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What Will Justice Look Like Relative to Trayvon Martin's Death?
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by Karen Hatter | April 4, 2012 at 08:45 am
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Justice for Trayvon: Jasiri X Video and Interview with ACLU
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It is unclear what will transpire regarding any arrest or charges that may occur as a result of the killing of Trayvon Martin. 17 year old Trayvon Martin, visiting his father and his fiancee in the gated community of Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford, Florida, was pursued and killed by a self appointed community patrolman, 28 year old George Zimmerman, on the evening of February 26, 2012. George Zimmerman, the self confessed shooter, has proclaimed self defense.
Details of a version of events on that night have been leaked to the media by unnamed Sanford police sources, details from the statement given to Sanford police by George Zimmerman. Trayvon Martin's version of events, in his words, can never be provided.
Crucial evidence that could possibly prove or disprove the only account given to the Sanford police has been lost due to decisions made the night of the killing, with any number of forensic tests not preformed at the scene.
Procedural questions have arisen regarding the handling of the murder scene and the admitted shooter, George Zimmerman. The lead detective on the scene, Chris Serino, generated charges of Homicide/Negligent Manslaughter/Unnecessary Killing to Prevent Unlawful Act against George Zimmerman on the night of the killing.
Detective Serino's recommendation was overruled by then Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee, who has stepped down temporarily, Leads Investigation Supervisor Robert O'Donnell, who is now acting as the Sanford police chief and Seminole County State Attorney Prosecutor Norman Wolfinger.
It can be surmised that Detective Serino felt so strongly about what he felt should have occurred the night George Zimmerman was taken into custody that he swore out an affidavit declaring his disbelief in the version of events George Zimmerman had given to Sanford police the night Trayvon Martin was killed.
That now leaves Special Prosecutor Angela Corey, acting on behalf of the state of Florida, if the decision is made to indict George Zimmerman on any charges, to craft a case from what evidence may be available to her to prosecute George Zimmerman.
On the federal level, the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, has become involved to determine if Trayvon Martin's civil rights were violated on the night he was killed.
Over a month after the shooting of Trayvon Martin, Florida agents from the Department of Justice began canvassing the neighborhood where the shooting occurred, on April 2, 2012, in an effort to find witnesses. The Justice Department also went to the scene to assess what might be learned from the murder site. It has been reported their efforts were thwarted due to several nights of rain since the shooting on February 26, 2012.
Due to inept, sloppy police work at the scene the night Trayvon Martin had his life taken from him, numerous former and current police officials, attorneys and experts have all expressed dismay and disbelief at how the scene was processed.
It appears the Sanford police have bungled their job in the Trayvon Martin killing by not collecting objective evidence at the scene, with unnamed police sources choosing to leak the narrative from the Sanford police report that has been attributed to be George Zimmerman's account of events, as if the Zimmerman narrative was some form of support for their decision not to do a complete investigation at the scene.
By it's very nature, a statement from the confessed shooter, George Zimmerman, is a highly subjective source. By not collecting objective evidence that would tend to independently prove or disprove George Zimmerman's version of events, that is a loss for the process meant to aid in making the determination of what happened that fatal night.
The more information that is revealed in relation to Trayvon Martin's murder makes it markedly difficult not to consider an extremely repugnant reality, that being the way things were handled that tragic night on February 26, 2012 may have been by design.
- Copy of letter sent by Benjamin Crump, attorney for Trayvon Martin's parents, to head of the Civil Rights division of the Department of Justice Roy Austin (informing Mr. Austin of concerns regarding Zimmerman family members at Sanford police headquarters the night George Zimmerman was taken into custody)
UPDATE:
April 4, 2012 - Agents from the Special Prosecutor's office were in the gated community of Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford, Florida conducting their own door to door, canvassing and gathering information to be assessed by Special Prosecutor Angela Corey in relation to the killing of Trayvon Martin.
It is in her purview, as special prosecutor, to bring charges against George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin, independent of a grand jury.
A grand jury has been scheduled to be impaneled on April 10, 2012. However, the date had been scheduled by State Attorney Norman Wolfinger, who recused himself to avoid the appearance of impropriety. It was later revealed that he had advised Sanford police not to press charges against George Zimmerman.
It is unclear if the original date set for the grand jury panel still stands.
April 5, 2012 - The Congressional Black Caucus has revealed House Resolution 612, honoring the life of Trayvon Martin and calling on the repeal of the so called Stand Your Ground laws that exist in approximately 24 states.
One of the sponsors of the resolution, Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla), has stated the the misguided legislation has turned United States' streets " .... into a showdown at the OK Corral."
The resolution, symbolic but not legally binding, indirectly criticizes the National Rifle Association for pushing Stand Your Ground state laws around the country. It also calls on state legislatures to reject similar legislation and "urges the repeal of the Stand Your Ground law in every applicable state, including Florida."
The resolution could not be considered any earlier than April 16 when the House of Representatives returns from recess.
Since the resolution is symbolic, it is not expected Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor will allow the resolution to come to the floor.
When Republicans took over control of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010, a procedural rule was passed not to allow the House to consider symbolic resolutions.
This resulted in the Republican controlled House taking much heat for not allowing a resolution to come to the floor to honor the U.S. Navy Seals for their successful mission on May 1, 2011 during the Bin Laden mission.
April 6, 2012 - Armed Neo Nazis, the National Socialist Movement, have arrived in Sanford, Florida for the purpose of, in their own words "to show solidarity with White people", calling themselves a white civil rights organization.
The group has previously patrolled in Arizona on the U.S./Mexico border.
The patrols are to protect "white citizens in the area who are concerned for their safety" in the wake of the Trayvon Martin shooting last month, says Commander Jeff Schoep of the National Socialist Movement.
The New Black Panther previously issued a $10,000 bounty for the capture of George Zimmerman. Their actions prompted swift response and warning from city officials.
There is no word if officials have addressed the Neo Nazis voluntary armed patrol of Sanford, Florida, with the NSM stating they are there to protect White citizens in Sanford in case race riots break out in the town.
April 16, 2012 - Mark O'Mara, attorney for George Zimmerman, met with his client at the Polk Correctional Facility to have him sign the motion he filed in court to have Judge Jessica Recksiedler ....
.... recuse herself so that a new judge can be appointed before Zimmerman's bond hearing on Friday.
The judge has previously revealed her husband works at the same firm where an attorney had been contacted to represent Zimmerman. The attorney declined, recommending Mr. O'Mara. However, the same attorney is expected to offer legal analysis for CNN during coverage of the trial.
In related news, the Associated Press, along with the Miami Herald and other Florida news organizations, asked that Zimmerman's records pertaining to the death of Trayvon Martin be unsealed, noting the case did not meet the usual standard of exemption to the law.
April 18, 2012 - Judge Jessica Recksiedler, originally assigned to preside at the arraignment of George Zimmerman on charges of second degree murder of Trayvon Martin on May 29, 2012, has recused herself from the case.
Before Judge Recksiedler stepped down, she also would have presided over the bond hearing scheduled for George Zimmerman on Friday, April 20, 2012.
The new judge assigned will be Kenneth R. Lester, Jr., a resident of Sanford, Florida.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Lester is popular among attorneys and is known for acting quickly.The judge who would have been next in line to handle the Zimmerman case after Jessica Reckseidler could not take on the case because he had previously worked with O'Mara, Zimmerman's attorney.
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at 11:40 on April 4th, 2012
In the end, you conclude the possibility that a conspiracy to cover Zimmerman was initiated by various police investigators involved. You did not say that the police may have had an affinity with the vigilante self-appointed patrolman, though I read that between the lines.
It is a mess whether by design or incompetence.
Justice won't be served in this case due to too many loose ends, I suspect.
No wonder people are losing faith in government and law enforcement.
at 13:54 on April 4th, 2012
As you conclude, Jim, I smell something very fishy.
Whether what occurred reaches the level of actual conspiratorial conduct is unknown.
However, I do think, given the fraternal relationship that seems to have existed between George Zimmerman and some of the local Sanford police, for their part, there may have been reluctance to see anything other than their pal George's story.
As to the rest of it, all the higher officials involved, with the Sanford police chief, Bill Lee, driving to the scene from home on a Sunday evening to check things out AND State Attorney Norman Wolfinger's involvement MUST be explained.
That sort of scrutiny is usual when there is something special about the crime. Could that be that the shooter, no need to say alleged because he said he shot Trayvon Martin, is the son of a retired Virginia magistrate? I think that highly probable.
Since the Martin family's attorney has asked the Justice Department to look into information that they have discovered that family related to George Zimmerman was with the police at some point that night, there's more than enough that needs to be looked into in this case.
Normal procedure is anyone in police custody can see NO ONE except an attorney. So, if there is any validity found to the information about George's kin being there, if that kin was there and was NOT an attorney, that also needs to be explained.
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anon86 (not verified)at 23:36 on April 11th, 2012
Are they all "Freemason" pals, down to the lodge? :)
Conspired much?
at 14:44 on April 4th, 2012
An attorney for the Trayvon Martin family, Natalie Jackson, discussed the involvement of Robert Zimmerman, George Zimmerman's father, and his possible involvement with Sanford police, with the father being present at the re-enactment of the shooting, in an exclusive interview with Thinkprogress.org.
I'm not sure why the entire page is now gray but, the block quote from Thinkprogess.org begins here:
at 14:37 on April 11th, 2012
What is "unusual and potentially inappropriate" about having LEGAL
COUNSEL present while you are being questioned?
at 13:29 on April 13th, 2012
No members of George Zimmerman's family, including his father, have been identified as attorneys, batvette.
The father's involvement at the re-creation scene is highly suspicious.
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Elizabeth Blandra (not verified)at 08:31 on April 5th, 2012
This smells "fishy" to me, as well.---------Thanks for another excellent story, Karen. It's my abiding hope that good people coupled with the internet will help to right some of the terrible wrongs and injustices facing us today. (Another case of particular interest is the one in White Plains, NY which was the focus of Democracy Now! earlier today. If you haven't tuned in, it's worth the time, IMO.) I've also heard that the now-suspended police chief (Lee) and Norm Wolfinger (the state attorney who stepped aside) were at the crime scene together the night of the crime. Some have said that this would be highly unusual. I'm not sure that it's true, but I heard it from a generally reliable source.
at 10:02 on April 5th, 2012
Thank you for the praise, Elizabeth.
As for Wolfinger and Lee, it is unclear whether they met up at the murder scene or the police station BUT, it is known that they did pow wow re: the Trayvon Martin murder.
Not sure how much 'cover your a**' is going on at this point but, it's obvious they are now in 'circle the wagons' mode with the appointment of the special prosecutor and the Justice Department now involved in investigating Trayvon Martin's death.
It's a safe bet that, at the time of Trayvon's murder, NO ONE involved in ANY aspect of the investigation, OR LACK THERE OF, could predict that the actions of the Sanford police, it's command structure and those of the Seminole County state attorney's office would find themselves under a microscope, INCLUDING ALLOWING A FORMER MAGISTRATE, WHOSE BACKGROUND INCLUDED JUDGEMENT CALLS ON CHARGES FOR PROBABLE CAUSE FOR ARRESTS, TO BE AT THE SCENE WHILE SANFORD POLICE HAVE HIS SON, GEORGE ZIMMERMAN, RE-ENACTING HIS VERSION OF HOW HE CAME TO KILL TRAYVON MARTIN!
There REALLY NEEDS TO BE A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION into why George's father was allowed to be at the scene of a police investigation!
The cavalier acknowledgement that the father was there shows some lack of protocol or procedure that was waived or ignored.
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Elizabeth Blandra (not verified)at 10:43 on April 5th, 2012
Karen, As you've said, the police and others never imagined how this would unfold. "Under the microscope" they are, and "under the microscope" they must remain. It's time for the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. (I can only imagine how much Trayvon's family and friends must miss him.)
at 11:23 on April 5th, 2012
For me, Elizabeth, the saddest reality in all of this is that it took the parents of Trayvon Martin asking their attorney to reach out to others to get the word out about their son's murder that any attention was paid to their child's death.
Even the false pretense of an investigation, first called by Norman Wolfinger, the Seminole County state attorney, with him later recusing himself, with the stench FINALLY reaching all the way to the Florida governor's mansion, forcing him to step in and appoint the special prosecutor.
Who knows how this all would have turned out IF all those who ORIGINALLY bungled this had done their jobs on that tragic night of February 26, 2012!