The Killing Case has generated a huge amount of protest for the victim 17 year old Trayvon Martin and his killer 28 year old George Zimmerman.  Martin was on his way back to his father’s girlfriend’s home from a convenience store when he was confronted by Zimmerman.  Zimmerman (a community watch captain) called the Sanford PD to report suspicious activity from a “Black guy” and followed Martin before shooting him.

Now it’s been said by Florida prosecutors that Zimmerman has 85 to 95% chance of not being charged at all.  Now that’s suspicious activity! 

Back story:

Martin was 17 years old, 6'3" and weighed 140 pounds at the time of his death.  Martin lived with his mother and older brother in Miami Gardens Florida.  He had hoped to become an aviation mechanic or engineer after transferring to Krop Senior High his sophomore year.

English teacher, Michelle Kypriss, reported him as being "an A and B student who majored in cheerfulness." and said that he "was not a violent or dangerous child" and "not known for misbehaving.  On the day he was killed, He was visiting his father Tracy Martin and his father's fiancée, Brandi Green, at her rented town home in Sanford Florida.  At the time of the killing, Trayvon was expelled from school for 10 days for having an empty “baggy” which is used to contain illegal substances…the baggy did not have any traces of illegal substances at all. 

George Michael Zimmerman born on October 5, 1983, in Virginia. He is the son of Gladys Zimmerman, from Peru, and Dr. Robert Zimmerman, Sr., who had served in the U.S. military.  Zimmerman was raised Catholic and also served as an altar boy. He lived in Manassas Virginia until the early 2000s.  At the time of the incident, he was 5 ft 9 in tall and weighed approximately 250 lbs.  He is licensed to carry a firearm, but it is unclear if he had informed the home owner’s association that he’d be an armed as a volunteer.  George had a previous charge in 2005 for "resisting arrest with violence and battery on an officer"  while interfering with the arrest of a friend. He afterward entered a pretrial “diversion” program, which is not considered a conviction on his criminal record. Zimmerman previously been accused of domestic violence by an ex-fiancée, Veronica Zuazo, who had filed for a restraining order against him. Zimmerman counter-filed for a restraining order. A judge eventually ordered them both to stay away from each other. Zimmerman married Shellie Nicole Dean in 2007. 

The February 2012 HOA newsletter requested that any crime victims "call our captain, George Zimmerman" after calling the police.  Wendy Dorival,  told the Sentinel in an interview that Zimmerman was chosen as a watch coordinator by his neighbors to be  Neighborhood  Watch rep, to the Sanford Police Department.  Some residents of his gated townhouse community declared that Zimmerman was known for being strict and that he went door to door asking them to be on the lookout for "young black men who appear to be outsiders", while others regarded him as normal, helpful and passionate about neighborhood security, having thwarted a burglary attempt. 

During a break in an NBA basketball game on TV, Martin left his father's fiancé’s home in the gated community of Twin Lakes to walk to a nearby 7/11 convenience store to buy some skittles and iced tea. While returning to the house, Trayvon was seen by George Zimmerman, who called the Sanford Police Department non-emergency number. Martin was speaking on a cell phone at the time of the incident. Martin's girlfriend came forward, identifying herself as the other person in that conversation.  Her parents have requested her anonymity. The girl said that Martin expressed concern about a strange man following him, and she advised him to run. She says she heard Martin say "What are you following me for?" followed by a man's voice responding "What are you doing here?" She said that she heard the sound of pushing and that Martin's headset suddenly went silent, leading her to believe that he had been knocked down. She attempted to call him back immediately, but was unable to reach him. 

Zimmerman phoned the Sanford PD police at the non-emergency number at approximately 7:00 p.m., February 26, 2012 to report Martin's suspicious activity, which he described as "just walking around looking about" in the rain.  The SPD dispatcher tape recorded him saying, "This guy looks like he is up to no good. He is on drugs or something." He further stated that the person he was watching had his hand in his waistband, was holding something in his other hand, and was walking around slowly in the rain looking “at” houses.  The dispatcher recommended that he not take any action, and informed him that police were on the way. Zimmerman reported that Martin had started running. The dispatcher asked him if he was following Martin and he affirmed that he was. The dispatcher informed him that this was not necessary, saying "We don't need you to do that." Zimmerman responded "OK" and made arrangements to meet with police when they arrived. 

When the police arrived, they found Martin face-down and unresponsive, with a gunshot wound in the chest. The police report states that they attempted CPR, paramedics arrived and continued CPR.  He was declared dead at 7:30 p.m. Statements by the police say Zimmerman had grass on his back and his back was wet. Zimmerman was bleeding from the nose and the back of the head.   His lawyer stated that Zimmerman's nose was broken. However the police report did not indicate that Zimmerman required medical attention. Zimmerman claimed self defense, he told police he had stepped out of his truck to check the name of the street he was on.  Martin attacked him from behind as he walked back to his truck. He said he fired the semi automatic because he feared for his life.  Martin was unarmed, and was carrying a bag of candy and a can of iced tea. 

Immediately following the shooting, Trayvon Martin's body was transported to the morgue and was tagged as a John Doe. It was identified 3 days later. Martin’s family criticized the police department for not identifying their son more quickly, and for not asking neighbors if they recognized Trayvon who had been staying with his father in the gated community. David Horsey also criticized police for failing to check his cell phone to find someone he knew.

An eyewitness to the physical altercation just prior to the shooting stated that Martin was on top of Zimmerman and beating him up, while the older man yelled for help.  Another witness, Mary Cutcher, says "there was no punching, no hitting going on, and no wrestling" prior to the shooting .  Even though the police say she gave an official account to them that agreed with Zimmerman's story.  Cutcher and her roommate told the media that their own account of the incident to the police did not agree with Zimmerman's.  They had demanded that the police retract that incorrect statement.  Cutcher also said the police's attitude at the scene, that "they were siding with him Zimmerman from the start".   They heard the pair in their backyard and a "very young voice" whining, with no sounds of a fight. They heard a gunshot; the crying stopped immediately, and they saw Zimmerman on his knees pinning Martin down on the ground. 

Zimmerman told police that after he followed Martin, he lost track of Martin and was returning to his car. Zimmerman stated Martin then confronted him and asked "Do you have a problem?". Zimmerman said he replied no, and then reached for his cell phone. Zimmerman then alleged that Martin punched him in the face, knocking him down, and then beat his head against the ground. Zimmerman states that he called out for help while being beat, and that he then shot Martin in self defense. 

Zimmerman has not been charged with any crime, because he asserted the stand your ground defense, and investigators said they could find no evidence disproving that assertion.  Tracy Martin, asked why Zimmerman had not been arrested, the police responded that he had a "squeaky-clean record" and they respected his educational background in criminal justice.  Mr. Martin says that the revelation of Zimmerman's previous charge demonstrated his "propensity for violence" and that the police had lied to the family.  Police ran a criminal background check on Trayvon, confirming that he had no criminal record.  That caused Tracy Martin to further question why Zimmerman was not arrested after shooting and killing an unarmed non adult with no criminal history.  The case has sparked national outrage and protests. 

Eight calls to the police made on the night of the shooting were released by the Sanford police on March 17, 2012. Early press reports incorrectly indicated that the recordings included the sound of a single shot followed by a voice pleading or begging for help, and then a second shot is heard, after which the voice immediately stopped. Later reports indicate that gun was fired only once.  Zimmerman told police at the scene that he was the one crying out for help.  The statement was corroborated by an eyewitness who said that Martin was on top of Zimmerman, beating him, as Zimmerman called for help.  One witness, who had only heard but not seen the events, believed Martin was the one calling for help, and said that the police tried to correct her into changing their assertion to Zimmerman as the one calling for help.  Another witness who also heard but did not see the events, Mary Cutcher, said that she believed the cry was from Martin and said that she did not believe that Zimmerman acted in self-defense, contending that she and her roommate heard Martin cry out, followed by a gunshot, whereupon they saw Zimmerman standing over his body.  Police Chief Lee said he did not have enough evidence to arrest Zimmerman.  Lee said. "Until we can establish probable cause to dispute that, we don't have the grounds to arrest him."   Lee also stated "We are taking a beating over this," and defended the investigation.  "This is all very unsettling. I'm sure if George Zimmerman had the opportunity to relive Sunday, Feb. 26, he'd probably do things differently. I'm sure Trayvon would, too."

On March 20, the FBI and the Justice Department announced that they were opening investigations into the incident. 

Robert Zimmerman, defended his son against allegations that his actions were racially motivated, stating that Zimmerman was part Hispanic, was raised in a multi-racial family.  the Sanford police has also faced heavy criticism, protests, and allegations of racial bias.  the Sanford Police Department devoted the necessary degree of care to its investigation and requesting that personnel be detailed to Sanford to review the case without bias. Lee repeatedly defended the investigation, stating that the Sanford police did not feel they had conducted a racially biased investigation.  Allegations were also made that the Sanford police were protecting Zimmerman.  A witness who reported that she heard Martin cry out for help and subsequently saw Zimmerman standing over Martin's body, said that police only took a brief statement from her, despite her attempts to provide more detail.  Lee told reporters that they could not arrest Zimmerman because no evidence contradicted his story, and that to do so would leave the police open to litigation. He also said that even though the dispatcher did “instruct” Zimmerman not to pursue Martin, those “instructions” are only recommendations that do not carry the force of law.  Lee announced publicly that he had temporarily stepped down from his position as chief of police.

 

Now let’s break down the suspicious activity…

• George Zimmerman called a “Non” emergency police line to report someone he could not identify.
• Trayvon Martin was wearing a hood while walking in the rain.  
• Zimmerman began “stalking” Martin as he gave police a detailed description of Martin while on the phone. 
• Police dispatcher tells Zimmerman they don’t him to pursue Martin after hearing Zimmerman refer to Martin as a “Fucking Coon”.
• Martin tells his girlfriend somebody is following me.  She tells him to run.  
• Martin ran, Zimmerman chased him.
• Martin, now cornered, stops and asks Zimmerman “Why are you following me?”
• Zimmerman demands the reason for Martin to in Twin Lakes.
• Martin’s girlfriend suddenly hear sounds of a struggle.
• Both men are fighting
• A Gun is fired
• The pleas for help are heard no more.
• Zimmerman stands over Martin’s lifeless body?
• Police receives numerous reports of someone yelling for help and shot.
• Police interview Zimmerman
• Since Martin is a teenage he has no identification on him except for a cell phone.  
• Zimmerman is not charged and asserts self-defense claiming he lost track of Martin as he was looking to see the name of the street then Martin attack him for behind as he walked back to his truck.  Zimmerman said he feared for his life.
• Zimmerman claimed Martin confronted him by saying “Do you have a problem?”
• Martin’s is declared dead and is delivered to the morgue for 3 days until he is officially identified by his father.
• Police dispatchers ask questions to deeply involve callers to get them “accurately” describe what they are reporting.  
• All report Zimmerman standing over Martin after seeing him on his knees pinning Martin to the ground.
• Police take detailed reports but give back “shortened” statements to eyewitnesses.  
• A drug enforcement detective investigated the scene and found no evidence disproving Zimmerman’s assertion.
• Zimmerman was not charged because of no prior record, Martin also has a “squeaky-clean” record.
• Tracey Martin reported his son missing to be shown a crime scene photo of the incident.  Trayvon was identified 3 days later.

 

Was it racism?

In the law enforcement community, the way this case was handled is an invisible watch-your-back tactic called Good Ole Boy or Clean-Up work.  As a former federal police officer myself, I’ve seen this tactic used quite often only when it is racially motivated.  I’ve seen white officers beat up a African American sailor in 2002 and was ordered to keep quite.  Zimmerman used what I call a “right-to-lie” and a “convenience-of-killing” after he was told by the dispatcher not to pursue Martin after hearing Zimmerman calling Martin a “Fucking COON”.  It definitely was racial profiling.  A Black guy walking in a clean quiet neighborhood wearing a hood over of head stopping at certain areas because it’s pouring rain…sounds awfully normal to me.

Can Zimmerman go without being charged?  Yes, if stalking, assault, disturbing the peace, improper detainment to kidnapping, manslaughter and “possible” murder are legal.  Stand-Your-Ground Defense only works if you have the “right” to be at the place where the incident occurred.  But most important if you are “NOT” engaging in any CRIMINAL activity…Florida Statue 776.012 (3) A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.

 

Trayvon Martin: The Suspicious behavior but His untold truth. PART 1of 2.

Quentin J. Tyson: 03/29/2012

Trayvon asserted that defense with running from a stranger who chased him in a vehicle and asking “Why are following me?”.   PART 1of 2.