Currently, America is fighting justice for a 17-year old black teen, slain outside of his home last month. This case is unique because of its interracial nature, and the verdict is still hanging in the air. Trayvon Martin was an African-American teenager who was shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, Florida. The alleged shooter is George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old Latino. This man claims that he acted out of self-defense, and the courts and police department originally determined not to charge him with a crime.
Americans all over the country were outraged at the ruling, and organized protests and vigils. They are seeking vindication for 17-year-old Trayvon, and believe that the murder was an act of anger and racism. In response to the nation's outrage, the Florida governor and the state Attorney General announced last week that they are appointing a specialized prosecutor to investigate the shooting. Along with this, the U.S. Department of Justice is examining the case to see whether or not it qualifies as a hate crime. The state grand jury has scheduled a meeting to discuss the event as well.
Even the President is weighing in on Trayvon's death. In a Los Angeles Times article, he is quoted saying that the event is a tragedy that should be investigated in every aspect. He spoke directly to Trayvon's heartbroken parents, saying that federal, state, and local authorities must all pull together to figure out exactly how the tragedy happened. Mitt Romney, the lead delegate for the GOP presidential nomination, stated that there needs to be a thorough investigation that will reassure the public that justice has been served and that the man who shot Trayvon is rightly punished.
While all parties agree that George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon, they do not agree on what happened the night of February 26th. Zimmerman stands by the fact that Trayvon attacked him violently, and he shot out of self-defense. Trayvon's family claims that the boy was coming home from running errands and was confronted by Zimmerman just inside the gate of their suburb. They say that the attack was a hate crime, and the Trayvon did not do anything to provoke his assailant. According to the family, Trayvon was talking on his cell phone with his girlfriend, and was scared to be walking in the community alone. Police tapes show that Zimmerman called to report a suspicious person entering the gated community, and he was told to stand down by the operator.
The Florida Police Chief insists that his team has already conducted exhaustive research of the murder, and they stand by their affirmation that Zimmerman is not guilty of a hate crime. Still, America is not satisfied with the answer, and as further research pours in, Zimmerman's fate is back on the line. Los Angeles Times reports that Florida residents have frequently complained that the state police racially profile and do not handle cases adequately. Trayvon's parents want Zimmerman arrested for his actions, holding to the belief that he shot the teen because of his skin color. Trayvon's relatives have also expressed the notion that if Zimmerman were black, he would have been arrested. They believe that the police force has committed a racial injustice.
The case is being heavily televised, and protests and school-walk outs are taking place from coast to coast. If Zimmerman is convicted of the murder, he could face a life sentence in prison. According to the Hate Crime Sentencing Act, which was established in 1994, there are a specific set of standards which are applied to hate crimes that where the victim was targeting because of his or her race. If he is convicted, Zimmerman will be evaluated in light of the three-level hate crime sentencing structure and will receive due consequences
