Civil rights case urged after acquittal over Trayvon Martin killing
Neighbourhood watchman's acquittal over the killing of Trayvon Martin leads to calls for federal inquiry, with victim's family considering lawsuit
The acquittal of George Zimmerman, the neighbourhood watchman cleared of murdering black teenager Trayvon Martin, spurred new calls for a federal civil rights prosecution and suggestions that the youth's family may bring a lawsuit.
The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) is pushing US Attorney General Eric Holder to pursue a hate crimes case against Zimmerman, its head said on Sunday on CNN's programme.
"There is reason to be concerned that race was a factor in why he targeted young Trayvon," Ben Jealous, the NAACP president, said.
"We know there will be a state phase, there will be a civil phase almost assuredly, and then there will be a civil rights phase," he said. The Justice Department reiterated it was investigating the "facts and circumstances" surrounding the shooting and would take "appropriate action" at its inquiry's conclusion.
The department has a long history of using federal civil rights law in an effort to convict defendants who have previously been acquitted in related state cases. But experience has shown it is difficult to gain convictions in such high-profile prosecutions.
