Who is George Zimmerman? More information emerges about the shooter of Trayvon Martin
By Elizabeth Flock
A more complete picture is emerging about George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch captain who shot and killed an unarmed black teenager in Florida late last month. But Zimmerman’s father says that picture is “extremely misleading.”
While Zimmerman told police he shot Trayvon Martin in self-defense, the case has spurred national outrage and accusations the shooting was race-based. Online petitions, protests, and statements by African American and civil rights leaders have all demanded Zimmerman be brought to justice. Zimmerman has not been arrested, and Sanford, Fla. police say they do not have any information to dispute his self-defense claim. Federal agencies have now taken over the case.
A report in the Orlando Sentinel today has more information about Zimmerman. The 28-year-old was born in Virginia, attended Seminole State College, and aspired to become a law-enforcement officer, according to the Sentinel. A former neighbor in Manassas, Va., told the news site Zimmerman was “a good-enough kid” when he was younger.
The Sentinel also reports that Zimmerman has allegations of domestic violence and criminal misconduct in his past. In one case, Zimmerman allegedly pushed a state alcohol agent because he was arresting one of his friends. Zimmerman avoided conviction by entering a pretrial-diversion program, according to the Sentinel. In another case, a woman accused Zimmerman of domestic violence, but Zimmerman filed a petition “of his own” the following day, the Sentinel reports.
The news site notes that injunctions have kept the cases’ outcomes sealed.
more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/who-is-george-zimmerman-more-information-emerges-about-the-shooter-of-trayvon-martin/2012/03/21/gIQA6muiRS_blog.html#
Civil Rights Leaders Call On Florida Governor To Suspend George Zimmerman’s Concealed Carry Permit
By Judd Legum on Mar 21, 2012 at 2:00 pm
ORLANDO — George Zimmerman, who shot and killed Trayvon Martin on February 26, hasn’t just avoided arrest — he is still licensed to carry a concealed handgun in the State of Florida. This morning, local civil rights leaders called on Gov. Rick Scott (R) to suspend Zimmerman’s concealed carry permit to protect the public.
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Ordinarily, a concealed permit in Florida can only be suspended after an arrest. But in an interview with ThinkProgress, Orlando civil rights attorney Shayan Elahi explained that Scott has broad executive powers that gives him the authority to suspend Zimmerman’s license in the name of pubic safety.
Elahi argued that action by Scott was essential in light of the “botched” investigation by the Sanford police, which accepted Zimmerman’s claim of self-defense despite numerous witnesses and other evidence that conflicts with his account. Zimmerman would then be able to contest the suspension at an administrative proceeding within 20 days.
Thus far, Scott’s administration is defending its decision to keep Zimmerman’s permit active, arguing that “short of a permit holder being convicted of a felony, the state does not have the authority to revoke a permit.”
more: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/03/21/449414/florida-governor-suspend-zimmermans-concealed-carry-permit/
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