Trayvon Martin's Dad Told Police the Person Crying for Help on 911 Tapes Was Not His Son
The fathers of Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman gave Sanford, Fla., police their opinions about the person who was crying for help in 911 tapes of the Feb. 26 confrontation that ended with the shooting death of 17-year-old Martin, according to documents released by the special prosecutor in the case.
Neither said the voice was that of 17-year-old Martin, the New York Times reports. Zimmerman’s father said he thought the voice belonged to his son. Martin’s mother, however, has said it was her son who was screaming on the tapes. An analysis by an FBI lab was not able to make an identification; nor was it able to determine whether Zimmerman uttered a racial slur while pursuing Martin, whom he considered to be suspicious.
One witness told police that he saw two men fighting and Martin appeared to be on top, the Miami Herald reports. Another witness said that, judging by their physiques, she believed Zimmerman was on top.
Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Martin. The Times says the autopsy indicates the youth was shot once through the heart at intermediate range, while the Orlando Sentinel says the autopsy found “the gun was so close, it had left gunpowder burns” on Martin’s skin. The original lead detective in the case thought Zimmerman should be charged with manslaughter because he caused the fight by getting out of his car to confront Martin, the Associated Press reports. Local prosecutors originally opted not to charge Zimmerman.
Two people talked to police about Zimmerman’s attitudes toward minorities. A woman who refused to identify herself called an investigator and said Zimmerman “has racist ideologies.” A former Middle Eastern co-worker said Zimmerman used a fake Middle Eastern accent and referenced terrorism when talking about him. The employee said Zimmerman was fired from the job in 2008 for complaining so much about co-workers and bosses, the Miami Herald reports in a separate story.
Zimmerman’s parents have denied he is a racist.
Recent prior coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Report: Case Against George Zimmerman Was Hampered by Police Missteps”
