As I listened to the verdict of the Trayvon Martin / George Zimmerman trial, I was deeply heartbroken. The impact of a verdict of Not Guilty slowly began to sink in, as I sat in shock wondering how is it possible that George Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges. In my opinion the prosecution had proven enough for at least manslaughter.  Although I was deeply upset, part of me was trying to accept the fact that sometimes, there is injustice within the justice system. As I was battling to accept that fact, I saw Jury B37 on Anderson Cooper doing an interview. As she spoke I notice that a verdict was reached but justice was not served. At that point in time, I thought how it was possible that the jury failed Trayvon Martin. Then I began to think….who else within the entire system failed Trayvon Martin. After looking at all the evidence provided, I reached the following conclusions of miscarriage of justice that occurred at each step of the way by the major parties involved.

George Zimmerman

On, February 26, 2012, George Zimmerman saw a young black male, Trayvon Martin, walking through the neighborhood. Trayvon Martin was wearing a black hoodie/sweater shirt and khaki pants. As a result of racial profiling, George Zimmerman determined that he “fit the description” and that he looked suspicious. He decided to follow him, first in his car then on foot. After following Trayvon Martin, an altercation occurred in which he ended up shooting and killing Trayvon Martin.

Sanford Police Department

Upon the Sanford Police Department arriving on the scene, they attempted to revive Trayvon Martin with no success. They immediately detained George Zimmerman but didn’t run a background check or run toxicology test on him. Yet, they decided to run a background check and toxicology test on Trayvon Martin (the victim.) George Zimmerman was released and no arrests were made for 44 days that followed. The arrest wasn’t made until the public outcry as a result of the various levels of injustice that had occurred.

Prosecution

The prosecution failed to pick a balance jury, fight to have the jury instructions include the initial aggressor provision, include race in the trial, block the defense from putting certain witnesses on the stand and fight for Trayvon Martin completely.

Judge

Allowed the defense to exclude the initial aggressor provision in the jury instructions but yet allowed Stand Your Ground language to be in the jury instructions although it wasn’t a Stand Your Ground Trial.

Initial Aggressor Provision in Self-Defense: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0776/Sections/0776.041.html

Jury

The jury contained a racially unbalanced jury composing of 5 White Women and 1 Hispanic woman. Based on Jury B37, one is able to tell that it was not an unbiased jury. Juror B37 racial profiled Trayvon Martin as well and looked as George Zimmerman with sympathy.

Moving Forward

We all know that racial profiling exist, whether some individuals choose to acknowledge it or not. I understand that racial profiling occurs in the current day life and that it is a work in progress, but racial profiling should never cost someone their life. Racial profiling should never infiltrate the legal system so deeply that it compounds the original injustice that has occurred. Racism should never keep particular laws out of the jury instructions and allow others. Racial profiling should not allow a murder to walk free because of a biased jury.

Its time for us to look at ourselves and make the necessary changes for the better. Its time for us to repeal laws that promote racial profiling like the Stop & Frisk program in NYC. Its time for us to do what it right.

Are you ready to stand up and do what is right?