George Zimmerman verdict: DOJ to revive probe into Trayvon Martin civil rights violation as protesters take to streets

As protesters took to the streets Sunday to condemn George Zimmerman’s acquittal, the U.S. Department of Justice said it would review the case for possible violations of Trayvon Martin’s civil rights. Attorney General Eric Holder had begun the investigation last year into whether the deadly confrontation between Zimmerman, 29, and Trayvon, 17, was motivated by racial profiling, but he stepped aside to let the trial in a Florida court proceed. A six-member jury found Zimmerman not guilty on counts of second-degree murder and lesser charges Saturday, setting off widespread outrage. But the feds opened the door Sunday to reopening the case. “Experienced federal prosecutors will determine whether the evidence reveals a prosecutable violation of any of the limited federal criminal civil rights statutes within our jurisdiction, and whether federal prosecution is appropriate,” the Justice Department said. The announcement came as welcome news to civil rights leaders, who began calling for the federal charges almost immediately after the verdict was read in Seminole County court in Sanford, Fla. “We are outraged and heartbroken over today’s verdict,” NAACP President Benjamin Jealous said in a statement. “We will pursue civil rights charges with the Department of Justice, we will continue to fight for… Read full this story

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