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Title: Zimmerman speaks, raises funds on new website
Source:
CNN
URL Source: http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Zi ... 0364842/-/yf5r7jz/-/index.html
Published: Apr 9, 2012
Author: CNN Wire Staff
Post Date: 2012-04-09 19:46:13 by A K A Stone
Keywords: None
Views: 324
Comments: 1
SANFORD, Florida (CNN) - The man at the center of a firestorm over his shooting of an unarmed Florida teenager has launched a website, warning supporters about groups that falsely claim to be raising funds for his defense and soliciting donations for himself. "I am the real George Zimmerman," declares the website, set up over the weekend. "On Sunday February 26th, I was involved in a life altering event which led me to become the subject of intense media coverage. As a result of the incident and subsequent media coverage, I have been forced to leave my home, my school, my employer, my family and ultimately, my entire life. This website's sole purpose is to ensure my supporters they are receiving my full attention without any intermediaries." Zimmerman's "life altering event" was the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, an act that the neighborhood watch volunteer told Sanford, Florida, police was an act of self-defense. Zimmerman has not been charged with a crime in Martin's death, a fact that has provoked demonstrations and calls that he be prosecuted for killing the teen. The statement posted on therealgeorgezimmerman.com warns viewers that "some persons and/or entities have been collecting funds, thinly veiled as my 'Defense Fund' or 'Legal Fund.' I cannot attest to the validity of these other websites as I have not received any funds collected, intended to support my family and I through this trying, tragic time." But the site includes a link through which viewers can donate money to pay for Zimmerman's lawyers and living expenses "in lieu of my forced inability to maintain employment." Zimmerman pledges to "personally maintain accountability of all funds received." The special prosecutor assigned to oversee the investigation, Angela Corey, announced Monday that she would not present a case against the 28-year-old Zimmerman to a grand jury. But her office added in a written statement, "The decision should not be considered a factor in the final determination of the case." Benjamin Crump, an attorney for Martin's family, said they hope to see charges against Zimmerman as soon as possible. "We were anticipating that there would be no grand jury, because the family has always been hopeful that there would just simply be an arrest," Crump said. "We believed, from day one, that they had enough evidence to arrest the killer of Trayvon Martin and now, as the evidence has continued to unfold, we think there has been a plethora of evidence to simply effect probable cause to do an arrest -- not for a conviction, but for an arrest." He told CNN that the victim's mother, Sybrina Fulton, "said that she's prayerful" Zimmerman will be arrested. "We want a very public trial so the evidence can come out and show people that the justice system works for everybody," Crump added. The Justice Department said the grand jury decision does not affect any federal role. "The department's parallel investigation remains ongoing," Justice spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa said. "We hope this decision signals the special prosecutor's intention to live up to her reputation as a passionate, justice-focused attorney and bring charges against Zimmerman herself," said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. "The future of this case now rests solely with her and we have faith that she will do her best to secure justice for Trayvon Martin."
Poster Comment: Is that the honkified pic of Zimmerman? I'll have to check closer.
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