New Details on Trayvon Martin Case
More details about the events that led to Travvon Martin’s death have emerged. According to a report by the Orlando Sentinel, citing police sources, after being followed by George Zimmerman through his neighborhood Trayvon decked the neighborhood watchman with a single punch and then proceeded to slam his head into the pavement. Zimmerman’s testimony states that a struggle ensued for the 9mm pistol he was carrying. The 28 year old Zimmerman ended up shooting and killing the 17 year old boy. Authorities say witness have corroborated the story.
Information has been streaming out about Trayvon himself as well. Among the info released has been the fact the Trayvon was suspended for 10 days for possession of trace amounts of marijuana on the day he was shot. He had been suspended three times recently. Pictures from his Twitter account were also leaked showing him wearing a gold dental grill. Pictures also showed him making obscene gestures towards the camera. His family claims the info is being leaked to make Trayvon look bad and stem protests that have sprung up across the country.
The pattern follows what happened to George Zimmerman after the story became a national headline. Zimmerman’s criminal records became public knowledge. Supposed racist comments during a conversation with 911 before the shooting occurred were also leaked.
The latest bombshell from the story as reported by Good Morning America is the fact that the lead homicide investigator wanted to bring manslaughter charges against Zimmerman. The investigator, Chris Serino, was told not to by the state attorney’s office. The office, headed by Norman Wolfinger, did not believe there was enough evidence to get a conviction. Serino did not buy Zimmerman’s self defense story, and filed an affidavit claiming so.
GMA is also reporting that the first officer to question Zimmerman was a narcotics officer and not a homicide detective. That does not bode well for the department when so many already feel they dropped the ball on this case. Botched police investigations in cases involving minorities is not going to win many PR points.
These new revelations do change the outlook of the case somewhat, but they do not change the main dynamic. George Zimmerman followed an innocent kid through his neighborhood against the advice of 911 operators. He was obviously following closely enough to draw the attention of the young man. If the story Zimmerman told police is true, the attack described is not dangerous enough to warrant using deadly force in retaliation. The “Stand Your Ground” law was not written so people losing a fight can pull out a gun and kill their opponent. Zimmerman should still be arrested and tried in a court of law.
The North Mobile Post was founded in April of 2011. The site serves as a blog covering Mobile County as well as news from around the world.
