As you know George Zimmerman has been charged with second degree murder, granted bail, posted $150,000 bond, then left to an undisclosed location. Gov. Rick Scott announced a task force and appointed Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carol with the task of reviewing Florida’s citizen safety laws including the Stand Your Ground Law. In response to the governor’s task force, Sen. Chris Smith launched a Stand Your Ground task force of his
Crespo
own — right back at you Governor Scott. A group of State legislators subsequently called a press conference in Miami on the selection process of the task force members — they are still waiting for an answer from the Governor’s office. But the truth of the matter is that there will probably be no official hearing of any substance from either task force. Scott is not calling for a special hearing, special session or anything else for that matter. So, that takes us to next year when the Republican-controlled legislature is back in session— I doubt that the NRA will allow any House or Senate committee to entertain amendments or repeals to the Stand Your Ground Law. By the way, let’s not forget that the Real George Zimmerman Legal Fund was raising a ton of money up until recently and from mostly conservative donors. As of the today, an estimated $200,000 has been raised to help pay Zimmermans’s legal fees.
Ironically, during the bond hearing Zimmerman’s attorney lied to the judge and said that Zimmerman did not have any money to pay a bond. But in fact, some of the funds were used by Zimmerman to fund a portion of his bail. A request by the Martin family’s attorney Ben Crump, called for Zimmerman’s bail to be revoked, however it was denied by the judge presiding over the case. And to add injury to insult, the Sanford City Manager negotiated Police Chief Lee’s resignation only to be upstaged by the Sanford City Commission who rejected the Chief’s resignation.
What is my point? Based on the series of events surrounding this case, I believe we are fooling ourselves if we think that Trayvon will get any real justice.
The struggle continues . . .
Henry Crespo, Sr., is vice chairman of outreach for the Miami-Dade Democratic Party.
By Henry Crespo Sr.
Miami Times Contributor, hcresposr@gmail.com
robert knolle
May 3, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Here in NYC they closed down Kiss F.M. the only radio station that has kept the black community informed of the latest events in the Trayvon Martin case. I think it’s going be along time before we see any justices.
Barbara Jay
May 4, 2012 at 2:34 pm
I think it’s too soon for negative, hopeless statements. The truth is out regarding George Zimmerman, everyone knows him to be a liar.
It will be a quiet year. I think it’s important to check our facts – another article said the money taken out of Zimmerman’s $204K was for family living expenses and the rest in a trust. You say it was used to pay his attorney – I think Trayvon will win as long as we stay on a true path, always checking facts to make sure what we say is verifiable.
The media has shown that Zimmerman is a liar.
We must put out hope in the strongest way – instead of pessimism. Your article is one of hopelessness and defeat – and the trail hasn’t even started. It’s too soon to give up.
Barbara
Scherika
May 9, 2012 at 9:31 pm
I certainly agree with you. It’s a shame that we look despair in the face and give up without a fight. Now’s not the time to give up. Every moment of that bond hearing should be played and dissected through the media just as those 911 calls were. If ppl can see how much he lied in the courtroom (sworn in or not), some will lose faith in him and begin to see the truth. He lied about something as simple as knowing Trayvon’s age. The 911 call contradicts the statement he made in court. There were other lies that he told as well, but nobody’s bringing that to the public’s attention. These are the times those who have a voice and support Trayvon Martin and Justice need to stand firm and turn up the heat. Now’s not the time to give up. They won the battle (he was released on bond), but the war is far from over! RIP Trayvon #Ibelievejusticecanbeserved
Patrick McCann
June 22, 2012 at 6:07 pm
How can we get someone from Trayvon’s family or the Justice for Trayvon Martin committee to speak to hundreds of veterans and supporters at the Veterans For Peace convention this August? We are having an event called “Veterans Meet the Community” at the Trinity Episcopal Church on the evening of Friday, August 10th. The church is located across the street from the Miami Marriott (Biscayne Bay), where we are holding our 27th annual national convention.