George Zimmerman ‘profiled’ Trayvon Martin, affidavit says
George Zimmerman seen here after his arrest on April 11, 2012. Zimmerman’s arrest follows weeks of anger and debate throughout the country in response to the murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman’s attorney said his client would plead not guilty and invoke Florida’s “stand your ground” law, which gives people wide latitude to use deadly force rather than retreat during a fight.
An affidavit of probable cause in Florida's case against George Zimmerman for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin says that neighborhood watch volunteer "profiled" the unarmed 17-year-old.
However, it also disputed claims that he used a racial slur during his 911 call to police shortly before the fatal shooting. Rather, the affidavit – made public Thursday said the phrase Zimmerman uttered was "Those f—–g punks," according to the Associated Press.
Zimmerman did, however, disregard a police dispatcher's request that he await the arrival of police, according to the affidavit, prepared by investigators for the state attorney who charged Zimmerman with second-degree murder Wednesday.
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Zimmerman's relatives have said that he did not profile Martin and that he shot him in self-defense, CNN reported. Rather, he killed Martin after the teen punched him and slammed his head on the sidewalk, they said.
CNN cited one of the responding officers as having reported seeing a wound on the back of Zimmerman's head, and surveillance video appearing to show an injury.
The affidavit prepared by special prosecutor Angela Corey said that on the night he was shot and killed, Martin told a friend he was on the phone with that he was being followed and "didn't know why," CBS News reported.
"Martin attempted to run home but was followed by Zimmerman who didn't want the person he falsely-assumed was going to commit a crime to get away before police arrived," the affidavit reportedly states.
Martin, who had been visiting his father at a gated residential community in Sanford, Florida, Retreat at Twin Lakes, was on his way home from a nearby 7-11 when he encountered Zimmerman. He had gone to buy Skittles and iced tea during halftime of the NBA All-Star game, according to the affidavit.
"Zimmerman confronted Martin and a struggle ensued. Zimmerman shot Martin in the chest."
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The affidavit also states that facts set out in the three-page document "are not a complete recitation of all the pertinent facts and evidence in this case."
The allegation of a racial slur has fed outrage over the police department's initial decision not to arrest Zimmerman over Martin's death, and fueled speculation that the US Justice Department might bring a hate-crime charge against Zimmerman.
Martin was black. Zimmerman's father is white and his mother is Hispanic.
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