BREAKING per Huffington......Justice Department To Review Zimmerman Case

[rsmith6621]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/14/justice-department-george-zimmerman_n_3595835.html

WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department says it is looking into the shooting death of Trayvon Martin to determine whether federal prosecutors should file criminal civil rights charges now that George Zimmerman has been acquitted in the state case.

The department opened an investigation into Martin's death last year but stepped aside to allow the state prosecution to proceed.

[GiaGiovanni]

1. Good

KR

[Gravitycollapse]

2. Ugh, this is going to nose dive.

There is too much inertia in this now. Trying to change its course is going to be next to impossible and the only thing the federal government will accomplish is making itself look like it's overstepping state authority.

I applaud the JD for trying, but I just don't see this going to end well.

[GiaGiovanni]

6. How do think it will "nose dive"?

I personally think they have to do this. There's too much raw emotion in the country to leave things be. Many people's senses of justice and morality have been challenged here. If the DOJ sat back and did nothing, they would be hounded until they did.

[Travis_0004]

7. So should we just throw the concept of double jeporady out the window, to apease people?

[GiaGiovanni]

8. Do you remember the Rodney King case?

Four police officers, brutal under color of authority, found "not guilty." The Justice Department stepped in with Civil Rights charges. Talk of double jeopardy then was quashed by the idea that even though they were found "not guilty", they were still motivated by racial attitudes while in a position of authority.

[Travis_0004]

10. Zimmerman was not in a position of authority

[ProdigalJunkMail]

16. he can't be forced to testify

why do you suggest this to be the case?

sP

[Spitfire of ATJ]

20. Read it elsewhere. Must have been for the civil case.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

21. perhaps there you are right...

but I don't know the civil side of things...

sP

[Spitfire of ATJ]

22. I'm not very civil either.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

23. thanks for catching that...

[Spitfire of ATJ]

49. I figured out the rules I read about would cover a civil case filed by the family.

[davidn3600]

18. So the 5th amendment is meaningless in the eyes of the feds?

Double jeopardy, forced to testify against themselves?

Not surprised...the feds dont care about the 4th amendment either.

[MoonRiver]

40. He would be tried for violation of Trayvon's civil rights. Before he was tried for murder.

So it's not double jeopardy because the charges are different.

[davidn3600]

44. I know that...but this isn't what the founding fathers intended

You are not supposed to be tried twice for the same crime in America.

Why wasn't OJ charged for violating Ron and Nicole's civil rights to life?

[MoonRiver]

48. He could have been had the DOJ chosen to do so.

He was tried for the same crime in civil court and lost. And btw, how do you know what the founding fathers intended?

[davidn3600]

54. 5th amendment

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation


I know the government gets around it by calling it something else. But it goes against the intention. If you are on trial for murder, and acquitted, the government isn't supposed to be able to keep trying until they get a conviction.

[MoonRiver]

59. The offense charged would be different: violation of civil rights NOT murder.

No way would that be double jeopardy.

[OwnedByCats]

67. Seeing as how they couldn't prove murder when

GZ said he actually shot him, I don't know how they are going to prove a civil rights violation.

But then the government seems to do what they want these days, constitution be damned.

[lumpy]

97. Education is a wonderful thing.

n

[donnasgirl]

78. It is double Jeopardy

I will predict the DOJ will decide decides to not pursue the case, and as for testifying he only has to plead the 5th and then the case becomes to hard to get a conviction. With his team of Attorney's they will Expedite it to the Supreme court which will then rule it is double Jeopardy and the case would then get thrown out.

[John2]

138. You think

the gang of Scalia will come to the rescue? The Supreme Court can only act on Appeal, They can't usurp the JUstice Department's authority. Scalia and Thomas are not Gods.

[donnasgirl]

148. Think about it

If the DOJ decides to go his defense team will appeal immediately and the court will hear the case quickly.

[davidn3600]

86. Come on...give me a break....it's double jeopardy

Zimmerman was just on trial because he shot Trayvon. Now he will be pursued by the DOJ because he shot Trayvon.

How many trials do you want for this same incident?

No jury will convict him based on this evidence.

[John2]

139. I don't

how you figure that? If I was on that jury he would have been convicted. A lot of people disagreed with that predominately white jury and thought Zimmerman was guilty of something. You act like the same prosecutors would try the case. That prosecution team was sorry. They were very passive and acted like they wanted to lose. That is why people are suspicious it was fixed by the state of Florida.

[Blanks]

149. The prosecution team should be who goes on trial then...

If the prosecution didn't mount a campaign aimed exhuberantly enough toward conviction, then that is who the justice department should pursue.

That is who the NAACP should be after. There is a certain amount of anger that should still be directed toward Zimmerman, but I agree - it looks like that would be double jeapordy.

Sure, the family could sue in civil court, probably get a ruling and Zimmerman would go to jail for non-payment eventually, but the immediate step that the justice department could take that would be less controversial - would be to look at the prosection's conduct.

[PaulKersey]

156. true

[John2]

136. I was sent

a petition by the NAACP to sign, demanding the DOJ open an investigation into the violation of Trayvon Martin's Civil Rights. The petition already had hundreds of thousands of signatures on it, so I signed it too.

I think the Trial was a sham from the start right on down to jury selection. It was definately a case of racial profiling a Black teen. The bottomline for me is George Zimmerman murdered a minor who was unarmed. I do not accept the theory a 17 year old minor was beating an armed adult male to death and didn't had the right to defend himself against that same armed male stalking him at night. Zimmerman's criminal past should have been an issue and why he was even allowed to carry a concealed gun in Florida after a background check or even allowed to monitor persons on a police monitored community watch program. You can complain all you want, but a lot of people felt justice wasn't served by that predominately white jury. It was a sham from the beginning and the victim was place on Trial. The prosecution never defended the victim's Constitutional rights and treated him as some animal. People just don't accept the verdict. They feel George Zimmerman got away with murder and that jury failed and the justice system.

[treestar]

66. Read more on double jeopardy

It is not that general in its application.

[Whisp]

121. the founding daddies were fucked up racists. n/t

[lumpy]

91. Thanks. A voice of reason in a jumble of opinions.

n

[lumpy]

95. BS

n

[Morganfleeman]

19. That's in a civil case

Not a civil rights criminal case. The standard is actually higher for a hate crimes prosecution due to the racial animus component.

[totodeinhere]

71. Not true. You are confusing this with a civil case.

If the Justice Department brings criminal charges against him for a civil rights violation, the burden of proof will be just as high as in the just completed case. And he cannot be forced to testify. He will retain his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

[ceonupe]

80. Watch the DOJ press Confrence from a year ago

Holder makes it clear the burden is even higher than traditional criminal case.


There will be no federal charge for GZ. Maybe pressure for states to revisit SYG laws

[Spitfire of ATJ]

92. Look further on this topic.You'll see I did a correction.

[alp227]

32. Is Neighborhood Watch not "position of authority"?

Furthermore, the law on deprivation of rights under color of law says:

Acts under "color of any law" include acts not only done by federal, state, or local officials within the bounds or limits of their lawful authority, but also acts done without and beyond the bounds of their lawful authority; provided that, in order for unlawful acts of any official to be done under "color of any law," the unlawful acts must be done while such official is purporting or pretending to act in the performance of his/her official duties. This definition includes, in addition to law enforcement officials, individuals such as Mayors, Council persons, Judges, Nursing Home Proprietors, Security Guards, etc., persons who are bound by laws, statutes ordinances, or customs.

Punishment varies from a fine or imprisonment of up to one year, or both, and if bodily injury results or if such acts include the use, attempted use, or threatened use of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire shall be fined or imprisoned up to ten years or both, and if death results, or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.

If the feds step in...Zimmerman will REALLY face the music.

[meow2u3]

79. The persons to whom deprivation of rights under color of law applies

Acts under "color of any law" include acts not only done by federal, state, or local officials within the bounds or limits of their lawful authority, but also acts done without and beyond the bounds of their lawful authority; provided that, in order for unlawful acts of any official to be done under "color of any law," the unlawful acts must be done while such official is purporting or pretending to act in the performance of his/her official duties. This definition includes, in addition to law enforcement officials, individuals such as Mayors, Council persons, Judges, Nursing Home Proprietors, Security Guards, etc., persons who are bound by laws, statutes ordinances, or customs.

Yes, that would apply to Zimmy. He was a Neighborhood Watch captain, so he did have some color of authority, even if he wasn't a police officer.

DOJ's take on the summary of Section 242:
http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/crm/242fin.php

Section 242 of Title 18 makes it a crime for a person acting under color of any law to willfully deprive a person of a right or privilege protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.

For the purpose of Section 242, acts under "color of law" include acts not only done by federal, state, or local officials within the their lawful authority, but also acts done beyond the bounds of that official's lawful authority, if the acts are done while the official is purporting to or pretending to act in the performance of his/her official duties. Persons acting under color of law within the meaning of this statute include police officers, prisons guards and other law enforcement officials, as well as judges, care providers in public health facilities, and others who are acting as public officials. It is not necessary that the crime be motivated by animus toward the race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin of the victim.

The offense is punishable by a range of imprisonment up to a life term, or the death penalty, depending upon the circumstances of the crime, and the resulting injury, if any.

Emphasis is mine.

Another law the DOJ can use: conspiracy against rights.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/federal-statutes#section241

Title 18, U.S.C., Section 241
Conspiracy Against Rights

This statute makes it unlawful for two or more persons to conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person of any state, territory or district in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him/her by the Constitution or the laws of the United States, (or because of his/her having exercised the same).

It further makes it unlawful for two or more persons to go in disguise on the highway or on the premises of another with the intent to prevent or hinder his/her free exercise or enjoyment of any rights so secured.

Punishment varies from a fine or imprisonment of up to ten years, or both; and if death results, or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years, or for life, or may be sentenced to death.

The Sanford police initially protected Zimmerman and did a half-ass job at best of processing the crime scene. They swallowed Zimmerman's pack of lies whole, including stereotyping Martin. I'm going out on a limb, but conspiracy against rights charges may apply, since the cops and Zimmerman were in cahoots.

[FarPoint]

85. Trayvon was also a minor....just turned 17 years old.

He was still in high school...not legal voting age...Zimmy was an adult. Just a thought.

[ewagner]

113. Here's the manual for Neighborhood watch "officials"

it doesn't say:

1. carry a weapon
2. Confront suspicious persons


www.keysso.net/commrelations/ccw/neighborhood_watch_manual.pdf

[John2]

137. People just

keep trying to defend George Zimmerman's rights but don't care about Trayvon's rights. Trayvon didn't commit any crime, even when defending himself against Zimmerman. That predominately white jury placed Trayvon on trial as the criminal. That Trial was a joke. I suggest Florida do something about their justice system when you can allow 5-6 white people decide a murder case in a jurisdiction 20 percent Black. And five of them owned guns. Does 90 percent of the people in that jurisdiction own guns?

[ReRe]

153. Exactly! ;-)

Thanks so much for that... Now that wasn't difficult to understand, was it? Yeah, ole GZ has been on vacation since that night. This isn't over.

[boston bean]

47. Zimmerman was trained by the Sanford Police. nt

[marions ghost]

133. He thought he was in a position of authority...

---citizen vigilante.

[ReRe]

152. Exactly.

[galileoreloaded]

14. The abuse of state authority in RK. Ugh. So short sighted. Nt

[MannyGoldstein]

28. Not double jeopardy

If DOJ charges him, it will be for a different crime commited during the same act.

[GiaGiovanni]

30. Thanks.

I was trying to find the info on the Rodney King case on that very point.

[Chan790]

31. This isn't double jeopardy.

The DoJ isn't investigating whether he murdered Martin, the only charge he has jeopardy protections on...they're investigating whether his actions were racially motivated and thus subject to prosecution under federal hate crimes charges as civil right violations.

Under Florida law, stalking a stranger on the public streets based on the color of their skin under an underlying cause of racist prejudice isn't a crime...under federal law it is. The ability of the Feds to indict and try Zimmerman for civil rights violations is entirely immaterial from the fact he killed Martin. Having followed Martin and not confronted him and Trayvon is alive today...the DOJ could still indict Zimmerman on the charges he is being investigated for. That is, if he's indicted by the DoJ, it won't be for killing Martin, it'll be for getting out of the car and following Martin in the first place.

[another_liberal]

112. Correct!

Very well put. Thank you.

[Brigid]

33. Double jeopardy means . . .

That the same defendant cannot be tried in the same court on the same charges. The feds are free to file their own charges; i.e., civil rights charges, against Zimmerman.

[jtuck004]

50. It's only double jeporady if he is charged with the same crime. He won't be. The charge

will be for what was avoided when the Justice Department stepped out to let the state prosecute.

Now that the racists have spoken, it's time for something else.

[treestar]

65. That does not apply to different charges

in a different court.

[JDPriestly]

124. It isn't double jeopardy because the Justice Department would bring different charges than

the state court did.




Wex

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FAQ

Double Jeopardy

Overview
Resources
For example

The Double Jeopardy Clause in the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits anyone from being prosecuted twice for substanially the same crime. See, e.g. United States v. Ursery, 518 US 267 (1996).

See also:

The Annotated Constitution of the United States entry on double jeopardy

Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
A rule from the Fifth Amendment to the U S Constitution that prohibits a criminal efendant from being twice made to stand trial for the same offense. A defendant is put "in jeopardy" once the jury is sworn. If the prosecutor moves to dismiss the case after that, the defendant cannot be retried. When a judge dismisses a case, however, a retrial is generally possible unless the dismissal was engineered by the prosecutor's misconduct, or there was no overriding necessity to dismiss the case. Double jeopardy protects defendants only for retrials brought within the original jurisdiction, which is why a defendant can be tried in federal court after being tried in state court. Double jeopardy does not prevent trial in a civil court on underlying facts that previously formed the basis of a criminal trial.

Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/double_jeopardy

Different jurisdiction/different law = different charges in this case.

[AgingAmerican]

125. A civil rights charge is a different crime

A hate crime, different statute.

[marym625]

144. double jeopardy doesn't apply here

[JohnnyBoots]

155. Plus,

The fact that he was not convicted of 2nd Degree - where malice or hatred needed to be shown. That in itself is reason enough not to charge him with a hate crime. There are much bigger issues the DOJ could be covering, like the body count in Chicago that is growing everyday. The administration is pushing this case to try and ride the wave of manufactured outrage into a do-over on gun control. Also, it is a way to get the Black base secured in case they feel alienated during the upcoming immigration debate. It's pure politics. MSNBC has been unwatchable the past couple of days.

[goldent]

57. "If the DOJ sat back and did nothing, they would be hounded until they did."

That doesn't sound like how they should be basing their decisions. But I don't know much about the DOJ - if they are a political organization I guess it would make sense that decisions on who to prosecute would be based on public opinion.

[Little Star]

120. They did not sit back. They were looking into the civil rights case and then..

paused because the state of FL finally decided to bring a criminal case. They just decided to wait and give FL a chance first.

[Mr. David]

9. George Zimmerman committed murder. He still has to pay for what he did.

The six idiots couldn't even figure it out.

So the Feds has to step in and get it done right, and GZ will face the needle when it's all said and done.

[christx30]

35. Yeah... if we don't like

how a jury rules on a case, we can always just do it over. Once someone, somewhere, determines someone's guilt, they are put through trial after trial until everyone in the country is satisfied.
I think Zimmerman was wrong, and I think he should have been convicted. That said, he was found not guilty. Be angry, protest, write a letter to the editor. But nothing else should happen legally. That's how the jury system is supposed to work. Sometimes they get it wrong.

[Mr. David]

38. It's a miscarriage of justice.

If I was GZ, I'd be looking at my back 100% of the time, or locking myself up in my room and not coming out to see anything.

[christx30]

53. And a lot of people thought the same thing when OJ

was aquitted.
The fact is that the jury saw things that no one else did. They got instructions from the judge that both sides agreed on. We may not agree with their judgement or even respect it. But I disagree with anyone going after Zimmerman from a legal standpoint now. Because if it can happen to him, it can happen to anyone.

[FreeState]

58. OJ also had a civil case against him N/t

[christx30]

72. But he was never

in danger of being put in prison again for the murders of Ron and Nicole. What people on here are talking about is "I don't like that the jury voted to aquit GZ. We're going to kick it upstairs to the feds to find something we can charge him with."
Like I said, I think GZ should be wearing prison orange right now. He stalked TM and killed him in "self defense". But the prosecution did a terrible job of proving that he's a murderer. That's why it's necessary to get good ADAs to try the case. They only get one shot, and if they screw it up, then the perp walks. That's the way it's worked since this country was founded. ADAs that screw the pooch on high profile cases get fired. But the accused doesn't get tried again. You can't get fancy with the bill of rights. Or you shouldn't be able to. Who the hell knows right now. Does it even matter any more?

[lumpy]

101. The jury didn't have access to information that the trial observers had such as people on this

forum which was an advantage. Legally the DOJ has every right to go after Zimmerman on separate charges connected to the case. Yes it can happen to anybody if there is good reason to do so.

[John2]

140. I don't agree

with you at all. I hope you were consistant with OJ Simpson. I think this was about race. If that happened to a 17 year old unarmed white kid, I don't think that jury would have voted the same way. I don't have too much trust in that jury from the start, no matter how much cover they are given. If they weren't racist, then they should all have the guts to come out and explain their decision to the public.

[christx30]

146. I'm not just talking about the

facts of this case. I'm talking about the Fifth Amendment. The concept of double jeopardy. Yes it sucks when the bad guy gets away. It sucks when the prosecution screws the pooch and doesn't do it's jub. They should be fired for this one. But the fact is that justice is not always guaranteed. Sometimes people get away with murder. That's why "getting away with murder" is a phrase.
But GZ was tried in front of a jury. The prosecutors failed to prove their case. It should be over. Martin's family will sue and Zimmerman will end up paying a bunch of money to him. And that's fine. But to subject him to double jeopardy is just wrong. It speaks to a heavy handed Federal government. Jury trials no longer matter if someone disagrees with the outcome.

[Flatulo]

61. He's a pretty recognizable figure. Wherever he goes, he will face public loathing and scorn for

killing an unarmed kid in the act of transporting a snack.

[Voice for Peace]

128. and everywhere he goes, signs saying "Justice for Trayvon"

[MoonRiver]

43. He'll never face a needle for murdering Trayvon.

Hopefully he'll face some serious jail time when DOJ takes him to task.

[totodeinhere]

73. True. The type of offense he would be tried for if the feds step in doesn't carry the death

penalty but it does carry some pretty serious jail time.

[lumpy]

89. Isn't it ironic how many posters think they know how the legal system works. I hope the DOJ

gets to continue their investigation of Zimmerman that was set aside when Florida took over. This country is crying out for justice in this tragic case.
True Zimmerman won't face death but he needs to pay some price for his reckless taking of a human life.

[FarPoint]

90. Hell...I'm fine with giving Zimmy endless nocturnal harassment.

Never sleeping with both eyes closed. Never giving him a day of not thinking about the murder. Win or loose, let him sweat.

[marshall]

60. They need to at least make an assessment

With all the public attention, they have to do something. Federal charges will be a uphill battle because they must show racial animus, which the FBI determined was not present here. However, let DOJ do its analysis.

[lumpy]

105. The DOJ stepped away from the case when Florida decided to do something about it and took over.

Now they are back on the job to try and get justice for everyone that cares about justice.

[Little Star]

122. Do you have a link to where the FBI determined that because....

I just heard on CNN that the FBI would be working with the justice department to see if there is enough for the civil rights case to proceed.

[marshall]

142. Here's Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2012/0712/FBI-report-No-evidence-George-Zimmerman-is-racist

I also found links to the documentation on Smoking Gun. It is fairly easy to find through a search engine.

[George II]

74. There are state laws and there are federal laws...

...their investigation is centered around any violation of federal law. That's not overstepping state authority.

[SkyDaddy7]

130. I agree with you...

Simply for the fact that an African American POTUS & his African American AG will be seen as overstepping his jurisdiction HOWEVER if it were a White Republican like George Bush Sr. then it would be perfectly OK to go after Zimmerman...Bush Sr. went after the LA Cops after they got off.

[mick063]

3. Just another example

of the Federal government going South to examine "justice".

There is history to this.

At least the Sheriff was not chewing Redman in court with a smirk on his face.

[BainsBane]

24. There is good reason for it.

[AllINeedIsCoffee]

4. Pleased to hear this.

[HiPointDem]

5. kr

[kaiden]

11. Tray on Martin's family can also file a civil suit.

Ron Goldman's father filed a civil suit against OJ Simpson and won.

[Skittles]

15. you may need to check the "v" on your keyboard

[alp227]

34. The problem is that Zimmerman may be immune due to self-defense,

and his defense attorney will cite his acquittal as immunity cause. See this Volokh Conspiracy article.

[msanthrope]

37. He can ask a court for a hearing. But he will have to testify and win. nt

[Mr. David]

39. What GZ did was not self-defense. Not SYG.

He murdered Trayvon Martin and should be made to be owned by the Martin family for the rest of his life. Indentured servant.

[msanthrope]

42. I agree. nt

[1monster]

51. Only under state laws. The Feds are not bound by state statute.

[alp227]

83. What...it's possible to file a wrongful death suit in FEDERAL court?

If it's true it's something I've never known.

[1monster]

96. A civil rights suit is filed in Federal Court.

[alp227]

98. I thought wrongful death laws existed in states, too.

Justia says: "In the United States, state law governs wrongful death actions."

[1monster]

100. I think we are talking apples and oranges. This thread was about a federal civil rights review...

You seem to be talking other than a denial of civil rights law suit.

[alp227]

114. Ah I get it. But "civil suit" those words threw me off a bit. nt

[ceonupe]

104. Watch eric holders press Confrence on this from last year

You will the burden is even higher than the state faced

Don't want you to get disappointed but I highly doubt you see federal charges of hate crimes or civil rights violations. Very low probability.

People reference the King beating case forget they were police officers.


I encourage you to watch the DOJ press Confrence on this and respond back

[Lint Head]

13. The word "review" bothers me. It is too vanilla. The next thing we will hear from the

corporately owned system is, "Well, we reviewed it and everything is just fine. Nothing to see here." Recent history has proven that reviews and committees result in reports and condemnation. Kinda like 'sticks and stone'. Words. Action is needed and needed now. The system must change starting with ending corporations defined as persons. That would go a long way in defining corporate contributions as bribery as opposed to donations. The justice system and the political system is wholly owned by corporate theocratic fascists. Name number one is ALEC. Art Pope in North Carolina is another. The Kochs are another. Their military are the privately owned security firms that they employ and the local police departments that their followers contribute weapons and money to. I know personally of a local business man that bought the entire police department of a small town their guns. They had to pay for their own guns. He was considered charitable. So guess who they were politically beholding to if he, his wife children or relatives were involved in some kind of crime? This happened a while ago and the man is now dead. This is happening nationally on a larger scale all the time today. We give military aid to other countries so they can turn around and buy weapons from U.S. manufacturers. What does that have to do with Trayvon Martin? Everything. The entire system is infected with greed and is corrupt and needs to be totally overhauled from top to bottom.

'Placating the masses' is a big cash cow for public relations firms and the federal government spends a lot of tax payers money to buy and promote propaganda for the corporations that own them. Just ask any independent major professional video and audio company who their biggest clients are. I have done it several times and the answer is always the same.

"We the People" do not have this kind of clout. They know we don't and are beating us down one punch at a time.

I hope I am completely wrong and just some cynical naysayer. But hope is all I have.

[marions ghost]

134. "The system must change, starting with ending corporations defined as persons"

--that was the sneakiest thing the RethugliCons ever did.

[Kingofalldems]

17. So if he is indicted, DU will experience another gun troll repub invasion

claiming DU is all emotional and stuff.

[Owl]

25. K&R

[PoliticAverse]

26. "The department opened an investigation into Martin's death last year"

The FBI did the investigation and some of their findings were released to the public as a result of the state trial...

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-07-12/news/os-george-zimmerman-evidence-release-20120712_1_trayvon-martin-neighborhood-watch-volunteer-george-zimmerman

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/12/us-usa-florida-shooting-idUSBRE86B1AD20120712

[John2]

143. You just

produced two articles that has information that wasn't presented in the Trial by either side. The person that Zimmerman stayed with was a former Seminole County police officer and he also attended the investigation with Serino? He also claimed something conflicting from all the statements presented in the Trial by Zimmerman. He claimed Zimmerman told him he made eye contact with two witnesses while apparently getting beat.

The infomation from his ex was very interesting also about Zimmerman getting angry very easily and being protective and territorial. That is two people should have been witnesses for the prosecution. I also think it is interesting about him buying all these guns.

Let me also point out something about detective Serino. He seemed like he was coaching or tipping Zimmerman off about the weaknesses in his testimony. It also seems like this guy has friends within the police department or working with it. The Black community has made numerous complaints concerning the Sanford police Department about protecting friends of police within that community against complaints.

I did not know Zimmerman had a forrnal Seminole county police officer as a friend. This has every indication of a potential cover up by police. Serino claimed Zimmerman profiled Martin because of his clothing and attributed it to certain gangs in the area. One of the witnesses that testified for the defense, didn't say anything about clothing, she specifically claims it was because of race. She claimed two young Black males.

Trayvon should have been able to go to the store and back without being accosted by Zimmerman. Some people have justified that by saying Zimmerman had a right to stalked Trayvon and used the excuse of being captain of neighborhood watch. This is all about race. His actions in this case was racially motivated. If Serino wants to make the case about attire, then he should be more specific about what gangs he was referring too and the type of hoodies. He needs to tell what gang in that area wears that type of hoodie as a symbol and why would Zimmerman have such knowledge of it? It is a very good sign he was covering up and shoring up the weaknesses in Zimmerman's testimony if he can't provide such evidence.

[truebluegreen]

27. Big Whoop.

I'm pretty sure they won't be able to "find" anything amiss.

[Avalux]

29. Yes! Then move onto the bigger issue of the flawed law which allowed Z to get off. n/t

[coeur_de_lion]

36. Yes. Yes. Let's keep a positive attitude

One way or another Zimmy pays for what he did.

I don't think the country will stand for anything less.

[ceonupe]

106. Our system does not work that way

You will soon find out.


Watch the DOJ press Confrence from last year. Not the burden of proof is higher than the states was.

[coeur_de_lion]

109. Having a negative attitude about it won't make it better

One way or another this guy will pay. I'm counting on it.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

41. good! n/t

[hopemountain]

46. great to hear!

i did not watch the entire trial - but it seemed to me the prosecution was not too invested in justice for trayvon because what they all seemed to be really defending - were the actions/inactions of the sanford police. this is my opinion.

[WestSeattle2]

52. So to get this straight - the DOJ cowers in fear from well-heeled banksters - none of whom have

been charged with fraud, SEC violations, outright theft, or any of the myriad of other laws broken that precipitated the largest financial collapse in world history, but yet the DOJ is all in to throw the full power and resources of the federal government against some wannabe cop in South Florida?

Wow.

[treestar]

68. There is no reason to bring that up here

How awful to bring that up in a case talking about the death of a 17-year-old.

[WestSeattle2]

141. Really? And just what is so "awful" about bringing up this striking comparison? Do you not

think untold hundreds have committed suicide due to their economic plight, which can be directly attributed to the economic collapse, triggered by the greed and lawlessness of banksters?

Get off your high horse and look at our DOJ.

Now THAT is awful.

[treestar]

145. A 17 year old kid is stalked and murdered

Suicide is a choice - and can have many causes. This general demand to prosecute unknown people for non-specific crimes has nothing to do with this boy's death.

[Egalitarian Thug]

111. No. They won't. There's no win possible for them in this case. n/t

[Iliyah]

55. And protesting non-violently

across the country. Z's father said he won't get peace and will forever be haunted by not killing a 17 year old, but for his own safety.

I welcome the news, thank you.

[99th_Monkey]

56. Can't happen soon enough! For once I salute Holder's decision on this one. eom

[totodeinhere]

77. He hasn't made a decision yet. They said they are reviewing the case but no decision

has been made about whether to indict or not.

[99th_Monkey]

102. I mean the DoJ's "decision" to even review the case at all, and then publicly announce it as well.

so it's a two-fer.

On edit: I also don't think Holder would be doing this so openly, unless he intended
to prosecute in all likelihood. What would be the point otherwise.

[miked62916]

62. great news

Here's hoping justice will be served in the end.

[WCLinolVir]

63. I hope they are able to rectify this. I feel even less safe than I did before.

Knowing this guy could easily victimize someone else, and someone like him will get away with murder. He should have to undergo a psych eval. He really is ill. IMHO.

[SoCalMusicLover]

64. Yawn

I guess they need something to Waste their time on. It ain't going nowhere though. But they'll make it look nice and pretty, as if they were TRYING to do something.

I guess it's better than them going after people for smoking pot.

[RedCappedBandit]

70. Interesting perspective

When you consider that this is the same Department of "Justice" that thinks spending our tax dollars on prosecuting pot smokers is a legitimate exercise, 'yawn' does seem to be the perfect response.

[SoCalMusicLover]

75. It's All Window Dressing

Not much will come of it, but they'll do the dog and pony show to appease people who are outraged.

Eric Holder is too busy listening to our telephone calls and reading our emails to actually do something about this particular situation.

But if a pot dispensary were to open, he'll get right on closing that down.

[fascisthunter]

69. Big Industry, corporations Own this country

I have no faith in our government. Our government is run by big money, and the gun industry is big money in the US.

So if you can make a case in whitch you fear for your life, you can shoot and kill people. You are now judge and jury... perfect loophole for every psychopath out there. Oh, and you now will feel the need to also buy a gun, so the NRA who placed the law, Stand Your Ground" will now help the gun industry to sell guns to more people. We live in an extremely chaotic system which places money over life, except for the wealthy.

[Skittles]

76. the man is a PROVEN THREAT TO SOCIETY

[OneGrassRoot]

81. Zimmerman or Sanford PD? n/t

[red dog 1]

82. Thanks for posting this...MO, this is definitely good news.

Even if DOJ decides ultimately that it lacks sufficient evidence for a federal civil rights trial against Zimmerman; at least they are willing to investigate the case.

(Now if they would just go after those bankers responsible for the economic meltdown)

[anomiep]

84. Does anyone know what specific federal civil rights statutes he could possibly be charged under?

Zimmerman wasn't acting as the agent of a government. What civil rights statutes are actually applicable, given that?

[ceonupe]

107. You won't get answers from the angry mob

They want "their" justice legal system be damned.

[itsrobert]

110. Sorta like the Zimmerman legal system

where 1 person is judge, jury, and executioner?

[B Stieg]

88. “The Arc of the Moral Universe Is Long, but It Bends Toward Justice”

gotta remember
got to remember

[Spazito]

93. Good!

State's case is complete now it is time to address Trayvon Martin's civil rights being violated, something which was deemed inadmissible in Zimmerman's trial.

Kudos to the Justice Department for not letting this slide.

[Walter-White]

94. How? What could they try him? I could see a Civil case TM family could Sue GZ.

What could they do? They cant try him again due to Double Jeopardy. They can try him to anything connected with the death of TM. The state had their one shot and failed.

[mwrguy]

99. Even if they don't win they can rake him over the coals for another year or two.

I want his life to be a living hell even if he is technically a free man.

[Cleita]

103. Good. At least it will be kept alive for the time being. Let's hope

justice prevails in the end.

[Egalitarian Thug]

108. I'll beleive it when I see it.

This President and his Goldman-Sachs administration are not going to go down this road.

As usual, I hope I'm wrong, but I'm not.

[Conium]

115. An eye for an eye is the Biblical solution.

Let the angry mob handle this.

[David__77]

116. Nothing will come from this, of course.

And, if it did, it would be terribly damaging to the administration politically. I haven't followed the particulars of the case to have an opinion on guilt or innocence for murder or manslaughter, but the fact is that there was an acquittal. The threshold here is even higher.

[pacalo]

117. K&R.

[bravenak]

118. I want that man in court for the next ten years. I want him to worry like Trayvons family everyday.

I want him to regret his decisions. I want him to never feel comfortable. I want him to feel black for a while. I hope he gains another 200 pounds.

[bravenak]

132. He'll remain a child killer in the eyes of America.

And fat, really fat. He won't try to chase any more kids.

[Owl]

119. So what do you think that'll amount to?

[napkinz]

123. good!

nt

[Warpy]

127. Good idea, Martin definitely had his civil right to be exactly where he was violated.

I know Martin's parents are also planning a wrongful death civil suit, which they should win handily, even in Florida.

However, even if the Federal court decides to pass and so do the Martins, Zimmerman will be back in the pokey in the future, probably when his daddy has gone on to his eternal rest and can no longer pull legal strings for Sonny Boy.

His character flaws will ensure it.

[Helen Borg]

129. Wow!

I'm sure they'll be attacked viciously for doing this.

[darkangel218]

135. Its not over, until is over.

And its not over yet.

[marble falls]

147. For depriving Trayvon of his civil rights? The Feds still have to use this vehical to convict....

racists after all these years. Sad, sad, sad. Racism is not dead or even dying.

[LongTomH]

150. I've been hoping for this!

If this is the only remedy for bringing a racially motivated murderer to justice, so be it!

[libodem]

151. Big pudgy dope

Can't fight after a year of training and is allowed to write the narrative of Travon's last words and actions. It bothers me. I wrote a hide worthy post rewriting, the narrative so Zimmerman, wouldn't like what was said about him. I was wrong and I'm sorry. I came off looking like the hater.

It backfired. I'm ashamed of myself. Please try to forgive me.

[madokie]

154. We can damn sure hope so