Trayvon Martin: The Latest, Week 40

Friday, Dec. 7, 11:56 a.m. EST: Zimmerman and his attorneys say NBC practiced "yellow journalism":  More from the recently announced lawsuit: Zimmerman and his attorneys say the way the network improperly edited video represents "yellow journalism," and theyclaim NBC never apologized for "trying to paint Zimmerman as a hostile racist who targeted Martin because of his race." The suit points out that Zimmerman has since faced death threats that force him to live in hiding and wear a bulletproof vest, NPR reports.

Thursday, Dec. 6, 6:56 p.m. EST: Zimmerman Sues NBC: TMZ is reporting that Zimmerman has filed a lawsuit against the network over the way it edited the 911 call he placed moments before Trayvon Martin was shot, making it sound as if Zimmerman immediately told police that Trayvon was black, when in fact he did so only after being prompted. 

Tuesday, Dec. 6, 11:38 a.m. EST: Zimmerman's neighbors' views on race: None of the neighbors interviewed by the FBI agents said they had ever heard Zimmerman make a disparaging remark about racial or ethnic minorities, WPTV reports. But one lifelong Sanford, Fla., resident told FBI agents that many residents felt Zimmerman would have been arrested immediately if he had been black. The interviews, released by Zimmerman's attorney, reflect the scope of the U.S. Justice Department's civil rights investigation into Trayvon's shooting.

Wednesday, Dec. 5, 6:10 p.m. EST: Defense lawyers release FBI interviews of Zimmerman's neighbors: FBI agents interviewed George Zimmerman's neighbors and asked whether he was racist. They also questioned other residents about the legacy of racism in the town where Trayvon Martin was shot and killed, the Associated Press reports. None of the neighbors interviewed said they had ever heard Zimmerman make a disparging remark about racial or ethnic minorities, according to documents released by Zimmerman's lawyers in the racially charged case.

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 11:45 a.m. EST: Defense says bloody photo creates doubt: Lawyers for George Zimmerman believe that a newly released color photo showing him with a bloody nose on the night Trayvon Martin was killed creates doubt about the strength of the murder case against the neighborhood-watch volunteer, ABC News reports. It's the latest piece of evidence the defense will use in a "Stand your ground" self-defense hearing in which a decision for Zimmerman could mean he never actually goes to trial for second-degree murder.

Monday, Dec. 3, 2:33 p.m. EST: New photo: Zimmerman with a bloody nose: A new photo showing a bloodied Zimmerman has just been released to Zimmerman's defense website. The text accompanying it reads, "This is a photo of George Zimmerman taken by a police officer on the night of February 26, 2012. A black and white photocopy of this image was provided by the State in the first Discovery." Read more at Global Grind.

Monday, Dec. 3, 11:13 a.m. EST: Trayvon Martin's parents are honored in Detroit: Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton were recognized Sunday night in Detroit for a national effort they're spearheading through the Trayvon Martin Foundation to aid those facing struggles similar to the one they faced when their 17-year-old son was gunned down by George Zimmerman, the Detroit News reports. "The purpose is to help families going through a similar tragedy to ours cope with their loss," Tracy Martin said before the Detroit Central United Methodist Church's 8th annual Peace & Justice Banquet at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. "No one sets themselves up to lose a child. The recovery to it is endless."

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.

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