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Justice Dept. Won’t Charge Zimmerman for Trayvon Martin’s Killing

HeadlineFeb 25, 2015

The Justice Department has announced it will not charge George Zimmerman for the 2012 killing of unarmed African-American teen Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida. Martin was walking home from a convenience store carrying candy and juice when Zimmerman followed him, claiming he looked suspicious. After an altercation, Zimmerman fatally shot Martin in the chest. Zimmerman’s acquittal galvanized the country on issues of race and bias in the criminal justice system. On Tuesday, federal officials said there is “insufficient evidence” to charge Zimmerman with violating Martin’s civil rights. In a statement, the Justice Department said: “Our decision does not condone the shooting that resulted in the death of Trayvon Martin and is based solely on the high legal standard applicable to these cases.” Thursday marks the third anniversary of Martin’s death.

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