Tallahassee Protest Cost State $173,000 In Overtime Pay
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — The protest of the George Zimmerman verdict at the Florida Capitol cost the taxpayers of Florida approximately $173,000 in overtime expenses for security.
The protest began three days after Zimmerman was acquitted in July of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges in the 2012 death of teenager Trayvon Martin.
FDLE figures showed the 31-day protest also resulted in more than $20,000 in compensatory time to the officers who stayed in the Capitol with protesters.
Protesters demanded that Gov. Rick Scott call a special session to have legislators repeal the state's "stand your ground" law, which Scott and GOP leadership in the legislature steadfastly refused.
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