Cohen Lauds DOJ Decision to Review Trayvon Martin Case for Hate Crime of Civil Rights Violations

[MEMPHIS, TN] – After calling on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Saturday to fully consider hate crime or civil rights charges against George Zimmerman for his role in the killing of Trayvon Martin, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today praised the DOJ for announcing it will do just that. George Zimmerman was acquitted of state charges of second-degree murder late Saturday evening, despite not disputing that he killed the unarmed teenager.

"Right here in Memphis, federal law was used to achieve justice in the murder of Shelby County Code Enforcement inspector Mickey Wright when state law and local authorities failed to do so," said Congressman Cohen. "I requested an investigation by then-FBI Agent-in-Charge My Harrison that led to a federal indictment by U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton III and a subsequent guilty plea that will keep the murderer behind bars for the rest of his life."

"While we are deeply disappointed in the judicial decision in Florida, we must now think of Trayvon’s Martin family and explore every avenue available to achieve justice for them. I am glad that the Department of Justice will consider charging George Zimmerman under federal civil rights or hate crimes statutes, and I hope that our government sends the message that this sort of vigilantism will not be tolerated and will not go unpunished.”

The DOJ’s prosecutors will now determine whether the evidence in the case reveals a prosecutable violation of any federal criminal civil rights or hate crime statutes within its jurisdiction and then decide whether federal prosecution of Zimmerman is appropriate.