Events, protests for Trayvon Martin continue

Weekend packed with prayer vigils, protests

SANFORD, Fla. – The events and protests for 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, who was shot and killed by a neighborhood watchman in Sanford last month, continue into the weekend.

Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte held a news conference Friday afternoon as an update of the investigation.

Bonaparte confirmed that Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee is on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into the Sanford Police Department and into Martin's case. Bonaparte said once he has the report that shows the actions of the police department he will make a permanent decision on Lee.

Bonaparte also thanked organizers for a peaceful rally Thursday night with Rev. Al Sharpton and stressed that Sanford is open for business.

On the heels of Sharpton's rally Thursday night, which drew thousands to Fort Mellon Park in Sanford, Friday there will be a hour-long prayer vigil at 7 p.m. for Martin at the Allen Chapel AME Church.

On Saturday at noon the New Black Panther Party will rally outside of Sanford police headquarters.

On Monday the Sanford City Council meeting will be held. The meeting is expected to be so packed it's moved locations to the civic center.

More schools in Miami also staged walk-outs in response to the Martin investigation Friday morning.

Martin was shot and killed while walking home from a 7-Eleven Feb. 26 by George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old neighborhood watchman. Zimmerman has not been spotted since the shooting, but was officially withdrawn from Seminole State College Thursday.

Zimmerman has not been arrested for Martin's death, sparking anger nationwide.

Meanwhile, Florida's governor has appointed a new prosecutor to oversee the investigation into last month's shooting.

Gov. Rick Scott late Thursday appointed Angela B. Corey to oversee the investigation into the death of Martin. State Attorney Norman Wolfinger stepped down Thursday night, along with Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee, who temporarily stepped down earlier Thursday.

"The governor called me late this afternoon and I accepted his request and we will begin tomorrow to look into the facts and circumstances in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin," Corey told Local 6's sister station, WJXT in Jacksonville.


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