The Orlando Sentinel reported a settlement was reached between the parents of Trayvon Martin and the Retreat at Twin Lakes in Florida where the teenager was murdered last year. A prior offer of $1 million had been rejected by Martin’s parents. After resuming negotiations, the parties settled for an undisclosed amount without the Retreat admitting liability.
On Feb. 26, 2012, Martin, a guest of his father’s friend, returned to the subdivision with an ice tea and Skittles for his sister where he was fatally shot by George Zimmerman. The shooting by the neighborhood watch volunteer and his subsequent release caused a national uproar. “We just wanted an arrest and we got it,” stated Martin’s mother Sylbrina Fulton at the time of Zimmerman’s arrest. The family long advocated for justice in this case. One aspect of that is now behind them.
The settlement was made public yesterday while keeping confidential the dollar amount to Fulton, Tracy Martin, and their son’s estate. Though the lawsuit against the Retreat has been dropped, the agreement does not preclude a civil lawsuit against Zimmerman, who is out on bail awaiting criminal trial.
Official tapes exist, which suggest Zimmerman pursued the black 17-year-old against a 911 operator’s advice. Zimmerman’s pre-trail defense under Florida’s stand your ground law was waived again, most experts say to gain more time to organize a defense. The next docket sounding, reassessing the June 10 date for the trial, is scheduled April 30 in Seminole County criminal court.
“I thank everyone for being compassionate about this,” a grateful Tracy Martin expressed about the charges brought against Zimmerman. “As Attorney Crump said this is just the beginning. We have a long way to go and we have faith.”
All rights to this article are reserved by Gloria Blakely. Copyright 2013.
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