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March 15, 2012

Trayvon Martin
Trayvon Martin

Evidence in Neighborhood-Watch Killing Goes to the State’s Attorney

by Frederick H. Lowe
The Seminole County, Fla., State's Attorney announced on Tuesday that it has received an evidence case package regarding the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager. The shooting has attracted worldwide attention because the police so far have refused to arrest the killer.

“Our intake division, which includes our seasoned assistant district attorneys, will begin an investigation, and it should take several weeks. The assistant district attorneys can decide not to charge him, charge him or send the case to a grand jury,” Lynne Bumpus-Hooper, spokesperson for the State's Attorneys ' Office, told The NorthStar News &  Analysis.

Bumpus-Hooper was referring to the Feb. 26 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in an encounter with George Zimmerman, a white volunteer community watch captain in Sanford, Fla., which is near Orlando.

According to published reports, Zimmerman called the police when he saw a suspicious person walking in the area. Police told Zimmerman to wait until they arrived, but Zimmerman reportedly ignored their orders and confronted Martin.  Their encounter ending in the fatal shooting. The watch captain claimed he acted in self defense.

Sanford police did not arrest or charge Zimmerman with the teenager's murder because they believed Zimmerman. Police also have refused to release the 911 tape.

“In this case Mr. Zimmerman has made a statement of self defense,” said Bill Lee, Sanford chief of police, said during a news conference. “Until we can establish a probable cause to dispute that, we don't have grounds to arrest him.”

Police initially said Zimmerman did not have an arrest record. They lied. Public records show that police arrested Zimmerman in 2005 for resisting arrest for violence and battery on a police officer. The charges were dropped. Police also corrected one witness' account. The witness heard Martin cry for help. The police told her to say Zimmerman called for help, according to ABC News.

Neighbors in the gated community also have complained that Zimmerman has used aggressive tactics in the past.
Martin was visiting his father in Sanford when he was shot to death. During the NBA All-Star Game, he was returning home after buying candy and something to drink for his little brother.

“State Attorney Norm Wolfinger recognizes that Trayvon Martin and his family, interested persons and the public-at-large are entitled to no less than a thorough, deliberate and just review of the information provided, along with any other evidence that may or may not be developed in the course of the review process. We intend to honor that commitment,” Bumpus-Hooper wrote in an e-mail.

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