Florida Gov. appoints special prosecutor to investigate Trayvon Martin shooting death
(CBS) SANFORD, Fla. -- Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi have appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, removing the state attorney who had been considering the case.
The Orlando Sentinel reports Scott and Bondi appointed State Attorney Angela B. Corey, whose office handles cases in Duval, Clay and Nassau counties.
On Thursday, Scott created a task force headed by Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll to review Florida's 2005 "Stand Your Ground" law, which allows people to use deadly force if they think their lives or others' are in imminent danger or they face "great bodily harm."
Brevard-Seminole State Attorney Norm Wolfinger signed a letter requesting the special prosecutor, saying he was acting "with the intent of toning down the rhetoric and preserving the integrity of this investigation."
"In the interest of the public safety of the citizens of Seminole County and to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest, I would respectfully request the executive assignment of another state attorney for the investigation and any prosecution arising from the circumstances surrounding the death of Trayvon B. Martin," Wolfinger wrote.
State Sen. Gary Siplin applauded Scott's actions, calling them "the first step in making sure that Trayvon receives posthumous justice and respect, and that this type of activity is eradicated in not only Central Florida, but statewide."
On Feb. 26, unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin was shot in a gated community in Sanford by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. The case has sparked national outrage, igniting rallies, and even a comment from President Obama. Zimmerman, 28, who said he shot the unarmed 17-year-old Miami boy in self-defense, has not been arrested.
Complete coverage of the Trayvon Martin case on Crimesider
