Monday, April 9, 2012

Trayvon Martin: Police department shut down to public

SANFORD, Florida - Sanford officials have shut down the Sanford Police Department to the public today after Trayvon Martin protesters blocked the entrance into the building.  Moments later, Phillip Agnew and Stephen Green, leaders of the Dream Defenders, were called into the Police Department after Special Prosecutor Angela Corey asked to speak with them over the phone.

Green, 19, of Orlando, exited police headquarters, saying Corey, state attorney in Duval, Clay and Nassau counties, told protest leaders the process was continuing.

Earlier today, Corey announced there would be no grand jury in the case.

City Manager Norton Bonaparte, Jr. said the demonstration had forced him to shut down police headquarters.

VIDEO

READ MORE

Trayvon Martin: No grand jury in case

SANFORD, Floroda - The special prosecutor assigned to the Trayvon Martin shooting investigation now says she will not take the case before a grand jury tomorrow, as had been scheduled.

Angela Corey, special prosecutor in the case and state attorney for Duval, Clay and Nassau counties, said Monday that her investigation will continue, but the grand jury will not hear the case. Corey stressed in a statement that the decision to forego the scheduled grand jury proceedings did not reflect whether or not there will ultimately be a prosecution in the case.

In lieu of a grand jury, Corey's office can choose on its own whether or not to charge George Zimmerman with a crime in the death of 17-year-old Trayvon on Feb. 26.

"The decision should not be considered a factor in the final determination of the case," Corey's office said in a statement. Gov. Rick Scott appointed Corey as special prosecutor March 22.

"At this time, the investigation continues and there will be no further comment," the statement says. "From the moment she was assigned, Ms. Corey noted she may not need a Grand Jury."

READ MORE

Trayvon Martin killing: UNITED NATIONS human rights chief calls for investigation

UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay has called for an "immediate investigation" into the circumstances surrounding the death of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teen who was shot dead by a volunteer neighbourhood watchman in Florida.

Ms Pillay made the comments about the controversial case at a press conference in Barbados, as she wrapped up a three-day visit to the Caribbean island nation.

"As High Commissioner for Human Rights, I call for an immediate investigation," she said.
"Justice must be done for the victim. It's not just this individual case. It calls into question the delivery of justice in all situations like this."

READ MORE

Student marchers arrive in Sanford, call for action in Trayvon Martin case

SANFORD, Florida - In front of dozens of college students packed into a church sanctuary Sunday night, Sanford City Commissioner Velma Williams said she believes the majority of the city's police officers are good people.

However, "there is a cancer within the department that must be eradicated," Williams said as many in the crowded church stood and cheered.

Williams made the comments at a rally at the Allen Chapel AME Church put together by the Dream Defenders, a group of student leaders and others who had just completed a three-day, 40-mile march from Daytona Beach to Sanford as an effort to inspire youth to talk about the issues surrounding the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

While the rally included music, students loudly spoke out against the police department's handling of the investigation and for not arresting shooter George Zimmerman. A special prosecutor is now investigating.

Phillip Agnew, a Florida A&M University alumnus who took part in the march, angrily asked: "Why hasn't there been an arrest?"  He then encouraged the students to continue speaking out about the Trayvon shooting long after Sunday's event.

READ MORE

No comments:

Post a Comment