Tallahassee, Florida

Dedicated to the First Amendment

April 2012

FAMU link to Trayvon: Cousin is ecstatic over arrest of suspect George Zimmerman
By: Kendra McLemore Florida A&M University

A cousin of Trayvon Martin who graduated from Florida A&M University in 1984 said she is ecstatic that 28-year-old former neighborhood watchmen George Zimmerman has been arrested and charged with second degree murder. While sitting at home watching television, Trayvon Martin's cousin Angela Hall and her daughter waited anxiously for the decision and announcement of special prosecutor Angela Corey. Now that they have him in custody the preceding toward justice is in the making, said Hall. Its a step in the right direction. Hall is a claims representative for an insurance agency in Fort Lauderdale.

She recently participated in the rally in Sanford to demand justice at a city council meeting. Another cousin of Martin attends FAMU, but he could not be reached for comment. Corey was appointed as special prosecutor by Florida Gov. Rick Scott to investigate the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. A national outcry erupted after the Sanford Police Department declined to press charges against Zimmerman. On February 26, Zimmerman called police to report a suspicious person. The dispatcher informed Zimmerman that an officer was en route and to wait for the officer. Zimmerman disregarded the orders and confronted Martin and a struggle ensued.
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Tallahassee, Florida ARREST ___________

Dedicated to the First Amendment

April 2012

According to the police report issued by SPD, Officer Timothy Smith was the first of seven officers to respond and the police reported that they were receiving calls in reference to gun shots being in the area. There was one subject [Martin] shot and one at gun point [Zimmerman]," said Smith, who was holding Zimmerman at gunpoint. Zimmerman wearing a red jacket, blue jeans and armed with a black 9mm semi-automatic handgun and was bleeding from the nose and back of his head, according to the report. He was placed in the rear of Smiths police vehicle and given first aid by the Sanford Fire Department. I overheard Zimmerman say he was yelling for someone to help, but no one would help him," wrote Smith. At no point did I question Zimmerman about the incident that took place.

Shortly after Smith had put Zimmerman in the back of the police car, Officer Ricardo Ayala arrived on scene. Ayala wrote in the report that he observed Martin wearing a gray hooded sweat shirt, blue jeans and red and white sneakers and lying face down in the grass with his hands underneath his body. Smith advised Ayala that he did not make contact with the subject [Martin] lying on the ground. Ayala attempted to get a response, but was met with negative results. A police sergeant arrived and attempted to get a pulse but none was found. Then the other officer and Ayala turned Martin over and performed CPR. The Sanford Fire Rescue arrived on the scene and attempted to revive Martin but could not. A paramedic on the scene pronounced Martin dead at 7:30 p.m. Once Zimmerman was cleared by paramedics, he was transported to SPD where he was interviewed by investigator D. Singleton. After meeting with Singleton, Zimmerman was released without being charged. This has caused national controversy. On Wednesday, April 11, Coreys office filed an information charging George Zimmerman with murder in the second degree and issued a warrant for his arrest.
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Tallahassee, Florida ARREST ___________

Dedicated to the First Amendment

April 2012 3

Thank you lord, we are on our way to justice," said Hall. According to the affidavit of probable cause, Martin was profiled by Zimmerman as he entered the gated community after walking from a nearby convenience store. Martin was unarmed and not committing a crime. During the recorded call, Zimmerman made reference to people he felt had committed and gotten away with break-ins in the neighborhood. Martin, who was on the phone with a friend at the time, described what was going on. I can tell you we did not come to this decision lightly, Corey told the press. Florida A&M students weighed in on the arrest of Zimmerman. I feel like the arrest is needed, said Koscha McIntosh a 20-year-old third year business administration student from West Palm Beach, Fla.

Protestors during recent march from Daytona to Sanford, April 6-8. Photo courtesy of 'Dream Defenders' group at FAMU.

No one should be able to roam free after they have shot and killed someone. Zimmerman was taken into protective custody at the Seminole County Jail and made his first appearance last Thursday. Justice for Trayvon Martin," said Hall.
KENDRA MCLEMORE ______________________