In a full-hour interview on MSNBC’s Politics Nation with Rev. Al Sharpton, the parents of Trayvon Martin reacted to the acquittal of the man who killed their son.
George Zimmerman was found not guilty of second degree murder and manslaughter in the shooting death of Martin, 17, on Saturday.
Asked about the conduct of Zimmerman’s attorneys, Sybrina Fulton said “it just seemed like Trayvon was on trial. They put the responsibility on the teenager, rather than on the adult, George Zimmerman,” she said. And regarding the verdict, she added: “wow, you can get away with murder. So now, our kids are targets.”
Tracy Martin said he “broke down” following the verdict, adding that he felt that the jurors and “some of the Sanford police” didn’t take Martin’s death seriously. “His life’s value, just didn’t mean anything to them,” he said.
Regarding the jury, Martin said: they were “not looking through the eyes of an African-American parent. They don’t know what it’s like to be an African-American.”
The difference he said, is that as black parents, “we understand that society is cruel.”
Attorney Ben Crump said of the change in the jurors’ sentiments — from three jurors initially believing Zimmerman was guilty of either manslaughter or second degree murder, according to Juror B37, who appeared on CNN this week to talk about the case, to a unanimous vote of “not guilty,” that when he and his law partner, Darryl Parks, try cases, they tell jurors, “your vote counts more than any presidential election,” adding that “one vote meant the world to Sybrina and Tracy.”
Both Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin said they feel that Juror B37 “had her mind made up” from the time she was selected for the panel.
Watch part one of the interview above, and parts two and three below, in which the parents talk about what they would tell George Zimmerman, and weigh in on Rachel Jeantel.
MSNBC’s Rev. Al Sharpton interviews Trayvon Martin’s parents, part two:
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MSNBC’s Rev. Al Sharpton interviews Trayvon Martin’s parents, part three:
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MSNBC’s Rev. Al Sharpton interviews Trayvon Martin’s parents, part four:
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MSNBC’s Rev. Al Sharpton interviews Trayvon Martin’s parents, part five:
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