George Zimmerman, neighborhood watch captain who shot unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla.
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Trayvon Martin Grand Jury: A Preview
While the uproar continues over why George Zimmerman has not been arrested, soon the citizens of Seminole County will have their say as to whether or not he should be charged for killing Trayvon Martin in Sanford. A grand jury composed of area residents will convene April 10 and hear from prosecutors, police and maybe even Zimmerman himself as they decide what to do. Florida International University College of Law Professor Phyllis Kotey says it is "very unusual when you have criminal charges, especially of this nature, where there has not been at least an initial arrest."
Lawyers for the man who shot and killed Trayvon Martin are now saying their client is in hiding and has real fear for his safety.
The neighborhood watchman who confessed shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin nearly a month ago knows people across the nation demand that police arrest him, says the lawyer.
"I have advised him to stay out of the public eye as much as he can. I can't say where he is because I don't know,” said attorney Craig Sonner.
Zimmerman’s attorney went on to say his client is in hiding since the shooting February 26 and that he is well aware of death threats against him.
He also says Zimmerman's nose was broken and the back of his head injured — wounds Zimmerman told police he suffered when the unarmed teenager attacked him, although that aspect of the incident is under considerable dispute.
Meanwhile, tension among some Martin supporters is escalating as police arrested a man accused of emailing a threat to kill the Sanford police chief.
Chief Bill Lee temporarily stepped down this week under pressure for defending the decision not to arrest Zimmerman.
At the same time, Governor Rick Scott’s specially appointed team of prosecutors has started a new independent investigation into what happened between Martin and Zimmerman that rainy, deadly night.
While Zimmerman’s attorney started defending his client publicly, Zimmerman himself remains nowhere to be seen or heard — except for the message he left on his neighbor’s telephone answering machine revealed on NBC’s Dateline.
“I wanted to thank you for doing everything you've been doing. I know you don't have to, and I appreciate it. I'll talk to you soon. Thanks,” Zimmerman said on the recording.
In related news, one group has taken its protest to another level wanting to bring justice to the case themselves.
The New Black Panther party is offering a $10,000 reward for the capture of Zimmerman.
The group also wants to mobilize 10,000 black men to capture Zimmerman and say they won't be satisfied until justice is served.
But legal experts say a citizen’s arrest is not an option in this case.
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