Black Lives Matter: The Lost Life Of Trayvon Martin

Prosecutors Charged Zimmerman With Second-Degree Murder

In April 2012, prosecutors filed an affidavit of probable cause against Zimmerman that involved a second-degree murder charge. Prosecutors believed Zimmerman profiled Martin as he was walking to his father’s fiancee’s home from a nearby 7-Eleven. They believe Zimmerman thought Martin was a criminal and didn’t belong in the neighborhood. When Zimmerman called the dispatcher, he was told a police officer was on the way, and he should wait for him. Meanwhile, Martin was on the phone with a friend and told her a man was following him. Martin tried to run home, but Zimmerman followed him. Prosecutors believed Zimmerman followed Martin, ignoring the dispatcher’s request to stop his pursuit, and confronted him.