Apr 11, 2012

Trayvon Martin: George Zimmerman To Be Charged

A Florida prosecutor is to bring charges later against a neighbourhood watch volunteer who shot an unarmed black teenager, officials said.

Angela Corey's decision is to be announced at 18:00 (22:00 GMT) in Jacksonville, Florida.

It is not clear what charges, if any, George Zimmerman, 28, could face over the February killing of Trayvon Martin.

On Tuesday, Mr Zimmerman's lawyers said they had lost contact with him and were not aware of his location.
Ms Corey's office had indicated on Tuesday that she would make an announcement on the case within 72 hours.

Mr Zimmerman has said he shot the 17-year-old in self-defence during a confrontation at a gated community in Sanford, Florida, on the outskirts of Orlando.

Florida's controversial "stand your ground" law grants individuals leeway to use deadly force if they feel seriously under threat.

On Tuesday, US Attorney General Eric Holder said that the justice department would take action if it finds evidence that a civil rights crime was committed.

The Department of Justice launched an investigation into Mr Martin's death three weeks ago.

Also on Tuesday Mr Zimmerman's lawyers said they were withdrawing as his legal counsel since he was not returning their phone calls and appeared to be acting independently.

Lawyers Hal Uhrig and Craig Sonner said Mr Zimmerman had tried to contact the special prosecutor without consulting them first and had launched a website that they were unaware of until they began receiving queries about it.

"He's gone on his own. I'm not sure what he's doing or who he's talking to," Mr Sonner told reporters.
They added that they had concerns about Mr Zimmerman's emotional state and that he "may not be in complete control" of the situation.

Martin's death has sparked a nationwide debate about racial profiling and prompted protests around the US demanding Mr Zimmerman's arrest.

Earlier this week Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett said the Orlando suburb was like a "kindling box" amid community tensions over the case.

Trayvon Martin's family and supporters have said Mr Zimmerman killed him in cold blood. They allege he suspected the teenager was a criminal based on his race and the fact he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt.

The neighbourhood watchman's supporters say he only opened fire after the teenager attacked him, broke his nose and banged his head against the pavement.

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