George Zimmerman Gives Sean Hannity First Interview Since Killing Trayvon Martin

Addressing the public.

Image courtesy of Fox News. Words by Julian Kimble (@JRK316).

Written by Julian Kimble (@JRK316).

"I feel it was all God's plan."

That's part of how George Zimmerman attempted to explain the death of Trayvon Martin, giving his first interview on the matter to Sean Hannity. In the interview, which aired last night, Zimmerman continued to insist that he was only acting in self defense when he shot and killed the 17-year-old Martin in Sanford, FL, back on February 26. Trayvon Martin's parents took issue with Zimmerman's talk of religion.

Sybrina Fulton dismissed Zimmerman's suggestion that her son's death was all by the design of a higher power. Speaking to CNN's Soledad O'Brien today, Fulton said, "I think it's absolutely ridiculous. God did not have a plan for Trayvon to die and for George Zimmerman to shoot Trayvon for no reason." Meanwhile, Martin's father, Tracy, questioned what exactly made his son appear so suspicious to Zimmerman. It's a question many need answered.

During the hour-long interview, Zimmerman described Martin's body language as "confrontational" when the teen approached him. He maintained that Martin asked him what his problem was, and after responding that he did not have one, Martin broke his nose with a punch, sending him to the ground for a full-on attack. Flanked by his attorney, Mark O'Mara, Zimmerman claimed that Martin reached for his gun and told him he was going to die, leaving him with no choice but to shoot the teenager once in the chest.

Martin's mother reminded everyone that the public is only getting half of the story. She buried her son, leaving the 28-year-old Zimmerman as the only person living who knows what happened that night. Also, because there was no initial evidence to contest Zimmerman's recollection, his account went unchallenged, thus delaying his arrest.

Zimmerman apologized to Martin's parents at his first bail hearing, and took the time to do so once more last night. Though he and his wife, Shellie, don't have children, he expressed regret over killing Martin. "My wife and I don't have any children. I have nephews that I love more than life. I love them more than myself. And I know when they were born, it was a different unique bond and love that I have with them," he told Hannity.

"And I love my children even though that they aren't born yet. I am sorry that they buried their child. I can't imagine what it must feel like. And I pray for them daily," he went on to say. Some may view these comments as an attempt to win the media over, the same media, Zimmerman explained, that rushed to judge him. Of course, the media did the same to Trayvon Martin.

After having his bond set at $150,000 in April, Zimmerman posted bail and was freed, only to return to prison in early June because prosecutors claimed he and his wife had lied to the court about Zimmerman's second passport and their financial situation. Zimmerman's attorney had set up a defense fund and opened a PayPal account for donations; to say that people were supportive would be an understatement.

Zimmerman's wife was arrested as well, and O'Mara told Hannity that he was unable to comment on donations given the pending case.

The interview brought forth an interesting revelation: Zimmerman was unaware of Florida's "Stand Your Ground" Law, the same law that protected him following Martin's murder. When Hannity asked him if he had heard about the law at the time of the shooting, he responded, "No, sir." It's interesting that Zimmerman, the owner of a firearm, would be ignorant of the law that allows him to use it if threatened.

Benjamin Crump, the Martin family attorney, called the interview a gift. David Faulkner, a criminal defense attorney and former FBI agent suggested that it may be wise for Zimmerman to stop talking. Special Prosecutor Angela Corey filed a notice saying that she intends to use the interview in court, so Zimmerman could be digging his own grave by opening his mouth. With a charge for second-degree murder looming over his head, it's not God that Zimmerman will answer to, it's a judge and jury.

After Barbara Walters rejected an interview with Zimmerman due to his demands, Hannity was able to swoop in with an interview that drew 61,200 viewers in the Orlando TV market. While Zimmerman says he regrets the events of February 26, he said it was not his place to second guess or judge his actions. Just like Trayvon Martin's murder was out of his hands, as he puts it, so is his future.

[via CNN, The Orlando Sentinel, and The Huffington Post]

 

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