Travyon Martin: The Latest, Week 9

Friday, May 4, 10:15 a.m. EDT: Source: Zimmerman says that Trayvon circled his SUV and frightened him: George Zimmerman told investigators that while he was on the phone with a Sanford police dispatcher reporting Trayvon Martin as suspicious, the teenager was circling his vehicle on foot, a source familiar with the investigation told the Orlando Sentinel. The source said Zimmerman claimed to be so unnerved by the teen's behavior that he rolled up his window to avoid a confrontation. However, he never mentioned any of that while talking to the dispatcher.

Thursday, May 3, 9:36 a.m. EDT: Trayvon case spurs other investigations around the country: With Trayvon's killer, George Zimmerman, now facing second-degree-murder charges, cases that activists say would otherwise have been swept under the rug are gaining new momentum. According to the Kansas City Star, the phenomenon has lifted the veil on dozens of questionable shootings around the nation where police or prosecutors carried out lackluster investigations or were perceived to have protected law enforcement.

Wednesday, May 2, 3:11 p.m. EDT: George Zimmerman's Myspace page unearthed: The page was unearthed Wednesday by the Miami Herald, which confirmed its authenticity with Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, TPM reports. On it, Zimmerman went by the alias Joe G. and username onlytobekingagain. In one section, he reportedly wrote, "I dont miss driving around scared to hit mexicans walkin on the side of the street, soft ass wanna be thugs messin with peoples cars when they aint around (what are you provin, that you can dent a car when no ones watchin) dont make you a man in my book," and "Workin 96 hours to get a decent pay check, gettin knifes pulled on you by every mexican you run into!"

Wednesday, May 2, 9:18 a.m. EDT: Sanford names interim police chief: An interim police chief has been chosen in Sanford, Fla., where the controversial handling of the Trayvon Martin murder has sparked national outrage, the Los Angeles Times reports. A news release Tuesday announced that Richard Myers, a 35-year police veteran who formerly headed the Colorado Springs, Colo., police department, is expected to begin leading the department at the end of this week. But the release also notes that the original chief, Bill Lee, remains on paid administrative leave.

Tuesday, May 1, 7:50 a.m. ET: Task force wants changes to "Stand your ground": The statewide task force to review Florida's "Stand your ground" law will begin its work today, but Florida state Sen. Chris Smith, who formed his own task force, is recommending that the law be rewritten to make it more difficult for defendants to claim self-defense, the Miami Herald reports. 

Monday, April 30, 11 a.m. ET: Zimmerman defense team launches site: George Zimmerman's defense attorney has established a new website, Facebook and Twitter accounts to provide details about the case, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Mark O'Mara, who represents Zimmerman in the case surrounding the shooting death of unarmed Florida teen Trayvon Martin, told the Sentinel that he acknowledges that it is  "unusual for a legal defense to maintain a social media presence on behalf of a defendant, but we also acknowledge that this is a very unusual case."

Sunday, April 29, 10:15 p.m. ET: Judge says Zimmerman can keep $200,000: George Zimmerman, the man charged with killing Trayvon Martin, can keep the more than $200,000 raised online through his website -- for now, a Florida judge ruled April 27. Zimmerman's lawyer disclosed the money to CNN's Anderson Cooper last Thursday, admitting that it might have affected the accused's bond hearing.

Read last week's updates on the Trayvon Martin case here.

Read all of The Root's news and commentary about the Trayvon Martin case here.

Like The Root on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. 

 

Tweet