Trayvon Martin's brother: Starting to get justice
Anderson Cooper asked Trayvon Martin's mother and brother, Sybrina Fulton and Jahvaris, to describe what it was like to see George Zimmerman in custody. "It actually helps a little to see that the person who shot and killed Trayvon will be held accountable for what he has done," said his soft-spoken mother. "I'm relieved that it's happened. We, finally, are starting to get some justice for my brother. So I'm happy about that," said Jahvaris.
The family was accompanied by their lawyer, Benjamin Crump. He talked about the legal battle they're facing in the weeks and months ahead, "This the first base, really, in the true sense of the word...we're preparing ourselves for the long journey. It took us so long to just get to this point."
On the issue of Zimmerman getting released on Bond, Crump questioned whether he could be a flight risk. "We already saw a lot of erratic behavior on his part," he said.
Fulton was asked to clarify a comment she made earlier on another program calling the fatal shooting accidental. "It was taken out of context," she said. "The actual encounter was an accident...I think it was deliberate. He got out of that vehicle with the intent to shoot and kill my son, and that's what I believe, that's what I've said from the start, that he chased my son down like an animal and he killed him."
Jahvaris told Anderson what he would like people to know about his brother, "I would like them to remember that he wasn't this violent, confrontational person that George Zimmerman is making him out to be." "He was just a regular kid," he said.
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Post by: Anderson Cooper Filed under: Trayvon Martin |
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I am sick of this story. The guy is in custody already. Let it go !!!!
Do the crime, Do the time all I can say!!!
It's interesting how they already have George Zimmerman already convicted, and he hasn't had a hearing yet. I also think it's interesting the way they have this picture of trayvon who looks like he's 13 years old posted all over tv but yet in fact his real picture shows him a 17 year old 6 foot 3 and weighing 170 pounds flashing a gang sign with tatoo's all over him. I would be more afraid of Trayvon then George Zimmerman
That doesnt mean he had to chase him down the street with a gun and kill him. (After he was told not to) No matter what a person looks like. Afte the police is called you let them handle it. He just saw someone walking down the street and asumed he was a criminal?!!
This is crazy!
that's sad , hoodies for Trayvon Martin .. and he will always be remembered R.I.P<333 ..
Zimmerman know he was wrong for what he did ..
...there's a serious hate crime in Baltimore that needs attention...an entire neighborhood of hate crime perps just ripe for the picking...why arent Trayvon Martins parents in Baltimore calling for justice?...NO JUSTICE NO PEACE?.. yeah, right...
The mother said it herself: "Moving into their trial. Getting him sentenced." The family has clearly already made up their mind that they want G.Z. convicted as soon as possible as guilty until proven innocent.
you mean to tell me that you want be like them if that was your son?
Can someone tell me how can anyone jump on you and beat you up when you have a gun??? peoples forget that this man killed someone son!!! you do the crime you do the time,,,, He should have just stayed in his car like he was told to do!!!
This happens everyday so why is this story worth more than any other? I would also like to know when the new race dubbed "white hispanic" came to be. Anything to add fuel to the fire by way of the media.
Zimmemerman took his loaded gun with him as he chased Trayvon down...thats deadly intent, instigation and aggression. Trayvon was minding his OWN BUSINESS. Zimmerman was to watch and report. Zimmerman is nothing more or less than a stranger/stalker/potential kidnapper/pedophile like Jaycee Dugard's predator.
Like many parents: You do not talk to strangers. You do not go up or off with strangers and if they try to grab or detain you FIGHT BACK to get away from the stranger!
It was... It wasn't... Hmmm...
I'm sorry for your loss.
Apparently they are not addressing why he was kicked out of school for having in his position a baggy with CDS residue! They should have said maybe he was picking trash up on the school yard so people would not think he was a dealer!
I hope you are not father talking, but am happy there is a God cause he has a plan for GZ than you can judge Gods decision on the punishment toward him.
Lou50 Apparently they are not addressing Zimmerman past felony charges...do you really want to go there?
Yeah, and the Zimmerman family forgot to talk about how George was arrested for assaulting a police officer. Lets see, which one is more relevant to this case? hmmm
Why does matter???? Just because a child is suspended from school does not give anyone the right to stalk, attack, and kill someone in cold blood. You people are focusing on the wrong thing. Trayvon was unarmed and murdered 70 feet from his dad back door.
He also had a screwdriver and 13 pieces of women's jewelry in his bag. He said a friend gave it to him.
He's not on trial...he's dead, so it doesn't matter what he had on him. What matters is that someone shot and killed this young man and it wasn't justified. Should someone put you on trial for the wrong you've done today???? Should someone just pull out a gun and shoot you because of your color or even because they're upset because you look like you don't like black people? The point I'm trying to make is its ridiculous PERIOD!!!
@lou50 it doesnt matter if he was a drug dealer, con artist, or all around bad kid! or whatever these people are making him out to be what matter is the facts we have on this terrible crime! zimmerman killed him for no apperent reason! and becaus he might have been suspended from school for whatever doesnt give anyone to kill him nor bash his character! after death. that women still lost her child!!!
I hope that Zimmerman sticks to his B.S. story. I am not an attorney, yet, even I, can punch a load of holes in his story. I look forword to the trial and pray that justice prevails. This was so preventable. However, if we as a people don't fight these STAND YOUR GROUND laws. we will be burying a lot more Trayvon Martins.
I completely agree cruzing on your statement that these laws should be repelled. To be honest; without this tragedy, I don't think many people would have even realized these laws existed. Good luck in your educational endeavors. I'm sure you'll make a fine lawyer some day (smile).
I agree
Stand your ground law wasn't relevant here, try again. It was preventable because Zimmerman should've just backed off instead of escalating. Even if Martin was beating him senseless, it would not have happened if he'd kept his distance. Worst case, Martin sees Zimmerman and gets angry. Zimmerman should've backed down – "I don't have any problem, I just didn't recognize you sir, we've had some concerned neighbors, I hope you have a good evening." Done. DONE. You pick up a gun to defend yourself. That means being able to keep your cool and not make a suspicious situation into a confrontation. No "stand your ground" at play here.
"He got out of that vehicle with the intent to shoot and kill my son"
Yeah, right......I know whenever I want to kill someone, I always call 911 first.
....if he didn't intend to kill he would have left his cell and his 9mm in his SUV before running Trayvon down.
Yeah, Zimmerman was sooo fearful of his life he drove in the direction of danger, parked, unhooked his seatbelt, left the safety of his LOCKED SUV and got out in close proximity to the SUSPICIOUS stranger and ran after him with his 9 loaded....as opposed to driving AWAY from suspicious danger and await the REAL police.
Cammie, you bring up an excellent point I don't think anyone has mentioned before. He absolutely could have stayed within the safe confines of his vehicle and drove around the complex to see where Trayvon was going if he was that concerned for his safety. If I thought I saw a "suspicious" character lurking around our neighborhood, the LAST thing I would do is follow him. You have no idea who that person is or what his intent is. I think Zimmerman had a false sense of machismo for the simple fact that he was carrying a firearm and knew he would use it if there was a confrontation. Why else would someone go chasing after or even follow an unknown?
I could not have said that BETTER ! So true , and sad !
He had a gun, and he got out of his vehicle, confronted and shot and killed her son. Why? To play tiddlywinks?
Most that call 911 also follow the instructions of the dispatcher.....Zimmerman didn't.
Well what was his intent? Please don't say Zimmerman feared for his life ,becasue if that was the case he would not have chase Trayvon down. What if that was your son . Nor did Zimmerman do what the police told him to do ! He countiued to chase down this young man and for what ? What was he doing ? What did he do? Nothing other than being a black young man! Trayvon was fearful for his life he was running away from Zimmerman he didn't understand why he was being chased . A mother lost her child for no reason ! Think about that ! And is it ok to go around killing and chasing people you feel look SUSPICIUOS!...
Yep, he somehow knew that Trayvon would knock him to the ground and start bashing his head into the concrete, giving him just the excuse he was looking for. Okay.
That is the lawyer talking! What Ms Fulton said the first time is what she meant.
If you want to take these family members on what they have originally been quoted as saying, lets do the same with the Zimmerman family. The brother has said publicly that Trayvon attacked him from behind while the father says Trayvon walked right up to Zimmerman and addressed him verbally to his face. Zimmerman's brother says there was a fight for the gun, while Zimmerman's father mentions no such thing in his account of events. So which is it? It can't be both..or are you going to suggest this was a case of someone just misspeaking in front of a camera? My point being it happens.
I agree
I think Mrs. Fulton would know more what she meant than you would.
I love that much of the media continues to stoke the racial fires in this case even after there has been numerous examples of mis-information. And it seems like the Martin family and their lawyer have free reign to say what they want without even so much as a follow up question or clarification (e.g. "We've already seen a lot of erratic behavior on his part", when asked about GZ being a flight risk). What behavior is he talking about? GZ has been in hiding, fearing for his life because there's a bounty on his head (Dead or Alive) from the New Black Panthers and due to the manufactured racial element of this case (again thanks to the media and opportunists like Al Sharpton, this guy couldn't show his face anywhere. And when he was asked to surrender, he immediate made himself available. I'd say he is the perfect candidate to be released (as if being in public with this attention on him will be a picnic?
Just think about how this all started:
1. Since when has the term "White Hispanic" been used? If you saw GZ walking down the street I would bet most would think he was of hispanic origin.
2. Politicians coming out and saying "he hunted Trayvon down like a rabid dog and shot him in cold blood". This person was not at the scene and has no facts to back that up, but there she was front and center getting interviewed by every news network.
3. The 911 tape is edited to sound like GZ profiled him and had an issue with him being black. Ooopps. NBC then issues a lame excuse about how a "mistake" in editing happened and they are working to make sure it doesn't happen again. Oh yea, it's that simple, just shut Pandora's box.
4. Sound "experts" determine that GZ used a racial slur on the 911 tape. Now shows he said "punks".
5. Police video shows GZ doesn't appear to have any injury to the back of his head. Ooppss again.
6. The standard picture of GZ is of him in some sort of mug shot from 2006 while the family puts out a picture of a 9 year BOY which makes this look even worse. This helps create the image of some out of control racist attacking a poor innocent boy. Meanwhile, GZ has black family members, mentors young black kids, considers himself hispanic first.
So in essence, it's OK to deconstruct GZ but not face the realities of TM because he was killed? Was TM a good kid (based on school records, people who knew him, etc). And I have no idea what kind of kid he was and thats the point. Hasn't there been enough cases where the media and opportunists jumped to a conclusion, ruin someones life and then find out it was all wrong? Duke rape case anyone?
The fact that right wing America has turned out in such force arguing as vehemently as it is denying the racial aspects of this exposes that "this isn't about race" narrative that its trying so hard to sell.
Zimmerman may not be a racist(not saying he isn or isn't) but the Fox/GOP/ right wing response to this case absolutely is. The irony being of course, that if the Sanford PD hadn't behaved as egregiously cavalier about this as it did, we likely would even be here.
Forget race..ask yourself why a police officer battering, domestic violence perpetrator is given a free pass on killing a kid who is simply walking home from the store? That simply should not be ok..this should not happen to any kid, whatever color he is.
Why America's right wing is having such a hard time grasping that concept is..well..it's ridiculous, really. It's too ridiculous to believe.
Vince, while I agree the media is COMPLETELY out of control concerning this story; you have to remember that Zimmerman's family has also been allowed to say several contradicting statements without question. No offense, but some of the things Zimmerman's brother has mentioned on Piers Morgan actually sound pretty outrageous. For instance, in his last interview with Piers, Zimmerman's brother suggested that Trayvon was sitting on George's face and chest as George used his last dying breaths to scream for help...*Blink*...*Blink*...really? Sooo...Trayvon was sitting on George's face and chest while simultaneously bashing his head onto the sidewalk? I'm trying to picture it and it just doesn't ring true. And if it was George that was screaming for help, why did the screams IMMEDIATELY stop after the shot was fired? Hmmm??
Also...Fox news has continually portrayed Trayvon as a terrible kid embroiled in turmoil but they failed to mention Zimmerman's prior arrest, violent encounters, and problems with alcohol and anger management.
Again, I agree, in some respects, the media is being terribly irresponsible in reporting this story. But without the exposure, Trayvon's death would have been swept under the rug like so many others and the Stand Your Ground law would have not come under scrutiny.
Vince I am trying to comprehend what you wrote but the only questions you avoided was 1. Who was packing a Gun and 2. Who is Dead. 3. If Zimmeman was a real man and fought with his fist instead of a gun he would be facing charges of murder.
I agree with you Vince! This has been over talked for far too long! GZ's lawyer should request a "gag" order on all parties until this case has been concluded. This family and their lawyer are trying this case through the media, even after they were able to get GZ arrested. I have not picked a "side' in this case and will wait to hear all of the evidence and watch this trial as it unfolds. Anyone else that actually thinks they know exactly what happened is either speaking from the jail cell and is named George or are speaking through a median and is named Trayvon! Unless you are one of the two of them, you don't know Jack so sit back and let the REAL TRUTH come out! If he murdered Trayvon, then he will be held accountable. If it was justified and a jury of his peers finds him not guilty, then he will start a new life as a free man. Not a damn thing you can do about either!
Fact ..Zimmerman chase Trayvon down and shot and killed him. A mother lost her child because he looked suspicious ! Trayvon was not doing anything wrong ,just trying to make it home . Zimmerman has a record , what does that say about him . I don't care what color this man is . He chased down and killed Trayvon for NO REASON. He needs to go to jail . This is sad .My suspicios and your suspicious my be 2 different pictures , when is it ok to chase someone down and kill them because of the way they look . What give you the right ! Self defense ,PLEASE! When you the one doing the chasing ! Zimmerman never said sorry to this family ! Just sad!
You will see, justice will set Zimmerman free. All media best be ready for a law suit after the lynching they gave him. (innocent until proven guilty)
@D$.....totally agree
the prosecutor, Angela Corey, is over zealous & craving for more attention
As someone who cares for his community, I think Zimmerman was looking out for it...if he really wanted to hurt Martin, he wouldn't have called the cops.
When he was told not to follow him, apparently, he stopped...'okay' (on the 911 tape)
The family is trying to make their son looks like he was soooooo innocent...what about his school record....suspended for dealing with drugs? do good kids do that?
Justice will never set him free...but strings pulled by daddy has worked in the past.
Trayvon Martin's mother is grieving and is deeply hurt. She misspoke about Trayvon's shooting being an accident. Publc figures misspeak every single day.
it seems to me that it would make more sense for the attorney that is acting as an analyst for CNN should recuse himself as an analyst rather than making a judge step down....
Alright I get it, please stop talking about this case cnn. People are murdered everyday in way more messed up ways and you guys dont spend time on those stories at all. I understand an innocent kid died, its sad, but it doesnt need to be ltierally every topic you guys post about. It just seems like you use this story to make americans forget about actual bad things happening to us in the world right now. You should not talk about this damn story until zimmermans court hearing. I am sure I am not the only one who is sick of seeing this all over the news.
Jonny, while I can understand your frustration over the saturation of this story; I think the bigger picture is the Stand Your Ground law. Self-defense laws are already on the book. This law is just begging for innocent people to be murdered. If you can tell a judge, "I felt threatened" whether real or imagined and get away with killing someone, who is to say an ex girlfriend or boyfriend with ulterior motives can't say the same and shoot someone in cold blood. This law makes NO sense whatsoever and I'm glad it is being brought to light; unfortunately though through the loss of a child.
This story gets this type of coverage because it is one of the few cases where a individual murdered a juvenile in cold blood and yet he was allowed to walk away without even being arrested.The coverage was warrented.
"Just a regular kid...". No, just a regular black kid. Big difference.
Anderson – sorry bro you lost your compassion for this family in this interview. Shame on you!
The way this case has captured the news it will be hard to find an impartial jury. This is why guns should be controlled. If not the guns,then the ammunition.
give me one gun law that works
Why did it take the officer so long to start CPR on Martin. Is this regular practice or was it because they thought he caused the problem.
I feel so sad for this family.
Would Trayvon be dead if Zimmerman had not engadged him? Of course not! A person carrying a gun must be held to a higher standard.
Forget about nuances of law for a minute... do we really think it's acceptable to take the word of a person that just shot a fellow human being at face value without a serious investigation... particularly when the deceased was only armed with candy?
Utterly ridiculous.
Respect ur elders... "What are you doing here?" "Oh im staying with my Dads fiance, i just went to store to get some snacks"
SITUATION OVER...
Samzammer, well said.