JUST IN: No Federal Charges For Zimmerman In Trayvon Martin Death

[Purveyor]

Kevin Johnson and Yamiche Alcindor 2:09 p.m. EST February 24, 2015

The Justice Department said its independent investigation found "insufficient evidence" to charge George Zimmerman with federal civil right violations in the shooting death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin.

Attorney General Eric Holder said the evidence did not meet the "high standard for a federal hate crime prosecution," but the decision should not end efforts to explore racial tensions in the justice system.

"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," Holder said in a statement. "We, as a nation, must take concrete steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future."

Zimmerman shot Martin on Feb. 26, 2012 as he walked home after purchasing snacks at a convenience store in Sanford, Florida. Federal prosecutors found insufficient evidence to prove Zimmerman, part of a neighborhood watch group, intentionally violated Trayvon's civil rights.

Federal investigators began their investigation following the shooting, but halted it once the state began prosecuting Zimmerman for murder. On July 13, 2013, a Florida jury found Zimmerman not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter, sparking protests in several cities.

more...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/02/24/no-federals-charges-against-george-zimmerman/23942297/

[Agschmid]

1. Kick.

[FLPanhandle]

2. People may get angry with Holder on this decision but it was a tough case for the Feds

The key part is...Attorney General Eric Holder said the evidence did not meet the "high standard for a federal hate crime prosecution"

Zimmerman is a thug and an idiot. He will be in jail sooner or later.

[randys1]

3. The standard is almost impossibly high, for a reason.

Georgie hunted and executed this young man for the sole purpose of being young, healthy, attractive, interesting, vivacious, and most of all Black.

[FLPanhandle]

6. Zimmerman would not have shot a white teen.

Alas, knowing that emotionally is not the same as proving it in court.

I just wanted to head off the screaming at Holder because it was an unwinnable case for the Feds.

[randys1]

7. For sure, but based on his actions cant be proven, now if we had audio of the entire

altercation, probably then it would be no problem.

[JI7]

9. hatred of Holder has nothing to do with this case

Its the same reason many hate Obama

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

5. I agree with everything you wrote

He is a "thug and an idiot." And none of us will be surprised when he is finally imprisoned.

However, I never thought they had a federal case against him. There were too many things in his past that would make it difficult to prove that he was actually a racist.

But....the countdown continues. He will get caught one of these days.

[In_The_Wind]

4. Kick

[99th_Monkey]

8. What do the Feds need? For Zimm to be wearing his KKK sheets? Jeesh. nt

[GeorgeGist]

10. Gutless.

[Blue_Tires]

11. Can't say I'm even slightly shocked...