I have made it a point not to get involved in the back-and-forth over the February 26 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in Sanford, Fla. I have done so because, just as the author of what might have been one of the more objective pieces written on this tragedy, I also “[a]m not sure what happened the night [Zimmerman] confronted Trayvon Martin, but that it would be up to the Court to determine that.”
I also fully agree with the author’s statement that, “Zimmerman needs this trial almost as much as the Martin family does. Perhaps everyone does. We need to learn exactly what happened that night, to put ourselves in Zimmerman’s – and Martin’s – shoes, and determine exactly how and why a 17 year old kid’s life ended.”
And, finally, I also agree with the fact that there has been an awful lot of unnecessary and incendiary media hoopla, unwarranted and at times ugly accusations from both “sides” — what a shame to have to use that word, “sides,” in what should be a straightforward law enforcement case,.
But then I came to the parts where in my honest opinion, some of that objectivity, impartiality and clear-headedness gets blurred:
What happened that night has become a screen for people to project their own biases and fears thanks to the politicization of the murder by the Obama administration, the Justice Department, and race-baiter Al Sharpton.
Let’s look at the timeline of this tragic event.
The fatal shooting occurred on February 26, 2012.
That same evening, Zimmerman was taken into custody by the Sanford police and released without charges.
Except for Martin’s parents pleading for two weeks for an investigation, for Zimmerman’s arrest, there was no public outcry for a thorough investigation, no demands for justice, no “railroading” of Zimmerman “by an administration keen to please its minority base and a special prosecutor doing its bidding.”
Finally, during the period March 13-15, 2012, the story went national. There was a public outcry. Regrettably, some fringe groups got involved and demanded that Zimmerman be arrested, or worse.
On March 19, 2012, three full weeks after the shooting, the Department of Justice announced that it will investigate the shooting. I assume this is the “the politicization of the murder by the Justice Department,” as suggested by the writer.
On March 22, 2012, rallies calling for George Zimmerman’s arrest start taking place across the country. Al Sharpton and NAACP President Ben Jealous join Martin’s parents and hundreds of others appear at a rally in Sanford. This must be the “politicization of the murder by race-baiter Al Sharpton” as suggested by the writer.
On March 23, 2012, nearly one month after the shooting, President Barack Obama comments on the case, saying he thinks the shooting should be investigated and tells reporters: “If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon.” This must be “the politicization of the murder by the Obama administration” as suggested by the writer.
On the same day, Florida Gov. Rick Scott appoints state attorney Angela Corey as a special prosecutor to look into the case. He also creates a task force to look into the state’s “stand your ground” self-defense law, which has come under fire nationwide.
I don’t know if the governor made the appointment before or after the “politicization of the murder by the Obama administration” on the same day.
On April 3, 2012, the FBI announces it has opened its own investigation into the Martin shooting. More “politicization” of the murder.
On April 11, 2012, 44 days after the shooting, special prosecutor Angela Corey announces that Zimmerman is being charged with second-degree murder in the shooting and that he is in police custody.
You know the rest of the story.
I do not believe that any so-called “politicization of the murder” by anyone has led to the full and proper investigation of the shooting.
I believe that it was the demand by millions of decent Americans that has led to justice finally being done, despite any politicization by both sides, despite the unsavory tactics by some groups, on both sides, despite the possibility that “What happened that night has become a screen for people to project their own biases and fears.”
In fact, I do believe that Justice will win in the Zimmerman trial.
Parts of timeline from CBS News
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.