George Zimmerman says Trayvon Martin's death was all part of 'God's Plan'

 

Suggested Topics

The death of Trayvon Martin was all part of “God’s Plan,” according to the man charged with his murder, who still has “no regrets” over his actions on the night he shot and killed the unarmed teenager.

George Zimmerman, the neighbourhood vigilante at the centre the high-profile case, used his first public interview to say that he is nonetheless “sorry” that events conspired to: “put me in the position where I had to take his life.”

Speaking with Fox News on Wednesday, he portrayed the death of the 17-year-old student, which sparked international outrage, as the result of a tragic misunderstanding. “I am not a racist and I am not a murderer,” he insisted.

In a half-hour interview, conducted in the presence of his lawyer, Zimmerman recalled the night of February 26th, when he spotted Martin walking through a rainstorm to his father’s home in Sanford, Florida.

The 28-year-old neighbourhood watch volunteer, who said he rarely left home without a gun, was driving home from a grocery shop when he spotted the youth “walking very leisurely, for the weather,” and decided to call the police.

On a tape-recording of that call, Zimmerman could be heard exiting his car and telling the dispatcher that he was following the black teenager because he reckoned he was acting “real suspicious.”

However he now denies ever following Martin. “I didn't mean that I was actually pursuing him,” he said. “I meant that I was going in the same direction as him, to keep an eye on him so that I could tell the police where he was going.”

Zimmerman said that he was then attacked. In the ensuing struggle, his nose was broken and his head was smashed against the pavement. In fear of his life, he shot Martin once, in the chest.

The interview, from a secret address where Zimmerman is living on $1m bail, having been charged with Second Degree Murder,  provide the clearest indication that his defence will revolve around Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” law, which allows victims of crime to use lethal force to defend themselves.

His willingness to speak publicly also suggests he may give evidence the trial, scheduled for next year – even if that will expose him to more hostile cross examination than his interviewer Sean Hannity, a conservative Fox pundit, saw fit to provide.

Asked what he would like to say to his victim’s parents, Zimmerman added: “I am sorry that they buried their child. I can't imagine what it must feel like, and I pray for them daily.” The apology was swiftly rejected by Martin's mother, who branded it “ridiculous.”

Top stories
News in pictures
World news in pictures
UK news in pictures
UK news in pictures
More stories
       
Independent
Travel Shop
Lake Como and the Bernina Express
Seven nights half-board from £749pp Find out more
Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian coast
Seven nights half-board from only £859pp Find out more
Prague city break
Three nights from only £199pp Find out more
 
Independent Dating
and  

By clicking 'Search' you
are agreeing to our
Terms of Use.

iJobs Job Widget
iJobs General

C++ Python Developer -Bank -London-Up to £600/day!

£550 - £600 per day: Orgtel: C++ Python Developer - Banking - London - Up to £...

Are you a dynamic Primary teacher looking for work in Bromley?

£5520 - £31200 per annum: Randstad Education London: If you are then please ap...

EYFS/KS1 Teacher Maternity Contract - September Start - Bromley

MPS + OLA: Randstad Education London: Randstad Education are working with a Cl...

Head of English

£42000 - £46000 per annum + depending on experience: Randstad Education London...

Day In a Page

Babies behind bars: A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail

Babies behind bars

A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail
Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm for under 25s

Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm

Is Mosquito, the alarm only under-25s can hear, a blessing or a bane?
The art of living in small spaces: Architects are learning how to make less, more

The art of living in small spaces

Space in cities at a premium so architects are learning how to make less, more...
Special report: The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

After four 'nice' years as Governor of Bank of England, things turned decisively nasty
Zombie nation: Our enduring fascination with a world full of death and destruction

Zombie nation: Our fascination with death and destruction

A new season of shows on Radio 4 is inspired by dark tales of future dystopias. Meanwhile, zombies are marauding in the multiplexes...
Martin Stephen: 'Ofsted says comprehensives are failing the most able but teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

'Teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

It doesn't take a selective system to nurture the best minds, says a former head of St Paul's boys' school.
The retail empires strike back: Can new technology lure us back to the high street?

Can technology lure us back to the high street?

The high street has been bruised and battered by online firms but in-store technology is helping to enliven the retail experience...
The 10 Best new smartphones

The 10 Best new smartphones

Photos, films, music, apps and browsing - the latest mobiles can do it all
Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

McLaren man admits 'failed gamble' with car has left him pinning hopes on 2014 campaign
James Lawton: Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe

James Lawton

Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe
'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong': The true effect of the badger cull

The true effect of the badger cull

'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong'
Theatre review: Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's The Cripple of Inishmaan

First night: The Cripple of Inishmaan

Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's comedy
Girls Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

After 103 years, organisation changes oath to welcome 'all girls, of all faiths, and none'
Steve Tongue: Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago

Steve Tongue

Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago
Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Bradley Wiggins' exit

Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Wiggins' exit

Sky's lead rider says he is in fantastic form for the Tour and happy pecking order debate is over