Zimmerman Not Guilty; Unrest and Calls for Federal Charges Begin

The New American ^ | 14 July 2013 | Alex Newman

[VitacoreVision]

The verdict in the Zimmerman case was hardly a surprise to those closely following the case. But despite the evidence supporting the jury's decision, unrest and calls for federal charges have already begun.

Zimmerman Not Guilty; Unrest and Calls for Federal Charges Begin

The New American
14 July 2013

Shortly after George Zimmerman was found not guilty late Saturday of second-degree murder and manslaughter in the self-defense shooting death of Trayvon Martin, unrest hit the city of Oakland as race-mongers like Al Sharpton, the NAACP and even some Democrat members of Congress publicly demanded that the Obama administration pursue federal “civil rights” charges instead. So far, the verdict has elicited outrage and sadness from Martin supporters, while those who believed Zimmerman acted in self-defense reacted with a mixture of relief and anxiety about what comes next.

The outcome was hardly a surprise to anyone following the trial closely. Legal experts and analysts had long been predicting that Zimmerman would walk — especially after many of the witnesses called by prosecutors ended up benefiting the defense. Even testimony by the state’s "star witness," 19-year-old Rachel Jeantel, ended up backfiring as virtually every legal analyst said she helped bolster Zimmerman’s version of the story. Witnesses and evidence presented by the defense likely put the final nails in the coffin for the prosecution's half-baked case.

"Your bond will be released," said Judge Debra Nelson after the all-female six-member jury announced its verdict in the case. "Your GPS monitor will be cut off, when you exit the courtroom over here. You have no further business with the court." Glancing at his attorney, Zimmerman cracked a small smile before looking back toward the judge. His family was deeply relieved, too.

After the verdict was announced, however, marchers reportedly hit the streets across Florida and nationwide. Protests on Saturday night were reported in Sanford, where Martin was killed, as well as several major cities including Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Milwaukee, San Francisco, and more. News reports indicate that most of the rallies and protests, a few of which went into Sunday morning, had been largely peaceful despite warnings, threats of rioting and mayhem, and government preparations for riots in some urban areas.

However, in Oakland, California, multiple media outlets reported some violence as hooligans smashed windows, vandalized police cars, burned America flags, and set dumpsters ablaze while shouting pro-Martin slogans. One smashed squad car, shown in press pictures and spread far and wide through social media, can be seen spray painted with the words “kill pigs.” (Referring to police as swine is a tactic commonly used by critics of law enforcement to disparage police). Protests are scheduled for Sunday as well, with some analysts expecting further disorder.

As for Zimmerman, despite being cleared of all charges by a jury of his peers, his life will never be the same. “He's going to be looking over his shoulder the rest of his life,” Robert Zimmerman, Jr., Zimmerman’s brother, said in a CNN interview. Zimmerman’s attorney Mark O’Mara echoed those concerns, saying, “There still is a fringe element that wants revenge. They won't listen to a verdict of not guilty.” Last year, the virulently racist New Black Panther Party even put a bounty on Zimmerman amid threats of starting a “race war.”

Meanwhile, race-profiteers, some of whom put what remained of their credibility on the line agitating against Zimmerman, are determined not to let the verdict be the end of the polarizing case. “The acquittal of George Zimmerman is a slap in the face to the American people, but it is only the first round in the pursuit of justice,” claimed professional race-hate agitator Al Sharpton, who helped manufacture racial tensions throughout the case by making wildly inaccurate accusations.

Despite the fact that Zimmerman is Hispanic and Jeantel’s testimony in court revealed that it was Martin who expressed racist sentiments — calling Zimmerman a “creepy a** cracker” on the phone — before the fatal altercation, the media also played a key role in manufacturing racial unrest. Oftentimes, the deception was so blatant that even the establishment press had to apologize. Now, however, the race-baiting crowd is demanding that disgraced Attorney General Eric Holder file federal “civil rights” charges against Zimmerman.

“Tonight, a jury acquitted George Zimmerman. But we are not done demanding justice for Trayvon Martin,” wrote NAACP head Benjamin Todd Jealous after the verdict. “We're calling on the U.S. Justice Department to open a civil rights case against George Zimmerman and have launched a petition to Attorney General Eric Holder.”

The petition reads: “The Department of Justice has closely monitored the State of Florida's prosecution of the case against George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin murder since it began. Today, with the acquittal of George Zimmerman, it is time for the Department of Justice to act. The most fundamental of civil rights — the right to life — was violated the night George Zimmerman stalked and then took the life of Trayvon Martin. We ask that the Department of Justice file civil rights charges against Mr. Zimmerman for this egregious violation.”

Even members of Congress joined in the frenzy. Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), for example, posted a messaged on Twitter saying he was saddened after the verdict but “pleased that DOJ is continuing to evaluate evidence.” The Justice Department, of course, is under fire again after documents obtained by Judicial Watch exposed its role in fomenting anti-Zimmerman protests in Florida. Separately, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) retweeted an NAACP message stating: “We can move from anger to action. Ask the DOJ to pursue federal civil rights charges.”

Respected analysts say the increasingly discredited Justice Department is probably scheming right now to find a way to bring federal charges against Zimmerman, likely for some sort of alleged “civil rights” violation. However, especially after the DOJ’s Community Relations Service was exposed unconstitutionally and unlawfully squandering taxpayer money to help organize protests, critics argue that such an option should not even be on the table.

“In all likelihood, lawyers in the Civil Rights Division are already looking at whether they can still pursue Zimmerman with a civil rights violation even if a local jury finds him innocent of murder,” noted former counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Hans A. von Spakovsky in commentary for the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation. “The bias shown by the Community Relations Service and its interference in local affairs should disqualify DOJ from pursuing such charges."

Outside of the attention-grabbing whining of professional race-mongers, some black community leaders praised the verdict. “Florida Prosecutors were pressured by racist black leaders and the DOJ to wrongly charge George Zimmerman with Second Degree Murder,” noted Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, founder of the conservative-leaning Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny (BOND). “I have been asking the American people to pray for George and his family. Our prayers were answered with a not guilty verdict.”

Separately, the state prosecutors are still under fire for everything from bringing the case in the first place to what critics have called “grave ethical violations” throughout the ordeal. The prosecution’s most recent public relations problem emerged after it was revealed by a whistle-blower that the State Attorney’s office failed to hand over all relevant information to defense lawyers, as required by law. Ben Kruidbos, who served as IT director for the State Attorney’s office until being fired for exposing the problem, said prosecutors withheld vast amounts of key information in the case.

If Zimmerman had been convicted of murder, he would have faced between 25 years and life in prison. After it became clear to virtually everyone that there was no way the defendant would be convicted of second-degree murder, the judge instructed jurors to consider manslaughter charges as well, which could carry up to 30 years in prison. In the end, the jury found that Zimmerman was not guilty after deliberating for more than 15 hours. Whether the saga ends here, however, remains to be seen.


Related articles:

If Zimmerman Walks, Media-inspired Riots Anticipated

Zimmerman Prosecution Imploding, Analysts Say

Claim: Justice Department Stoked Fires of Anti-Zimmerman Protests

Racists Prepare for "Race War" Over Florida Shooting

Star Witness Against Zimmerman Flops Big Time

Amid Controversy, Zimmerman Murder Trial Begins

Judge in Trayvon Martin Case Rules Some Evidence Off Limits

First Anniversary of Florida Shooting Still Raises Questions

Zimmerman Injury Photo Raises Questions About Prosecution, Media

[Dilbert San Diego]

so, if race baiters and other liberals, who pursued this case, got a special prosecutor, and a trial, don’t get the result they want, then we move on to the federal courts? What the heck???

[LALALAW]

I pray that TM is with God, sincerely. I do wonder if his parents feel any remorse or shame. If one of my kids did any of the things that got TM into trouble during his life, I would be mortified. I am not sure I would show my face in a courtroom, let alone cry about the alleged speck in GZ’s eye.

[Ciexyz]

George Zimmerman should get on the next plane out of the US. Go visit his Mom’s relatives in Peru or something.

[Perdogg]

It doesn’t matter. There is nothing there for the Feds to bite on.

[Secret Agent Man]

i would still say if they try to charge him on the same charges, that’s double jeopardy.

they also would have so much more released about precious little Trayvon that this whole “saint” image would be obliterated because OF THE FACTS ABOUT TRAYVON MARTIN.

[freekitty]

Why do we want to spend our tax dollars on this travesty?

[RC one]

I recomend identity change, plastic surgery, and a one way ticket to Argentina.

[SECURE AMERICA]

publicly demanded that the Obama administration pursue federal “civil rights” charges instead

Such as??
ALL of the evidence clearly proved self defense which was already known BEFORE any charges were filed. This trial was already a political trial and not a criminal trial. Can they be stupid enough to push us any further?

[aloppoct]

you meant Peru.

[DonaldC]

If a wide open investigation, how will the hood react to it being Z’s civil rights violated?

[July4]

The man in the photo with his big mouth open is a New Black Panther. He’s as happy as a pig in slop. He’s had a wealth of free publicity and the chance to spew unreasoned hatred in all directions. That translates into money and followers for him. Too bad he doesn’t put some of that energy into helping the Trayvons of this country have good male role models, get an education, keep their bodies free of drugs, and prepare for a good future.

[blackdog]

The next generation of race-baiters need to cut their teeth too. Revenue models, shakedown projections, alliances need to be forged, non-profits with feely-touchy names need to be created and endowed, leases on offices need to be guaranteed, expense accounts need to be funded, and the DOJ race relations division needs to grow it’s mission, scope, and size.

[blackdog]

This circus has shaved at least two years off of Jesse Jackson Jr’s jail time. How’s that sentencing hearing going?

[353FMG]

WE do not want to spend tax dollars on this travesty — it is the Feds that may want to do it.

It’s easy for them — THEY just use OUR money (they have no money of their own) to perpetuate the case.

It costs THEM nothing, WE will have to pay for any new trial. Learn the principles of government.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Eric Holder, Attorney General of the United States: Cease and desist any more persecution of Mr. George Zimmerman
https://www.change.org/petitions/eric-holder-attorney-general-of-the-united-states-cease-and-desist-any-more-persecution-of-mr-george-zimmerman

[Political Junkie Too]

This is what happens when a segment of society that is used to being coddled to, and is used to having everything given to them, doesn't get something that they wanted.

They're now throwing a tantrum, they way that a spoiled toddler would throw a tantrum.

-PJ

[varon]

I recomend identity change, plastic surgery, and a one way ticket to Argentina.

I would suggest seeking asylum in Russia because Putin is the only one left that Obama can't intimidate.

It's amazing as I recall recent history when people from countries occupied by the Soviet Union sought political asylum in the one place left in the world that could, not only provide but guarantee their safety from political persecution. Today, the tables have turned and Americans will be forced to seek asylum in Russia (former Soviet Union) from the mob holding the seat of power in Washington...............

Is it any wonder Lady Liberty is shedding tears tonight?

[tanknetter]

The outcome was hardly a surprise to anyone following the trial closely. Legal experts and analysts had long been predicting that Zimmerman would walk — especially after many of the witnesses called by prosecutors ended up benefiting the defense.

Sorry, I followed the trial closely and it was a frikkin' nailbiter up until I read the verdict here on FR. I'm sure a lot of others (here on FR and elsewhere) felt exactly the same way.

Which speaks more to our confidence in the justice system and a jury to return a verdict based on fact and evidence rather than emotion.

[RC one]

He would probably be safer in Argentina but he can be extradited from either country as it turns out so perhaps he should consider Taiwan or Madagascar for a few years only hopefully.