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George Zimmerman

The Department of Justice announced this afternoon that it was closing its investigation of George Zimmerman, an effort to determine whether the Florida man violated federal civil rights laws in the incident that led to the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. As Justice put it, “there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt a violation of these statutes.” . . .

The federal investigation sought to determine whether the evidence of the events that led to Martin’s death were sufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman’s actions violated the federal criminal civil rights statutes, specifically Section 3631 of Title 42 of the U.S. Code or Section 249 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code, as well as other relevant federal criminal statutes. Section 3631 criminalizes willfully using force or threat of force to interfere with a person’s federally protected housing rights on account of that person’s race or color. Section 249 criminalizes willfully causing bodily injury to a person because of that person’s actual or perceived race. Courts define “willfully” to require proof that a defendant knew his acts were unlawful, and committed those acts in open defiance of the law. It is one of the highest standards of intent imposed by law.

The federal investigation examined whether Zimmerman violated civil rights statutes at any point during his interaction with Martin, from their initial encounter through the fatal shooting. This included investigating whether there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman violated Section 3631 by approaching Martin in a threatening manner before the fatal shooting because of Martin’s race and because he was using the residential neighborhood. Investigators also looked at whether there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman violated Section 3631 or Section 249, by using force against Martin either during their struggle or when shooting Martin, because of Martin’s race.

“The death of Trayvon Martin was a devastating tragedy. It shook an entire community, drew the attention of millions across the nation, and sparked a painful but necessary dialogue throughout the country,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “Though a comprehensive investigation found that the high standard for a federal hate crime prosecution cannot be met under the circumstances here, this young man’s premature death necessitates that we continue the dialogue and be unafraid of confronting the issues and tensions his passing brought to the surface. We, as a nation, must take concrete steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.”

Zimmerman was acquitted of charges of second degree murder and manslaughter by a Florida jury in July, 2013. Zimmerman said he shot Mr. Martin on Feb. 26, 2012, in self-defense after the teenager knocked him to the ground, punched him and slammed his head repeatedly against the sidewalk.

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85 COMMENTS

    • They sure tried though…..housing discrimination statutes?!?! Sure, Zimmerman was all about denying housing equality to Trayvon. It does illustrate the stretches the left will go to when they seek “justice”.

      • What a load of crap — housing discrimination indeed.

        Even worse was Holder’s despicable characterization of the “evidence” as “insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.” That’s an awfully big stretch, when the truth is that there is essential no evidence that Zimmerman did anything unlawful — even after Holder’s all-hands-on-deck, years-long attempt to find something, anything, to pin on him.

        Why am I so peeved about this? Because I, like many others, naively believed what I heard and read in the media about the incident, and I was incensed at the thought of an innocent “child” being gunned down by a racist, self-appointed vigilante.

        Boy, was I stupid.

        • Indeed. After the MSM’s handling of the whole case, I wouldn’t even trust those bastards to give me so much as the time of day.

        • Don’t feel bad, Jay-El. You’re not alone. When the story initially broke, I was leaning towards the regular media depiction. However, as the real evidence started coming out, I was confused. I figured that this would be an important case nationally so I cleared my schedule and watched every minute of the trial on two different internet feeds. One feed was live, unedited and the other was a MSM feed. After that trial, there was no doubt in my mind that it was clearly a case of self-defense. Also, I then had no doubt that MSM was grossly misrepresenting the case and the trial.

        • Even if there was evidence he did something unlawful at a state level, the idea that there is any evidence of a ‘hate crime’ is absurd unless you take the Southpark view of hate crimes (where anyone who hurts someone of another race\etc is guilty of a hate crime).

        • It was the pictures of the 12-year-old Martin that really took the prize. When the Trayvonne punk ass came out, I knew we’d been had, and it was most all of us. I won’t be fooled again.

        • All 5 will be just fine along with Sharpton and Jesse.

          Zimmerman however is saddled with a 2 million dollar legal defense bill because he, as a white Hispanic, defended his life.

  1. Well, apparently the racist Holder and his Obama sycophants, Revs. Jackson and Sharpton, cannot make any more money or publicity from this thug and his demise. So now, the DoJ closes the case? I guess when another race baiter or racist AG thinks it will get him/her some publicity and popularity, they can open it again?

  2. Finally. Now will George Zimmerman end his investigation into how much of a dipshit one human being can be? I will admit that he’s pushed the envelope, but it’s time to end the experiment, George.

    • While I agree, people are dumb and when you’re at the focus of a national media firestorm, your normal everyday dumbness is now nightly news.

    • So you spend your free time wondering what George Zimmerman is up to? Tell me,since you spend so much time thinking about George,do you know if he’s still White?

      • Calm down. It’s a joke. Truthfully, this is the first time I’ve spent any of my free time thinking about Zimmerman since the last time he was in the news for fighting with his trashy girlfriend or suspiciously hanging out behind a gun shop pretending to be a security guard, or whatever his most recent dipshittery was.

        • Didn’t Zimmerman also rescue some people after an auto crash and didn’t he also sell an original piece of artwork for a princely sum? That he withstood with savage assault from state and federal governments, after repelling the initial savage attack from a drug addled street fighter that dark, rainy night, speaks well of Mr. Zimmerman. Maybe you should find a new and more apt target for your hilarious jokes?

      • There are millions like Zimmerman. There are also millions like Osama and Holder, none of them are anything special, just a bunch of dumbass punks. The criminal activity which should be investigated involves how some of them got elected/appointed, if that really happened at all.

    • So – let’s pretend that you are involved in a DGU. You’re cleared by local law enforcement. Then the President and the Attorney General make a point to get a conviction for your actions. This is so egregious the local Chief of Police resigns rather than cooperate in the witch hunt. You are again cleared in a jury trial that clearly establishes your innocence. But the MSM, the professional race baiters, and the DOJ all act as though it is a miscarriage of justice. In fact the DOJ basically state they will find SOME grounds to convict you.

      Under the above pressures, wouldn’t YOU go a little nuts? I’m surprised they haven’t found the poor boy running naked down the middle of the highway in the moonlight gibbering like a monkey. I can’t recall ever seeing such a blatant misuse of the frightening power of the “Justice” system in our nations history.

  3. “Though a comprehensive investigation found that the high standard for a federal hate crime prosecution cannot be met under the circumstances here, this young man’s premature death necessitates that we continue the dialogue and be unafraid of confronting the issues and tensions his passing brought to the surface. We, as a nation, must take concrete steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.”

    Translation: We tried our best to make something of this case to push our agenda, but unfortunately not even my Injustice Department, with the full cooperation of the leftist media, could sell our false narrative. But we are still right in a broader sense, and our ideology and world view remain unchanged by the experience.

  4. “We, as a nation, must take concrete steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.”

    like teach your children to behave themselves?

    • Precisely. If you don’t make a habit of assaulting people, you will remove the chance that the person you assault is armed and capable of lawfully defending himself from your assault.

      • I don’t make a habit of assaulting anyone … but after hearing about this George Zimmerman case, I joined the ‘armed intellegensia’, became a 2nd Amendment advocate, because I don’t want to get shot by a “George Zimmerman” for being Black in the wrong place and have people only hear his side of the story.

        • Sounds like you got the “armed” part right anyways. Intelligence would entail familiarizing oneself with the facts of the case, something you obviously have neglected doing.

        • …because I don’t want to get shot by a “George Zimmerman” for being Black in the wrong place…

          There is no evidence that Zimmerman shot Martin for “being Black in the wrong place”, and a plethora of evidence that Zimmerman shot Martin in a simple case of justified use of deadly force in self-defense, in response to an unprovoked assault that constituted a forcible felony and reasonably put Zimmerman in mortal fear.

          So, if you don’t go jumping people in the dark, knocking them to the ground, mounting them MMA style, and then pounding their head into the sidewalk, I think you’ll be just fine.

        • I know what Paul G. knows … I just have a different opinion. (I have to respond to myself because I can’t respond to him.) I’ve been accused many times of wrong doing because somebody didn’t like the way I looked. But I’ve never been ‘completely’ arrested or charged or prosecuted. I know the reality of how wrong America can get it. And if I’m shot dead, I can’t tell my side of the story.

        • I’ve been accused many times of wrong doing because somebody didn’t like the way I looked. But I’ve never been ‘completely’ arrested or charged or prosecuted. I know the reality of how wrong America can get it.

          Nonsense. White suburbanites totally know that black folks don’t face any sort of discrimination or prejudice at all in the US.

          /s

        • “being black in the wrong place…”
          In this case the wrong place was on top of Zimmerman while attempting to crush his skull with a sidewalk.

          I try to avoid those places myself.

        • George Zimmerman isn’t white. And he didn’t shoot Martin for being black. He shot him because he was attacked by him.

        • Armed intelligentsia…………………………..LOLOLOLOL,do you get black panther literature? I noticed they talk a lot and rile the mob up but after it was all said and done,they did nothing.I wonder if they’re afraid of going back to prison.

        • Nat, if you care about the case deeply (and it seems like you do), I would urge you to review the transcripts and available evidence. It’s impossible to have any kind of discussion without the facts on the table. I’ve tried several times with a few interested parties who only know about the case from what they heard on the news or read in secondary sources, and it just doesn’t work.

          That said, good for you for deciding to take personal responsibility for your own safety. Nobody else will.

        • Here’s how I would have behaved differently. After calling the cops, I’d have kept my distance instead of pushing the issue AGAINST the directions of the dispatcher who told him not to engage the suspect. Zimmerman was older, bigger, heavier and armed. So, excuse me if I don’t believe his story.

        • So in other words, you dislike facts and choose to substitute your opinions so as to justify your own prejudices. How is Mrs. Holder doing?

        • Here’s how I would have behaved differently. After calling the cops, I’d have kept my distance instead of pushing the issue AGAINST the directions of the dispatcher who told him not to engage the suspect.

          That’s exactly what Zimmerman did. As he’s on the phone with the NEN operator, outside his vehicle, trying to see where Martin went, you can hear the sound of the wind caused by his movement. When the operator says, “We don’t need you to do that [follow him]”, Zimmerman said, “Okay” – and stopped. You can tell that he stopped, because the sound of wind caused by his movement ceased.

          There is no evidence that Zimmerman “engaged” Martin. All the physical evidence points to Martin “engaging” Zimmerman, by lying in wait for ambush, or else by circling back to confront him.

          Zimmerman was older, bigger, heavier and armed. So, excuse me if I don’t believe his story.

          Martin was taller, stronger, and very well-versed in street fighting. According to Zimmerman (and supported by the actual physical evidence, and the testimony of John Goode and others), Martin sucker punched Zimmerman and knocked him to the ground. Martin then mounted Zimmerman and continued to batter him, punching him in the face and knocking his head into the sidewalk and ground. When Zimmerman tried to get up, Martin prevented him from doing so.

          Did you even bother to look at any of the evidence?

        • This is a reply to the Static NAT fellow above me:

          Your assertion that Zimmerman being older, bigger, and heavier than Martin confers upon him some kind of advantage is false in the face of Martin being much more athletic than Zimmerman. In that context, Zimmerman being armed equalizes the playing field.

        • Static, you may not believe Zimmerman’s story, but the evidence corroborated with him getting GnP’d by TM. If Zimmerman were black, would you have the same distrust of his story? Or do you only distrust him because he’s half white?

      • Some groups of people in this country think that if they raise enough hell,they’ll get to railroad an innocent man,didn’t happen,HAHA,I loved it when the black panthers said they were going to burn detroit……………like anyone would give a rats ass.

    • “like teach your children to behave themselves?”

      How ’bout teaching your men to stay home and help raise their sons?

  5. “the high standard for a federal hate crime prosecution cannot be met”

    Translation: “Although we spent millions of taxpayer dollars on this witch hunt, we couldn’t find sh1t.”

  6. “We, as a nation, must take concrete steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.”

    What incidents? The ones that did happen, or the ones you assumed happened?

    • Oddly enough, the one person who took a “concrete step” to make sure that Trayvon Martin would never bash anyone’s head into the concrete again….was George Zimmerman.

  7. Has anyone been paying attention to what has been reported about Zimmerman in the news media since this incident? The domestic violence issues, the road rage incidents? He pulled his gun on a man that he accused of cutting him off in traffic. When I consider how I’ve been treated in the past based on a perception of who I am with the only clue being my skin color, I think it’s possible to have other interpretations of this story. But go ahead and accept Zimmerman’s testimony. Just don’t expect me to accept everything here just like I don’t accept some other stories in the media about how evil black guns are and the safety of gun-free zones.

    • Has anyone been paying attention to what has been reported about Zimmerman in the news media since this incident? The domestic violence issues, the road rage incidents? He pulled his gun on a man that he accused of cutting him off in traffic.

      No, he didn’t. The guy that made that claim recanted, and was more than likely stalking Zimmerman.

      As for the domestic violence issues: Shelley dropped her charges after video evidence proved that it was she who attacked Zimmerman, and not the other way around (which would have been a probation violation on her part, if pursued); the psycho chick dropped her charges after she had no evidence, and nobody would buy (as in, literally pay for) her story; and the most recent one, some Lake Mary cops basically made stuff up (in a way that didn’t even match the evidence) to try to arrest Zimmerman on bogus charges – which were (predictably) dropped.

      When I consider how I’ve been treated in the past based on a perception of who I am with the only clue being my skin color, I think it’s possible to have other interpretations of this story.

      Well, at least you admit that you are racially biased in your analysis.

      But go ahead and accept Zimmerman’s testimony.

      Zimmerman’s testimony, conveniently enough, matches with the physical evidence and witness testimony.

      • You want to point out that I’m “racially biased” in my analysis. Well, I’m just stating an opinion based on what I am hearing and what I’ve experienced. I have a lot of stories of disparate treatment by police and other people, even other Black people who have a negative opinion of me just because they chose not to trust my appearance. It may be that the media stories I’ve heard were all wrong, because I’ve not heard any of the info I see displayed above, but I didn’t go looking for it either. If that info is true, I’ve got no problem with that. But up until now, I’ve never heard it.

        I used to be anti-NRA, and I went looking for justification of their wrong doing. This is how I became a convert and an NRA member. My mind is open. I haven’t called anyone racist (but you called me one). I just said I didn’t believe what I heard coming from Zimmerman as reported by the media. I wasn’t sticking up for Travon Martin as much as I was saying he’s not here to tell his side of the story. Maybe some of you will recall that the man who shot some kids for playing their music too loud would have gotten away with it but there was a witness to the event that he wasn’t aware of when he gave his side of the story. Without that witness, there was no evidence to the contrary.

        • I used to be anti-NRA, and I went looking for justification of their wrong doing. This is how I became a convert and an NRA member. My mind is open.

          I urge you to use the same approach with the Zimmerman-Martin incident.

          And I’m glad to have you on our side.

          I haven’t called anyone racist (but you called me one).

          I did not call you racist. I merely pointed out that, by your own words, your experiences based upon your skin color have influenced your analysis of the Zimmerman-Martin incident.

          I just said I didn’t believe what I heard coming from Zimmerman as reported by the media. I wasn’t sticking up for Travon Martin as much as I was saying he’s not here to tell his side of the story.

          He may not be, but there were many witnesses, and quite a bit of physical evidence. All available evidence acted like a spotlight, pointed at a pretty open-and-shut case of self-defense. All available evidence belied the Narrative of Trayvon Martin as a scared, timid little kid, and instead indicated that he was fully capable of carrying out such an assault, and that such an assault was not merely a happenstance, but his intent.

          Maybe some of you will recall that the man who shot some kids for playing their music too loud would have gotten away with it but there was a witness to the event that he wasn’t aware of when he gave his side of the story. Without that witness, there was no evidence to the contrary.

          I’m glad that there was such a witness in that case. A man acted negligently with a firearm, and is rightfully going to prison. There was a similar witness in the Zimmerman-Martin case: John Goode.

    • You don’t have to accept his story,he’s been investigated by every law enforcement agency in the country and they all reached the same conclusion.He was also investigated by the racist eric holder and the rest is history as of today.

    • It just goes to show you that dark skinned people in this country can break the law and act a fool and still walk.Whites are held to a higher standard.

    • Yes, all of these alleged behavioral issues have been broadcast across the country.

      And yet, somehow, mysteriously, he’s still on the streets?!?!

      Might have something to do with the fact that they were ALL BASELESS CLAIMS. EVERY CHARGE WAS DROPPED. You can bet your a$$ that every media outlet, every law enforcement agency with the authority to do so, will pick through every allegation with a fine toothed comb.

      And to this day, he is a free man.

      Now, tell me again how and why YOUR version of HIS story is somehow more accurate, just because you’re black?

      The race/victim cards don’t work around here.

      • All I said was I wasn’t buying his story as presented in the media. That’s not playing the race card. There are a whole lot of stories I don’t accept. Example: I don’t accept the one bullet theory of Kennedy’s assasination.
        I still have my suspicions about this story, but I’ve got nothing to back it up. And my belief has nothing to do with color, because in the ole school I come from, Zimmerman is black because he wouldn’t be allowed into the KKK.

        • So you have asserted skin color as a reason for your opinion multipke times, but now, all of a sudden, you recant those assertions? Guess who’s stkry isn’t hildibg water now?

    • What I’ve read about him in the media does not do away with ballistic evidence that showed quite clearly that the fatal shot was fired while Martin was on top of Zimmerman, as well as the evidence of Zimmerman’s head injuries that corroborated his story. And let’s remember that you’re talking about the same media that edited a 911 tape to make it sound like Zimmerman thought Martin was suspicious because he was black.

      It does sound to me that bad stuff happens to Zimmerman, at least in part, because he’s stupid. But that trend doesn’t mean anything in a specific criminal matter.

  8. “The death of Trayvon Martin was a devastating tragedy. Yeah, I was just devastated by the death of the little sweet 7 year old portrayed in the Soviet state sponsored liberal Pravda media . Snicker, he, he, he.

  9. @Static NAT

    Wow dude, do you think that _maybe_ the MSM isn’t give you all the facts? Try ignoring the major networks and read about the case. Try…

  10. I am sure some of you deep-web visitors have seen this, but if not … I thought it was worth sharing. I found this at some random website:

    What the media saw:
    >8th Grader Trayvon Martin is walking home in his graduation cap and gown
    >Aryan Nation member George Zimmerman driving around in his Confederate Flag draped pickup
    >Zimmerman spots Trayvon through the night by the glow of his halo
    >The Klansman takes chase
    >The football star nearly outruns him, but he is trapped by a “do not enter” sign
    >Faced with certain death or disobeying the law, he makes his stand
    >Trayvon attempts to reason his attacker, but the illiterate racist will have none of it
    >Zimmerman steps out of his vehicle and asks “Any last words?”
    >Trayvon looks his executioner in the eye and replies “World Peace”
    >”WHITE POWER!” exclaims Zimmerman as he unloads with his fully-automatic assault rifle
    >If not for the Republican party he may have survived, but the skinhead’s extended magazine, unfettered by their legislation unloads hundreds of rounds into the future Nobel Piece Prize recipient
    >Zimmerman then bashes his own head into the curb repeatedly screaming “help me!”
    >When he is finished, Hitler himself steps back into his gas-guzzling vehicle
    >As Trayvon lay dying, the last thing he sees is the “Bush Cheney 2004” bumper sticker disapear into the night

    • The creepy thing is he might be awarded the Nobel peace prize………….posthumously.If odumbo can win it,anybody can.

      • I’m not too worried about that. They don’t do posthumous prizes. The prize for Physics in 1916 probably would have gone to Henry Moseley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Moseley), but he had just been killed at Gallipoli. They awarded no prize at all that year. If they wouldn’t give Moseley a prize posthumously, they won’t give a prize to anyone.

        On the other hand, if they’re silly enough to give it to Zerobama before he had even done anything at all (much less anything good, for which we are still waiting), they are silly enough to change their rules and do this.

  11. Okay left/liberal and reactionary hate aside, will the poor guy get a huge settlement from NBC etc for ruining his life? What’s the status on that? Dropped? Still grinding through the “justice system”? Zimmerman collects 10 years after he’s living out on the streets?

    George, if you’re out there: if it were me, I would move back to Peru or Texas or somewhere until you get that multimillion dollar settlement.

  12. Good evening, doubters and others informed only by what they’ve seen on the news.

    Please Google “Massad Ayoob Trayvon Martin” for an analysis of the case, in multiple essays, by the nation’s leading expert in self defense and use of force. You’ll find an incredibly detailed and professional dissection of the actual facts, from an authority in law enforcement and legal issues.

    Then decide.

    Please.

  13. It’s about damn time. I really thought holder would pursue this BS as it’s “legacy”. I can’t even mention Trayvon and Zim or my beautiful black wife gets upset and says “you weren’t there…” AS if attacking a fat Mexican looking guy in the dark and bashing his head into cement doesn’t mean self-defense. Oh well…and static NAT if everyone including black folks are afraid of you because of your appearance CHANGE it. Perception is reality to most of the world whether we like it or not. I know that really well as an OFWG married to a black woman with 2 large caramel colored sons.

    • It is sad that so many people seem to be deciding what the truth of this matter OUGHT to be in advance based on their own race and the race of the people involved, and are so oblivious to the evidence that emerges later; it’s like an act of self-betrayal to them to admit that they were wrong. One would think there’d be very little of that in your marriage, FWW, but apparently there is.

      Folks, it doesn’t matter whether the person in the wrong had your skin color or not. That’s NO reflection on you. That should be obvious, but too many people think of themselves as part of some “group” that is obligated to stick up for each other no matter what, and will deny reality if necessary to do so.

      • SteveInCO said:

        “Folks, it doesn’t matter whether the person in the wrong had your skin color or not. That’s NO reflection on you. That should be obvious, but too many people think of themselves as part of some “group” that is obligated to stick up for each other no matter what, and will deny reality if necessary to do so.”

        Unfortunately, this is the one thing that keeps this country so racially divided.

      • Just noticed your comment Steve. Nah my wife and I agree 99% of the time. Which is why she’s put up with me for 27years. And damn near everything in this country is seen through a prism of race. Those who pretend it doesn’t exist live in an idealized dream world.

  14. Why does every report about any damn thing have to report the race of everybody involved? *I* certainly don’t care! Do you? “A guy was suspicious of another guy, followed him to make sure he was on the up-and-up. He was attacked, punched out, and had someone sitting on his chest and slamming his head into a concrete floor, and when he yelled for help, no one responded. Totally alone and helpless, as a last resort, he freed himself from certain death by firing a single shot into his attacker at point-blank range. No charges are forthcoming.”

    White guy killed white guy, black guy killed black guy, Hispanic guy killed Peruvian guy, gay Alaskan killed really short Arab, who the fvck cares? Why is race reported, if we pretend to be beyond race?

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