Crime & Safety
Zimmerman Case Not Over Yet? What Do You Think, Palm Harbor?
With protests continuing in the Tampa Bay area and across the nation, the U.S. Justice Department is reviewing evidence in the case for possible new charges. We'd like to hear your thoughts, Palm Harbor!
This post was reported and written by Patch Associate Regional Editor Sherri Lonon.
As protesters gathered for a second day in downtown Tampa Monday to express their displeasure with the not-guilty verdict in the second-degree murder trial of George Zimmerman, the U.S. Justice Department announced its intent to review the case.
The Justice Department is working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Florida’s Middle District and the FBI to “evaluate the evidence” from a federal probe into the case along with evidence from the recently concluded trial, according to the Huffington Post. “Experienced federal prosecutors will determine whether the evidence reveals a prosecutable violation,” the Post reported.
If a prosecutable violation is found, new charges – on the federal level – could be brought against Zimmerman in relation to the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin, 17, in the Sanford area. While the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution prevents Florida from bringing new charges against Zimmerman in the case, it does not prevent federal charges, according to the Cornell University School of Law.
Since the not-guilty verdict came down in the Zimmerman trial Saturday, July 13, protests have been held across the country, including two in downtown Tampa in recent days.
As protesters gathered for a second day in downtown Tampa Monday to express their displeasure with the not-guilty verdict in the second-degree murder trial of George Zimmerman, the U.S. Justice Department announced its intent to review the case.
The Justice Department is working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Florida’s Middle District and the FBI to “evaluate the evidence” from a federal probe into the case along with evidence from the recently concluded trial, according to the Huffington Post. “Experienced federal prosecutors will determine whether the evidence reveals a prosecutable violation,” the Post reported.
If a prosecutable violation is found, new charges – on the federal level – could be brought against Zimmerman in relation to the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin, 17, in the Sanford area. While the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution prevents Florida from bringing new charges against Zimmerman in the case, it does not prevent federal charges, according to the Cornell University School of Law.
Since the not-guilty verdict came down in the Zimmerman trial Saturday, July 13, protests have been held across the country, including two in downtown Tampa in recent days.
Palm Harbor Patch readers have also been vocal about the outcome of the trial. Here are some of the many comments on the Palm Harbor Patch Facebook page-
- "The prosecution DID NOT PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT HE WAS GUILTY OF 2nd degree murder or manslaughter. THAT SIMPLE GUYS. IF THE JURY had reasonable doubt they had to acquit." -Terri White
- "I think they got it right,,the racist card did not work this time." -Joe Duncan
- "There just wasn't enough evidence of anything but self defense." -Lynn Krovich Simons
- "Want to commit a crime, just go to Florida. A place you can get away with murder." -JoAnna Chylinski-Mincarelli
- "And the fact is ALL floridians will be payin the bill , the defense will be paid by the state for all of George Zimmermans legal bills. Fact." -Peter T. Noto
- "Neither party was completely innocent in this case. The situation quickly got out of hand, now a young man is dead, and another man's life is ruined. Even though Zimmerman is back on the streets, his life can not go back to normal." -Joel Cottage
- "What do I think? It could have been my child. No justice in Florida for children Casey Anthony all over again." -Kay Fields
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