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{{current related|date=May 2015}}
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{{pp-semi-indef}}<!-- Infobox removed per discussion at [[Talk:George Zimmerman#Infobox]] as contains almost no information of value to the article. See [[WP:DISINFO]]. -->
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In January 2014, it was reported that the [[Associated Press]] had demanded that Zimmerman halt the sale of one of his paintings because the news agency said it directly copies an AP photo. The photo, and painting, shows Jacksonville-based prosecutor Angela Corey (whose office prosecuted Zimmerman for the shooting death of Martin) holding her thumb and fingers together. Zimmerman apparently made up a quote that he added to the painting that reads, "I have this much respect for the American judicial system." This controversy has been compared to the similar use of an AP photo by [[Shepard Fairey]] in his [[Barack Obama "Hope" poster]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/24/ap-zimmerman-painting-copy/4843775/ |title=AP says Zimmerman painting is copy of AP photo |work=[[Associated Press]] |agency=[[USA Today]] |author= |date=January 24, 2014 |accessdate=July 17, 2014}}</ref>
In January 2014, it was reported that the [[Associated Press]] had demanded that Zimmerman halt the sale of one of his paintings because the news agency said it directly copies an AP photo. The photo, and painting, shows Jacksonville-based prosecutor Angela Corey (whose office prosecuted Zimmerman for the shooting death of Martin) holding her thumb and fingers together. Zimmerman apparently made up a quote that he added to the painting that reads, "I have this much respect for the American judicial system." This controversy has been compared to the similar use of an AP photo by [[Shepard Fairey]] in his [[Barack Obama "Hope" poster]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/24/ap-zimmerman-painting-copy/4843775/ |title=AP says Zimmerman painting is copy of AP photo |work=[[Associated Press]] |agency=[[USA Today]] |author= |date=January 24, 2014 |accessdate=July 17, 2014}}</ref>


==May 11 shooting==

On May 11 2015, George Zimmerman was injured in a "road rage" shooting incident<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nypost.com/2015/05/11/george-zimmerman-wounded-in-shooting-during-road-rage-incident-reports/|title=George Zimmerman wounded in 'road rage' shooting|work=[[New York Post]]|accessdate=May 11,2015}}</ref>
==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}

Revision as of 19:10, 11 May 2015

For other people named George Zimmerman, see George Zimmerman (disambiguation).

George Zimmerman
Born
George Michael Zimmerman

(1983-10-05) October 5, 1983 (age 41)
Manassas, Virginia
NationalityAmerican
Alma materAll Saints Catholic School
Osbourn High School
Seminole State College
OccupationInsurance underwriter
Known forFatally shooting Trayvon Martin
SpouseShellie Nicole Dean (2007-2013)
Parent(s)Robert Zimmerman, Sr.
Gladys (née Mesa) Zimmerman
RelativesSiblings Robert Jr., Grace, and Dawn

George Michael Zimmerman (born October 5, 1983) is an American known for the shooting of Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida. On July 13, 2013, he was acquitted of second-degree murder in Florida v. George Zimmerman.

Biography

Zimmerman, 41, was born on October 5, 1983, in Manassas, Virginia, and is the son of Gladys (née Mesa) Zimmerman and Robert Zimmerman Sr.[2] Zimmerman is the third of four children and his siblings include a brother, Robert Jr., and two sisters, Grace and Dawn.[3][4] Gladys Zimmerman was born in Peru and has some black ancestry, through her Afro-Peruvian maternal grandfather.[3] Robert Zimmerman Sr. is an American of German descent and served 22 years in the military working for the Department of Defense for the last 10 years of his military career. Before retiring to Florida in 2002, Zimmerman Sr. had served as a magistrate in Fairfax County's 19th Judicial District.[3][5][6][7] George Zimmerman had identified himself as Hispanic on voter registration forms.[1]

Zimmerman was raised as a Catholic and served as an altar boy from age 7 to 17. Zimmerman attended All Saints Catholic School in Manassas before going to public high school.[6] At age 14, Zimmerman joined an after-school Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program because he had wanted to become a Marine.[3] When Zimmerman was 15 years old, he held three part-time jobs on nights and weekends to save up for a car. Zimmerman graduated from Osbourn High School in 2001.[3][6]

Move to Florida

After graduating from high school, Zimmerman moved to Lake Mary, Florida, where he got a job at an insurance agency. Zimmerman took classes at night to obtain a license to sell insurance. It was during this time when he became friends with Lee Ann Benjamin, a real estate agent, and her husband John Donnelly, a Sanford attorney.[3] Benjamin and Donnelly would both later testify on his behalf at his trial in the death of Martin.[8][9] According to Donnelly, in 2004 Zimmerman and an African American friend opened a satellite office of Allstate Insurance which eventually failed a year later.

Move to Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford

Zimmerman married Shellie Dean, a licensed cosmetologist in 2007 and, two years later, they rented a townhouse in the Retreat at Twin Lakes. Zimmerman had also previously been employed at a car dealership and a mortgage audit firm.[3][4] Zimmerman enrolled in Seminole State College in 2009 and was working on an associate degree in criminal justice. In December 2011 he was allowed to participate in a school graduation ceremony, even though he was a course credit shy of his degree. He was completing that credit at the time of the shooting. Zimmerman was employed as an insurance underwriter at that time also.[3][4][10]

In early 2011, Zimmerman participated in a citizen forum at the Sanford City Hall to protest the beating of a black homeless man by the son of a white Sanford police officer. During the meeting, Zimmerman claimed he witnessed "disgusting behavior" while in ride-along program with local police; however the police department said it did not know when, if ever, Zimmerman was in that program.[11][12]

Trayvon Martin shooting and trial

Main articles: Shooting of Trayvon Martin and State of Florida v. George Zimmerman
George Zimmerman, 2012

On February 26, 2012, Zimmerman fatally shot 17-year-old African American high school student Trayvon Martin in The Retreat at Twin Lakes community in Sanford, Florida.[3] Zimmerman was the neighborhood watch coordinator for the gated community where Martin was temporarily staying and where the shooting occurred.[13][14][15] The Twin Lakes Neighborhood Watch program was not registered with the National Neighborhood Watch Program, but was administered by the local police department.[16] Following an earlier call from Zimmerman, police arrived within two minutes of a gunshot during an altercation in which Zimmerman fatally shot Martin, who did not possess any weapons. Zimmerman was subsequently taken into custody, treated for head injuries, then questioned for five hours. The police chief said that Zimmerman was released because there was no evidence to refute Zimmerman's claim of having acted in self-defense, and that under Florida's Stand Your Ground statute, the police were prohibited by law from making an arrest.[17] The police chief also said that Zimmerman had had a right to defend himself with lethal force.[18] As news of the case spread, thousands of protestors across the country called for Zimmerman's arrest and a full investigation.[19] Six weeks after the shooting, amid widespread, intense, and in some cases misleading media coverage,[20][21] Zimmerman was charged with murder by a special prosecutor appointed by Governor Rick Scott.[22]

Zimmerman's trial began on June 10, 2013, in Sanford. On July 13, 2013, a jury acquitted Zimmerman of the charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter.[23] For three years the U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigated Zimmerman on civil rights charges.[24] In February 2015, the DOJ concluded there was not sufficient evidence that Zimmerman intentionally violated the civil rights of Martin,[24] saying the Zimmerman case did not meet the "high standard" for a federal hate crime prosecution.[24] In response to his acquittal Zimmerman said he felt free to speak his opinion "without fear of retaliation".[25] Zimmerman criticized the government and President Obama. He believed Obama inflamed racial tensions. "He by far overstretched, overreached, even broke the law in certain aspects to where you have an innocent American being prosecuted by the federal government," Zimmerman said.[25]

Other encounters with police

Apart from the 2012 Martin shooting, Zimmerman has had other encounters with the law, including two incidents in 2005, five incidents in 2013 and other incidents in following years.[26]

In July 2005, when he was 21, Zimmerman was arrested after shoving an undercover alcohol-control agent while a friend of Zimmerman's was being arrested for underage drinking. The officer alleged that Zimmerman had said, "I don't care who you are," followed by a profanity, and had refused to leave the area after the officer had shown their badge.[27] The charges were subsequently dropped when Zimmerman entered a pre-trial diversion program that included anger-management classes.[3][28] Also in 2005, Zimmerman's ex-fiancée filed a restraining order against him, alleging domestic violence. Zimmerman requested a reciprocal restraining order. Both orders were granted.[3][29] These incidents were raised by prosecutors at Zimmerman's initial bond hearing. The judge described them as "run of the mill."[30][31]

On September 9, 2013, in Lake Mary, police responded to a 911 call by Zimmerman's estranged wife, who reported that Zimmerman had threatened her and her father with a gun and had punched her father in the face. Zimmerman was briefly detained and questioned by police.[32] No gun was found at the scene. Police took a broken iPad from the scene for examination of a video recording of the incident to determine whether to press charges against either Zimmerman or his wife.[33] His wife declined to press charges, later expressing regret about her decision.[34] After determining that the iPad video could not be recovered, the Lake Mary police department announced they would not be pressing charges against Zimmerman, his wife, or her father.[35]

On November 18, 2013, Zimmerman's girlfriend called the police alleging that after she had asked Zimmerman to leave her home, he had pointed a shotgun at her and begun breaking her belongings.[36] The police reported that Zimmerman had barricaded himself inside the apartment before they had made their way inside and arrested him.[37] He was charged with aggravated assault with a weapon – a felony – as well as domestic violence battery and criminal mischief.[38][39] On December 6, Zimmerman's girlfriend asked that the charges against Zimmerman be dropped and that the restraining order barring him from seeing her be lifted, after which prosecutors said that they would no longer be pursuing a case against him.[40][41]

On Tuesday September 9, 2014, George Zimmerman was named by police in a road rage incident where he reportedly threatened and followed another driver.[42] Zimmerman reportedly responded aggressively when he noticed another driver pointing at him. According to the other driver Zimmerman said "Do you know who I am?" before saying, "I'll (expletive) kill you." Zimmerman allegedly followed the other driver to a parking lot while the driver called 911, but he fled before the police arrived.[43] The other driver declined to press charges.

On January 9, 2015, Zimmerman was arrested by Lake Murray police and charged with aggravated assault with a weapon after allegedly throwing a wine bottle at his ex-girlfriend.[44] He was released on bond the following day.[45] The charges were later dropped after the complainant recanted her story.[46]

On May 11, 2015, Zimmerman was wounded during a confrontation with another driver in Lake Mary, FL; his injuries were minor.[47]

Media perceptions

Zimmerman gained 100 to 125 pounds in about a 16-month period, between the shooting of Trayvon Martin and the trial.[48] He weighed over 300 pounds at the trial.[49] It became a source of commentary and speculation in the press on how it might impact the jury's perceptions.[49][50][51][52][53]

Zimmerman was satirized in the South Park episode "World War Zimmerman" which premiered on Comedy Central in the United States on October 9, 2013.[54] It parodies World War Z and the George Zimmerman murder trials. One critic called it "great social commentary".[55] Conversely, Jack Cashill, author of If I Had A Son: Race, Guns, and the Railroading of George Zimmerman, criticized "World War Zimmerman". He wrote that South Park "had it absolutely wrong" and felt that it was "really a shame because they are one of the few sources of common sense in the mainstream media".[56]

Paintings

The blue painting of an American flag, which has 50 stars and 13 stripes. Light blue is a color variation for original white stars and stripes. Dark blue is a color variation for original blue box of the stars and original red stripes. The front text of the painting says "GOD / ONE NATION / with / LIBERTY and JUSTICE FOR ALL".
Painting of an American flag by Zimmerman

In December 2013, Zimmerman began selling paintings. His first painting of an American flag sold for $100,099.99 on eBay in late December.[57] His work was not received well by art critics. Art critic Andrew Russeth of New York Observer said, "It looks like someone is doing paint by number."[57] Jason Edward, a contributing editor at Art+Auction, said, "It's very primitive, the sort of thing an art critic wouldn't look at twice."[57] Christian Viveros-Faune, art critic for the Village Voice, said Zimmerman's work is comparable to murderabilia by artists such as serial killer John Wayne Gacy and cult leader Charles Manson.[57] Zimmerman defended his work, posting: "I found a creative way to express myself, my emotions and the symbols that represent my experiences. My art work allows me to reflect, providing a therapeutic outlet and allows me to remain indoors :-)".[57] It was later reported that the American flag painting was copied from a stock image taken from Shutterstock without attribution.[58]

In January 2014, it was reported that the Associated Press had demanded that Zimmerman halt the sale of one of his paintings because the news agency said it directly copies an AP photo. The photo, and painting, shows Jacksonville-based prosecutor Angela Corey (whose office prosecuted Zimmerman for the shooting death of Martin) holding her thumb and fingers together. Zimmerman apparently made up a quote that he added to the painting that reads, "I have this much respect for the American judicial system." This controversy has been compared to the similar use of an AP photo by Shepard Fairey in his Barack Obama "Hope" poster.[59]

May 11 shooting

On May 11 2015, George Zimmerman was injured in a "road rage" shooting incident[60]

References

  1. ^ a b Gamboa, Suzanne (March 29, 2012). "Florida shooter's race a complicated matter". Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  2. ^ "Trayvon Martin Shooting Fast Facts". CNN. June 25, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Francescani, Chris (April 25, 2012). "George Zimmerman: Prelude to a shooting". Reuters. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c Weiner, Jeff (March 20, 2012). "Trayvon Martin: Who is crime-watch volunteer George Zimmerman". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  5. ^ Boedeker, Hal (February 16, 2013). "George Zimmerman: Brother says Sanford's history adds to furor". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c Roig-Franzia, Manuel (March 22, 2012). "Who is George Zimmerman?". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 17, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Trayvon Martin case: George Zimmerman's brother defends him as his father attacks Obama". Daily Mail. London. April 5, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  8. ^ Roig-Franzia, Manuel (July 8, 2013). "George Zimmerman trial continues to focus on 911 call". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  9. ^ "Judge rules defense can show Trayvon Martin died with marijuana in his system". Fox News. July 8, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  10. ^ Robles, Frances (August 9, 2012). "Records show George Zimmerman got D's in criminal justice classes". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  11. ^ Thuman, Scott (May 24, 2012). "Zimmerman publicly accused Sanford police of corruption in 2011". Washington, DC: WJLA-TV. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  12. ^ Robles, Frances (May 23, 2012). "George Zimmerman: In 2010, lazy Sanford police engaged in coverup". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  13. ^ Prieto, Bianca (March 14, 2012). "Trayvon Martin: 'We are gathered here today to demand justice' in teen's fatal shooting". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
  14. ^ Hamacher, Brian. "George Zimmerman Makes First Appearance Before Judge". NBC Miami. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  15. ^ Robertson, Campbell; Schwartz, John (March 22, 2012). "Trayvon Martin death spotlights neighborhood watch groups". The New York Times. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  16. ^ "NSA Statement on the NW Tragedy in FL". National Sheriff's Association. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  17. ^ Robles, Frances (March 27, 2012). "Sanford cops sought warrant to arrest George Zimmerman in Trayvon Martin shooting". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  18. ^ Lee, Trymaine (March 22, 2012). "Trayvon Martin Case: Police Chief Bill Lee Under Fire With 'No Confidence' Vote". Huffington Post. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  19. ^ "From coast to coast, protestors demand justice in Trayvon Martin case". CNN. March 27, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  20. ^ Moore, Frazier (April 7, 2012). "NBC Fires Producer Of Misleading Zimmerman Tape". Huffington Post. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  21. ^ "Third Person Exits NBC Over Misleading Edit Of Zimmerman's 911 Audio". Deadline.com. May 12, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  22. ^ McClam, Erin (June 10, 2013). "Potential Trayvon Martin case jurors get look at defendant George Zimmerman". NBC News. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  23. ^ Campo, Arian (July 14, 2013). "Jury Acquits Zimmerman of All Charges". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  24. ^ a b c Julia Edwards (February 24, 2015). "U.S. won't file charges against George Zimmerman in Trayvon Martin death". Yahoo! News. Reuters. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  25. ^ a b Letitia Stein (March 24, 2015). "Zimmerman blames Obama for racial tensions after Trayvon Martin shooting". Yahoo! News. Reuters. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  26. ^ "A list of George Zimmerman's past run-ins with the law". Fox News. Associated Press. November 18, 2013. Archived from the original on November 19, 2013. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  27. ^ "Zimmerman's past brush with law enforcement". NBC News. March 30, 2012.
  28. ^ "George Zimmerman's wife testifies at bond hearing: 'He is absolutely not a violent person'". CBS News. Associate Press. April 20, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  29. ^ "Zimmerman accused of domestic violence, fighting with a police officer". U.S. News. NBC News. March 27, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  30. ^ "Zimmerman apologizes as judge sets $150,000 bond". CNN. April 20, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  31. ^ Fausset, Richard (April 20, 2012). "George Zimmerman apologizes to Trayvon Martin family; bond is set". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  32. ^ Kuo, Vivian (September 10, 2013). "George Zimmerman detained". CNN. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  33. ^ "iPad video key in George Zimmerman domestic dispute case with estranged wife". The Washington Post. Associated Press. September 12, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) [dead link]
  34. ^ Stump, Scott (September 26, 2013). "George Zimmerman's wife: 'I have doubts but I also believe the evidence'". Today News.
  35. ^ Goldstein, Sasha (November 14, 2013). "George Zimmerman's father-in-law taunted acquitted killer during domestic spat: 'What are you going to do, shoot me?'". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  36. ^ Schneider, Mike (Associated Press) (November 18, 2013). "George Zimmerman Charged With Assault, Battery". ABC News. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  37. ^ Stanglin, Doug; Bacon, John; Winter, Michael (November 18, 2013). "Zimmerman accused of pointing shotgun at girlfriend". USA Today.
  38. ^ "George Zimmerman arrested in Florida after allegedly pointing gun at girlfriend". CNN. November 18, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  39. ^ Stutzman, Rene (November 18, 2013). "George Zimmerman arrested, accused of pointing shotgun at girlfriend". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  40. ^ "George Zimmerman's girlfriend wants case dropped, document says". CNN. December 10, 2013. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  41. ^ Curt Anderson (December 11, 2013). "Prosecutor: no domestic charges against Zimmerman". Associated Press. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  42. ^ Daniel Dahm (September 12, 2014). "George Zimmerman threatened to kill man in road rage incident, Florida police say". ClickOrlando.com. Orlando: WKMG-TV. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  43. ^ Doug Stanglin (September 12, 2014). "George Zimmerman named in 911 road rage call". USA Today. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  44. ^ http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/george-zimmerman-arrested-on-aggravated-assault-charge/ar-AA80aCC
  45. ^ Lindsay Deutsch (January 10, 2015). "George Zimmerman arrested for aggravated assault". USA Today. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  46. ^ http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/trayvon-martin-george-zimmerman/os-george-zimmerman-no-charges-20150130-story.html
  47. ^ "George Zimmerman wounded in Lake Mary shooting incident". wftv.com. May 11, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  48. ^ Piers Morgan (May 28, 2013). "Mark O'Mara on his client George Zimmerman: "He's gained an enormous amount of weight"". CNN. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  49. ^ a b Sasha Goldstein (April 30, 2013). "George Zimmerman gains more than 100 pounds since fatally shooting Trayvon Martin". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  50. ^ "Will Zimmerman's Weight Impact Trial?". Fox News. June 10, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  51. ^ Makenzie Bowker (June 8, 2013). "What's behind George Zimmerman's weight gain?". HLN TV. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  52. ^ Brittney R. Villalva (June 26, 2013). "George Zimmerman Weight: Gains 120 Pounds as Defense Tactic? (VIDEO)". Christian Post. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  53. ^ Joe Coscarelli (May 1, 2013). "George Zimmerman Gained Some Serious Weight". Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  54. ^ "World War Zimmerman (Season 17, Episode 3) - Full Episode Player". South Park Studios. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  55. ^ Nicholson, Max. "South Park: "World War Zimmerman" review". IGN. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  56. ^ Staff. "'South Park' just 'wrong' about Zimmerman". WorldNetDaily. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  57. ^ a b c d e Olivia B. Waxman (January 24, 2014). "George Zimmerman's Paintings: A Critical Appraisal". Time. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  58. ^ Joe Coscarelli (January 24, 2014). "George Zimmerman Can't Even Paint Without Getting in Trouble". New York. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  59. ^ "AP says Zimmerman painting is copy of AP photo". Associated Press. USA Today. January 24, 2014. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  60. ^ "George Zimmerman wounded in 'road rage' shooting". New York Post. Retrieved May 11,2015. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

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