Slain Teen's Family Demands Arrest
Friday, March 16, 2012
By: Tom Parkinson

March 16, 2012 | WMFE - The parents of a black teenager who was shot and killed by a white crime watch volunteer in Sanford several weeks ago say they no longer trust the Sanford Police Department. At a news conference in downtown Orlando this morning, the family's attorneys say they are asking US Attorney General Eric Holder to take over the investigation.

17-year-old Trayvon Martin of Miami, was walking from a convenience store to the home of a family friend in a gated community in Sanford on Feb. 26th. He was confronted by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman.
Zimmerman called police to report a suspicious person but before police arrived, the two struggled and Zimmerman shot and killed the teenager.
Community members are demanding Zimmerman’s arrest but Sanford Police say they don’t have sufficient evidence to dispute his claims of self defense.

Today, Mary Cutcher, told reporters that she heard the teenager crying in the street outside her house.
“We were in the kitchen, I heard the crying, it was a little boy, as soon the gun went off, the crying stopped.” Cutcher said.
Cutcher and another witness said they went outside and saw Zimmerman standing over the teenager.

Cutcher said she has pleaded with the police to take Zimmerman into custody. “He’s seen our faces, he knows where we live.” Cutcher said.  “We’re worried for our safety. We know this was not self-defense.”

Attorney Benjamin Crump, representing the teenager’s parents, questioned the police department’s response. He said self defense is a legal argument to be decided by a jury.
“At least arrest George Zimmerman for shooting this kid in cold blood who was unarmed except for a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea.”
Police Chief Bill Lee defends the department’s investigation as thorough and fair. He says he has turned all of the evidence over to the state attorney’s office and has invited the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to review the evidence.

About 400 people rallied at a Sanford church Wednesday to protest the department’s handling of the incident. Another rally is scheduled for Monday outside the Seminole County Courthouse and activists say a protest is also planned for March 26th at the Sanford City Council ‘s next meeting.