George Zimmerman's Gun Sells For $250,000

Reuters is reporting that George Zimmerman, who shot and killed unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin in 2012, has successfully auctioned off the gun used in the killing for $250,000.

His offer to sell the Kel-Tec PF9 9mm handgun on UnitedGunGroup.com drew praise from gun rights supporters and scorn from critics who accused him of seeking to profit from the 17-year-old’s death.

In a statement on Twitter after the bidding closed on Wednesday, United Gun Group defended its decision to host the auction and said it would have no further comments.

On his own website that day, Zimmerman said the auction had “raised funds for several worthy causes.” He has said he would use proceeds to counter violence against law enforcement officers by the group Black Lives Matter and to fight Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton’s “anti-firearm rhetoric.”

I highly doubt Zimmerman will donate all of the proceeds to charity. I'm sure he counts himself as a "worthy cause."

George Zimmerman To Auction Handgun Used To Kill Trayvon Martin

On February 26, 2012, George Zimmerman shot and killed 17 year-old Trayvon Martin.

A year and a half later, Zimmerman was acquitted on charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter based on Florida's "stand your ground" laws. Zimmerman portrayed himself as the victim in the entire incident.

Since then, Zimmerman has had several run-ins with the police which continue to illustrate violent tendencies.

Now, Zimmerman has chosen to inflame societal concerns once again.

Via the Washington Post:

Now, Zimmerman is auctioning off the 9-millimeter pistol he used to kill Martin on a website called GunBroker.com.

“I am honored and humbled to announce the sale of an American Firearm Icon,” he wrote in the description of the gun used to kill the unarmed, black teenager. “The firearm for sale is the firearm that was used to defend my life and end the brutal attack from Trayvon Martin on 2/26/2012.”

He wrote that the proceeds will be used to “fight [Black Lives Matter] violence against Law Enforcement officers” and to “ensure the demise of Angela Correy’s persecution career and Hillary Clinton’s anti-firearm rhetoric,” though he hasn’t expounded upon how.

UPDATE - Well, that was fast. The listing for George Zimmerman’s gun appears to have been removed from the site. Gee, do you think they were surprised by the uproar?

George Zimmerman Involved In ANOTHER Shooting Incident

George Zimmerman

Some people go through life with absolutely no problems with law enforcement or trouble involving guns.

And then, there's George Zimmerman.

Zimmerman, who gained attention nation-wide for the 2013 shooting death of Travon Martin, has once again been implicated in an incident gun fire. He apparently suffered a minor gunshot wound today in an altercation involving another man who authorities say may have an "ongoing dispute" with Zimmerman.

The shooting involved Zimmerman and another man and happened on Lake Mary Boulevard about 12:45 p.m., police said.

“He walked normally into the ambulance, so he wasn’t being helped or nothing,” said witness Ricardo Berrare. "They actually backed up the ambulance next to his driver side so he could walk into the door."

Chopper 2 video showed a bullet hole in the passenger window the vehicle Zimmerman was in.

"The officer was talking to him through the back window because the other one had a hole in it. It was all shattered," Berrare said.

In January, Zimmerman was accused of assault by his girlfriend, but no charges were filed after she recanted her allegation.

He was also arrested in November 2013 on domestic violence allegations after his girlfriend called police. His girlfriend later recanted her story and charges were never filed.

Zimmerman was acquitted in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in 2013.

Department Of Justice Officially Announces No Charges Against George Zimmerman

The Department of Justice has officially announced there will be no charges filed against George Zimmerman for the 2012 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

From ABC News:

ABC News has learned Martin’s family will soon be notified that the Justice Department will not be filing charges against George Zimmerman, who shot the 17-year-old after a confrontation in 2012. Thursday marks three years to the day since Martin was killed.

Federal prosecutors concluded there is not sufficient evidence to prove Zimmerman, a neighborhood watchman in Sanford, Fla., intentionally violated Martin’s civil rights, sources told ABC News.

News Roundup: January 10, 2015

News stories you may have missed:

• The creators of WICKED are hoping for 2016 release of major motion picture adaptation of their blockbuster Broadway musical.

• Sen. Marco Rubio doesn't understand the role of the judicial arm of government.

• Even with HUGE loopholes built in for "religious liberty," haters in Plano, Texas, are gearing up to repeal the recent protections passed by the city council for LGBT folks.

• A Texas lawmaker has authored legislation that would take away a state employee's salary and pension if they should ever issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple.

• North Carolina is heading to SCOTUS asking for review of the ruling which overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage.

• George Zimmerman, the man who killed Trayon Martin, has been arrested. Again. For the 4th time since his Trayvon Martin trial.

News round-up: Week of September 13, 2014

Dan Osborne gets naked with the men of Dreamboys

Some stories you may have missed:

• Dan Osborne dances all the way down to naked with the UK male revue The Dreamboys

• George Zimmerman is back, and allegedly threatening to shoot and kill a driver he didn't like.

• A class of commonly-used drugs like Valium and Xanax could raise risk of Alzheimers by up to 51%

• NFL MVP Adrian Peterson doesn't "believe" in same-sex marriage, but he does believe in beating his 4 year old son until he bleeds

• A Wales man was doused with gasoline and blinded in one eye in anti-gay attack

•Transgender high school student named Homecoming Princess in Colorado Springs, CO

Dan Osborne with the cast of Dreamboys

Political cartoon of the day

Clay Bennett Cartoon from 2014-07-31 pic.twitter.com/MoJaywrXU2

— WashPostNewsMedia (@WPNMS) August 1, 2014

George Zimmerman signs autographs at Florida gun show

Like a Hollywood celebrity or world class athlete, George Zimmerman attended a Florida gun show to sign autographs and take pictures with "fans."

His appearance at the New Orlando Gun Show was not without trouble though.

The gun show had to be scaled down, however, after community pressure forced organizers to move to a smaller venue.

“They told us they canceled for community pressure,” said Mike Piwowarski, a show organizer. “They were getting phone calls and backlash, and didn’t want that kind of person there.”

Piwowarski said he was angry the Majestic canceled the event and he plans to sue for an estimated $300,000 in lost gun sales.

He said he supported Zimmerman during his trial in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin and after he was acquitted.

There's so much wrong about this it's hard to know where to start. The day an admitted killer of a teenager sits down to sign autographs like someone's hero is a dark day in America.

(via WESH)

George Zimmerman: My life would be easier if I had stayed home

George Zimmerman still says he was the victim on the night he shot and killed teenager Trayvon Martin.

CNN's Chris Cuomo: "Do you regret that you killed Trayvon Martin?"

George Zimmerman: "Unfortunately, the Department of Justice is conducting a civil rights investigation. Certainly, I think about that night and I think my life would be tremendously easier if I stayed home."

When Cuomo asks if things would be different today, that Zimmerman wouldn't have ended up killing Trayvon Martin, had Zimmerman stayed home that night, Zimmerman replies, "He (Trayvon) wouldn't have ended up attacking me."

Draw your won conclusions, folks.

George Zimmerman/DMX "celebrity boxing match" called off

George Zimmerman and rapper DMX

According to E! Online, the (very bad idea) "celebrity boxing match" between rapper DMX and acquited killer of Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman has been cancelled.

From Eonline.com:

The supposed Celebrity Boxing Match between George Zimmerman and DMX has been canceled, Owner of Celebrity Boxing Damon Feldman announced on Saturday.

"The George Zimmerman fight is canceled I'm sorry for anyone I hurt with this but this was a very big opportunity thank you," he tweeted.

In a series of follow-up tweets, Feldman explained that there is "more to life than money" and that "people's feelings meant more to me."

DMX spokesman Domenick Nati told E! News in a statement: "Damon Feldman has announced that the George Zimmerman fight is cancelled via his Twitter. As previously stated, DMX never agreed to the fight and we thank you for all of the support from DMX's fans."

None of DMX's upcoming concerts will be affected by this decision, Nati added.

E! News confirmed on Wednesday that Zimmerman would face off against the rapper next month and Floyd Mayweather Sr. would act as the referee.

After a series of tweets addressing the cancellation, Feldman quickly deleted all related tweets. Reading further back in his Twitter history, it's clear he was getting push-back about producing and promoting what many considered a very bad idea.

On Trayvon Martin's 19th birthday, George Zimmerman looking for celebrity boxing match

Today would have been Trayvon Martin's 19th birthday.

George Zimmerman could be contemplating the life that he ended.  But instead, he's lining up offers to take part in a "charity" boxing match.  He's taking offers from anyone who will step in the ring.

It appears rapper DMX wants the chance to do some damage to Mr. Zimmerman.

From the Washington Post:

In one corner, you have an attention-starved former neighborhood watch volunteer who was made out to be a weakling during his second-degree murder trial. Remember how his former boxing coach testified that he “never got off shadow boxing, hitting the heavy bag and learning how to punch.” Zimmerman now claims boxing as a serious avocation long before what he called “the incident.”

In the other corner, you have a rapper who told TMZ that “I am going to beat the living f— out him. . . . I am breaking every rule in boxing to make sure I f— him right up.” DMX’s long rap sheet of arrests and his fearsome look might make folks think that Zimmerman has signed his own death certificate by agreeing to fight him. Although, with so many charges for drug possession and being under the influence, is the 43-year-old in any kind of shape to take on the 30-year-old boxing enthusiast? Maybe that’s why he promises to break every rule in boxing.

I imagine if this happens, this will only be the first of several "reality show" opportunities  Zimmerman intends to take in order to hold on to some kind of "celebrity."

Domenick Nati, publicist for DMX, says nothing has been signed yet in terms of committing to a boxing match with Zimmerman. Time will tell.

You do have to imagine though - how must Trayon Martin's parents feel watching this media circus continue?

Read all of Jonathan Capehart's article at Washington Post.

George Zimmerman back in court today

George Zimmerman found himself in court again today after his arrest on a felony charge of aggravated assault and misdemeanor counts of domestic violence battery and criminal mischief. He was released on $9,000 bail.

Zimmerman's arraignment has been scheduled for January 7.

George Zimmerman charged with aggravated assault after altercation with girlfriend

George Zimmerman was charged Monday with aggravated assault with a weapon, battery and criminal mischief after his girlfriend claimed he pointed a long-barreled shotgun at her inside their residence, Florida police told reporters during a press conference Monday.

After police responded to her 911 call, Zimmerman pushed his girlfriend out of the home in Apopka, and barricaded himself inside. A table was broken inside the residence, and Zimmerman was not holding a weapon at the time. Police said there were at least two weapons inside the home.
Zimmerman's girlfriend did not sustain any injuries.

The aggravated assault charge is a felony, and the other two charges are misdemeanors.

Police did not charge Zimmerman after an altercation with his estranged ex-wife in August.

(via TPM)

BREAKING: George Zimmerman taken into custody in incident involving a gun

George Zimmerman has been taken into custody in Central Florida after an incident involving a gun.

Lake Mary police say they were called to a house on Sprucewood Road Monday afternoon after a report that Zimmerman was involved in an altercation with another person with a threat involved.

ABC News is reporting Zimmerman was taken into custody after the domestic dispute involving his wife and father-in-law.

Since being acquitted in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman has been pulled over twice for speeding. And his wife recently filed for divorce.

UPDATE:  Think Progress has shared this audio file of the 911 call from Zimmerman's wife to the police.



Story still developing.

George Zimmerman's wife to seek divorce

Well, wouldn't you?

Trayvon Martin - "Imagine"

President Obama on Trayvon Martin verdict - "Once the jury's spoken, that's how our system works"

In a surprise appearance at a White House press conference, President Obama said Friday that all Americans should respect the George Zimmerman verdict, but white Americans should also understand that African Americans continue to face racial discrimination.

From USAToday:

"Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago," said the President.

More than a year after saying that Trayvon could have been his son, Obama told reporters that, like other African Americans, he has been followed by security guards while shopping, and has seen motorists lock their doors or women hold tighter to their purses as as he walked near them.

"I don't want to exaggerate this, but those sets of experiences inform how the African-American community interprets what happened one night in Florida," Obama said.

A Florida jury acquitted Zimmerman on Saturday night of murder in the 2012 death of 17-year-old Trayvon.

In a 17-minute address that got emotional at times, Obama said he respects the different views of the verdict, but the trial was conducted professionally, and "once the jury's spoken, that's how our system works."

As the Justice Department investigates whether to charge Zimmerman with civil rights violations in the wake of Trayvon's 2012 death, Obama said state and local governments should examine whether changes to laws can head off violent confrontations. That includes racial training for law enforcement in order to reduce tensions between police and minorities, he said.

The president also questioned the wisdom of Florida's "stand your ground" law, which, in the view of critics, all but encourages confrontation that could turn deadly.

The Daily Show on the absurdity of the George Zimmerman verdict

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,The Daily Show on Facebook

George Zimmerman would like an apology from the African-American community

From Politicususa.com:

An unrepentant George Zimmerman sat down with Sean Hannity and asked African-Americans to apologize to him, even though he never apologized for shooting Trayvon Martin.

With his attorney by his side, here is what George Zimmerman offered as an apology to Trayvon Martin’s parents, “I would tell them that again, I’m sorry. My wife and I don’t have any children. I have nephews that I love more than life, more than myself. I know that when they were born it was a different unique bond and love that I have with them,and I love my children even though they aren’t born yet. And I am sorry that they buried their child.”

The real kicker came when Zimmerman accused African-Americans of rushing to judgement and asked everyone who he claims rushed to judgement to apologize to him. Zimmerman said, “I can’t guess to what their motives are. I would just ask for an apology. I mean if I did something that was wrong. I would apologize.”

Check out the video from Mediaite:

Anderson Cooper's interview with Juror B37 from George Zimmerman trial

George Zimmerman Juror B-37 (B37) Interview With Anderson Cooper on CNN - Part 1 CNN's Anderson Cooper landed the first "exclusive" interview with one of the six women who sat on the George Zimmerman murder trial jury for the last month. Seated in darkness and identified only as Juror B-37, the woman told Cooper is "seems like it's been years" since the trial began and shared which moments of the proceedings had the biggest impact on her.

Speaking about the opening statements, the juror called defense attorney Don West's knock-knock joke "horrible." She said, "nobody got it. I didn't get it until later, and then I thought about it, and I'm like, I guess that could have been funny, but not in the context he told it." She told Cooper that in general she found the witnesses to be "credible" and said when it came to the 911 call audio of the screams, she believed those who said it was Zimmerman's voice "because of the evidence that he was the one that had gotten beaten." All but one of the six jurors agreed with that assessment. "I don't think there was a doubt," she said, "that everybody else thought it was George's voice."

If there was one witness who the juror didn't find entirely credible it was Trayvon Martin's friend Rachel Jeantel. "I didn't think it was credible, but I felt sorry for her. She didn't ask to be in this place. She wanted to go. She didn't want to be any part of this case. I think she felt inadequate toward everyone because of her education and her communication skills. I just felt sadness for her." She added, "she was embarrassed by being there, because of her education and her communication skills, that she just wasn't a good witness."



The juror had announced she was writing a book about the case, but after hours of outrage on social media for Sharlene Martin of Martin Literary Management LLC to drop the juror, it was announced that a book deal was no longer in the works, via a statement published by Buzzfeed:

“I realize it was necessary for our jury to be sequestered in order to protest our verdict from unfair outside influence, but that isolation shielded me from the depth of pain that exists among the general public over every aspect of this case. The potential book was always intended to be a respectful observation of the trial from my and my husband’s perspectives solely and it was to be an observation that our ‘system’ of justice can get so complicated that it creates a conflict with our ‘spirit’ of justice.

"Now that I am returned to my family and to society in general, I have realized that the best direction for me to go is away from writing any sort of book and return instead to my life as it was before I was called to sit on this jury.”