Updates to our Terms of Use

We are updating our Terms of Use. Please carefully review the updated Terms before proceeding to our website.

Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Reverberations From Zimmerman Verdict

SANFORD, Fla. (CN) - Florida's governor said he is powerless to change his state's "stand your ground" law, but told the head of his Department of Juvenile Justice to meet with student demonstrators.

Sanford police delivered evidence from George Zimmerman's murder trial to the FBI on Monday, nine days after a state jury acquitted him of the second-degree murder of Trayvon Martin.

Zimmerman's attorneys successfully pleaded self-defense.

Also on Monday, the Seminole County Sheriff's office said that Zimmerman helped rescue a family of four from overturned vehicle last week.

Zimmerman had not been seen in public since the verdict. Zimmerman helped rescue the family a week ago, two days before President Obama gave a memorable speech about the verdict, and what it's like to grow up as an African American in the United States.

The president baldly asked what the verdict might have been had the shooter been black and the victim a young white man in a sport coat.

In Tallahassee, student protesters have occupied Gov. Rick Scott's office for more than a week, demanding changes in the stand your ground law. The students leave the office at closing time.

In addition to saying that he can't change the law, Scott advised the students to meet with their state representatives.

The students, who call themselves the Dream Defenders, said they will stay at the Capitol until Scott agrees to call legislators into a special session to revisit the law.

A public hearing to voice frustrations about the verdict was held this week at a church in Sanford, where pastors and community leaders continue to call for peace.

Categories / Uncategorized

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Loading...