Trayvon Martin's parents call for change in stand-your-ground law

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/12/trayvon-martin-parents-change-in-law

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Trayvon Martin's parents have demanded an amendment to Florida's self-defence laws that would be named after their son and take away immunity from prosecution for certain types of killers.

Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin appeared before a state-appointed task force in Longwood to call for changes to the existing stand-your-ground law, which allowed George Zimmerman to avoid arrest on the night he shot and killed their 17-year-old son.

Their attorney, Benjamin Crump, said that the statute as it stands "sends a horrible message to society" and is in desperate need of reform. "We come here to ask you to consider the Trayvon Martin amendment to the stand-your-ground law, that is you cannot be the pursuer, you cannot initiate the confrontation, and then say you were standing your ground," he said.

"We've got to look at what message we are sending, that if a person looks suspicious we can pursue them and kill them."

Crump said he would work on the proposal with Florida legislators and that he hoped the panel, which was convened by Florida governor Rick Scott, would adopt it in their recommendations to the legislature.

The law, adopted in 2005, allows a person to use deadly force if they fear their life is in danger. Zimmerman, a 28-year-old neighbourhood watch leader, was charged in April with second-degree murder, but claims he shot Martin in self-defence and is expected to ask a judge to throw out the case based on the law.

But Tracy Martin, the teenager's father, told the panel that even under the existing provision, his son's killer had no right to act as he did. "Where does it say in these laws that a neighbourhood watch volunteer can chase down an unarmed teenager, shoot him and claim self-defence?" he said.

"[But] the law has to be reevaluated. We have to look at what's being applied here. This law is telling us that it's OK to be a vigilante in our society today, and that's wrong." Martin broke down as he told the panel: "This weekend we're celebrating Father's Day. My son won't be here to celebrate with me. I have to go to the cemetery. All I'm asking is for you to fix this law."

Fulton asked for the task force to "open your hearts and minds to what has happened."

In a short, emotional speech, she said: "My son was 17, he had been 17 for three weeks. He was unarmed and shot and killed by George Zimmerman, who claimed under stand-your-ground that he's done nothing wrong. It hurts me deeply."

"Take into account if it had been your child killed with a bag of candy and an iced tea. We at least need to review this law. I'm not saying take it away, but review and amend it. I had to bury my son at 17. He was committing no crime, he did nothing wrong. There's something seriously wrong when there's an innocent child who was killed and a law a person can use to defend killing a kid."

The parents joined civil rights activists at a rally outside Northland Church during the panel's lunch break at which it was announced that a petition organised by the Second Chance on Shoot First coalition calling for a change to the law had grown to 375,000 signatures.

Allie Braswell, president of the Central Florida Urban League and a former US marine, said: "This law gives more leeway to someone with a handgun on our streets than someone in the military subject to the laws of engagement."

"There is no consistent application of this law. We need to look at it, review it at the very least and repeal it if necessary."

Several speakers also defended the law during an afternoon public comment session before the panel. Frank Darden, a former deputy commissioner of the Florida department of education, who has a concealed weapon's permit, said he was attacked by a youth with a knife, and might have died had he not had the right to produce and use a firearm.

"When he realised he'd brought a knife to a gun fight he dropped it and ran," he said. "I didn't fire but I have no doubt that the law saved me. I've seen bad laws and terrible laws … this law is very well written."

Meanwhile, the judge in the Zimmerman case has explained why he revoked the defendant's bail earlier this month and sent him back to jail after six weeks of freedom, accusing him of lacking respect for the court.

In a written explanation released by the Seminole County court Tuesday, Judge Kenneth Lester said Zimmerman's wife Shellie had lied under oath about the couple's finances.

"This is a serious charge for which life may be imposed, the evidence against him is strong; he has been charged with one prior crime and has had an injunction lodged against him," Lester wrote.

"Most importantly, though, is the fact that he has now demonstrated that he does not properly respect the law or the integrity of the judicial process."

Zimmerman faces at least 25 years in jail if he is convicted. His lawyer Mark O'Mara will ask for his client's freedom at a new bail hearing on 29 June.