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Wednesday, March 27, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Trayvon Martin’s Parents Settle With HOA

SANFORD, Fla. (CN) - The homeowners association where Trayvon Martin was shot to death by a Neighborhood Watch captain settled a wrongful death claim with the teenager's parents for more than $1 million.

Benjamin Crump, the family's attorney, filed paperwork at the Seminole County Courthouse that was made public Friday.

The amount of the settlement will remain confidential.

Martin was shot to death in February 2012 by Neighborhood Watch Captain George Zimmerman.

Martin, who was black, was carrying a bag of candy and an iced tea home to watch football with his father in the Retreat at Twin Lakes subdivision in Sanford.

Zimmerman claimed Martin looked suspicious. He shot him to death and claimed it was in self-defense.

Zimmerman's attorney Mark O'Mara told the Orlando Sentinel in February that Martin's parents had made a wrongful death claim against the homeowners association. Mediation failed, though the association or its insurer had offered $1 million, the Sentinel reported.

O'Mara said the two parties then renewed talks and agreed to settle.

The portion of the settlement made public Friday had been edited to eliminate the names of the parties.

"It is understood and agreed that the payment made herein is not to be construed as an admission of any liability by or on behalf of the releasing parties; but instead the monies being paid hereunder is consideration for avoiding litigation, the uncertainties stemming from litigation as well as to protect and secure the good name and good will of the released parties," the settlement said.

Under terms of the settlement, Trayvon's parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, and his estate, agreed to set aside their wrongful death claim and claims for pain and suffering, loss of earnings and expenses.

Crump has made clear that he intends to file suit against Zimmerman; the settlement spelled out that Zimmerman was not part of this deal.

Zimmerman's trial is set for June 10.

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