Category Archives: Trayvon Martin
A Walk In The Rain With Trayvon Martin
The following is posted with the permission of the writer.
Thank you, Vashati.
Trayvon Martin’s Cell Phone – How Did It Get On the Ground?
Trayvon Martin’s cell phone at crime scene
Has anyone wore a hands-free headset for their cell phone, but carried their cell phone in their hand?
When I first heard George Zimmerman’s NEN call when his tone changed and he asked the dispatcher if the cop would call him and he would tell him where he was, I concluded then that he was alerted of or knew Trayvon’s whereabouts.
When Trayvon’s phone log was released and I saw that he received a call at 7:12 p.m., my first thought was that George Zimmerman heard Trayvon talking on his cell phone and began following his voice. I am still under that impression.
Crime scene photos were subsequently released, and Trayvon’s cell phone was on the ground, the location indicated by Marker 7. Read the rest of this entry
Let’s Talk About The Mixture of DNA On Zimmerman’s Jacket
Watching George Zimmerman’s trial, I remembered the testimony of Anthony Gorgone of FDLE crime lab. After the verdict and Juror B37 and her literary agent revealing that Zimmerman was found not guilty due to the manner in which he was charged, my attention was drawn to her AC360 interview. Then there was the good news about Rachel Jeantel receiving a full-scholarship from Tom Joyner, and numerous interviews of others including Sybrina and Tracy. However, the testimony of Anthony Gorgone stayed with me.
Anthony Gorgone with ASA John Guy at Zimmerman’s trial.
Mr. Gorgone testified that he took cuttings from George Zimmerman’s jacket and tested for the presence of blood. The cuttings were labeled A through EE. Some tested positive for the presence of blood with the sole contributor being Zimmerman. Some did not test positive for the presence of blood, and still others tested positive for the presence of blood that resulted in a mixture. In some of the mixtures, Trayvon was included or excluded. In some of the mixtures, the contributor could not be identified. Read the rest of this entry
Adam Pollock Saved George Zimmerman’s Life
George Zimmerman told Adam Pollock that he helped save his life.
Adam Pollock, the 43-year-old owner of Kokopelli’s Gym in Longwood, Fla. where Zimmerman trained in grappling and boxing, was arrested March 11, 2013 and awaits trial on charges of battery and assault. His next hearing is scheduled for September 17, 2013 at 9 a.m.
Adam Pollock and George Zimmerman have several things in common.
1. Pollock lied to the police, and only admitted to seeing the victim, Tina Mangiardi, after police told they obtained surveillance footage of him following her out of the gym that day. Pollock also denied touching Mangiardi until police told him that one reason he was being arrested is because of marks on Mangiardi’s arm.
2. Pollock claims that he might have slapped the victim and put his hand on her neck, but it was in self-defense.
Also like George Zimmerman, since his arrest, Pollock appears clean-shaven.
BEFORE AND AFTER
Adam Pollock’s March 11, 2013 Mugshot
Adam Pollock in court in July 2013.
George Zimmerman, Feb. 26, 2012
George Zimmerman in court, April 20, 2012
Since the verdict in the George Zimmerman case, Pollock appeared on the Dr. Drew program on HLN. He revealed that his testimony describing Zimmerman as “soft” was actually hearsay, stated by another trainer. How is it possible for a man to describe another man as “soft” unless they have had physical contact with each other?
The Department of Justice might do well to interview that trainer, in addition to others attending Kokopelli’s Gym when Zimmerman attended. He just might have gotten the reputation for being “soft” the Friday or Saturday before the Sunday that he killed Trayvon Martin.
In the following video, Pollock tells the Dr. Drew panel that George Zimmerman thanked him for saving his life, and accredited that to Pollock teaching him how to “shrimp.” It shows that if Zimmerman was able to “shrimp,” that Trayvon could not have punched him about his head and face. According to George Zimmerman, “shrimping” saved his life. Since shrimping saved Zimmerman’s life, killing Trayvon Martin did not.
100-Foot Mural Titled “We are all Trayvon Martin”
Miami artist, Huong, has painted a 100-foot mural titled “We are all Trayvon Martin.” It was unveiled in Tallahassee, the Capitol of Florida.
The mural depicts George Zimmerman shooting a figure in a hoodie. Zimmerman is painted as he appeared to Trayvon Martin the evening of February 26, 2012, with shaven head, a mustache, and goatee. The face portion of the figure in the hoodie is a mirror. Anyone who looks into the mirror therefore, is Zimmerman’s target, and makes the point “we are all Trayvon Martin.”
Huong also painted a 50 foot version of the mural that can be written on.
Thanks to 3Chicspolitico for putting the video on Youtube.
More on the subject: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/florida-mural-shows-george-zimmerman-shooting-trayvon-martin-article-1.1423940
Trayvon’s Law
The NAACP has released a Bill Summary for Trayvon’s Law.
“Repeal Stand Your Ground Type Laws & Restore Sane, Sensible use of Force Standards in Self Defense.
Click here for the entire Bill Summary: Trayvon’s Law
Sybrina, Tracy, and Attorney Crump Met With Federal Investigators
Tracy Martin, father of Trayvon Martin
August 1, 2013
The Miami Herald reports that the parents of Trayvon Martin and lawyer Benjamin Crump met with Justice Department prosecutors and FBI agents at the U.S. attorney’s office in Miami Wednesday to discuss the status of a criminal civil-rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin last year. Prosecutors with the Justice Department’s criminal civil-rights section and FBI agents met with Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin to bring the family up to speed.
“The federal investigation, which was opened while George Zimmerman faced prosecution for the death of the 17-year-old, gained renewed interest last month after Zimmerman was acquitted in state court of Martin’s killing in a Sanford gated community.”
Racial profiling was not an issue in the charging affidavit, nor was it an issue in George Zimmerman’s trial.
Frank Taaffe and The Butterfly Effect of Precious
Frank Taaffe
On the HLN’s Jane Velez-Mitchell’s program, Frank Taaffe inferred that witness Rachel Jeantel, was “precious.” Rachel Jeantel is the daughter of Haitian and Dominican Republic parents. Born in Miami, Florida, she first met Trayvon Martin when she was in kindergarten. On her birthday of February 1, 2012, she and Trayvon renewed their friendship. Jeantel was on the phone with Trayvon on the evening of February 26, 2012, when he told her he was being watched, and then followed, by “a creepy ass cracker.” Jeantel testified in court that the phrase; “creepy ass cracker” means “pervert.” Logically, a man watching a teen from his truck, then following in his truck, appears to be a pervert.
Based on Jeantel’s and Trayvon Martin’s phone records, they were indeed talking during the time that George Zimmerman was on the phone with police dispatch, and also when Trayvon and George Zimmerman came into physical contact. That in fact, Jeantel’s phone call with Trayvon disconnected just seconds before witness, Jeanne Lauer, called 911 to report hearing screams.
Precious is a movie, released in 2009, about a New York City overweight, sexually and physically abused, illiterate teen, who enrolls in an alternative school in hope of taking her life in a new direction. Based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire, the movie is the celebration of life against the odds.
The movie won the AFI Award for movie of the year. It also won the Academy Awards’ Oscar for Best Performance by an actress in a supporting role (Mo’Nique) and Best Adapted Screenplay, (Geoffrey Fletcher).
The movie was nominated for Best Achievement in Directing, Best Achievement in Film Editing, and Best Motion Picture of the Year. Overall, the movie won 79 awards worldwide, and 49 nominations.
Gabourey Sidibe
Gabourey Sidibe, who played the movie’s leading character, “Precious,” was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role. Claireece “Precious” Jones, a taciturn, pregnant sixteen year-old, was Gabourey Sidibe’s first acting role on-screen.
For these accomplishments, Frank Taaffe, supporter of admitted killer and accused murderer George Zimmerman, apparently believes that Precious is a person who is supposed to be ashamed and denigrated. Frank Taaffe, in addition to other George Zimmerman supporters who have compared Jeantel to Precious, do not see that the movie’s main character represents metamorphosis through struggle – transformation within — from caterpillar to butterfly.
As a caterpillar, the verbal and physical abuse, and mocking lowered Precious’ self-esteem. She day dreamed of being loved and admired. Through the struggle, Precious raised her self-esteem, and acquired courage, hope, and determination. She also learned not to argue with ignorant people. She was no longer afraid to be herself or ashamed that she did not match the stereotype of what others believe is smart and beautiful. Effectively, in their comparison of Jeantel to Precious, Taaffe and other Zimmerman supporters call good, evil.
The movie’s Precious had much more to live for than just herself – two children, one which is a special needs child. In like manner, when Jeantel took the witness stand, she didn’t think of herself. Throughout this ordeal, she made it plain that she was concerned for Sybrina Fulton’s pain. On the witness stand, Jeantel wasn’t interested in competing to win a public speaking contest. She took the stand to testify of her last conversation with Trayvon. She laid the pain of her loss aside. Through cross-examination by defense attorney Don West, Jeantel flew above his condescending inferences, his interrogation as though he was a detective trying to get her to confess to committing a crime, and his hours of repeating the same questions.
Jeantel’s answers revealed just how far Don West is from reality. For instance, he drilled her on why she did not call the police. Jeantel’s answer was consistent; i.e., she did not know that the man who killed her friend had not been arrested. Logically, admitted killers are arrested.
Don West also demonstrated his ignorance of jurisdictions. How was Jeantel suppose to call 911 in Sanford, Florida, when she resides in Miami?
Frank Taaffe’s taking of good and using it for evil is — well — evil in itself. He fails to recognize that the movie character Precious does not represent shame. Rather, Precious is a character who in spite of not meeting Taaffe’s standards, overcomes against the odds.
Rachel Jeantel is hereby awarded the butterfly award. 
Dedicated to “DeeDee”
” To all the sisters who cried for a brother …”
Lyrics from Heavy D & The Boyz “Sister, Sister”
To Trayvon’s Dad
Let us continue to encourage and lift up as the day for justice for Trayvon draws near.
UPDATE: For additional well wishes and comments of encouragement, see:
http://frederickleatherman.com/2013/06/16/fathers-day-card-to-tracy-martin/
Using Deadly Force in 40 Seconds
Phone records provide evidence that the numerous actions and words as told by George Zimmerman that caused him to use “self-defense” took place in less than one minute, and that time includes un-holstering his weapon, aiming, and making sure his left-hand was not in the path of the kill shot when he killed unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Possible? No!
George Zimmerman is not adding in actions to his story. Rather, he is completely making it up; from being approached 40 feet from where Trayvon’s body laid, to forensic evidence that provides Trayvon did not bash Zimmerman’s head in the sidewalk, neither place his hands over Zimmerman’s nose and mouth.
June 10, 2013 A Prayer For Trayvon Martin’s Family
June 10, 2013 marks the start of jury selection in the murder trial of George Michael Zimmerman for the killing of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
In March 2012, a prayer was said and filmed at the Million Hoody March in Union Square. No matter your religious beliefs or non-religious beliefs, let us continue lifting up strength for Trayvon’s parents and family, and righteous judgment for justice.
The 40 Ft. Stumble
Have we forgotten? With motion hearings, arguments about discovery, beg feasts, and Mark O’Mara finally admitting there will be no pre-trial immunity hearing, it is easy to lose focus on who is on trial, and why.
Have we forgotten that George Zimmerman stated that Trayvon Martin approached him at the “T” and knocked him down with one punch? After telling his story to law enforcement the evening he killed unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, Zimmerman was told that he would be required to come to the crime scene the next day and show law enforcement what happened.
At the crime scene, Zimmerman realized that his one-punch at the “T” knocked him down backwards story was not consistent with the head bashing, wiggling to the grass story. Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin about 40 feet south of the “T”. At his re-enactment, Zimmerman had to wing-it, and in doing so, contradicted what he told law enforcement less than 24 hours earlier.
The following video recaps Zimmerman’s first statement to police about being knocked down backwards with one punch from Trayvon Martin. It also provides excerpts from Zimmerman’s first bond hearing, including Detective Gilbreath’s statement that Zimmerman’s story about wiggling from the concrete to the grass is not consistent with the evidence that the State found.
Killer and accused murderer George Zimmerman’s trial is scheduled to begin on June 10, 2013 with jury selection.
To Trayvon’s “Cupcake”
Let us continue to encourage and lift up as the day for justice for Trayvon draws near.
April 2013 – Encouragement to Trayvon Martin’s Family and Friends
Artist
N.I.L.E. (Notorious in Lyrical Expression)
Blackbutterfly 7 shares in agreement with the Youtube “About” for the following video:
“This is a dedication song to young brother Trayvon Martin. We know a song won’t bring him back, but it will relay the love and the power of that love through GOD on how justice will be served and give the family and friends comfort that their voice does make a difference and is heard. GOD BLESS and pass this along to keep the movement for peace and justice strong.”
This song can be purchased at Itunes.
March 2013 – Encouragement To Trayvon Martin’s Family and Friends
The following video by GraceThePoet was posted on YouTube, March 24, 2012. Since that time, the accused murderer and killer of Trayvon Benjamin Martin has been arrested. The trial of George M. Zimmerman for 2nd degree murder is scheduled to begin June 10, 2013.
We reach out to the family and friends of Trayvon Martin, lifting you up in faith, hope, and love.
Thank you, GraceThePoet, for your Dedication to Trayvon Martin – Made It Home.
Team Warriors, Time Marches On
Hello Team Warriors!!!
I wanted to touch base with everyone and put out a reminder of where we were at a year ago. Sanford Watch from YouTube has produced a lot of informative and expressive videos for Justice for Trayvon Martin.
Please view this video:
We have just past the first year anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death.
While this milestone was something that was difficult to reach, we have and time marches on.
We have come a long way together in our quest for Justice for Trayvon, but that quest is not over yet.
We must redouble our efforts in our support for the family, friends, lawyers and all those who support Trayvon Martin.
The trial date steadily approaches, and while this is happening, the defense is steadily putting out more misinformation in the media, internet and radio.
We must keep informing people of what happened on February 26, 2012, the day that Trayvon Martin was shot and killed.
We, together, have made a difference in keeping the public aware by TV, Radio, and Social Media. Social Media has been the biggest component in keeping Trayvon Martin alive in everyone’s eyes.
Here is another video by Sanford Watch, the one year anniversary.
We’ve made a stand together, you and I, to make sure that the admitted killer is held accountable for his actions.
We shall continue to march on together till we get Justice for their son, our son, Trayvon Martin.
Let Us Not Forget Kevin Cunningham, The Creator Of The Petition.
There are many supporters for Justice for Trayvon Martin. Those supporters include family members of Trayvon Martin, civil rights 
activists, bloggers, and anyone else who deems that the killing of Trayvon Martin was unjustified in every regard.
Mr. Mark O’Mara likes to tell his spiel of how the Martin/Fulton family hired a publicist named Ryan Julison to champion their cause in getting media recognition. The fact of the matter is that it was Natalie Jackson who sought him out and hired him for the family. She knows as well as all people of color, a case like this will not get the media attention it deserves without a publicist.
The shooting of Trayvon was on local TV in Florida. For two weeks, other than those locally in Florida, no one else knew about the killing of an unarmed teenager in Sanford, Florida. Considering the options left for the family, since no arrest was made, a publicist was an option to use. Tracy and Sybrina were interviewed on CBS News Morning. They have done what other parents do; get on TV and plead their case. I have often viewed news cast of tragedies happening to families, but the majority of those people who get to have their say on TV are generally white. Most news media outlets will put the face of a white child missing more often than a black child missing. Most media outlets will put the face of a killing of a white person more often than the killing of a black or brown person. This is the bias of the media outlets. This practice of media bias has been done for a very long time.
The sheer fact that a publicist had to be employed speaks to this mindset and recognition of media bias. A crime committed against a black person is not as newsworthy as a crime committed against a white person.
Which leads me to the power of the internet.
Through a law school linkserv, Kevin Cunningham learned about the killing of Trayvon Martin on March 8th 2012, 11 days after Trayvon was killed.
Kevin Cunningham, 31, of Washington, D.C., attended Howard University. The student body of Howard University today consists of 80% black and 1% white.
Kevin Cunningham used the power of the internet. He created the petition on Change.org. This petition garnered more attention than what the publicist was trying to do at the time.
O’Mara loves to rant and rave about how Martin/Fulton hired a publicist to get “their” message out. He is so wrong, I just had to call it out.
Granted the publicist did some work, but it was the petition that made it national and global news through the use of the internet.
The petition, from its inception garnered 100 signatures the first day. After a few days, it was 10,000.
A spokesperson, Megan Lubin from Change.org contacted Kevin Cunningham and suggested, which is a rare thing for this organization to do, would be to turn over the petition to Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton.
Quote from Sybrina Fulton:
“When we heard about the petition, we were overwhelmed that someone we didn’t know would take the time and effort to raise awareness about our son,” Trayvon’s mother said.
She speaks not only for the efforts of Kevin Cunningham, but for all those who signed the petition.
The petition in its final tally was 2,278,303. It is currently, the largest petition in Change.org. history. On April 11, 2012, it was announced that a capias for the arrest of the neighborhood watch captain that killed Trayvon Martin was issued, charging him, George Michael Zimmerman, with 2nd degree murder. State’s Attorney Angela Corey said that they were not pressured by outside forces to arrest George Zimmerman. The results of the investigation give evidence of 2nd degree murder, but that investigation would not have happened if not but for the efforts of Tracy, Sybrina, lawyers, ordinary people, and Kevin Cunningham who posted a petition that let everyone know that George Zimmerman should be held accountable for the killing of Trayvon Martin.
O’Mara doesn’t like pointing out the fact that the petition and the will of the family did more in a matter of days than any publicist would or could have done in the same time frame.
O’Mara and company would like to have the American & Global Public believe that if not for the hired help of a publicist, the killing of Trayvon Martin and the pending case of Fl vs GZ would not have been in the public eye.
HE IS DEAD WRONG!
We are included in those 2,278,301. The public outcry on the streets and on the internet are the reason why the killing of Trayvon Martin is front and center. Not because of the sole work of a publicist.
We demanded Justice — this call came from everybody.
We intend to get that Justice for Trayvon Martin.
If not for people like Kevin Cunningham who had the courage and the idea of starting a petition, I believe this case would have never gotten to where it is now. It’s the people who spoke up against the injustice of it all that has gotten to where we are now, and a lot of those people are on the internet. We don’t have access to big media outlets. We don’t have the money to buy air time. But our voices are just as powerful if not more than the media and radio.
Case in point: The defendant’s family has been on TV an Radio. It has gotten them, nothing, nada, zilch.
No amount of TV coverage can speak as much as our signatures, petitions, marches, blogs, and our continued support for Trayvon Martin and his family.
The internet can be a powerful tool to use for creating awareness. I am proud to be a part of the positive work and continuing efforts in our quest for Justice for Trayvon Martin.
The one year anniversary of the death of Trayvon Martin is in three days. I thought it was appropriate to go back and look at who and when people got involved.
Kevin Cunningham was at the front of the line.
Kevin Cunningham, from our home here at BlackButterfly7, thank you from the bottom of all of our hearts.
#True Warrior Kevin Cunningham
Sources:
http://www.change.org/petitions/prosecute-the-killer-of-our-son-17-year-old-trayvon-martin
True Warriors For Trayvon Martin
True Warriors — You are PHENOMENAL!
True warriors analyze discovery documents, motions, statements and videos.
True warriors support the prosecution team in obtaining a fair and just trial.
True warriors take the pro-z camps to task.
True warriors make countless blogs in support of civil and intelligent conversations.
True warriors make supporting visual videos for us and others to interpret the evidence.
True warriors write beautiful poetry and music for Trayvon, DeeDee and their respective families.
True warriors marched peacefully in the streets and banded together in one voice. “We want Justice”
True warriors are committed to this case, it is not a hobby.
True warriors are the ones who can bear to hear Trayvons’ screams and cry out “That could have been my son”.
True warriors deliver speeches and rewrite laws, they are for the cause.
True Team Warriors are teachers with cats, mountain men who collect stamps, Papa’s, Mama’s, Hot Rod Champs. Butterflies of every color, disc jockeys, on a Journey to Justice with Kindhearts. Searching Minds looking at Grey Winter Skies, Groans loudly at the bright Starrs in the sky. Looking at Trayvon’s Truth, to Making Each Day Count; 3Chics with a BccList went to CrimeWatchers on a Justice Quest all together with Trained Observers working with Lurkers. They have various skin colors. Their race is human. They are true warriors, no doubt.
We are here for our Ultimate True Warriors, Sybrina, Tracy and Jahvaris.
We the True Warriors for Justice for Trayvon Martin stand with you, beside you and around you.
They have shown us what true warriors are all about. The ability to turn the killing of their son into something positive. They’ve created a scholarship fund to help young people. They advocate for gun control, not to take guns away. They advocate for revising Stand Your Ground statute, not taking it away. They stand for a true and fair trial, not more violence, nor revenge.
Only Ultimate Warriors can do that.
We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident 