EDIT 5:19 p.m.: Special prosecutor in the Trayvon Martin shooting case, Angela Corey, has announced that George Zimmerman is in custody and will be charged with second-degree murder. He is being held with bond and could face life behind bars if convicted.
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News has been released today that the special prosecutor in the Trayvon Martin shooting case, Angela Corey, will make an official statement on the Trayvon Martin shooting death investigation tonight in Jacksonville, Fla. at 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT. The statement will include more information about the case, including the types of criminal charges that will be filed against Martin’s shooter, George Zimmerman.
According to MSNBC, Martin’s father, Tracy Martin, has stated that he is anticipating the statement by Corey. “It’s 44 days later, and George Zimmerman is still walking free…”It’s 44 days later, and my son is in a mausoleum.” Martin said at a news conference involving Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network in Washington.
Trayvon Martin was shot and killed February 26 after walking through Sanford, Fla. neighborhood. Zimmerman was not charged the night of the shooting and, up until today, hadn’t been charged.
The media frenzy and personal outrage from supporters has been a driving force behind the movement to get Zimmerman charged and tried for the killing of Martin. Many in the media, including President Obama, have spoken out against the killing, and, according to The Wall Street Journal, Attorney General Eric Holder has said today in a prepared statement that “even though overall natinal crime rates are at historic lows, today the leading cause of death for young black men–those aged 15 to 24–is homicide. And that, on average, 16 young people are murdered everyday…Although I cannot share where current efforts will lead us from here, I can assure that, in this investigation–and in all cases–we will examine the facts and the law. If we find evidence of a potential federal criminal civil rights crime, we will take appropriate action.” You can read more of Holder’s statement at The Wall Street Journal.
