Category Archives: Trayvon Martin
George Zimmerman Pleads No Contest And Gets Probation On Stalking Charge
According to WFTV
George Zimmerman entered a no contest plea to resolve a misdemeanor charge of stalking a private investigator in the latest run-in with the law for the neighborhood watch leader who killed Trayvon Martin.
Zimmerman will be placed on 12-month probation, during which time he is not allowed to possess a firearm.
Zimmerman entered the no contest plea in absentia, meaning he did not have to be present at the courthouse. Under such a plea, a defendant doesn’t admit guilt, and a conviction is withheld if the conditions of the plea are met.
“Rest In Power: The Trayvon Martin Story” Premieres July 30.
On the evening of February 26, 2012, 17-year old Trayvon Martin was shot in the heart and killed by George Zimmerman. On April 11,2012, Zimmerman was arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder. A jury of 6 women, none of whom are Black, acquitted Zimmerman on July 13, 2013.
“Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story” is a 6-part documentary series that premieres on Monday, July 30, 2018 on Paramount and BET.
Co-directors Jenner Furst and Julia Willoughby Nason interviewed more than 100 people for the series, with twenty-some sources in Sanford alone. They employed an investigative team that included a former New York Times journalist and interviewed friends of Zimmerman, experts on the origins of Black Lives Matter; and the Southern Poverty Law Center, which helped identify how the case was discussed in white supremacist chat rooms and message boards. Read the rest of this entry
Jay-Z Joined Trayvon Martin’s Parents For Peace Walk
The Trayvon Martin Foundation website says;
The Trayvon Martin Foundation holds its Annual Peace Walk and Peace Talk community event in February. Peace Walk participants include youth, community activists, faith leaders, and celebrities. The Walk also includes families who have lost a child to senseless gun violence. All participants will be walking together in solidarity as a testament to the right that all people should be able to walk freely without being pursued, chased, profiled or shot and killed on their streets. Walk begins 9:00 am at Carol City Park 3201 NW 185th street, FL 33054.
Judge Rules That Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law Revisions Are Unconstitutional
Reported by Reuters
“A Florida state court judge ruled on Monday that recent changes to the state’s “stand your ground” law are unconstitutional, finding that legislators overstepped when making it easier for defendants to argue self-defense to obtain immunity for violent acts.
Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Milton Hirsch said courts, not lawmakers, should set the process by which defendants can claim they were protecting themselves with an act of violence, according to the ruling posted online by the Miami Herald.
The revision shifted the burden of proof during pretrial hearings to prosecutors, rather than defendants, to show whether force was used lawfully. Supporters saw the changes backed by the National Rifle Association, the powerful U.S. gun lobby, as bolstering civilians’ rights to protect themselves.
Monday’s ruling in Miami circuit court is not binding on other state trial courts, the Miami Herald reported.
Advocates predicted the ruling would be reversed on appeal.
“It is the role of the legislature to write the laws that govern how Floridians may exercise their statutory and constitutional rights,” Richard Corcoran, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, said in a statement. “The Florida House will continue to stand with ordinary citizens who exercise their right to self-defense.”
Florida’s “stand your ground” law, passed in 2005, received wide scrutiny and inspired similar laws in other states. It removed the legal responsibility to retreat from a dangerous situation and allowed the use of deadly force when a person felt greatly threatened.
This spring’s changes were adopted over outcry that gun owners could be emboldened to shoot first.
Critics cited the 2012 death of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in the Orlando area, which spurred national protests and the Black Lives Matter movement. The neighborhood watchman who killed him, George Zimmerman, was acquitted of murder after the law was included in jury instructions. ”
There were debates on whether George Zimmerman claimed stand your ground during his trial. As Reuters correctly reports, Judge Nelson included stand your ground jury instructions in those given to the jury to decide Zimmerman’s fate.
Florida Memorial University to Award Trayvon Martin a Posthumous Honorary Degree
Published using Press This
Trayvon Martin
At its commencement ceremony on May 13, Florida Memorial University will present a posthumous honorary degree to Trayvon Martin, the Florida teenager killed by George Zimmerman five years ago.
The private university announced Wednesday that Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, will accept a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical science with a concentration in flight education on behalf of their son.
The degree is in “honor of the steps he took during his young life toward becoming a pilot,” the school said in a Facebook post. Florida Memorial’s Department of Aviation and Safety has a designated Cessna pilot training center, and the school also houses the Trayvon Martin Foundation. It is based in Miami Gardens where Trayvon Martin lived.
Trayvon Martin was 17-years old when he was shot and killed on February 26, 2012.
The Anniversary of the Death of Trayvon Martin – Feb 26, 2016
Trayvon Benjamin Martin
On February 26, 2012, a 17-year old-young boy was visiting his father in Sanford, Florida. It was a rainy evening. He went to a convenience store for candy and juice. On his way back, a neighborhood watchman alleged that he was on his way to Target to get groceries when he saw a suspicious teen. He followed the teen in his truck, then on foot. Trayvon Martin was shot in the heart with a hollow point bullet by George Zimmerman.
What happened in this nation as a consequence of George Zimmerman’s actions exposed the good, the bad, and the ugly. Trayvon’s life, death, and legacy, has motivated many people of all races and from all walks of life to come together for the good, including advocating for changes to stand your ground law and gun control.
We shall not forget.
In support for justice for Trayvon, LLMPapa produced videos during Zimmerman’s pending trial. In the following, he addresses where a journalist wanted to interview him and he gives his response.
After the fire, the fire still burns. The heart goes on.
Today, let’s celebrate Trayvon’s legacy.
Happy Birthday Trayvon Martin
He was 17 years old on February 5, 2012. George Zimmerman took his life 21 days later, on February 26, 2012. Today would have been Trayvon’s 21st birthday.
We shall not forget. His life mattered.
Three Years – Remembering Trayvon Martin
Racerrodig asked that I open a thread so people can share remembrance and their thoughts on how we heard about the death of Trayvon Martin. He also suggested that we discuss how it affects us and what we do to make relations better. Thank you, Racerodig, for your willingness to share with others.
It’s not often that I write opinion or editorial pieces, but today I’m compelled to do so in remembering Trayvon. The announcement by the Department of Justice was not limited to not charging George Zimmerman with violating Trayvon’s civil rights. The announcement included more, and I would like to address that.
In its written announcement, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder wrote:
“The death of Trayvon Martin was a devastating tragedy. It shook an entire community, drew the attention of millions across the nation, and sparked a painful but necessary dialogue throughout the country,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “Though a comprehensive investigation found that the high standard for a federal hate crime prosecution cannot be met under the circumstances here, this young man’s premature death necessitates that we continue the dialogue and be unafraid of confronting the issues and tensions his passing brought to the surface. We, as a nation, must take concrete steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.”
Many of us have experienced that anyone who participates in the necessary dialogue is targeted for destruction by a small group of individuals who believe there is a conspiracy which they call the “BGI.” No one has been destroyed however, and all of their efforts have not stopped the necessary dialogue. The best dialogue I’ve witnessed has taken place on this blog respectfully, and between diverse people. Some of us even have diverse spiritual beliefs, but all of them are based on doing no harm, respecting life, and promoting equality for all regardless of race, gender, sexual preference, age. Read the rest of this entry
No Federal Civil Right Violation Charges Against George Zimmerman
Hat tip to Butterflydreamer2.
Zimmerman’s attorney, Don West, said that he hopes the decision will mark the start of a new chapter in George Zimmerman’s life.
Trayvon’s parents said they are disappointed but thanked the Justice Department for their investigation.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder stated that the investigation concluded that circumstances of the case did not meet the high standard required to prove a federal hate crime.
The timing raises suspicion of the investigation and result. The federal grand jury met last year and their session ended in December. Had the federal grand jury not returned an indictment, the DOJ should have announced that much sooner than now. Zimmerman did have an attorney; Don West, who is a federal criminal defense attorney. Apparently, Zimmerman was anticipating an indictment. The question is, did the federal grand jury return an indictment, but the DOJ decide that in spite of that, they will not prosecute? Read the rest of this entry
Jahvaris Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s Brother, Celebrates Graduating From College
Congratulations Jahvaris!
Federal Grand Jury Scheduled To Hear Evidence On George Zimmerman
Frank Taaffe
The other day, a photo of a subpoena made its way around Twitter from Frank Taaffe to Nancy Grace. I decided to wait for confirmation before reporting it. Today, Orlando Sentinel reports that the federal grand jury is scheduled to hear witnesses, and that Frank Taaffe has indeed, been subpoenaed to testify.
For those not familiar;
Trayvon Martin
On February 26, 2012, George Zimmerman killed 17-year old Trayvon Martin, shooting him in the heart. It started with Zimmerman making a “suspicious person” call to the non-emergency number (NEN) of the police department. While Zimmerman was on the phone, Trayvon ran. Zimmerman got out of his truck and followed Trayvon. Minutes later, Trayvon was dead with Zimmerman claiming self-defense.
Frank Taaffe became the main advocate for Zimmerman, alleging that Zimmerman had rights to racially profile Trayvon because there was a group of Black teens in the community committing crimes.
A jury of 5 White women and 1 Latina acquitted Zimmerman. The initial aggressor part of self-defense law was omitted from the jury instructions. During deliberations, Taaffe told Nancy Grace where the jury stood on voting, and it turned out to be true. Taaffe did not say how he obtained the information. Read the rest of this entry
Exclusive: Trayvon Martin’s Mom: ‘If They Refuse to Hear Us, We Will Make Them Feel Us’
Dignity. Grace.
The Impact of Trayvon Martin’s Death on America
Outside of his family and friends, Trayvon Martin was unknown until a few days after February 26, 2012. On that evening, Trayvon Martin was the average 17-year old child of divorced parents where the father is involved in his son’s life and there is an extended family. Living in Miami Gardens, Trayvon was visiting his dad in Sanford, Florida, who was staying with his girlfriend. He went to the 7-Eleven and on his way back, was followed by a man in a truck. Trayvon was on the phone with a childhood friend named Rachel, and told her about a creepy looking guy following him. Trayvon ran. The man got out of his truck, followed Trayvon, and shot him dead.
The killing of Trayvon Martin impacted America more than the killing of some U.S. Presidents. Because of technology and the internet, people from across the globe took interest in the case. Because of Florida’s “sunshine law,” discovery documents and pleadings filed in the case were made public. George Zimmerman’s trial for 2nd degree murder was shown on television, and live-streamed. Read the rest of this entry
“Suspicion Nation” – Addressing the Critics; Re: The Gun
In her book, Suspicion Nation, Lisa Blooms writes:
“Two weeks into the three-week trial, I used the opportunity to take another look at the important evidence that had already been admitted in the trial, as I would if I were trying the case myself for either side.”
“That’s when I noticed some critical evidence about the placement of Zimmerman’s gun. That black KelTec 9mm PF-9 semiautomatic handgun was holstered not only inside his waistband (that is, inside his pants, concealed), but behind Zimmerman, on his backside.”
Lisa goes on to write about learning this from Zimmerman himself, as she watched his reenactment video several times. Like many of us who studied Zimmerman, not only in words, but his re-play of actions, noticed that he reached behind his pocket when reenacting where he wore his gun. We concluded that there was no way that Trayvon could see, much less reach, for that gun.
The anti-Trayvon Martin camp criticizes Lisa Bloom for her keen perception. They say that Zimmerman did not carry his gun on his backside. They make excuses for why Zimmerman reached behind his pocket when showing detectives where his gun was when he reached for it.
So the question is, where did George Zimmerman carry his gun?
The answer comes from his own mouth; i.e., his “hip.”
The hip is not the waist and George demonstrated what he believes to be his hip.
Lisa Bloom questions what many of us also questioned, which is why did the detectives allow Zimmerman to demonstrate from a standing position, those things that he said happened on the ground while he was on his back.
Second Anniversary of the Shooting Death of Trayvon Martin
Trayvon Benjamin Martin
“Justice in America: Trayvon Martin, Race, and the Law” is the title of the talk that attorney Benjamin Crump will give at 6 p.m. tonight at the Cooley Law School in Lansing, MI.
According to WKAR, Attorney Crump says he is going to talk to the next generation of lawyers about the future and encourage them to understand their obligation to equal justice.
Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin
Tonight, Tracy Martin appeared on Politicsnation with Reverend Al Sharpton on MSNBC, addressing how he misses Trayvon and changes that he seeks in Stand Your Ground law that allowed Trayvon’s killer to go free.
Remembering Trayvon Martin
Trayvon Benjamin Martin
February 5, 1995 – February 26, 2012
On February 26, 2014, it will be two years since Trayvon Martin was killed. At times, it seems like it was yesterday. Blackbutterfly7 pays honor to Trayvon Martin and his parents. We shall not forget. People across America came together and protested because the killer was known and not arrest. America became aware of stand your ground law. Kevin Cunningham started a petition for an investigation and arrest of the man who killed Trayvon Martin. It was signed by over 2 million people. Read the rest of this entry
Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin Plan To Write Book
Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton
Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, parents of Trayvon Martin, intend to write a book about their son, his death, his killer’s trial and more. Sybrina and Tracy met with publishers, accompanied by Jan Miller, their Dallas-based literary agent. Two publishing executives participated in the meeting and described it as somber and moving.
One publishing executive said Mr. Martin and Ms. Fulton spoke eloquently on social issues of race and religion, suggesting that faith could be a central element of the book. Both have openly stated about their faith. After a jury found George Zimmerman not guilty of murdering Trayvon Martin, Sybrina tweeted:
“Lord during my darkest hour I lean on you. You are all that I have. At the end of the day, GOD is still in control. Thank you all for your prayers and support. I will love you forever Trayvon!!! In the name of Jesus!!!” Read the rest of this entry
Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin Retain Agency
(The following is a copy of the press release. We wish Sybrina and Tracy the best in their endeavors. )
Trayvon Martin’s Parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, Retain American Program Bureau as Their Exclusive Speakers’ Agency.
NEWTON, Mass., Nov. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire
American Program Bureau (APB) is proud to be named the exclusive speaking agency for Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, the parents of Trayvon Martin. Since the death of their son, Fulton and Martin have committed their lives to transforming tragedy into change, working to ensure the survival of every child through education and thoughtful conversations about conflict resolution. Read the rest of this entry
Sybrina Fulton’s Testimony Before The Senate
Sybrina Fulton’s testimony before the U.S. Senate on Oct. 29, 2013, at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights examining the civil rights and public safety implications of “stand your ground” laws.
(Video courtesy of Senator Dick Durbin, D-IL)
To Go Where The Brave Dare Not Go
For all those seeking answers,
seeking to understand,
advocating,
donating,
concerned,
about children gone too soon.
For all those who are butterflies,
or going through transformation to be free,
Be encouraged.
We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident 