For the first time since that fateful night on February 26, the father of a neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed an unarmed teenager sat down for a television interview.
For the first time since that fateful night on February 26, the father of a neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed an unarmed teenager sat down for a television interview.
In a visit to FOX 35 on Tuesday afternoon, George Zimmerman's brother addressed accusations of racism against their family and said he stands by his controversial Twitter rant against an attorney representing Trayvon Martin's family.
Zimmerman was angry Jackson used the word "murderer" to describe his brother, George Zimmerman, in a statement Jackson issued after defense attorney Mark O'Mara told prosecutors he wanted Trayvon's cell-phone and social media records entered into court. Part of the statement read:
"Trayvon's parents maintain that his school records and Facebook page are completely irrelevant to George Zimmerman's decision to get out of his car to profile, pursue, and shoot their son in the heart on February 26, 2012. How does George Zimmerman's review of Trayvon Martin's high school and middle school records and Facebook page bear any relevance to Zimmerman's decision to pull the trigger and kill a 17-year-old child? Is this going to be a new legal standard we are setting -- for a murderer to review the school records and Facebook page of his teenage victim to determine whether or not he should have killed him?"
"I still stand by my words and actions," Robert Zimmerman told Sonni Abata on Tuesday. "I don't think attorneys who are licensed professionals should use their license to report or purport things as fact that are not in fact facts and assassinate the reputation of a decent human being or a decent family."
Jackson said she wasn't referring specifically to George Zimmerman when she used the word "murderer" but instead used the word to pose a question about where the law is going.
Meanwhile, Jackson said she understands why Zimmerman's family is speaking out on his behalf. But she said they have been injecting themselves into the public eye.
As for allegations of racism by the Zimmerman family, Robert Zimmerman said the justice system will exonerate his brother, but "George will not be free of charges of racism, and neither will our family. We were accused of being a family of racists.
"We will never escape that charge from people who have made up their minds and don't want to hear anything else about that situation. There's always people who are set in their ways and set in their mentality. They're a little extreme in their points of view.
"Racism is the furthest thing in our minds, and racism is deplorable."
Earlier Tuesday, Robert Zimmerman released this statement:
Earlier today he released this statement clarifying his relationship with his brother's defense team.
"I want to thank the O'Mara law firm for clarifying the nature of my association with the Zimmerman defense team. As the gzlegalcase.com website suggests: I do not act on behalf of or with the approval of the defense team or my brother George - nor do I now, nor have I ever solicited or received their approval regarding any media appearances or written statements. I appreciate the concerns any responsible defense attorney would have regarding any person associated with their case speaking publicly about their client or their client's family. From the very beginning of Mr. O'Mara's representation of George, he was instrumental in tamping down some of the vitriol and passion surrounding the case by clearly articulating and often restating a fundamental tenet of our legal system - "the truth comes out in court". Mr. O'Mara introduced intellect and reason to a debate that had been plagued by misinformation and emotion, and his approach may have even saved the lives of our family members. I regret that he had to take time out of his already busy schedule in order to respond publicly about my comments on the media or on twitter. I have consistently framed in my own words the assertions made on gzlegalcase.com in all my interactions with the media: I do not speak or act on George's or the defense's behalf, I do not speak for the defense team, and Mr. O'Mara has not 'coached' me or provided me with any kind of script to present to anyone on his behalf. Moving forward, I will defer to Mark's judgement regarding the case, as he has always been clear in his charge as a defense attorney: to zealously represent his client's interests. Mark took the time to acknowledge in writing the fact that our family has been through a lot, and I thank him for his remarks. My participation as a Zimmerman family member will be limited to addressing our family's concerns and perceptions and I will avoid commenting publicly on matters that pertain to evidence or procedure surrounding the case."
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Thursday, May 23 2013 7:39 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:39:14 GMT
George Zimmerman's defense attorneys have released photos and text messages from Trayvon Martin's cell phone ahead of a hearing that will determine whether they can be used at Zimmerman's trial.
George Zimmerman's defense attorneys have released photos and text messages from Trayvon Martin's cell phone ahead of a hearing that will determine whether they can be used at Zimmerman's trial.
A judge in the case of a former neighborhood watch leader accused of shooting Florida teenager Trayvon Martin is set to hear arguments on a request by defense attorneys to delay the trial.
A judge in the case of a former neighborhood watch leader accused of shooting Florida teenager Trayvon Martin has denied a defense request to delay the trial.
Thursday, September 20 2012 8:10 AM EDT2012-09-20 12:10:24 GMT
After new evidence was released in the State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman case, Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara has made plans to hit back. He says, he's going to ask for more DNA testing.
After new evidence was released in the State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman case, Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara has made plans to hit back. He says, he's going to ask for more DNA testing.
Wednesday, September 19 2012 12:45 PM EDT2012-09-19 16:45:26 GMT
Forensic tests show George Zimmerman's DNA was the only one that could be identified on the grip of the gun used to fatally shoot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Forensic tests show George Zimmerman's DNA was the only one that could be identified on the grip of the gun used to fatally shoot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Monday, August 13 2012 4:57 PM EDT2012-08-13 20:57:25 GMT
The attorney for the shooter of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin says he is filing his appeal this week of the trial judge's recent ruling not to recuse himself from the case.
The attorney for the shooter of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin says he is filing his appeal this week of the trial judge's recent ruling not to recuse himself from the case.
