Posted on May 15, 2012

Report: Feds Weigh Hate Crime Charge in Trayvon Martin Death

Melanie Eversley, USA Today, May 15, 2012

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Update at 12:10 p.m. ET: The state of Florida has made public its documents that lay out the case against Zimmerman, USA TODAY’s Marison Bello reports.

The 8 pages of documents include witnesses who were interviewed. The names of many witnesses were withheld, including those who called 911 the night of the shooting. The documents also list Sanford police officers, paramedics and others interviewed or involved in gathering evidence.

While the police reports, videotapes and other documents were released to Zimmerman’s attorney, there were not released to the public.

Original post: George Zimmerman, the volunteer neighborhood watchman from Florida charged in the killing of unarmed black teen Trayvon Martin, could face federal hate crime charges, WFTV reports.

Zimmerman profiled and stalked Martin before allegedly shooting and killing him Feb. 26, state prosecutors have said, so the FBI is looking into charging Zimmerman with a hate crime, the television station reports.

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If Zimmerman is convicted of the second-degree murder charge, he could face life in prison, but a hate crime charge could mean he would face the death penalty, WFTV reports.

FBI representatives are interviewing residents of Zimmerman’s neighorhood in Sanford, Fla., looking for evidence of a hate crime, according to WFTV.

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