Scott Appoints New Prosecutor In Trayvon Martin Case
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami) – Florida Governor Rick Scott officially entered the Trayvon Martin murder investigation Thursday evening when he appointed Angela Corey as the newly assigned state attorney for the case and created a task force on citizen safety and protection.
Scott, and attorney general Pam Bondi, both talked with state attorney Norman Wolfinger Thursday and after the conversation Wolfinger decided to step down from the Martin investigation.
"This request is being made in light of the public good with the intent of toning down the rhetoric and preserving the integrity of the investigation," Wolfinger wrote in his letter to the governor.
At the same time, Governor Scott also announced the formation of a task force while convene following the conclusion of the investigation by State Attorney Corey.
"As law enforcement investigates the death of Trayvon Martin, Floridians and others around the country have rightly recognized this as a terrible tragedy. Like all Floridians, I believe we must take steps to ensure tragedies like this are avoided. After listening to many concerned citizens in recent days, I will call for a Task Force on Citizen Safety and Protection to investigate how to make sure a tragedy such as this does not occur in the future, while at the same time, protecting the fundamental rights of all of our citizens - especially the right to feel protected and safe in our state," Scott said in a statement.
Scott and other members of the GOP and the NRA have come under fire for Florida's controversial "Stand Your Ground" law which George Zimmerman, the shooter of Trayvon Martin, is using as his defense.
Zimmerman claimed under the law, passed in 2005, that he was acting in self-defense when he shot Martin, 17. Zimmerman made the claim despite getting out of his truck and pursuing Martin after 911 dispatchers told him not to do so.
Scott's task force will review the law and any other laws, rules, regulations or programs that relate to public safety and citizen protection, the governor's office said Thursday.
The task force will be led by Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll and the Reverend R.B. Holmes, Jr. Legislative leaders and Bondi will recommend other members to join the task force.
