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Subscribe to RSSAlthough Chief Bill Lee offered to leave his post, a majority of Sanford's city commissioners rejected his resignation. NBC's Kerry Sanders reports.
The police chief in charge when unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in Sanford, Fla., offered to leave his post on Monday, but a majority of city commissioners rejected the resignation, with some characterizing it as coming from political pressure.
Chief Bill Lee Jr. came under fire for not making an immediate arrest after the shooting death of Martin, 17, by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman on Feb. 26.
Zimmerman was questioned by police, but not arrested or charged with any crime after following Martin, whom he apparently thought looked suspicious walking through the gated Florida community. Zimmerman said he acted in self-defense.
At a press conference shortly thereafter, Lee told reporters that there was no arrest because they did not have enough evidence at that time.
The case attracted attention beyond Florida and ignited a national debate on race and justice after Martin's parents obtained 911 call recordings from the day their son was killed and which they believe show that Zimmerman was not acting in self-defense.
Lee stepped down "temporarily" in March after a vote of no-confidence by the commission.
Zimmerman later was arrested and is now charged with second-degree murder.
Only City Manager Norton Bonaparte was in a position to fire Lee or ask for his resignation, which he apparently requested after determining that outside assessments by the Department of Justice or other parties would take many months. By resigning, Lee would be eligible for a severance package.
At the commissioners' meeting Monday, the members considered Bonaparte's resolution to accept Lee's resignation.
Some of the commission members said Bonaparte's resolution to accept Lee's resignation was a surprise, and a capitulation to outside pressures on Bonaparte.
"This was resign, or else, folks," said Randy Jones, characterizing the resignation as forced by Bonaparte. "It is not the Sanford residents who created this firestorm. It was brought in from the outside. We all know it."
Lee's supporters on the Sanford City Commission on Monday said they would not accept the resignation of Lee, and characterized it as purely political.
"You are eliminating a man who did nothing wrong," said Commissioner Patty Mahany, who has described Lee as a scapegoat in the furor over the case. "Chief Lee deserves a better than this."
The commission ultimately rejected Bonaparte's resolution to accept the resignation over Lee by 3-2 vote.
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Leave a Comment:
Good news his resignation was rejected. I heard a very outrageous comment today. The person said "Zimmerman had put paint on the back of his head and the photo was staged". This is why good Public Servants don't want to serve anymore. The racist, politically motivated, and the ignorant will spread false information, lies, and any other slant that gets them attention. This case was frauded by the Media from the beginning. Black America is never going to believe the facts. Justice will be served when they find Zimmerman not guilty.
Amen
The chief should continue in his job. The race-baiters - Sharpton, Jackson, NAACP - should find legitimate jobs and fade away.
should stop inflaming
Do you think if J.F.K. or Governor Rick Scott got shot and Killed In Sanford Florida, there would be no Trial or Investigation?
I don't think so. The Place would be crawling with Investigators trying to make a name for themselves...
True. And when Bill Cosby's son was shot a killed a few years back, finding his killer became, in the words of the Chief of the LAPD "The number one priority of the LAPD is finding the killer of Ennis Cosby".
Race? Ha! If you have money, fame, power...finding your son's killer is top priority, even if he is a young black male.
Just imagine if it was the other way around. Trevon sees Zimmerman walking in his neighborhood, follows him. At some point gets out of his car and confronts Zimmerman. A scuffle starts, Trevon steps back and shoots and kills Zimmerman. Should Trevon be arrested?
Yep...no doubt.
The sad truth is we don't know the real truth. Every time I hear something on this story it changes. Shameful reporting at best!
The whole Zimmerman clan will be in jail.At the bail hearing George Zimmerman's dad said George had a protective nose brace on his nose,it didn't show up on the jail video.George Zimmerman made false statement to the police on the scene in his initial statement which we will hear more about as the case goes forward.The prosecutor started asking Zimmerman about his false statement to police,at the bond hearing,however the judge told him to wait for the trial.There are things that have been entered into evidence that we don't know about so let's wait for the trial.
tiredofit-3716172
just say DOH!!! the video was shot the night of the incident. George saw the doctor the NEXT DAY. That renders the rest of your comment not worth replying to.
If Zimmerman is acquited, war is coming to this country.
Get prepared !! The U.S. is going to resemble Iraq !
Y-e-e-e-e - hah !!
Hyperbole, much? Blacks make up about 12-14% (depending upon which 2010 census article you read) of the total US population. Yup, there's going to be a "war," alrighty.
I will wait for the jury's decision. I hope they get better information.
WHAT?? All the photos of 12 year old Trayvon haven't made up your mind yet?!??!!
who's going to testify as to who started the altercation - the lead investigator has already mentioned he does not know
Zimmerman testified that he lost sight of Martin and was on his way back to his vehicle when Martin attacked him. Per his converstaion with the dispatcher -Zimmerman claims that he lost sight of Martin and discussed meeting the police at the mailboxes. He then instead gave the dispatcher his phone number and told them to have the police call him when they arrive and he will direct them to where he is. That could lead to a logical person wondering if Zimmerman was telling the truth or not. Could he have instead been checking the area out to see if he could find Martin before the police arrived so that he could direct the police to where he was? The only person that could dispute his testimony is dead.
The lead investigator is right, he does not know, but there is evidence that can possibly dispute at least a portion of Zimmerman's testimony and it is up to the jury to decide whether or not Zimmerman is telling the truth. If they do not believe his testimony then the only logical conclusion would be that Zimmerman attacked Martin. Based on any other evidence, the jury can determine whether they believe all, some or none of Zimmerman's testimony. Just because Zimmerman has injuries does not in any way indicate that he did not initiate an attack on Martin. Just because a witness saw Martin on top of Zimmerman does not in any way indicate that he did not initiate an attack on Martin.
Donna P-2692688
I was not aware George had offered testimony as of yet. He stated, on the call, that the person he was watching had run and it sounded like he exited the vehicle and attempted to follow. The rumored "statement" and hearsay of Georges relatives is something to the effect that he was jumped on the way back to his truck. We have not seen Georges statement from that night and won't until it is brought into evidence in court. George has NOT given any public statement outside of court.
OR the fact that George was parked a bit of a distance FROM the mailboxes but could EASILY direct the responding officer(s) from the mailbox to where his truck was... like maybe look left and see my flashing headlights.
The lead investigator is right, he does not know, but there is evidence that can possibly dispute at least a portion of Zimmerman's testimony and it is up to the jury to decide whether or not Zimmerman is telling the truth
Agree with the investigator has NO evidence one way or the other. Therefore there is no EVIDENCE to dispute who attacked whom or how they came to be in close proximity. Again George has given NO testimony.
If they do not believe his testimony then the only logical conclusion would be that Zimmerman attacked Martin. Based on any other evidence, the jury can determine whether they believe all, some or none of Zimmerman's testimony.
Lets see if we get to a Jury. The case may fall apart before we get that far. Part of the charges are based on how that confrontation started and if that is disproved 2nd degree is most likely out and maybe even to the point that self defense has NOT been disproved. Then we can worry about testimony and statements and physical evidence.
The mistake the prosecution made was attempting to try the case at the bail hearing. They went down the same line you are trying to use.. Georges "changing" story. Unless there is something in the questioning session that differs from his official post incident statement they are trying to use third party hearsay to contest his official statement. I don't see the prosecution calling any of Georges relatives to the stand. They weren't at the shooting so anything and everything they might say would be third party hearsay.
I read a lot of comments that black people are good people and they oppressed. They give various reason why they commit crimes. This article is one crime which was committed in Aurora Colorado on 4-22-2012. What I need to know is WHY Jess and Al aren't telling blacks to quit killing innocent people. I also feel that this sheriff was railroaded and same thing has happened to Zimmerman. Just to satisfy the black people that were demanding an arrest. I think some people need to do a little soul searching and ask why so many people in the USA get killed for no reason, normally by drug dealers, gangbangers and just all out thugs.
AURORA — When members of the New Destiny Christian Church heard the sounds
of a car crash in the parking lot Sunday afternoon, Josephine Echols was among
the first to step outside to see if anyone needed medical help.
It was then when Echols, 68, a registered nurse in the dialysis department at
Medical Center of Aurora, died from several gunshot wounds fired by a man who
had crashed his car into another vehicle in the church's parking lot.
"She (Echols) was going to just help him and he started shooting," said
Echols' son, DeLono Straham, who is the pastor at New Destiny. "She was a woman
who was a gamer, she was always looking to go help someone."
Straham said his mother was shot five times before his cousin — an off duty
Denver police officer — shot and killed the gunman.
The gunman and the officer have not been identified by the Aurora Police
Department, though Straham described the gunman as a black male.
Aurora police continued their investigation of the incident Monday, and
police spokesman Frank Fania said more information would be provided today.
Yellow tape cordoned off the church's parking lot for much of the morning as
detectives pored over scene.
Brenda Jones, a member of the southeast Aurora church for about 13 years, was
inside when she heard the gun shots.
"The service was about to end and then everyone was yelling get down, stay
down," said Jones, who noted that Echols was known as "Momma Jo" and that the
Flint, Mich. native was a matriarch of sorts within the church. "It was a lot of
shots fired."
Jones said that once the gunshots ceased she went outside where she saw
Echols lying on her back in a pool of blood.
On Monday several of Echols grandchildren placed a pair of wooden crosses
over the exact spot where she was shot .
Straham said his mother was eventually pronounced dead at the Medical Center
Aurora where she had worked in for the past nine years.
Sharron Taylor remembered when she was sick in the hospital several years ago
and Echols would always visit her room.
"She (Echols) would be right there and say 'now Sharron you got to eat your
food'," said Taylor, who is a member of the congregation, but was not at
Sunday's afternoon service. "Momma Jo was a caring person. If you were feeling
bad and had a conversation with her, you would soon feel better. She just had
that way about her."
Kurtis Lee: 303-954-1655 or klee@denverpost.com
Read more: Woman
killed at Aurora church was trying to help crash victim - The Denver Post #ixzz1suntMwhw
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content:
to gustifer - when gun control issues come up, fuc-ing Liberals always laugh and mock about why carry a gun to church ??? HA HA HA !! Is this where all the bad guys are ??? HA ! HA! HA !
This is not the first story of innocent people getting shot while at church or in a religious school - 
I always carry concealed - even to church on Sunday mornings !
I dont understand why we as a intelligent race try and justify or defend other peoples actions look the truth is there is alot of bad black people other and there is also alot of good ones but that applies to white people, hispanic, indian, asian etc there is no race of people that is walking this earth that can say that they havent committed the same crimes or acts that all other races has if so name one
NO BLOODY HEAD, huh? Then what's this:
www.examiner.com/article/george-zimmerman-s-bloody-head-photo
The fact is the family is not seeking justice, they're seeking revenge for "Z" killing what appears to the a 12 year old and absolutely perfect little boy, and they WILL accept any other judgment except "Z" not going to prison, but "Z" being executed. Anyone believing their child is without sin, is delusional and a moron. When your child is young, do you have to teach them to lie? NO, you have to teach them to tell the truth. Trayvon was not the perfect little 12 year old that the family would have you to believe he was. Nearly every picture the media is showing is of this little innocent 10 to 12 year old boy, I'm surprised that family didn't give the media a picture of Trayvon when he was in kindergarten. Not the hooded person that was out lirking in the night.
And let's explore if "Z" is found not guilty.... we will have yet another violent Rodney King rampage on our hands? Yeah, this will make things right... sure... 53 people died as a result of the Rodney King issue. White people being pulled out of vehicles and beaten to death. yeah, this will make things right... millions of dollars of product stolen from stores because Rodney King was beaten by rogue cops... yeah, this will surely make Trayvon happy. Fires set all over LA, is the family hoping for this to happen again?
At what point is enough, enough? At what point will the family accept justice, not revenge, but justice?

Zimmerman deserves the same justice that Martin got. He better sleep in that bullet proof vest for the rest of his short time.
And that's justice? What if "Z" really is innocent?
Sky - even I don't believe you think it is OK for an armed adult to shoot an unarmed minor....hope I'm right.
Nissan
I don't care if the person beating on me is 8 or 80. If I reasonably believe I am going to die or suffer serious injury I WILL do whatever it takes to make that person stop. Tell us with a straight face and swear on your soul you wouldn't do the same.
I don't know about you but I have seen him in a picture in a hoodie. Looks pretty much the same to me as any of the other pictures that I have seen of him. You are complaining about people making discriminatory comments about Zimmerman who is alive to defend himself yet you are making discriminatory comments about a young man who is dead and can not defend himself. Since when is walking down the sidewalk on your way home from the store at 7:00 pm lurking in the night. There is no indication that a crime had been committed or that he was going to commit a crime but he was "lurking in the night" so he must have been up to no good and deserved what he got.
Donna you are aware that the "hoodie" photo has been photoshopped and lightened as well as blended? Even THAT photo is designed to make him look like an angel. Of course we won't get a photo from the parents with his golden grille. At least give us an honest photo.
I guess you cant fire people for being stupid but that should not prevent all of the jackass's running that crap hole from being fired. That would include the crooked cops and the corrupt judges and prosecutors.
I feel threatened by Floridians. Any that come up north may be killed in self defense without provocation.
nobsartist
I guess you cant fire people for being stupid
----------------
speaking from experience?
Accept it.
Coldcrush: You sound like a racist yourself. You know what KARMA is don't you??? It will always come back at you 10 fold. So keep up the bad towards someone else and you will feel the KARMA.
For all the white bleeding hearts out there - if you got slammed to the ground by the head by a young guy wearing a hoody, would you fear for your life? And would you shoot him? You know you would...you know in the same circumstance you would.
I hold a Florida conceal carry permit. In the required training for the permit, we were specifically instructed that if you find yourself in a one-on-one fistfight, you have no grounds to pull your weapon.
To answer your question, would I shoot an unarmed adult? Only if I really felt my life were in danger, with the understanding that the burden of proof would fall upon me. Would I shoot an unarmed minor? A teenager? Under absolutely NO circumstances, would I harm a woman or a child. Regardless of his size (6' 3"), he was 17 years old, and that is a minor...a child. Similar to if a female has the body of a 22 year old, you have sex with her, but she turns out to be only 15...she is a minor and you go to prison.
Bottom line: You don't shoot kids. Man sized body, but a 17 year old mind, 17 year old attitude, and 17 year old judgement.
would you ask for an id while he was pounding your head into the sidewalk?
Bob - good question! This was addressed in our training. The question was asked "What do you do if you're not sure of the person's age, gender, if they're armed, etc?". Answer: You are 110% responsible for that bullet once it leaves the gun. If you shoot the person you believe is an adult, and he turns out to be a minor...you live with that. You CAN use your gun to defend another person. If you see some guy in an alley grabbing some woman and you feel her life is in danger, you CAN shoot him. If it turns out that he is an undercover police officer and she was a prostitute he was arresting....you're going to prison. You CAN shoot an armed intruder. If you shoot and miss, but the bullet strikes and kills your neighbor, you're going to jail.
Here is exactly what they told us in CCW training: "You need to be damned sure you know what you're doing when you pull that trigger, because once the bullet leaves the gun, odds are your life will never be the same."
Nissan. Do you think Zimmerman knew how old Martin was? You must think Martin gave him some ID or told him "hey, I'm 17, you can't shoot me so just lie there and let me beat you senseless like a good adult". It's good that you would not shoot an unarmed minor under any circumstances because that would mean that even under duress you would stop and require proof of age before you pulled the trigger. Have you ever looked at some 17 year olds--some can pass for several years older--that picture of Martin at 12 has messed with too many people's opinions.
My comment is not about Zimmerman and Martin, but just in general. Nissan, yes if a 6'+ attacked me (I'm 5'5") I'm sorry but I wouldn't ask for his ID to make sure he is an adult if he was threatening my life, I would do whatever it takes to defend myself. If you prefer to try and ask him for his I.D. while he is beating you and/or roll over and let him kill you because you think he is a teenager, then what can I say, it is your choice. I don't know why you think that being a teenager excuses crimes like assault and/or murder. Sure a young person can do foolish things sometimes, but when we are talking abour assault and/or murder that is a whole different story. What do you think of the 4 guys who murdered people in cold blood in a store recently? one was a minor, and another was only 19 and freshly out of prison, I don't think either of them was "sweet and innocent".
I read police report and can someone,without sarcasm answer this: The police found Trayvon's body face down with hands crossed in front.How in the hell do you get a shot off,point blank,center mass if you are the one on bottom? Please,again no sarcasm just an answer.
Are you saying there was a second shooter?
not really following your question. What do you think is indicated by the position of TM?
Maria are you proposing that GZ was above TM and shot him in the back? The evidence is undisputed that TM received a single shot at almost point balnk to the center of his chest unless you have gleened something new from the police report.
@Maria.... If you lie down on your back and have someone sit on you, their whole torso is staring you in the face. If you can get to your gun how could you miss shooting them "center mass" as you put it. Am I misunderstanding your question?
shooting center of mass does not mean hitting center of chest.. Figure an 18" x 18" area and a round entering lower left in an upward, towards right shoulder, direction, would still be center of mass hit.
Lets take it to a best case situation... George gets his gun out and actually points it square in Trayvons chest and it was Trayvon screaming, not my belief but lets just say it was. George is saying get off me and instead Trayvon is yelling and continues to pound on George. Take it from there Quincy. What would YOU do in Georges position? Witnesses stated the struggle continued until the shot.
Since no one saw the shooting how can they state that the struggle continued until the shot. They stated that the screaming continued until the shot.
Donna P-2692688
Mystery witness #2 who states http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/07/video-eyewitness-to-the-trayvon-martin-shooting-speaks-out/
End: Your comments here are useless.Angela Corey is a very tough lady and could care less about the media.Just ask the 12 year old she was able to try as an adult.
It won't go to trial, Maria. You need to buy a sign for after and carry it with the ensuing mob.
Boreal: Just asking the question. Or if you prefer,if Zim was on top would it be possible ? Go figure,I ask an intellegent question and you come back with your moronic answer.You need a sign that says dumb a$$ resides here.And still no answer to my question-Lol.
Do you understand that you are trying to go CSI based on 2nd hand info? Are you claiming a cover-up? Do you believe the police hated the boy because he was black? Do you think the cops were too dumb to ascertain body position(s)? What are you going for?
Again no answer to my question ??? This comes straight from the police report,don't believe me check for yourself.Again,still no answer ??? No,this will go to trial and this fact will come up.You try and explain the reason for the body position,only works if Zim was on top !!
Answering your question as is, is absurd. I want to see all the crime scene photos, talk to those first on the scene and also utilize experts in forensics. I would be very happy to answer if we had access to that stuff, understand? You want to fly to a conclusion with limited info...why??
The jury will convict Martin on the lesser charge of manslaughter....my guess.
What's your guess?
End - I'll admit, that's pretty good!
Ric: Don't know,that's why I am asking.is it possible to get a shot center mass while your head is getting bashed to the ground or was Zim on top and in complete control of gun.
honest question - if GZ was in control, on top, how is that you think TM was face down, shot in the chest?
Maria there are several responses to your question. Just look above at your post that posed the question. Several have responded. Please don't jump off the handle before you take a look.
Only one that made halfway sense.
The chief should not resign. The stand your ground law is on Zim's side. The negros and Obamy could kick up a fuss. Kick out the chief and put Zim behind Bars.
If you believe everything that he says. I have a tendency to question the testimony of a perpetrator unless there is indisputable evidence that what he says is true. Still looking for that in this case.
Donna P-2692688
Actually in SYG it is up to the police:
End: So in your scenario Trayvon's prints would be on the gun,right ?
Much of the time, prints are not left on a gun just by touching it. Sounds crazy but it is true.
this is somewhat false every time u touch a gun a print will be on unless u take ways or measures so it wont like gloves, or if its a gun made out of a material harder for prints to show but most guns are made with a metal which means it will always leave a print and even if its a partial sometimes that enough if you have the persons prints. again NEVER TOUCH someone else GUN and think you prints is not on it.
DJM, you are incorrect in your facts. Look into the matter further until you comment.
DJM, you are partially wrong. Fingerprints only show up real good if there is enough oil on your fingers. Although you may leave a partial print with minimal oil, so your somewhat right.
End: Isn't it just as plausible that Zim was on top ? A lot will depend on forensics,powder residue,the coroners report,how close when shot,any marks on Trayvon other than the bullet hole.All of these are answers we do not have.
Why are you assuming Martin did not slam him to the ground? Because, if he did, the law said he could shoot him, making your entire argument moot. Did Zim slam his own head into the ground?
we dont have alot of answers but if the police didn't give zim his gun back as well as tested him for drugs and alcohol we would have at least more info on this situation also his cloths there is just alot of holes here not in zim story but with how the cops handled this.
How did Zim's head get cut up? Fell off his bicycle? He was getting pummeled by a kid that was all fired up. Florida's law is wrong.