When the Obama Administration sent in a team to investigate civil rights violations in the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin, some of us expressed doubt over the basis for such a charge as well as the timing of the federal move into the case. Indeed, I was highly skeptical of how the case was charged and prosecuted. Now the Washington Post is reporting that, after two years of investigation, Justice officials do not believe that they have sufficient evidence to bring federal charges.
George Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter in a state trial in Sanford, Fla., last year. Various community and political leaders demanded that Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. bring a federal civil rights case against him. The protests led to considerable pressure for the Obama Administration to act and the investigation by the Civil Rights Section helped quell some of the discontent over the verdict. However, the case remained weak for both a second-degree murder case as well as a civil rights charge. While many read racist motivations behind Zimmerman motives, Zimmerman succeeded in establishing that he was acting in self-defense.
The Administration has also taken the same quick response to the shooting in Ferguson, though that investigation is centering on the police department as a whole.
Source: Washington Post
Laser, Trayvon’s parents did reach a settlement with the homeowners association at the Retreat at Twin Lakes. Suing GZ might be a way of showing his guilt ala OJ, but unlike OJ, he’s already millions of $$ in debt. It would have been very expensive. Besides, there was still the possibility, remote imo, that the feds might do something that would prove the point.
I agree with Darren. The federal government should release their findings openly and honestly to put the public’s mind at ease.
And I also think Zimmerman appears to be a complete jerk who can’t seem to help himself from getting into trouble repeatedly.
“Elaine M.
Jon Stewart Exposes Sean Hannity’s Moron-Hypocrisy on Cliven Bundy”
So now the height of political discourse is a comedian who’s idea of proving his point is to end his sentences in a question and lean forward to talk louder.
The republic is doomed.
I couldn’t see probable cause to arrest Zimmerman on the federal civil rights charge. I agree with Professor Turley that this was an effort by the administration to step in due to the public outcry.
It should be based upon law not popular demand.
Zimmerman wasn’t convicted because the “justice” system didn’t want him convicted. The prosecution’s case was incompetent and/or corrupt: unbelievably poor jury selection; witnesses weren’t prepared, inappropriate defense questions weren’t challenged, no rebuttal was prepared, prosecution cross examination of defense witnesses was weak, good witnesses weren’t called (Jeremy, e.g.), poor witnesses used instead (John should have been a defense witness and vigorously cross-examined), good witnesses weren’t asked about relevant information (Jon, ME, investigator), bullying of witness by defense wasn’t objected to (Rachael), opinions asked of non-experts weren’t objected to, accepted GZ scenario so he didn’t have to take the stand and be cross-examined, no alternate scenario was presented. The defense deliberately poisoned the jury pool aided by the judge who didn’t issue a gag order. Jury instructions were incomprehensible and judge deliberately left out key part of jury instructions.
No, GZ isn’t innocent. Karma is already punishing him. Unfortunately, it will probably mean the life of one or more persons before he gets the prison time he deserves.
Dredd – your on a roll today son – Keep it Up!
Paul;
I’m always wondering why Trayvon’s parents didn’t sue GZ?
——————————
There’s a wonderful thread at DailyKos, being linked to by the Obamacrat (which is now a/k/a “Mr. Militant Negro”.
I suggest all good faith parties take a look at the Diary titled
“Dear White Racists”
http://theobamacrat.com/2014/10/03/dear-white-racists-is-one-of-the-best-explanations-of-white-privilege-you-will-likely-ever-read/
Mespo – I followed the OJ trial gavel to gavel. What you say in the snippets on TV was not what the jury was getting. When they went to deliberate I thought there was no way they could convict him.
I also followed the Zimmerman trial closely, but not as closely as OJ. I thought they had a shot at the 2nd charge, but not the first one. He was over-charged to start. And Zimmerman’s legal team made the prosecution look like the C team, even though the judge was in the tank for the prosecution.
Any civil case they are looking at here is just to make Holder look good to the NAACP and the New Black Panthers. It has nothing to do with the law. It is all smoke and mirrors.
DBQ,
It certainly dilutes the whole ‘rising police abuse’ debate when the moment a citizen voices a concern they will fight back, they are instantly derided because they are ‘not deemed worthy’ of support.
These people are simply ‘false’ flags blowing the wind. Pathetic.
Still bringing up past disagreements I see. Someone needs a cookie, looks like PTGBS. Post Traumatic Guest Blogger Syndrome.
Dredd,
“Squeeking for yourself?”
And her admirers.
DBQ, There was a time when that link would have been applauded, and considered dispositive.
“George Zimmerman is still so afraid of being charged with federal civil rights violations in connection to the Martin shooting that he worries “if FBI agents come and kick in his door, he’s probably gonna shoot a few of them.”
I would be ready to shoot them too. Sometimes paranoia is justified.
“The title of the video posted by Elaine is, “A Mainstream Journalist Speaks Truth,” And, I see the mug of a vile, hateful Martin Bashir!! A man fires for vulgar, hateful, comments. Pitiful link.”
Actually, I got a good laugh out of it. The contrast between the title and then the mornic Bashir’s face under. The irony that anyone could think that was somehow going to persuade anyone. LOL… Thanks
Honesty is the best policy:
“When we think about Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, we think about how fantastic he is on the field and his over-the-top innocent persona off the field.
Wilson is well aware that’s how he is viewed, and used that to make a point about domestic violence in The Players’ Tribune, Derek Jeter’s new project. In trying to make a point about domestic violence, Wilson said that he used to be much different than the reputation he has now.
There’s probably someone who knew Wilson back when he was a kid who today is saying “See? I told you!”
Wilson went on to write that he had a lot of anger, until he was “saved by my faith” at 14 years old.”
(Russell Wilson speaks out).
I was taken aback. The Good, The Bad And Ugly shootout showdown. GZ Case closed!
If someone comes and kicks in your door and you do not shoot then there is something wrong with you. Especially if you have others to protect in your hearth and home. How do you know that they are really cops just because they yell that they are when they come rushing into your home? Shoot em.
Al Sharpton looks a heck of a lot older than 60! Are you sure he is not 80?
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/george-zimmerman-life-after-shooting ”
“It’s been more than two years since George Zimmerman shot and killed unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla. and, although he was acquitted of murder a little more than a year ago, he certainly hasn’t left the spotlight. In addition to the road rage incident earlier this month, Zimmerman has managed to compile a weighty record of violent incidents, threats and sometimes simply bizarre behavior that tends to undermine his version of events on the night he shot Martin.
Even his father, Robert Zimmerman, has raised concerns that his son is ready to explode again. In an article for its October issue that went online this week, GQ talked to his dad, who told the magazine George Zimmerman is still so afraid of being charged with federal civil rights violations in connection to the Martin shooting that he worries “if FBI agents come and kick in his door, he’s probably gonna shoot a few of them.”
Whether those charges will come remains to be seen. But since his acquittal Zimmerman has managed to evade the grasp of obscurity amid a swirl of domestic violence charges (pressed and then dropped), vibrant paintings (allegedly plagiarized and then sold), and celebrity boxing matches (entered and then canceled – twice).” Quite a hero some of the right wingers have chosen………… At least the other guy that shot the young African American in Florida because his music was too loud was convicted.
Squeeking for yourself?
@ElaineM
Some little kids think mommy hates them because she won’t let them have a cookie whenever they want. Some of these little kids never grow up.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter