The killing of Trayvon Martin is fast becoming a media circus and has devolved into a case touting competing accusations of bad behavior. Trayvon attended high school in Miami, FL, and was suspended for having a baggie with traces of marijuana and a marijuana pipe in his possession. He had previously been suspended for writing graffiti on school property. Trayvon was visiting his father in Sanford during his suspension when he was killed February 26, 2012. Police reports recently released state that George Zimmerman, who killed Martin, was found with a bloodied nose and a wound on the back of his head. Zimmerman's version of what happened included details about Martin jumping on him and smashing his head to the ground.
George Zimmerman has made 42 calls to 911 in his eight years as a Neighborhood Watch volunteer. When he called 911 to report Trayvon Martin as a suspicious person, the dispatcher inquired if he was following the suspect. When Zimmerman answered in the affirmative, the dispatcher replies, "We don't need you to do that." Zimmerman was carrying a gun, which violates the training of formal Neighborhood Watch groups, although his group was not registered. Volunteers are trained to observe and report but not pursue. Details have also emerged that Zimmerman assaulted a police officer in 2005 and was arrested in a domestic violence case in 2007.
What do all these accusations mean in relation to the shooting of Trayvon Martin? Absolutely nothing. No matter what either of them had done in the past, Trayvon's killing still needs to be investigated on its own merit and should have begun on February 26th, when it occurred. Martin isn't alive to tell his side of the story, and witnesses have given varied accounts of what happened. This isn't unusual. If you've ever heard witnesses describe a car accident, no two tell exactly the same story.
All of the hype and speculation does not aid the investigation. Zimmerman is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law if he's arrested. We must allow the Department of Justice and the FBI to gather evidence and finish their investigation. When that occurs, we will have more fact-based information on which to determine what really happened.
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