Social Justice
Affidavit : Zimmerman had chances to avoid situation before shooting Martin
George Zimmerman had two opportunities to peacefully approach Trayvon Martin before he fatally shot him, according to new reports.
George Zimmerman had two opportunities to peacefully approach Trayvon Martin before he fatally shot him, according to an affidavit.
“The encounter between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin was ultimately avoidable by Zimmerman, if Zimmerman had remained in his vehicle and awaited the arrival of law enforcement, or conversely if he had identified himself to Martin as a concerned citizen and initiated dialog in an effort to dispel each party’s concern,” investigator Chris Serino wrote in an arrest warrant affidavit.
The affidavit was filed two weeks after the shooting when Sanford Police was being heavily criticized for not arresting Zimmerman.
The March 13 affidavit recommended Zimmerman be charged with manslaughter, but a special prosecutor assigned to take over the case moved the charge to second-degree murder.
The documents released Tuesday are part of the public pre-trial records filed in the criminal case.
Zimmerman has maintained his innocence, saying he shot Trayvon Martin in self-defense because he feared for his life.
The encounter happened in a gated community in Sanford, FL where Zimmerman lived and Martin was visiting his father.
Zimmerman called 911 and approached Trayvon because he deemed the teen suspicious. He told the operator Martin was “up to no good” and “has his hand in his waist band.”
In the affidavit report released Tuesday, police say Zimmerman contradicted himself by saying that he was initially fearful of Martin but later got out of his vehicle and followed after the teen.
“His actions are inconsistent with those of a person who has stated he was in fear of another subject,” Serino wrote.
Discover more from Unheard Voices Magazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
-
Black And Missing1 week ago
Morehouse College student Kyle Coleman found dead after Virginia crash
-
Culture4 days ago
Brooklyn community rallies behind beloved shoe shiner Byron Neal known as “The Light on the Corner”
-
Black And Missing5 days ago
Search continues for missing 10-year-old Arkansas girl swept away in Florida waters
-
Beauty & Fashion6 days ago
Young mother dies after cosmetic surgery complications
-
Culture2 weeks ago
Exclusive : South Carolina sneak preview of ‘40 ACRES’ at Saloma Acres in Blythewood
-
Crime & Justice2 weeks ago
One dead after shooting during concert on Long Branch, New Jersey beach
-
Crime & Justice1 week ago
Outrage grows over brutal attack on teen at California concert
-
Social Justice1 week ago
Flavor Flav offers aid after devastating St. Louis tornado