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George Zimmerman begins round of TV interviews on Univision George Zimmerman interviewed by Univision in first of three TV chats
(35 minutes later)
George Zimmerman, the Florida neighbourhood watch leader who last year was acquitted of murdering the teenager Trayvon Martin in a case which led to increased tension over issues of race, has given an interview to the Spanish-language channel Univision.George Zimmerman, the Florida neighbourhood watch leader who last year was acquitted of murdering the teenager Trayvon Martin in a case which led to increased tension over issues of race, has given an interview to the Spanish-language channel Univision.
In the conversation, broadcast at 7pm ET on Sunday, he says: “Honestly, I want to live a calm life without being in the press. I want to be like any other American citizen who gets a speeding ticket or has an argument with his spouse … and doesn’t have the whole world know.”In the conversation, broadcast at 7pm ET on Sunday, he says: “Honestly, I want to live a calm life without being in the press. I want to be like any other American citizen who gets a speeding ticket or has an argument with his spouse … and doesn’t have the whole world know.”
CNN will broadcast an English language interview with Zimmerman on Monday. The cable news channel originally planned to air the interview, with New Day host Chris Cuomo, on Tuesday. Fusion will air another interview with Zimmerman on that day.CNN will broadcast an English language interview with Zimmerman on Monday. The cable news channel originally planned to air the interview, with New Day host Chris Cuomo, on Tuesday. Fusion will air another interview with Zimmerman on that day.
Since his acquittal in the Trayvon Martin case, in July 2013, Zimmerman has often been in the news. In August, he was stopped for speeding in Texas. In September, he was briefly held after threatening his wife with a gun. In November, he was arrested on domestic violence charges which were later dropped. Court documents showed that he had been in possession of five guns at the time of the arrest.Since his acquittal in the Trayvon Martin case, in July 2013, Zimmerman has often been in the news. In August, he was stopped for speeding in Texas. In September, he was briefly held after threatening his wife with a gun. In November, he was arrested on domestic violence charges which were later dropped. Court documents showed that he had been in possession of five guns at the time of the arrest.
Last month, the Associated Press demanded the halt of the sale of a painting by Zimmerman, which the agency said was based on one of its photographs, and a planned “celebrity” boxing match against the rapper DMX was cancelled.Last month, the Associated Press demanded the halt of the sale of a painting by Zimmerman, which the agency said was based on one of its photographs, and a planned “celebrity” boxing match against the rapper DMX was cancelled.
In the Univision interview, Zimmerman discusses the death of Martin, whom he shot on 26 February 2012, after a fight. During the altercation, he says, Martin “saw my gun and said he was going to kill me, and I knew he was telling the truth. I mean, he was not playing.”In the Univision interview, Zimmerman discusses the death of Martin, whom he shot on 26 February 2012, after a fight. During the altercation, he says, Martin “saw my gun and said he was going to kill me, and I knew he was telling the truth. I mean, he was not playing.”
He adds: “I asked him to stop, and the young man didn’t care. He kept attacking. I knew he was not going to stop even though someone saw [us] and the police were coming. He didn’t care.”He adds: “I asked him to stop, and the young man didn’t care. He kept attacking. I knew he was not going to stop even though someone saw [us] and the police were coming. He didn’t care.”
Asked about why he acted as he did, he says: “In my mind it’s between me and God … I know that if I had not acted in the manner in which I acted, uh, I would not be here.Asked about why he acted as he did, he says: “In my mind it’s between me and God … I know that if I had not acted in the manner in which I acted, uh, I would not be here.
“When your head is being bashed repeatedly against the concrete, you have a broken nose, your eyes full of blood and tears, you’re not in a position to do much.”“When your head is being bashed repeatedly against the concrete, you have a broken nose, your eyes full of blood and tears, you’re not in a position to do much.”
Zimmerman’s acquittal sparked widespread protests and attracted comment from President Barack Obama and US attorney general Eric Holder.Zimmerman’s acquittal sparked widespread protests and attracted comment from President Barack Obama and US attorney general Eric Holder.
Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” self-defence law continues to be debated, most recently in light of the trial of Michael Dunn, who was accused of murdering another teenager, Jordan Davis, after an argument over music at a gas station.Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” self-defence law continues to be debated, most recently in light of the trial of Michael Dunn, who was accused of murdering another teenager, Jordan Davis, after an argument over music at a gas station.
On Saturday, Dunn was convicted on three counts of attempted second-degree murder; the judge declared a mistrial on one first-degree murder charge.On Saturday, Dunn was convicted on three counts of attempted second-degree murder; the judge declared a mistrial on one first-degree murder charge.
According to Univision, Zimmerman, who is heavily in debt, says that before moving anywhere he follows a security plan and has gone so far as to wear a bulletproof vest, as he is afraid someone will “shoot me if I go to a restaurant”.According to Univision, Zimmerman, who is heavily in debt, says that before moving anywhere he follows a security plan and has gone so far as to wear a bulletproof vest, as he is afraid someone will “shoot me if I go to a restaurant”.