Trayvon Martin

Why Florida's Stand Your Ground Law Isn't Budging

Elaine Chen — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

On The Florida Roundup, here's what we're talking about from this week's news:

A Year Later, Community Awaits Justice In Travyon Martin Shooting

The Takeaway — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:32:13 +0000

Stand Your Ground Panel Recommends Keeping Law Mostly As Is

Margie Menzel — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

for News Service of Florida

The panel charged by Gov. Rick Scott with reviewing the state's 'stand your ground' self-defense law did not recommend any major changes to the statute, although it did make suggestions for tweaks by the Legislature in the upcoming session. The basic premise of the law isn't challenged in the final report released Friday. Scott's Task Force on Citizen Safety and Protection included lawmakers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, representatives of minority communities and law enforcement.

Interview: Trayvon Martin's Mother Hopes For Justice And Change

Mark Memmott — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:41:33 +0000

One year ago Tuesday, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in Sanford, Fla., — a death that would reignite the national debate about race relations and raise questions about the "stand your ground" laws on the books in Florida and 29 other states.

Martin, was African-American.

Why Is Gun Control Anathema In Tallahassee?

Phil Latzman — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:16:59 +0000

As New York and other states strengthen their gun control laws in response to the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., the chances of that happening in Florida appear dim.

"Remember, this a Republican-controlled Legislature, and they are very much about trying to honor yhe Constitution and the Second Amendment," says our Tallahassee reporter, Gina Jordan.

Trayvon Martin's Mom Calls For A Repeal Of Stand Your Ground Law

Margie Menzel — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:30:00 +0000

With lawmakers taking a new look at Florida's "stand your ground" law, the mother of the young man whose death brought the law back into focus urged lawmakers Wednesday to repeal it.

'Stand Your Ground' Linked To Increase In Homicides In Florida

Shankar Vedantam and David Schultz — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

If a stranger attacks you inside your own home, the law has always permitted you to defend yourself. On the other hand, if an altercation breaks out in public, the law requires you to try to retreat. At least, that's what it used to do.

How South Florida Will Remember 2012

Elaine Chen — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 17:00:00 +0000

We were once again in the center of the political universe, but perhaps for all the wrong reasons as the state that can't vote straight. It was also the year that the death of a black teen from Miami Gardens named Trayvon Martin made us reassess race relations, and the right to stand your ground.

Start The Fight? Then No 'Stand-Your-Ground' Defense For You Under Broward Senator's Bill

Rick Stone — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:23:36 +0000

Picking a fight with the gun lobby and legislative Republicans, State Sen. Chris Smith (D-Ft. Lauderdale) has introduced a bill that would substantially reduce the protections Florida's stand-your-ground law offers to armed citizens.

The law -- controversial because of its application in the shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin this year by a neighborhood watch volunteer -- allows the use of deadly force by someone who feels threatened. It also prevents police from arresting stand-your-ground shooters in many cases.

Newly-Released Color Photo Shows A Bloodied George Zimmerman

Eyder Peralta — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:24:00 +0000

George Zimmerman's defense team just released a photograph they say was taken the night he shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

A black-and-white photocopy of the picture had already been released, but this photo is the first high-resolution and clear view we've gotten of Zimmerman on the night of the shooting.

The image, taken by a police officer, shows blood dripping down Zimmerman's face, and his nose appears to be swollen.

Shooting Evokes 'Stand Your Ground' Case

Rick Stone — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:02:27 +0000

A fatal shooting in Jacksonville last week may lead to new scrutiny of Florida's Stand Your Ground self-defense law.

The story is that Michael Dunn, 45, a white software developer from Satellite Beach, went with a gun to the window of an SUV in a parking lot to ask that the black teens inside lower the volume of their music. Reportedly, hot words were exchanged and Dunn fired eight times, killing 17-year-old Jordan Davis.

Investigators said no weapons were found in the SUV.

June Trial For George Zimmerman, Accused In Trayvon Martin Death

Mark Memmott — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:33:00 +0000

"George Zimmerman's murder trial in the death of Trayvon Martin was set for June 10 during a hearing in court this morning," the Orlando Sentinel reports. Attorneys expect the trial will take about three weeks, the newspaper adds.

As you'll recall, the 29-year-old Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder for the Feb.