Posted on 07/15/2013 3:37:24 AM PDT by shineon
Lauren Resnick, a former federal prosecutor in New York who secured a conviction in the killing of an Orthodox Jew during the 1991 Crown Heights riots in Brooklyn, said the Justice Department could conceivably proceed under a theory that Zimmerman interfered with Martin’s right to walk down a public street based on his race. But even that is difficult since the conflict occurred in a gated community, which may not fit the legal definition of a public facility. Prosecutors would also probably need to prove that trailing Martin on the street constituted interference, she said.
‘‘One could argue it did, if it freaked him out and he couldn’t comfortably walk down the street — there’s an argument here,’’ said Resnick, who now specializes in white-collar defense and commercial litigation.
But she said federal prosecutors were likely to encounter the same hurdles as state prosecutors in establishing that Zimmerman was driven by racial animus and was the initial aggressor, as opposed to someone who acted in self-defense.
Samuel Bagenstos, a former No. 2 official in the Justice Department’s civil rights division, said: ‘‘This is an administration that hasn’t shied away from bringing hate crimes cases that are solid prosecutions based on the facts and the law, but from what I've seen this would be a very difficult case to prosecute federally because the government would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that George Zimmerman acted because of Trayvon Martin’s race. If you’re trying to prove racial motivation, you are usually looking for multiple statements related to why he is engaging in this act of violence. I think it’s a difficult case to prove.’’
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
Even harder. Zimmerman has a known history of standing up for the civil rights of people less fortunate than himself and the FBI found no history or pattern of racism.
One thing many people are forgetting is Zimmerman was appointed to be a Neighborhood Watchman for his housing complex. Zimmerman was doing his volunteer job when he went to investigate a stranger walking around his housing complex, and then he was attacked.
It will be difficult simply because there is no case.
Is wandering around on peoples’ lawn areas and looking into their windows a “civil right”?
Once again, as always, how did Martin have the right to go wherever he wanted but Zimmerman didn’t? They may have given what they think is a good reason, but I don’t speak moron.
The only rights that were interfered with was Zimmerman’s.
Zimmerman interfered with Martin’s right to walk down a public street based on his race.
Civil rights? Do only blacks have ‘civil rights’?
Unless you are one of Holder's people.
I don't think anyone has realized it yet (except me) that George Zimmerman has single-handedly given back to us the greatest nation on earth>
We really ARE a nation of laws, in SPITE of lawless judges and courts.
There really IS justice in truth and the American way
There really IS a reason to stand up for what we believe and EXPECT to win for righteousness sake
Norman Rockwell IS an American Icon and hero
All that is said to be bad about America is the result of one or two percewnt of the population. Powerful one or two percent ... but a minority of people.
For once in a long, long time .. Right makes MIGHT.
And the woman that started the watch group is BLACK and testified for Zimmerman.
Let them go ahead and “jump the shark.”
How about GZ’s right not to be assaulted?
looks like their postor boy for white racism failed miserably. had they not jumped on this case as they did they.might have accomplished their agenda. poor George.
they probably picked the most nonracist person on earth. glad his name is zimmerman and not rodriquez.
The civil rights violations that need to be investigated by the DOJ with regards to George Zimmerman are the ones committed against him by the State of Florida and the City of Sanford. In particular the false probable cause affidavit filed by Angela Corey and the interference in the ongoing police investigation by Sanford City Manager Norman Boneparte.
The goal isn’t necessarily to win. It’s to hound Zimmerman so that he can never resume a normal life.
The goal is to make every citizen have to think before defending him or herself: “will I be ‘Zimmermaned’ if I protect myself? Is it easier to just accept the crime?”
‘‘One could argue it did, if it freaked him out and he couldn’t comfortably walk down the street — there’s an argument here . . .’’
If there really is an argument here, then every citizen walking through the 'hood could claim a civil rights violation based on the uncomfortable feeling they get from the homies gathering to listen to boom boxes from filthy mouthed crotch grabbing rappers . . . or worse.
Didn’t the FBI already say there is no there there?
” which may not fit the legal definition of a public facility”
Possibly Trayvon’s father should shoulder some of the blame because he should have advised his son that he should be on the lookout for a crime watchman and that he might be questioned if he is wondering about in the middle of the night. Now if I would have had a son that looked just like Trayvon then I would have pounded that into his skull and that he was living in a gated community with the sole purpose of keeping criminals out. But then maybe he did but his instructions were not quite as firm as Trayvon’s mother who kicked her “angel” out of her Miami house because he had been suspended for skipping school and carrying a suspicious bag of jewels and a burglar tool and move in with his father in the gated community in Sanford.
And moron author, why don't you mention that it would conflict their own FBI report from last summer which concluded GZ was not a rascist.
Actually, George Zimmerman has more standing to bring suit under the civil rights statutes.
The Florida prosecutor oppressed his rights under color of law by bringing these bogus charges forward
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