In the House appropriations bill for Commerce, Justice and Science that will get preliminary votes today, Progressive Caucus co-chairs Keith Ellison and Raul Grijalva will introduce a “Stop Shoot First Laws” amendment, a direct reaction to the death of Trayvon Martin, whose death and ensuing trial may turn on Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. The [...]

As I’m sure you know, George Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder yesterday, a charge that surprised many legal experts who expected something more like manslaughter. “It seems like an enormous swing to be able go from not feeling you have enough evidence to arrest him, to charging him with essentially as high as you [...]

According to multiple reports, neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman will be charged this afternoon in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Special prosecutor Angela Corey will make the announcement. There is no word yet on what charge Zimmerman will face, either second-degree murder or manslaughter. Corey could not file first-degree murder charges because she did [...]

Angela Corey, the special prosecutor in the Trayvon Martin case, announced Tuesday she will make her decision on whether to charge George Zimmerman within 72 hours — by Friday. And given recent events, her decision has become tougher, especially if she leans against prosecution. Unless her investigation of the fatal shooting of Mr. Martin by [...]

Here are a few updates in the Trayvon Martin case: • You may know by now about the new surveillance video showing George Zimmerman, the assailant, after the incident. Contrary to the reports of his lawyer and his close friend, Zimmerman shows no sign of a struggle, no blood, no bruises. There is a scar [...]

It was inevitable that conservatives would view the tragic death of a 17 year-old black kid as a political game where they were “losing” and had to come up with something to get back the upper hand. Thus we have a spate of revolting counter-attacks on the character of a dead teenager, as if any [...]

Thousands rallied in Sanford, Florida yesterday, seeking justice for Trayvon Martin, the unarmed teenager shot and killed by a neighborhood watch patrolman in late February. And the public outcry has made an impact. In addition to Sanford Police chief Bill Lee stepping aside (temporarily), Governor Rick Scott appointed a new special prosecutor for the case. [...]

President Obama spoke for the first time on the Trayvon Martin case today, calling it a “tragedy” and that “it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this.” African-American leaders have been calling on the President to speak out about the case which has caused a national outcry. Some noted that Obama personally [...]

Bill Lee, the chief of the Sanford Police Department, which has still failed to make an arrest in the killing of Trayvon Martin, has taken a temporary leave of absence. This came a day after a no-confidence vote from the city commissioners. Lee, stressing his credentials as a former homicide investigator, said that he stands [...]

Protests have only grown in the Trayvon Martin case, both online and offline. Change.org now has nearly a million signatures on their petition to prosecute George Zimmerman for murder. Hundreds turned out in New York City yesterday for what they labeled the Million Hoodie March. And another protest will send mass amounts of Skittles to [...]

A 16 year-old girl spent the last moments of Trayvon Martin’s life on the phone with him, as he complained about being followed by the man who would ultimately shoot him. The friend, who did not disclose her name, gave the details to the Martin family lawyer and the media: “He said this man was [...]