and the police department didnt even investigate properly. there is reason to think that the killer was gonna be let off because of who he killed, a black person, as opposed to actually defending himself. thats why people are claiming racism. if that was a white kid those police would have done their job properly, we all know that. maybe GZ was racist maybe he wasnt but what we do know is the police let it go because it was a dead black kid.
Pittsburgh...if he thought he was a coon maybe he thought he was rabid and acted rabid, I haven't thought of that, but the light wasn't that bad was it. Coons can be scary even if not rabid!!
THE 1ST 48 ...jUST WATCH THE PROGRAM & dECIDE if YOU PROFILE...
I guess when O J was found innocent white people should have gotten the head of the ku klux klan to speak for them and send death threats and burn cop cars and shot at police stations, oh hold on that only works for al sharptoungue and jesse jackarse and other unedumacated blacks named tamika and shanikqua and darjon and porche and mestupid idiot and my folks made sure I won't amount to sqaut in life because of low self esteem they gave me a name I would give a dog, stay at the bottom of the food chain as you are a stupid race and obama your welfare momma is helping you stay there, get your heads out of your arses and work hard and get ahead and quit playing the race card as now I can't stand your race, not blacks I am talking about the race that is still stuck in the pre lincoln era, you were not there and you have alot they never had, I cant help your skin color only you can, and you are as racist and anyone on earth and now I am too. THanks a-holes
they did you idiot....where were you when the goldman kids father said that he hoped OJ got what he deserved on the street if it took it to get justice??????? memory like goldfish
wow one man that was quite a protest and major event , boy you are stupid