Dear All
George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin, the young boy was unarmed.
The killing has caused a storm of protest in America as people call for justice for Trayvon Martin, after the shooting, the Police didn’t arrest Zimmerman.
Now, due to a groundswell of public opinion, they have finally acted and charged him.
Locked up Zimmerman spent his first night in jail, allegedly crying.
This is a murder case.
And first reports indicate it wasn’t a case of self defence.
Zimmerman's lawyer, Mark O'Mara says that his client may apologise to Martin's parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, ahead of the trial.
As if that will make things right!
Appearing on ABC News after the hearing, O'Mara said:
“What I want to happen is for that conversation to occur directly to the family rather than... in the media through me”.
Documents, filed by State Attorney Angela Corey, contradict Zimmerman’s own version of events, in which he claims he was attacked and sucker-punched by 17-year-old Trayvon.
His lawyer says he hopes he would get a chance to plead for Zimmerman's release on bail.
You can forget that straight away.
The issue of a fair trial has been raised since this case has caused a national storm harking back to the days of open racism in the US and the fight for civil rights.
Many believe that in 2012, America is still a deeply racist country.
Martin’s mother says:
“We believe that George Zimmerman stalked my son and murdered him in cold blood. The 'accident' I was referring to was the fact that George Zimmerman and my son ever crossed paths. It was an accidental encounter.”
Evidence of the roiling public anger against Zimmerman came from boxing legend Mike Tyson, who said Zimmerman should be shot.
He said:
“It's a disgrace that man hasn't been shot yet. Forget about him being arrested the fact that he hasn't been shot yet is a disgrace. That's how I feel personally about it”.
Tyson’s view isn’t helpful but he does express the anger of a section of in the black and wider community.
One thing for certain is that this trial will be a media circus like the O J Simpson trial, Zimmerman will have his day in court but the facts remain that he shot and killed an unarmed young man.
His defence?
Self defence but looking at the case it is hard to see how this will wash with a jury, any jury.
I would imagine his lawyer will be looking for a plea bargain to a lesser charge of unlawful killing.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
No comments:
Post a Comment