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SANFORD – As the world eagerly awaits the release of never-before-seen evidence in the case against George Zimmerman, employees for Special Prosecutor Angela Corey late this afternoon provided a preview in the form of an eight-page document. The paperwork, filed with the Seminole County clerk as closing time approached, listed several witnesses the state plans to call and identified several pieces of the evidence prosecutors expect to use in their scond-degree murder case against Zimmerman. Most names were redacted from the document, but six civilian witnesses were listed: Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin — parents of the alleged victim, Trayvon...

When the Trayvon Martin case first started garnering national attention, there were many that thought they knew who George Zimmerman was: an overzealous racist with a vendetta against young black men who was on a mission to assert power with his gun. But then little details started emerging, such as pictures of Zimmerman’s bloody head that could bolster his self-defense claim; CNN even backtracked and said the tape it once suggested showed Zimmerman uttering a racist slur was actually him most likely saying it was “cold.” And now, Reuters has put together a detailed profile of Zimmerman that seems to...

April 25, 2012 Sanford commission rejects police chief's resignation Commissioner Patti Mahany on her decision, Zimmerman case

Patty Mahany, part of a majority voting 3--2 to reject Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee's resignation, goes on a rant Monday against those who attacked the city over it's handling of the Trayvon Martin case. I feel this city was invaded... Somebody's got to stand up for our city, somebody's got to say 'we are not a racist city, we are a great city, and we have a great police department.'

The Sanford, Florida, City Commission decided Monday not to accept the proposed resignation of its embattled police chief, who has been under fire for the handling of the investigation into Trayvon Martin's death in February. Chief Bill Lee has been on leave since March 22, a day after the commission expressed a lack of confidence in him for how he's handled the investigation. George Zimmerman, who has said he killed the 17-year-old Martin in self-defense, was not arrested after being questioned by police the night of the shooting. He was charged weeks later with second-degree murder. Earlier Monday, the city...

SANFORD, FL (RNN) - Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee Jr. announced Monday he would resign permanently from the city's police force, but the city commission is having none of it. Lee said early Monday he would resign immediately and permanently, and the commission planned to discuss his severance package at 4 p.m. ET. However, the AP reported the commission voted 3-2 to reject Lee's resignation. The majority voting in favor of the rejection cited the very public uproar over George Zimmerman's shooting and killing of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, 17, as the reason for their vote. Lee resigned temporarily March...

Bill Lee Jr., who had stepped aside as Sanford, Fla.'s police chief during the investigation of the shooting of unarmed African American teenager Trayvon Martin, has officially resigned as the community’s top cop, a city commissioner said Monday. Commissioner Patty Mahany said the chief submitted his resignation over the weekend; Lee temporarily left his post last month amid complaints about how his department handled the investigation of the Feb. 26 shooting. The city commission is scheduled to hold a special meeting late Monday afternoon to discuss Lee's severance package, Mahany said. "Elected officials used this man as a scapegoat to...

Sources have revealed to The Sanford Herald that former Chief Bill Lee Jr. will permanently resign this afternoon. City Manager Norton Bonaparte Jr. has confirmed that there will be a special meeting held with city commissioners today at 4 p.m. Read more: The Sanford Herald - HERALD EXCLUSIVE Chief Bill Lee Jr will permanently step down this afternoon

George Zimmerman was allegedly recognized by the Mayor for his intervention in the events surrounding the homeless (black) man that was beaten by a Sanford police officer's relative. There has been a near-complete media blackout in this regard -- and questions about whether the letter published somewhat-recently was authentic. Well, it appears (from testimony of his mother this morning) that the Sanford Mayor personally recognized George Zimmerman for his efforts to obtain justice for that homeless man. And where is the media who tried to turn this into a racial issue? Just as importantly, where is the Mayor of Sanford...

(CBS/AP) SANFORD, Fla. - A judge has granted bail for George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer charged with killing Florida teenager Trayvon Martin. Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester said he would grant the motion to release Zimmerman, but would not allow his release today, given further discussions needed about the terms, including whether he would be allowed out of state. He also said that Zimmerman would not be able to have any contact with the victim's family, could not possess firearms; and order no consumption of alcohol or controlled substances.

Zimmerman granted Bail !!!

When racial tensions flared in Sanford, a league of secretive peacemakers reached out to the city's spiritual and civic leaders to help cool heated emotions after 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in February. When civil-rights organizers wanted to demonstrate, these federal workers taught them how to peacefully manage crowds. They even arranged a police escort for college students to ensure safe passage for their 40-mile march from Daytona Beach to Sanford to demand justice. As national figures and sign-waving protesters grabbed the spotlight after Trayvon's death, federal workers from a little-known branch of the Department of Justice labored...

After the shooting I saw the twitter feed for Zimmerman's HOA. On it was posted a thanks to "neighborhood watch" who solved four burglaries that week. Retreat at Twin Lakes townhomes. Seems to have disappeared.

The moment is 9 a.m. this morning when Drudge still has in the top left — the prime placement – a misleading link claiming armed neo-Nazis are patrolling Sanford, Florida, where Trayvon Martin was shot: I informed Drudge (via email, its tip box, and Twitter) about 14 hours ago that the link was misleading, as Sanford police denied such armed patrols were taking place. The linked story claims “heavily armed” patrols of 10-20 people. Many readers also reached out to Drudge as well. Some media outlets did update their stories after they became aware that Sanford police were denying such...

George Zimmerman can ask to have the second-degree-murder charge against him dropped without having to stand trial in the death of Trayvon Martin. Two years ago, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that anyone claiming "stand your ground" immunity in a death, battery or assault case can request a hearing on the evidence. The hearing allows the prosecution and defense to argue all the elements of self-defense in the case evidence. To get charges dismissed, the accused must convince the judge that a reasonable person would believe that using deadly force or the threat of deadly force was the only way...

George Zimmerman's new attorney, Mark O'Mara, held a news conference shortly after Florida state prosecutors announce second-degree murder charges against Zimmerman in the shooting death of teen Trayvon Martin. The lawyer said that Zimmerman is worried that he may not get a fair trial.

SANFORD — After weeks of demanding justice in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, reaction across Central Florida to George Zimmerman's second-degree murder charge shows measured relief. "I think it's justice being served," Sanford's Allen Chapel AME Church Pastor Valarie Houston said. "All the protesting and all the marching, all the tears and lost nights of sleep, it's all been worthwhile." Houston held a prayer service at the church that was attended by several dozen people after Special Prosecutor Angela Corey's decision to charge Zimmerman. Worshippers rose to sing "Glory, Glory Hallelujah" after walking into the church. Minister R. White,...

Shots were fired at a Sanford police car parked near the scene of the Trayvon Martin shooting. According to authorities, the cruiser was found Tuesday morning with bullet holes in it and at least window blown out.

SANFORD, Fla. - A Sanford police car parked near the apartment complex of the Trayvon Martin shooting scene was found Tuesday morning with bullet holes in it, according to police. The car was parked across the street from the Retreat at Twin Lakes apartment complex, near the front of Bentley Elementary School. Police said no one was inside the cruiser, but gunfire knocked out at least one window on the car. Witnesses said they heard at least six shots; at least two bullets hit the patrol car.

SANFORD, Fla. — Sanford police said shots were fired into an empty police cruiser on Tuesday morning in the neighborhood where George Zimmerman used to live and where Trayvon Martin was shot and killed. That news comes after sources told WFTV that Zimmerman could be arrested or turn himself in to police sometime this week. Sanford police told WFTV shots were fired at a police cruiser on Retreat View Circle in the Twin Lakes subdivision. A witness said she heard six gunshots ring out. No one was in the cruiser at the time, according to police. The vehicle was taken...