04.12.
PROUD PARENTS: IN THE NEWS
Yesterday George Zimmerman was arrested and is to be charged with second degree murder in the shooting of 17 year old Trayvon Martin. The video above shows Trayvon’s parents Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin’s response to the new charges being laid, as well as an interview to find out how they’re feeling about the whole situation. We want to know what you think; Is Zimmerman guilty of second degree murder, a charge that carries a minimum sentence of 25 years to life? Check out the entire news story after the jump and vote in our poll below!
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Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton told the TODAY show Thursday that she believes her son’s fatal shooting by George Zimmerman was an accident.
“I believe it was an accident, I believe that it just got out of control and he couldn’t turn the clock back,” she said. “I would ask him, ‘Did he know that that was a minor, that that was a teenager and that he did not have a weapon?’” she added.
Special prosecutor Angela Corey announced Wednesday at a news conference in Jacksonville, Florida, that Zimmerman was going to be charged with second-degree murder, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
“We did not come to this decision lightly,” Corey, who was appointed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott to re-examine the case after public outcry over the initial decision not to arrest Zimmerman, said at a news conference in Jacksonville.
Zimmerman shot and killed Martin, 17, in the town of Sanford, Fla., on Feb. 26.
Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara, who took the case late Wednesday after Zimmerman’s previous attorneys withdrew, said his client would plead not guilty and that he would seek his release on bond. Zimmerman, 28, was scheduled for an initial hearing Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET.
O’Mara said on TODAY he was surprised the prosecutor brought second degree murder charges against his client.
“I was. Again I’ve only seen the evidence that has been presented through the media. But I was surprised that they charged him at that level,” he said.
Martin’s mom suggested that Zimmerman, who claims he killed Martin in self-defense, should apologize if he is remorseful.
“One of the things that I still believe in: A person should apologize when they really — when they are actually remorseful for what they’ve done,” Fulton said.
And she expressed sympathy for Zimmerman’s family, even as she continued to mourn the loss of her son.
“I understand his family is hurting, but think about our family that lost our teenage son. I mean, it’s just very difficult to live with day in and day out,” Fulton said. “ I’m sure his parents can pick up the phone and call him, but we can’t pick up the phone and call Trayvon anymore.”
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