Trayvon Martin Killing: New Witness Statement Contradicts George Zimmerman Accounts
Trayvon Martin Killing: New Witness Statement Contradicts George Zimmerman Accounts
A new witness has emerged that contradicts George Zimmerman's accounts of what happened the night of him killing Trayvon Martin. Martin was an unarmed African-American teen who was walking back to his father's house that night. He had just left a local 7-11 and brought a bag of Skittles and an Arizona-Iced Tea. George Zimmerman saw the teen and then called 911 reporting seeing a "suspicious person". He continued to speak with the 911 dispatcher and the dispatcher asked him if he was following the person and he said "Yes".
What happened next has sparked great debate and outrage both nationally and internationally. At some point a confrontation ensued and ultimately led to Martin's death. Zimmerman claims he did follow Martin but lost site of him. He says he was on his way back to his car and Martin came to him and asked him if he had a problem. He says he said "no" and then Martin said "well you do now". He next claimed Trayvon punched him in the nose and banged his head into the concrete. Video surveillance has emerged of Zimmerman being taken to the jailhouse which shows no apparent blood or bruising. Martin's girlfriend, however, was reportedly on the phone with him at the same time Zimmerman saw him walking and stated that Martin told her he thought someone was following him and was afraid. She told him to run but he didn't at first. At some point, though, he did take off running and that is when two different accounts have emerged.
911 calls were made and someone could be heard in the background yelling for help during the altercation. Trayvon's family say it was him and Zimmerman's family claim it was him. Most witnesses that have come forward have said it sounded more like a younger child yelling. The Sanford Police have been accused of botching the case and have been hammered because they didn't arrest Zimmerman and charge him. Zimmerman has used Florida's controversial "Stand Your Ground Law," which you can claim self-defense if you feel "reasonably threatened". This is the defense Zimmerman has made, although he has not publicly came forward to speak. His family has spoken on his behalf.
Many have said Trayvon was singled out because he was African-American and because he was wearing a hoodie. The DOJ and FBI are now investigating the crime to determine if it could be charged as a hate crime as well as any additional charges. It has come forward that during the 911 tape, Zimmerman could be heard saying "f!2cking c@#n." There has been a debate about that as well as Zimmerman supporters have said it could be goon. No whatt, the case has sparked a land mark of protests rallies across the nation with the likes of Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson leading the way. Travyon's parents have spoken at the rallies as well and their main focus is getting "Justice for Trayvon".
On Anderson Cooper 360, Anderson Cooper interviewed a witness who didn't want to be identified but The Guardian reports:







