SANFORD, Florida-a lawyer George Zimmerman--the Florida man who shot dead a teenager Martin in what he claims was Trayvon advise denied Friday that his client self defense--was a racist, but few shed light on what led to the deadly confrontation.
Trayvon, 17, was shot and killed 26 February as he walked into a fenced Sanford Community where he stayed with his father. Zimmerman claimed he acted in self-defense and that it has not been arrested or charged, leading to widespread indignation and protest.
Lawyer Craig Sonner said he had not discussed the details of the incident with Zimmerman--who is in hiding, but has not behind the us--but dismissed claims of a possible racial Slur during a 911 call made before Zimmerman and the Afro-American Martin came into contact.
"I don't believe that he is a racist slur Express," said Sonner on CNN, after admission that he had not heard of the telephone call in question. He said that the fact that Zimmerman and his wife African-American children accompanied had supported his belief that the 28-year-old was not a racist.
He said he had advised Zimmerman to cooperate with new research into the incident, which were launched in the aftermath of the protests that began in Florida and have spread as far away as New York.
He welcomed those investigations and said: "Let us look at the facts. The ultimate problem is that a kind of scuffle took place. The ultimate problem is ' was it self-defense? " "
Sonner said in a CNN interview that Zimmerman later went into hiding after receiving death threats was, adding that he himself had received threats within hours be identified as Zimmerman the legal advisor.
His comments came as Florida State Attorney Angela Corey--Thursday by Governor Rick Scott appointed a new study--began gathering evidence in the case. To convene a grand jury to probe the shooting is scheduled on 10 April, but Corey staffers told WFTV on Friday that a grand jury may not be used in the case.
Lead prosecutor Bernie De la Rionda said, "We're going to get to the truth, one way or another.
"We're going to do three things. The first thing is that everything is already done review. Second thing is determining what needs to be done by our opinion. And then we make a decision. "
Jacksonville-based Corey replaced local prosecutor Norm Wolfinger WFTV in the case and said that several sources had confirmed that police had originally recommended homicide charges against Zimmerman, but had not acted on their advice that Wolfinger.
Would not confirm the claim, Rionda De la saying: "I'm not going to confirm or deny anything."
Sanford Police Chief, Bill Lee, stood aside Thursday, saying he had become a "distraction" to the investigation.
Scott has also announced the establishment of a task force to examine how an incident such as the death could be in the future, Trayvon, while civil rights division of the Ministry of Justice also investigates the incident.
The case has a focus, and criticism, "Stand your Ground" also brought to Florida's law, making a person use of lethal force when threatened to withdraw without trying.
Asked about the law Friday, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush said: "I think it's always good to review laws."
"In this case based on my limited knowledge, it seems to me that this law doesn't apply to this circumstance. Stand your ground means stand your ground, it does not chase after someone who has now turned their backs. "
He added, "with the grand jury investigation, the investigation of the Justice Department take place, the fact that the police chief has stepped aside, the process is in place now and we will briefly the facts."
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