[Revolting cat!]

Why was George Zimmerman labeled as “squeaky clean” when in fact he has a prior arrest history?

In one of the initial meetings with the father of the victim the investigator related to him the account that Mr. Zimmerman provided of the incident. At that time the investigator said that Mr. Zimmerman portrayed himself to be “squeaky clean”. We are aware of the background information regarding both individuals involved in this event. We believe Mr. Martin may have misconstrued this information

What does that answer mean? It doesn't make sense.

[andyk]

What does that answer mean?

It is a little hazy. I believe they mean to say that the victim's father relayed to the press an opinion of Mr. Zimmerman as if it were an opinion of the police.

[Cboldt]

I take the town manager's answer as the investigator reporting how Zimmerman portrayed himself, and Martin taking it as the investigator stating what the investigator believed to be factually true.

IOW, the investigator says "Zimmerman portrayed himself as squeaky clean," and Martin construed that as "the investigator said Zimmerman was squeaky clean."

[Captain Rhino]

My interpretation of “squeaky clean” was that it referred to Mr. Zimmerman's conduct with respect to the shooting, not to the totality of his conduct since the age of accountability. Mr. Martin apparently took it to mean he had no criminal record of any kind.

From the little nuggets of information grudgingly released by the media, the sainted Trayvon had a record too. Not much discussion of that; muddies the narrative.