November 15, 2024

Idavox Archives

Archived articles originally found on the One People's Project website.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ON TRAYVON: 'THIS ISN'T OVER WITH'

No Justice...The rallies, the anguish but not the right-wing’s hope for massive riots all over the country have begun to not only voice their outrage over last night’s verdict that found George Zimmerman not guilty of killing Trayvon Martin, but also calls to continue fighting for justice for him. Harry Reid weighing in the way he did might give us hope. Keep your head up, people.

The Hill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Sunday urged the Justice Department to review federal charges against George Zimmerman who was acquitted in Sanford, Fla., of murder and manslaughter in the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin.

“I think the Justice Department is going to take a look at this. This isn’t over with and I think that’s good. That’s our system, it’s gotten better, not worse,” Reid said on NBC’s “Meet the Press”.

A jury of six-women found that Zimmerman acted in self-defense when he shot 17-year-old Martin in February of 2012. Hundreds of people gathered outside the courthouse to protest the verdict Saturday night. 

Federal prosecutors could still charge Zimmerman with violating Trayvon Martin’s civil rights.  

Reid said he accepted the not-guilty verdict on murder and manslaughter charges.

“I am a trial lawyer and have [brought] over 100 cases to a juries. I don’t always agree with what the jury does that that’s the system and I support the system,” Reid said.

Civil rights activist Al Sharpton has pressed the Justice Department to prosecute Zimmerman.   

“The trial happened, the verdict came in, that does not exhaust the legal options of his family and the bigger community issue of civil rights,” he said on “Meet the Press”.

He and Martin’s have met with U.S. attorneys to press for action on civil rights charges, according to Sharpton.

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