Trayvon Martin’s dad, Tracy, will experience his first father’s day without his son on Sunday. But he’s calling on other dads to review state statutes like Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, which his son’s killer George Zimmerman has claimed as a defense for shooting the teen on Feb. 26.
(VIDEO: Trayvon Martin’s Parents Talk to TIME)
The video, which follows a similar video message from Trayvon’s mom, Sybrina Fulton, was released Wednesday on hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons’ GlobalGrind.com. And like the message from Fulton, Martin is asking fathers nationwide to petition their governors to take another look at the statutes, which critics say don’t deter crime and may lead to an uptick in homicides like Martin’s. “I’ll say a prayer for all the dads across America who share this grief with me,” Tracy Marton said in the video.
Meanwhile, Judge Kenneth Lester has ordered that Zimmerman’s statement to the police the night of the shooting be released to the public. A motion filed by several news organizations had sought to have information that had been withheld open to public view, despite the objections of prosecutors.
(MORE: George Zimmerman’s Wife Arrested for Perjury)
The statements must be released within 15 days, according to Lester’s orders. But names of witnesses can remain sealed, he said.
Zimmerman’s next court appearance will be a June 29 bond hearing.
MORE: The Trayvon Martin Trial: 10 Things to Know About the Evidence
Trayvon Martin’s dad, Tracy, will experience his first father’s day without his son on Sunday. But he’s calling on other dads to review state statutes like Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, which his son’s killer George Zimmerman has claimed as a defense for shooting the teen on Feb. 26.
(VIDEO: Trayvon Martin’s Parents Talk to TIME)
The video, which follows a similar video message from Trayvon’s mom, Sybrina Fulton, was released Wednesday on hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons’ GlobalGrind.com. And like the message from Fulton, Martin is asking fathers nationwide to petition their governors to take another look at the statutes, which critics say don’t deter crime and may lead to an uptick in homicides like Martin’s. “I’ll say a prayer for all the dads across America who share this grief with me,” Tracy Marton said in the video.
Meanwhile, Judge Kenneth Lester has ordered that Zimmerman’s statement to the police the night of the shooting be released to the public. A motion filed by several news organizations had sought to have information that had been withheld open to public view, despite the objections of prosecutors.
(MORE: George Zimmerman’s Wife Arrested for Perjury)
The statements must be released within 15 days, according to Lester’s orders. But names of witnesses can remain sealed, he said.
Zimmerman’s next court appearance will be a June 29 bond hearing.
MORE: The Trayvon Martin Trial: 10 Things to Know About the Evidence