Trayvon Martin’s killer – neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman , who has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of unarmed Martin – made his first court appearance today for the highly publicized and controversial slaying of seventeen-year-old Martin.
Zimmerman made his first court appearance in the Trayvon Martin murder case just after 1:30 p.m. as he entered the courtroom in handcuffs with his new lawyer, Mark O’Mara, and police officer in tow. He acknowledged that he was being charged with second-degree murder as spoke briefly saying “Yes, sir” a couple of times. He did not enter a plea.
The judge presiding over the criminal case agreed that probable cause existed and that the case would proceed with a formal arraignment set for May 29, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. (ET). Until his arraignment, Zimmerman is being held in protective custody, without the option of bail, at Seminole County Jail in Sanford, Florida. Sanford is where the shooting of Martin occurred.
O’Mara, Zimmerman’s lawyer, said that his client would plead not guilty.
Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon’s mother, went on the Today show and retracted her earlier statements regarding her son’s fatal shooting as an accident. She was quoted by MSNBC having said:
“ George Zimmerman stalked by son and murdered him in cold blood.”
Initially, Fulton had said, “I believe it was an accident. I believe that it just got out of control and he couldn’t turn back the clock.”
Whatever the case, it appears as if Zimmerman, charged with second-degree murder, will receive a fair trial now that he has been formally arraigned on at least one criminal charge.
What are your thoughts on Trayvon Martin’s killer, George Zimmerman, being charged with second-degree murder and his alleged not guilty plea?
Zimmerman Trial: First Court Appearance :
