Zimmerman may face civil rights charges
Source: Agencies |
July 16, 2013, Tuesday
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Print Edition
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THE US neighborhood watch volunteer who shot dead an unarmed black teenager is now a free man, but the Justice Department said it is looking into Trayvon Martin's death to determine whether federal prosecutors will file criminal civil rights charges against George Zimmerman.
US President Barack Obama and numerous celebrities expressed sorrow at the verdict, which has led to largely peaceful protests across the country by civil rights leaders and others. Hundreds gathered in New York's Times Square and in Los Angeles on Sunday, some chanting "Justice for Trayvon Martin!"
Los Angeles police said they began making arrests early yesterday morning after about 80 protesters gathered in Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard and an unlawful assembly was declared.
More than 100 Los Angeles police officers in riot gear converged on the crowd and ordered people to disperse. Police said they made seven arrests throughout the day, The Los Angeles Times reported.
In Oakland, California, police confronted a crowd at a downtown intersection after a small crowd began breaking windows and spray painting graffiti on Sunday night, the Oakland Tribune reported.
The February 2012 shooting first drew national attention when Zimmerman wasn't arrested for weeks, and the case raised questions over race and self-defense gun laws.
A jury late on Saturday found the 29-year-old Zimmerman not guilty of second-degree murder and declined to convict him on a lesser charge of manslaughter. Zimmerman has said he shot the 17-year-old in self-defense in a nighttime confrontation in his Florida gated community, where Martin was visiting family.
Jurors were told Zimmerman was allowed to use deadly force when he shot the teen not only if he actually faced death or bodily harm, but also if he merely thought he did.
With many critics angry over Zimmerman's acquittal, his freedom may be limited. He may also face civil lawsuits from Martin's family.
"He's going to be looking over his shoulder the rest of his life," his brother, Robert Zimmerman Jr told CNN.
Obama called Martin's death a tragedy for America but asked that everyone respect calls for calm reflection. It was a rare statement from the president on a case that doesn't directly involve the federal government.
"I know this case has elicited strong passions," Obama said. "And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken."
More protests were planned. Singer Beyonce called at a concert for a moment of silence for Martin. Rapper Young Jeezy released a song in Martin's memory.
Rand Powdrill, 41, said he came to the San Francisco march with about 400 others to "protest the execution of an innocent black teenager."
"If our voices can't be heard, then this is just going to keep going on," he said.
Many, including Martin's parents, said Zimmerman had racially profiled Martin. Zimmerman, whose mother was born in Peru, identifies as Hispanic.
Martin's family has maintained the teen was not the aggressor, and prosecutors suggested Martin was scared because he was being followed by a stranger.
US President Barack Obama and numerous celebrities expressed sorrow at the verdict, which has led to largely peaceful protests across the country by civil rights leaders and others. Hundreds gathered in New York's Times Square and in Los Angeles on Sunday, some chanting "Justice for Trayvon Martin!"
Los Angeles police said they began making arrests early yesterday morning after about 80 protesters gathered in Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard and an unlawful assembly was declared.
More than 100 Los Angeles police officers in riot gear converged on the crowd and ordered people to disperse. Police said they made seven arrests throughout the day, The Los Angeles Times reported.
In Oakland, California, police confronted a crowd at a downtown intersection after a small crowd began breaking windows and spray painting graffiti on Sunday night, the Oakland Tribune reported.
The February 2012 shooting first drew national attention when Zimmerman wasn't arrested for weeks, and the case raised questions over race and self-defense gun laws.
A jury late on Saturday found the 29-year-old Zimmerman not guilty of second-degree murder and declined to convict him on a lesser charge of manslaughter. Zimmerman has said he shot the 17-year-old in self-defense in a nighttime confrontation in his Florida gated community, where Martin was visiting family.
Jurors were told Zimmerman was allowed to use deadly force when he shot the teen not only if he actually faced death or bodily harm, but also if he merely thought he did.
With many critics angry over Zimmerman's acquittal, his freedom may be limited. He may also face civil lawsuits from Martin's family.
"He's going to be looking over his shoulder the rest of his life," his brother, Robert Zimmerman Jr told CNN.
Obama called Martin's death a tragedy for America but asked that everyone respect calls for calm reflection. It was a rare statement from the president on a case that doesn't directly involve the federal government.
"I know this case has elicited strong passions," Obama said. "And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken."
More protests were planned. Singer Beyonce called at a concert for a moment of silence for Martin. Rapper Young Jeezy released a song in Martin's memory.
Rand Powdrill, 41, said he came to the San Francisco march with about 400 others to "protest the execution of an innocent black teenager."
"If our voices can't be heard, then this is just going to keep going on," he said.
Many, including Martin's parents, said Zimmerman had racially profiled Martin. Zimmerman, whose mother was born in Peru, identifies as Hispanic.
Martin's family has maintained the teen was not the aggressor, and prosecutors suggested Martin was scared because he was being followed by a stranger.
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