The U.S. Department of Justice has just announced George Zimmerman will not be charged with civil rights violations in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
George Zimmerman will not be charged with civil rights violations by the Department of Justice in the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin. The DOJ, almost three years to the day of the killing of the 17-year old, cited a lack of evidence as the reason.
Martin was shot and killed on February 26, 2012, while walking home wearing a hoodie and holding a bag of Skittles and a Snapple iced tea. Federal prosecutors reportedly could not find sufficient evidence to charge Zimmerman with violating Martin’s civil rights.
Zimmerman, who since the shooting has had numerous interactions with the law, claimed self-defense in his trial. He was acquitted on July 14, 2013.
“The death of Trayvon Martin was a devastating tragedy,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement today. “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.”
“Although the department has determined that this matter cannot be prosecuted federally, it is important to remember that this incident resulted in the tragic loss of a teenager’s life,†said Acting Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta of the Civil Rights Division.  “Our decision not to pursue federal charges does not condone the shooting that resulted in the death of Trayvon Martin and is based solely on the high legal standard applicable to these cases.â€
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Image by Debra Sweet via Flickr and a CC license
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Related:
George Zimmerman Has Until Tuesday To Turn In His Guns
At Trayvon Martin Rallies Nationwide, Thousands Protest, Demand Justice (Photos)
After Verdict, Geraldo Rivera Again Blames Trayvon Martin’s Hoodie For His Murder
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