A Primer on the Federal Investigation of the Trayvon Martin Shooting

The Justice Department and the FBI are taking a look at what happened in Sanford in the Trayvon Martin shooting, and while you might think they are focused on George Zimmerman, one legal expert says their real focus is local law enforcement. “When the federal government gets involved, it’s generally aimed at a violation of civil rights,” FIU College of Law Professor Phyllis Kotey says. Federal authorities are investigating whether Martin’s civil rights were violated by the police chief, his officers, and local prosecutors, she says.