Bizarre, Criminal law, Media, Society

Zimmerman: Shooting Was “Life Altering Event”

George Zimmerman has gone public for the first time with a new website, therealgeorgezimmerman.com, and a paypal link to raise funds for his litigation costs. The website is a smart move, but Zimmerman used the occasion to describe the shooting as a “life altering event.” That is manifestly true except for the fact that he was speaking of himself, not Martin.


Zimmerman states “On Sunday February 26th, I was involved in a life altering event which led me to become the subject of intense media coverage. As a result of the incident and subsequent media coverage, I have been forced to leave my home, my school, my employer, my family and ultimately, my entire life. This website’s sole purpose is to ensure my supporters they are receiving my full attention without any intermediaries.” He goes further to warn that he “cannot attest to the validity of these other websites.”

I am a bit surprised that no one looking at this first statement (guaranteed to be picked apart by the media) would pause at the use of the phrase life altering when referring to the shooter rather than the deceased individual. Just for the record, in the next public letter, Zimmerman may want to avoid saying that he hopes to make “a killing in this outreach campaign.”

The motto of the site is the quote from Edmund Burke that “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men do nothing.” The site includes pages on “My Race” and an “album” of photos. In a particularly bizarre addition, the photo album shows graffiti saying “Long Live Zimmerman” — not exactly the most inspiring statement of support.

Lawyers often create litigation blogs and web sites to allow their clients to release documents or facts in support of their claims. However, these sites require careful scrutiny and, as here, may backfire with ill-advised language.

Here is the full statement:

I am the real George Zimmerman,
On Sunday February 26th, I was involved in a life altering event which led me to become the subject of intense media coverage. As a result of the incident and subsequent media coverage, I have been forced to leave my home, my school, my employer, my family and ultimately, my entire life. This website’s sole purpose is to ensure my supporters they are receiving my full attention without any intermediaries.

It has come to my attention that some persons and/or entities have been collecting funds, thinly veiled as my “Defense Fund” or “Legal Fund”. I cannot attest to the validity of these other websites as I have not received any funds collected, intended to support my family and I through this trying, tragic time.
I have created a Paypal account solely linked on this website as I would like to provide an avenue to thank my supporters personally and ensure that any funds provided are used only for living expenses and legal defense, in lieu of my forced inability to maintain employment. I will also personally, maintain accountability of all funds received. I reassure you, every donation is appreciated.
Sincerely,
George Zimmerman

Source: USA Today

156 thoughts on “Zimmerman: Shooting Was “Life Altering Event””

  1. Pingback: GEORGE ZIMMERMAN CLAIMS HE IS ‘COLORBLIND’ but remains hopeful someone is going to buy his con « THE WORD WARRIOR Bonju Blog

  3. Mike A,

    As I said when I first heard about The new attorney hal…. I was very impressed with his demeanor and credibility….. He appeared very forthcoming…. I am sure he is everything you have stated.. Thanks as AN has said…..

  5. I know Hal Uhrig. He is a highly ethical and highly competent defense attorney. Mr. Zimmerman may come to regret having dropped out of sight. Or perhaps he’s receiving enough money from the Make My Day Legal Education and Defense Fund to permanently relocate.

  8. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-04-10/news/os-trayvon-martin-zimmerman-press-conference-20120410_1_press-conference-attorney-cnn

    The two attorneys who have been representing George Zimmerman announced at a press conference moments ago that they are withdrawing as his legal counsel.

    “On Sunday, we lost track of George, in that he would not return our calls,” attorney Hal Uhrig said. Said attorney Craig Sonner, “I’ve lost contact with him at this point.”

    Sonner and Uhrig, who have been publicly representing Zimmerman in the media, said that Zimmerman has not been answering their phone calls.

    The lawyers said Zimmerman called Sean Hannity of Fox News without consulting with them. He also called the Special Prosecutor in the case, something the attorneys said they’d never have told him to do.

    Watch a live stream of the press conference here.

    “We were a bit astonished,” Uhrig said. He added that he thinks Zimmerman is going through post-traumatic stress. “He’s largely alone… he’s at least emotionally alone.”

    Sonner said that he’d be willing to represent Zimmerman again in the future, if Zimmerman were to get back in contact with him. Sonner said Zimmerman is still in the United States.

    Both lawyers said that they still believe Zimmerman is innocent. However, they said they can’t represent him without being in communication with him.

    According to Uhrig, Zimmerman had characterized the lawyers working for him as “legal advisors,” not his attorneys.

    “I’m not sure what the distinction is, but in his mind there’s a distinction,” Uhrig said.

    Zimmerman has been in hiding since the shooting. The press conference is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

  9. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/10/trayvon-martin-case-georg_n_1416031.html

    Trayvon Martin Case: George Zimmerman’s Attorneys Quit, Said Client ‘Disappeared’

    Posted: 04/10/2012 4:44 pm Updated: 04/10/2012 4:54 pm

    “George Zimmerman’s attorneys said in a press conference this afternoon that they will no longer be representing him, because they have not been able to locate him and because he has rebuffed their counsel.

    The attorneys said that they had “lost contact” with Zimmerman, and said that he reached out to both the special prosecutor in the case and had an off-the-record conversation with Sean Hannity, the Fox News host.

    This is breaking news. Updates to follow.”

  11. “Sure we can invade Russia in the winter. It’ll be a piece of cake.” – Napoleon

  12. Who keeps an eye on the special prosecutor?
    Who’s pickiing up Zimmerman’s tab? Obviously it isn’t him. So who is daddy moneybags. Koch bro’s?

  13. Be sure to check the officer’s firearm — just saying -Oro Lee

    Good point… 😉

  14. “Shots fired at empty Sanford police cruiser”

    Be sure to check the officer’s firearm — just saying

  16. Apparently the 2 photos in his album are from a vandalized black cultural center and a rally by a Koran burner.

  19. Despite national media coverage the website shows about 215 visitors. Not exactly a fund raisers dream.

    The webiste motto often attributed to Edmund Burke is curious. He never penned those words. What he did say in Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents was:

    “When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.”

    That could quite easily be descriptive of the “associated” public outside his door crying for a trial in this case against the alleged wrongdoing of Zimmerman and officials in Sanford.

    Careful what you wish for and what you cite.

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