Trayvon Martin case: George Zimmerman speaks out via website
George Zimmerman has spoken out in public for the first time since he shot and killed Trayvon Martin in an altercation in Sanford, Fla., 46 days ago. On a website that went live over the weekend, , Mr. Zimmerman says that on Feb. 26 he 鈥渨as involved in a life altering event鈥� that has made him the center of intense news coverage and forced him to 鈥渓eave my home, my school, my employer, my family, and ultimately, my entire life.鈥�
Zimmerman鈥檚 attorneys have confirmed the authenticity of the site. Although it contains links to several pages, labeled 鈥淭he Facts,鈥� 鈥淢y Race,鈥� and so on, these contain little but quotes from famous authors, pasted on a background of an American flag. One page, 鈥淎lbum,鈥� contains several images of pro-Zimmerman graffiti. According to the liberal , one image is of a vandalized black cultural center at Ohio State University, while another is from a rally held by Terry Jones, the controversial Florida pastor who has burned Qurans in anti-Muslim protests.
The site offers no further details of Zimmerman鈥檚 side of the story in the Trayvon Martin case. In the past, his attorneys have said the neighborhood watch captain used his weapon because Trayvon attacked him and he feared for his life. The website does contain a PayPal link for supporters to donate to Zimmerman鈥檚 legal defense and living expenses.
Will the site help Zimmerman, or hurt him?
On the plus side, from Zimmerman鈥檚 point of view, it could be a tool to help him raise the substantial amounts of cash he may need for his legal defense. It is possible he will soon face criminal charges 鈥� special prosecutor Angela Corey has decided not to seek a grand jury review of the Martin case, which some legal experts said indicates Zimmerman鈥檚 arrest could be imminent. And as 鈥�Good Morning America鈥� Tuesday, even if Zimmerman is not charged in a criminal case, he will almost certainly face a civil case filed by Trayvon鈥檚 family.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 have a lot of problem with him raising money for a legal defense,鈥� said Mr. Abrams. 鈥淓veryone is entitled to a legal defense.鈥�
On the negative side, Zimmerman鈥檚 words can and likely will be used against him in the court of public opinion. An attorney for the Martin family has already blasted Zimmerman鈥檚 use of the phrase 鈥渓ife altering event.鈥�
鈥淵ou know he says that he experienced a life-altering event. Well, Trayvon Martin experienced a life-ending event,鈥� said Martin family lawyer Benjamin Crump during a 鈥淕ood Morning America鈥� segment.
The apparent use of photos with controversial sources 鈥� which were still on the site as of midday Tuesday 鈥� won鈥檛 help Zimmerman, either. His attorneys noted that the site is a 鈥減ersonal鈥� effort, and its design somewhat amateurish, meaning that perhaps Zimmerman himself or a friend had set it up without legal or public relations review.
