The social implications of a murder

Author: cumurciuca | Posted: 04.05.2012

Murder is always a tragic event, which will permanently affect and change the lives of both the killer and the victim’s family, regardless what were the causes that led to such an end. However a crime normally affects a limited number of individuals. The same thing cannot be said about the death of Trayvon Martin.

Martin was a 17 years old black teenager, shot to death by a neighborhood watch leader, George Zimmerman, without any obvious reason. The incident occurred in Stanford, Florida around the time of the L.A. Riots anniversary. Following his arrest Zimmerman pleaded not guilty and was released from jail in exchange of a bail of $150,000. Considering the circumstances many saw worrying similarities between the brutal beating of Rodney King and the acquittal of the policemen who committed the act and the death of Martin.

Public reaction was violent enough to cause some members of the New Black Panthers to put out a bounty for Zimmerman’s arrest. Things got worse, when the defendant was released from jail. As right activists nationwide believe he should have been kept behind bars, the police fears vigilante actions. Zimmerman’s own criminal defense lawyer thinks he should avoid public attention and keep a low profile until the trial. Considering the circumstances the police keep Zimmerman in protective custody constantly changing his location. He will be charged with second degree murder but months if not even years will pass until the trial. The verdict will be given by a jury and there is the possibility of him being acquitted. If that happens we can only hope that community members will act responsibly and not cause more tragic events similar to those from 1992.



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