Fight claims, pot put Fla. teen's side on defense

CURT ANDERSON and MIKE SCHNEIDER, Associated Press

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — The family and supporters of slain Florida teenager Trayvon Martin found themselves on the defensive Monday following revelations he had been suspended for marijuana before he was shot to death by a neighborhood watch volunteer. Police also confirmed a report that the watchman claimed Martin was the aggressor, punching him in the nose and smacking his head on a sidewalk.

Martin, 17, was suspended by Miami-Dade County schools because traces of marijuana were found in a plastic baggie in his book bag, family spokesman Ryan Julison said. Martin was serving the suspension when he was shot Feb. 26 by George Zimmerman, who was patrolling the neighborhood that Martin was visiting with his father.

Martin's mother, Sybrina Fulton, and family attorneys blamed police for leaking the information about the marijuana and Zimmerman's claim about the attack to the news media in an effort to demonize the teenager.

"They killed my son and now they're trying to kill his reputation," Fulton told reporters.

The Sanford Police Department insisted there was no authorized release of the new information but acknowledged there may have been a leak. City Manager Norton Bonaparte Jr. said it would be investigated and the person responsible could be fired.

Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump said the link between the youth and marijuana should have no bearing on the probe into his shooting death. State and federal agencies are investigating, with a grand jury set to convene April 10.

"If he and his friends experimented with marijuana, that is completely irrelevant," Crump said. "What does it have to do with killing their son?"

The state Department of Juvenile Justice confirmed Monday that Martin does not have a juvenile offender record. The information came after a public records request by The Associated Press.

Zimmerman, 28, claimed he shot Martin in self-defense and has not been arrested. Because Martin was black and Zimmerman has a white father and Hispanic mother, the case has become a racial flashpoint that has civil rights leaders and others leading a series of protests in Sanford and around the country.

Meanwhile, the Orlando Sentinel reported that Zimmerman told police he lost Martin in the neighborhood he regularly patrolled and was walking back to his vehicle when the youth approached him from behind. The two exchanged words, Zimmerman said, and Martin then punched him in the nose, jumped on top of him and began banging his head on a sidewalk. Zimmerman said he began crying for help; Martin's family thinks it was their son who was crying out. Witness accounts differ and 911 tapes in which the voices are heard are not clear.

The Sanford police statement said the newspaper story was "consistent" with evidence turned over to prosecutors.

Earlier, city officials named a 23-year veteran of the Sanford police department as acting chief. The appointment of Capt. Darren Scott, who is African-American, came days after Chief Bill Lee, who is white, temporarily stepped down as the agency endured withering criticism over its handling of the case.

"I know each one of you — and everyone watching — would like to have a quick, positive resolution to this recent event," Scott told reporters. "However, I must say we have a system in place, a legal system. It may not be perfect but it's the only one we have. I urge everyone to let the system take its course."

The Sanford City Commission held its first meeting Monday since giving Lee a no confidence vote, which led to his ouster. Martin's parents both addressed the panel, urging them to take steps to arrest Zimmerman. More than 500 people crowded into the meeting, which was moved from City Hall to the Sanford Civil Center.

"We are asking for justice," said Tracy Martin, the teenager's father.

Civil rights leader Al Sharpton warned commissioners that Sanford risked becoming a 21st century version of the civil rights struggle in the South during the 1960s.

Sharpton said Martin's parents endured "insults and lies" Monday over reports that their son attacked Zimmerman.

Outside the commission meeting, several thousand people carried signs, rallied and marched in Martin's support. Organizers said some 2 million signatures had been collected on an online petition demanding Zimmerman's arrest.

"It seems like the police did not do the normal things they should have done. But that's going to have to take its own process now," said the Rev. Marilyn Beecher, a Methodist minister who came from Daytona Beach to attend the rally. "It's important that we all stand for justice and that the community leaders know that this is not going to be overlooked."

Martin's family spoke at the rally attended by at least a thousand people.

Tracy Martin called the crowd his "backbone."

"As I see the crowd here, I see Trayvon all over," Tracy Martin said. "I know he is saying to me, 'Dad, I'm proud.'"

Also Monday, an attorney for Martin's mother confirmed that she filed trademark applications for two slogans containing her son's name: "Justice for Trayvon" and "I Am Trayvon." The applications said the trademarks could be used for such things as DVDs and CDs.

The trademark attorney, Kimra Major-Morris, said in an email that Fulton wants to protect intellectual property rights for "projects that will assist other families who experience similar tragedies."

Asked if Fulton had any profit motive, the attorney replied: "None."

Anderson reported from Miami. Associated Press writer Suzette Laboy contributed from Sanford.

More like this story

wow 1 year, 1 month ago

The Pot allegation has nothing to do with anything dealing with the kid getting shot. The "local school" suspended Martin....what Zimmerman did is a whole different animal.

As for Travon giving Zimmerman a busted nose and knocking him to the ground casuing a head injury...well if Mr. Zimmerman had stayed his REAR END in his car, not follow Travon and simply provided info to the POLEECE.. Perhaps this entire confrontation would not have happened. Travon would still be alive to serve his Weed suspention and Mr. Zimmerman wouldn't be in this mess. This is a flippin shame....black kid + wearing hoodie + hands in pocket = JUSTIFICATION FOR A THE KID GETTING SHOT...which is also supported by the 17 yr old being suspended from High School for Weed. What kinda stinkin defense is Zimmerman's team working here?

I can live with it not being about race...but I can't live with the rest of it. Is the Florida law and law enforcement that messed up to allow this to happen unpunished. Zimmerman was the clear aggressor...even if he did get his tail end kicked by the kid. ZIMMERMAN RAN AFTER TREVON....WHOM BY THE WAY HAD NOT COMMITTED A CRIME...THEREFORE IT WAS TREVON WHO HAD EVERY RIGHT TO BELIEVE THE GUY FOLLOWING HIM...ZIMMERMN WAS THERE TO HURT HIM. SOOOOOOOOO it is Trevon who has every right to be protected by the "Stand Your Ground Law"..... which is intended to protect an innocent person who is confronted....CONFRONTED by an aggressive threat. The law is not intended to protect a guy who goes out looking for a fight and get's thumped. That person cannot go looking for a confrontation..get whooped and then claim self defense!!!!!

Zimmerman grabbed his 9mm pistol, left the safety of his car and chased a young teenager down and then began demanding to know why the Teenager was "IN HIS OWN NEIGHBORHOOD"!!!!!!! Now how the world can Travon be seen as the one who started this tragic chain of events. Even I could prosecute and win this case in a court room. I could also prove neglect on the Sanford Police Department Officer's as well. Regretfully it was their reputation for racially inapropriate behavior that prevented them frm doing their jobs correctly in this case. Geez folks..."Do the right thing"...

The Black Panther Party are a joke...but the longer Zimmerman goes unarrested/unpunished, the longer these guy's in black will be seen not as the NUT CASES they are...but instead they will be seen as good guy's working to do right.

Geez what a mess!!!!

gofish 1 year, 1 month ago

Sorry Wow, but you can't arrest Zimmerman for poor judgement for exiting his vehicle. I presume he felt that he had a right to be where he was...inside the gated community where he lived...attempting to identify a non-resident that turned out to be a guest. Everything else is speculation because there are no independent witnesses. If you set aside emotion and only deal with the facts, it will be a very steep uphill climb to overcome reasonable doubt. Even more steep when compounded by the allegations of missteps by the PD.

spelchek 1 year, 1 month ago

"Because Martin was black and Zimmerman has a white father and Hispanic mother, the case has become a racial flashpoint that has civil rights leaders and others leading a series of protests in Sanford and around the country." --

Allow me to translate, ahem: The media is throwing gasoline on an already established fire by reminding us constantly about the color of the victim and victim's skin color and the ever becoming irrelevant Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are more than ready to fill the gas tanks to practice against what they preach while cashing in. --

How's that?

JMO 1 year, 1 month ago

I completely agree that Zimmerman should have kept his butt in his car and none of this would have happened. And pot has less than nothing to do with it. Have you ever seen anyone who got violent smoking pot? Kind of the opposite, actually. But the whole thing has been blown completely out of proportion and I think the media is largely to blame. At this point, I've quit reading any comments on the internet because last week it was "Racist" and "Murder" and this week it's "Thug" and "Punk". Honestly, the media needs to either shut up or get all their facts straight before they report a darn thing!

Professionalism 1 year, 1 month ago

Eye see all of this publicity about the florida case,but,what eye am wondering about is the case from Sunday march 25 as published in the Chicago Tribune about the couple of 16 year black negro men who detained a 13 year old white kid from entering own home and then caught him on fire,why is there not anything said about it by sharpton,naacp,and j jackson.It is because sharpton,naacp, and jesse jackson hate white folk.Where is the public outcry and rage at what the couple of black men mentioned above did to the little white boy.Signed Jim d Usmc

hbic 1 year, 1 month ago

Great questions and a great post. I clicked the arrow....hope it was for a "like" and not a complaint.

evenkeel 1 year, 1 month ago

This is a very sad situation and everyone is sadder because of it. It is a shame and a tragedy. I am sure everyone wishes it never would have happened and I wish we could go back in time and make it unhappen. All crime is like that.
Nobody has all the facts and maybe never will.

wow 1 year, 1 month ago

Man what IS going on? Not only did Obama not speak on the two black teens who set fire to the white teen...HE ALSO DIDN'T SPEAK ON THE BLACK POPLAR BLUFF TEEN WHO WAS SET ON FIRE BY HIS WHITE CLASSMATES. I cannot say exactly what is going on with these young folks nor can I say exactly why the Press and the President are not giving these two incidents a lot of attention....but I will say this........IN THESE OTHER CASES THE DOER'S, THE AGGRESSOR'S, THE CRIMINALS HAVE BEEN INDENTIFIED AND ARE BEING PUNISHED. the same cannot be said about the Travon Martin case....so as horrible as these fire situations are...they ARE different than the Travon Martin, Mr. Zimmerman case!!!! So to all of you who keep trying to justfying the death of Travon Martin, by bringing up other cases of violence...it don't work. Also....Zimmerman may not be a racist...but I do believe Mr. Zimmerman made a determination on how to handle things based on the race of Travon. Also let's not forget...Zimmerman followed Travon away from his (Zimmermans) gated community. Zimmerman followed his sucpicious looking, hoodie wearing, black male into the black males neighborhood. Zimmermans supporting witness stated that after being confronted, all Travon had to do was tell Zimmerman that he (Travon)was in his neighborhood visiting his parents. What a crock..... Zimmerman said he Travon broke his nose and busted his (Zimmermans) head...well I'm interested to know which Hospital he went to for treatment. What Doctor is going to say Zimmerman was treated by him/her. I'd also like to see the Police Reeport that states Zimmerman was transported to the Emergency Room due to serious injuries. Ya see, unless there is something not being said....there are just to many holes in the defenses version of what went on.

Whether or not it was racially motivated...at this point it don't matter. What matter's most is that Zimmerman admitted to committing a homicide and he was not taken into custody and that isn't the norm... Stand Your ground Law or not!

wow 1 year, 1 month ago

Ok....now it's official in my book. This Zimmerman fella is a bonafide Joke and so are those people who continue supporting him...especially that black fella who said if he didn't believe in George's innocence he would not be here defending George" and "George isn't a racist". Well George Zimmerman may not be a racist...but her certainly is looking/sounding more and more like a a lying murdering racist....and here's why.

The film footage of his dealings with the Sanford POLEECE have been aired. Yeah that's right..there is clear video footage that ole George was in fact handcuffed and taken to Sanford PD after the shooting...meaning the Copper's possibly started out doing the right thing....but they dropped the ball BIG TIME after that. Ya see...in this very clear video George doesn't have a dirty grass stained shirt on....his nose isn't bandaged...no cotton balls stuck up his nose, no black eyes or bruises and it get's even better. because the video provides a very clear view of the back of George 's head...and one can clearly see he has no head injury at all....no bandages, no scars, no marks, no nothing! So not only does old George Zimmerman and the Sanford PD have some SPLAININ TO DO! In fact I'd like to know why the Sheriff Deputies of that County, the Florida State Police or the FBI hasn't arrested the Chief of the Sanford PD for what in my book amounts to a very bad attempt to cover up a sensless MURDER? I'd also like to know why George's Attorney still has a license to practice law?

Also "Professionalism"...the fire incidents are horrible no matter who the victims were....but it's like I said before. In those cases the doer's/criminals are being dealt with by the legal system as should be the case. In the Zimmerman/Martin situation that hasn't happened. Our President isn't showing Travon Martin any special treatment. If that were the case..the President after seeing this evidence could have easily ordered the Attorney General to take over matters....but instead the President simply said that if he had a son he would've been black and could have befallen such sensless treatment as did Travon.

In closing...after having all this evidence on record. There is no legal/acceptable reason why George Zimmerman has not been ARRESTED and CHARGED WITH 1ST DEGREE MUDER WITH NO BOUND ALLOWED. He hunted this kid and for no good reason whatsoever reason, shot Travon Martin dead!!!!! George Zimmernan needs to face the full brunt of the legal system for his actions. All the other charges for the cover can be dealt with after the conviction. Folks on this one...I hate to admit it...but Al and Jessie got this one right! The state of Florida, the city of Sanford better have some DEEEEEEEEEEEP Pocket's and LOOOOOONG $$$$$$, cause according to what I've seen...they're gonna need it to successfully deal with this issue.

Emmitt Till 2012...maybe not...but still just as senseless

tonto_goldberg 1 year, 1 month ago

Maybe the county sheriff's office is the place he got beaten. Southern interrogations can be a little aggressive.

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

What was the kid doing in the neighborhood?

wow 1 year, 1 month ago

JC LIfer...this is America...remember. In American our travel is not restricted like that. Besides your forgetting something...at the time the kid was shot. The shooter had followed the kid out the Shooter away from the area where the Shooter thought the kid was lokking suspicios in. George Zimmernan followed Travonj Martin, back to Travons neighborhood, cxonfronted and ultimatley shot him. Eveen if the shooting happeed in Geroge's neighborhood.. Unless Travon Martin broke inot Zimmerna's house, car or initiated a physical confrontation. George Zimmernan had not right to confront the kid and certainly no reason to shoot him.

Your question is crazy....who cares what neighborhood Travon...the kid had a can of Tea and a Bag of Skittles on em. Are those items that are resticted to certain neighborhoods?

Geezz get real.

viktorkowski 1 year, 1 month ago

I'm kind of curious with the new photos of zimmerman showing no bruising anywhere on his head will he finally be charged. or will the state of florida kill the charges just like they have done for everything else zimmerman has been charged with in the past. must be nice to have a judge as a father

wow 1 year, 1 month ago

Exactly....Viktorkowski...it appears Judge Zimmernan/Daddy is also part of this big cover up...so the following should happen. George Zimmerman, the Cops and his daddy Judge...should all be arrested becasue they are clearly involved in the cover up of the senseless, senselessn senseless murder of Travon Martin

wow 1 year, 1 month ago

Let me clean this up a bit.....I got kind rushed.. JC LIfer...this is America...remember. In American our travel is not restricted like that. Besides you're forgetting something...at the time the kid was shot. The shooter had followed the kid away from the area where the Shooter thought the kid was looking suspicios in. George Zimmernan followed Travon Martin, back to Travons neighborhood, confronted and ultimatley shot him. Eeeeeeveen if the shooting happened in Geroge's neighborhood.. Unless Travon Martin broke into Zimmerna's house, car or initiated a physical confrontation. George Zimmernan had not right to confront the kid and certainly no reason to shoot him.

You're question is crazy....who cares what neighborhood Travon was in...the kid had a can of Tea and a Bag of Skittles on em. Are those items that are resticted to certain neighborhoods? Geezz get real.

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