At this moment, still just a couple of days past an acquittal in a highly charged Florida murder case, I am unsure about the wisdom of prosecuting the defendant on a civil rights charge.

George Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree murder in the case involving the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African-American boy. The case drew widespread attention. It has split the nation largely along racial lines.

Do I think Zimmerman should have been convicted of something, say, manslaughter? Yes, probably.

But he wasn’t. Then again, I’m passing judgment from the peanut gallery, far from the action in the Sanford, Fla. courtroom.

Now the U.S. Justice Department is considering whether to pursue civil rights charges against Zimmerman. Some have alleged that he violated Trayvon’s civil rights by stalking him simply because he was black. Zimmerman, incidentally, is half-Hispanic.

http://thehill.com/video/administration/311053-holder-trayvon-martin-death-unnecessary-tragic

Attorney General Eric Holder today said that Martin’s death was “unnecessary.” Do you think, Mr. Attorney General? It could have been avoided if Zimmerman had not approached Trayvon, or had he waited for the police, per the 911 dispatcher’s advice.

The debate over whether Trayvon Martin’s civil rights were violated will continue no matter what the feds decide to do. Holder and the White House say the DoJ will pursue its probe strictly within the parameters of federal law. My hope is that Justice decides soon and does not keep the nation waiting anxiously.

I’m still not completely sure about where I think this case needs to go, if anywhere. For now, though, I’m thinking the feds ought to let the local court system sort this matter out.

I’m pretty sure a civil lawsuit will be forthcoming eventually. Maybe a decision in that case will settle this matter.