Orlando Sentinel pool / for Hedline Surfer® /SANFORD -- We have a verdict in the second trial of the century in Central Florida and it seems once again that justice is blind.
In my opinion if George Zimmerman had minded his own business that night, Trayvon Martin would not be dead and because Zimmerman chose not to do that, he instigated the entire altercation which ended with the gunshot killing of the 17-year-old boy.
Many of my black friends who have been commenting on social media expected this verdict tonight, didn’t want it or think it was right, but somehow just were sure that Trayvon would not get the justice he deserved.
According to them, Sanford is and has been for many years known for prejudice being rampant. I am not saying that all Sanfordians are prejudiced. I can’t really speak to that as fact that I know. This knowledge and opinion comes from people who have suffered that prejudice for many years in Sanford, Central Florida and throughout the Deep South.
I do know from what I have been reading of award-winning journalist and Headline Surfer® Publisher Henry Frederick's daily reports on the Zimmerman trial from the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center that this was an intense and complicated case. If anyone can make sense of it, it's Frederick, who has covered many high-profile trials in Central Florida.
Central Florida is getting quite a reputation between the first big trial of the 21st century, that of Casey Anthony, and now George Zimmerman. They say things come in threes, but I truly hope and pray we don’t have a third trial of this type to suffer through. I’d say all the citizens of this area have had enough for a long, long time.
Central Florida is getting quite a reputation between the first big trial of the 21st century, that of Casey Anthony, and now George Zimmerman. They say things come in threes, but I truly hope and pray we don’t have a third trial of this type to suffer through. I’d say all the citizens of this area have had enough for a long, long time.
The jury had the right to make this decision based on the evidence presented to them and I harbor no ill will toward them, but I know a few people who are not going to be so open minded about it. I hope the jury members choose to remain unknown so they won’t be put in jeopardy in any way.
They do not have any obligation to the media or anyone to explain their decision, but if their names are released the media will hound them until someone gives in and participates in an interview.
Please let this night be the end of this case.
Let there be no violence because of the verdict, no persecution of the defendant, the judge, lawyers or jury members. Let the media drop the issue and give us all some peace. It’s been a long arduous process in our newspapers (print and electronic), on our televisions and radios for what seems like eons.
Now is the time for us all to let this issue fade away and pray nothing like it ever happens again. We as a people are better than this, or at least we should be.
Now is the time for us all to let this issue fade away and pray nothing like it ever happens again. We as a people are better than this, or at least we should be.