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George Zimmerman's family have 'learnt a lot from the Kardashians', though he relates more the Anne Frank than Kim

The man acquitted of killing Trayvon Martin plots his future

Ella Alexander
Wednesday 01 October 2014 10:55 BST
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Zimmerman in court in 2013
Zimmerman in court in 2013

It was over two years ago when unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was fatally shot in Florida by neighbourhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman.

He was found not guilty of second-degree murder in July 2013 and his acquittal led to nationwide protests and sparked angry debate about racial profiling.

Since then, the Zimmerman family have led a largely reclusive life. George has appeared on a few television shows, but their daily routines are defined by paranoia.

They spent a period hotel-hopping, before finding a two-bedroom house and watched the film Argo to "learn how to live like CIA". There are code names, no conversations are allowed with neighbours and weapons are kept in close proximity in case of attack.

George is still unemployed, although has taken up painting. His first piece, of an American flag, sold for $100,099.99 on eBay. However, he was sent a cease-and-desist letter after coping an Associated Press photo of Martin case prosecutor, Angela Corey.

Anne Frank could be the subject of his next work though - as, according to his brother, Robert - George relates to her. The portrait is yet to be started.

Robert sees what the family describes as "the incident" as a marketing opportunity, taking his lead from the Kardashians.

"I learn a lot from watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians," Robert Zimmerman told GQ. "Like, use the shit you've got."

He initially wanted to make his brother a reality television star, but instead he and his mother came up with the idea of a home-security company called Z Security Products for which George would be the frontman.

"They all start with Z," Robert explained of the products. "There's the Z Bar, the Z Rock, and the Z Beam. They're all targeted to women. One is to secure sliding doors. One is to put in the front door. The light is to carry and is designed by George. It has a little alarm - you know, 'Help me, help me!'"

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