George Zimmerman speaks for God in Trayvon’s murder?
By Dr. Julianne Malveaux
NNPA Columnist
George Zimmerman, the Florida man who killed Trayvon Martin, told Fox News personality Sean Hannity that the events that occurred on February 26, 2012 were “God’s will.” What a cynical manipulation of our Creator, to suggest that the massacre of an African American teenager by a crazed vigilante is the will of God. Actually, if one wants to know about God’s will, one might simply to go to the Ten Commandments, the sixth of which is quite explicit: Thou shall not kill.
George Zimmerman has proven himself to be a multiple liar. He called himself destitute while collecting tens of thousands of dollars from a website that was formed to fund his defense. A judge put him back in jail for that lie. He declined medical attention the night he killed Trayvon, and then showed up the next day with bumps on his head, but no evidence of who put them there. This is the equivalent of a drunk driver fleeing the scene of an accident and turning himself in sober the next day. Now, Zimmerman faces a camera from an undisclosed location because he fears death threats, faking sincerity and regrets but saying that Trayvon’s death is God’s will.
Trayvon Martin’s death is not God’s will but Zimmerman’s, and the will of those legislative vigilantes who have passed “Stand Your Ground” laws in many states. Trayvon’s death is the will of those who have peddled these vigilante laws all over the nation. Just as Zimmerman has manipulated God’s word, he has also manipulated the truth, and he ought to be ashamed.
Trayvon Family, Lawyers Comment on Case at NABJ Nat’l Conference
NEW ORLEANS, LA
After attending the opening ceremony for the 37th Annual National Association of Black Journalists Convention and Career Fair, the family of Trayvon Martin and their legal team held an exclusive news conference to respond to the firing of Sanford, Florida Police Chief Bill Lee on Wednesday June 20.
Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte announced the firing in a statement, noting Lee had lost the confidence and trust of officials in his handling of the killing of Trayvon Martin. Bonaparte said he “determined the Police Chief needs to have the trust and respect of the elected officials and the confidence of the entire community.” Under Lee’s direction, Sanford police decided not to arrest George Zimmerman, who fatally shot the 17-year-old Martin.
Trayvon’s Killer Back in Jail
By George E. Curry
Editor-in-Chief
NNPA News Service
WASHINGTON (NNPA)
After having his bond revoked by a judge who wonders whether he was deliberately misled by George Zimmerman and his wife, the admitted killer of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin remains confined to his cell in the Polk County Correctional Facility in Sanford, Fla. this week facing serious credibility issues that could impact the outcome of his future trial.
Acting on a motion by state prosecutors, Seminole County Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester revoked Zimmerman’s $150,000 bond on Friday and ordered him returned to police custody within 48 hours. Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Martin, who was returning from a nearby Seven-11 store with a can of Arizona tea and a bag of Skittles on Feb. 26 when he was shot fatally by Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch captain.
Trayvon Martin - Week 10: Prosecutor Delivers Evidence in Fla. Case
Staff Report
New Journal and Guide
SANFORD, Fla.
The office of Special Prosecutor Angela Corey released documents, pictures and the autopsy report on May 17 relating to the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman on February 26.
While the evidence does not indicate who may have started the fight that led to the fatal shooting, it does say that Sanford police believed the confrontation between Zimmerman, 28, and Martin, 17, was “ultimately avoidable” had Zimmerman “remained in his vehicle and awaited the arrival of law enforcement.”
Florida Taskforce To Travel State
By Kanya Stewart
Outlook Staff Writer
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.
On June 12, the people of Sanford, Fla. and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to express their concerns about how protected and safe they feel as residents of the State of Florida in regards to its justifiable use of force laws.
Sanford, will be the first official meeting that will allow public comment to be presented to Gov. Rick Scott’s Task Force on Citizen Safety and Protection, which was formed in light of the Feb. 26 death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, who was killed by Sanford neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman. Zimmerman alleges he was “standing his ground” under Chapter 776 of Florida Law.
The 19-member task force, which has been assigned to review Chapter 776 for its intent and implementation, met on May 1 at the Florida Department of Transportation Headquarters in Tallahassee to outline its mission, scope and guidelines during an administrative meeting.
Trayvon Martin Case Is Closer To Murder Trial Date
SANFORD, FL.
The confessed killer of Trayvon Martin, 17, pleaded not guilty Tuesday afternoon (May 8) during a Sanford, Fla., court arraignment. George Zimmerman, whose non guilty plea had been filed earlier by his attorney, did not attend the arraignment nor his attorney, Mark O’Mara.
The next court date is 8:30 a.m., Aug. 8 when a trial date will be set unless Zimmerman’s attorney asks for a continuance. Zimmerman remains free at an undisclosed location after posting $150,000 bond. Judge Kenneth R. Lester addressed Zimmerman’s case moments after taking the bench.
Zimmerman, 28, has claimed he was acting in self-defense when he shot Trayvon Martin to death with a single gunshot on Feb. 26 during an altercation in a Sanford gated community. Zimmerman was taken into custody that night but released when Sanford police did not charge him with committing a crime. For more than six weeks, Zimmerman remained free as national protests escalated led by Martin’s parents and civil rights groups.
Zimmerman Atty. Starts Website To Bolster His Client’s Case
By Leonard E. Colvin
Chief Reporter
New Journal and Guide
The defense attorney representing the killer of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin has established a new website and Facebook and Twitter accounts to provide details about the high-profile, controversial case. Attorney Mark O’Mara, who is representing George Zimmerman, the man charged with second degree murder in the case, admits it is “unusual for a legal defense to maintain a social media presence on behalf of a defendant, but we also acknowledge that this is a very unusual case.”
Trayvon’s Family Awaits Next Phase of Justice
By Leonard E. Colvin
Chief Reporter
New Journal and Guide
A “Card of Thanks” from Trayvon Martin’s parents appeared last Sunday (April 22) on the obituary page of The Miami Herald. In it, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin expressed their appreciation for all the public’s support since their son’s death. The notice included a photograph of Trayvon Martin, dressed in a hooded sweatshirt, similar to one he was wearing the evening he was killed.
Around midnight that night, George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer accused of killing Trayvon, was released from a Florida county jail after posting bail. Zimmerman had spent the previous week behind bars charged with the second degree murder on February 26. Bail was set at $150,000 bail for Zimmerman whose family had to put up 10 percent, or $15,000, to make the bail. Zimmerman was wearing a brown jacket and blue jeans and carrying a paper bag. He walked out following another man and didn’t look over at photographers gathered outside. He then followed the man into a white BMW vehicle and drove away.
His ultimate destination is being kept secret for his safety and it could be outside Florida. An electronic device will monitor his whereabouts. On Friday, April 20, during a bond hearing, Zimmerman offered an apology to Trayvon Martin’s parents. “I am sorry for the loss of your son,” said Zimmerman, marking the first time he had spoken in public about the confrontation. “I did not know how old he was. I thought he was a little bit younger than I am. I did not know if he was armed or not.”
Public Debate On Race Unabated
By Rosaland Tyler
Associate Editor
New Journal and Guide
The last time Americans argued about race, the public debate centered on Shirley Sherrod, now it has shifted to George Zimmerman.
But has anything changed? Many people assumed the worst about Sherrod, who was accused of discriminating against white farmers in her position as a U.S. Department of Agriculture official. Sherrod eventually received many apologies including one from the White House and even one from Fox News host Bill O’Reilly, according to a July 21, 2010 story in the L.A. Times. “I owe Ms. Sherrod an apology for not doing my homework, for not putting her remarks into the proper context,” he said on The O’Reilly Factor.
Zimmerman Awaiting Trial; Focus Now On Racial Profiling
By Leonard E. Colvin
Chief Reporter
New Journal and Guide
It has been over a week since Special Prosecutor Angela Corey charged George Zimmerman with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26.
Zimmerman has pled not guilty and the media and legal experts are wondering if the 28-year-old defendant can get a fair trial with all of the media attention, protest marches and massive responses to petitions and opinion polls on the public media blogs and websites.