Every neighborhood has that one nosey neighbor. In my childhood neighborhood in Central Florida we called her “nosey Rosie”; nosey because she was always in everyone’s business and Rosie because that was her name. She’d call your mom, your next door neighbor and maybe the laws (southern for police), but Nosey Rosie would never lay her hands or an extension there of on a child…
But that was 25 years ago… Fast forward to Feb. 2012 in another Central Florida neighborhood about 45 min northeast of my home and there’s another nosey neighbor. This guy is the “self appointed captain” of the neighborhood watch. At age 26, George Zimmerman is far from being Nosey Rosie which became very clear on Feb. 26, 2012 when he fatally shot 17 year old Trayvon Martin.
According to other published reports, Zimmerman called 911 reporting a suspicious person (Martin). The dispatcher reportedly instructed Zimmerman to not follow the suspicious person, and informed him that an officer was en route. Zimmerman ignored the dispatcher, following Martin anyway while armed with his 9mm pistol.
Skittles & Ice Tea
Sometime between that 911 call and the arrival of Sanford PD, Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon in his chest. When officers arrived they discovered Trayvon’s lifeless body face down, unarmed with only a bag of skittles and a can of ice tea in his pockets.
Zimmerman claimed self defense and was released without any criminal charges.
The unreleased 911 Tapes
Attorney Benjamin Crump of the Tallahassee powerhouse firm Parks & Crump has been retained to represent the Martin family. Crump has filed a lawsuit for the release of the 911 tapes.
According to Crump, people with access to the tapes have states that Zimmerman made a comment about Martins race during the call and said he had no intentions of letting the youth get away because, “they always get away.”
Not so Squeaky Clean Record
Initially Sanford PD told the Martin family that the shooting was in self defense and that the shooter, Zimmerman had a “squeaky clean” record. Public records show that Zimmerman has been arrested before and was charged with resisting arrest and battery on a law enforcement officer.
Complaints on Zimmerman
Neighbors of the Retreat at Twin Lakes community had filed complaints about his over zealous tabs aggressive tactics. The self appointed neighborhood watch captain remains free.
Developing Story
Although this tragedy took place weeks ago, this story is still developing. As we await the release of the 911 tapes and the State Attorney’s Office decision regarding criminal charges, I implore you to actively utilize Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites to keep the lights an attention on this case.
Also, please join the Facebook group, “Justice for Trayvon” to show your support.
***This post was written for this website and for Alumni Roundup. Feel free to post this link to your social media pages. As the story develops, the information here will be updated.
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