Spike Lee settles for retweeting wrong address

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 13: Filmmaker Spike Lee attends 8th Annual Gala, Gatekeepers: Celebrating Service hosted by Evidence at Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom on February 13, 2012 in New York City. / Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Evidence

(AP) SANFORD, Fla. - An elderly couple has reached a settlement with Spike Lee after the pair said they had to leave their Florida home after the director help spread a Twitter posting listing their address as that of the man who shot an unarmed teen.

The couple's attorney, Matt Morgan, announced the settlement Thursday. Morgan says Lee called them to apologize for retweeting their address. Specifics of the settlement weren't disclosed.

Elaine and David McClain are in their 70s and say they have a son named William George Zimmerman, who lived in their Sanford area home in the mid-1990s. They say he is no relation to 28-year-old George Zimmerman, who killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26.

The killing has touched off widespread protests around the country and expressions of outrage — including from Lee and other celebrities — because Zimmerman was not arrested. The neighborhood watch volunteer has said he acted in self-defense.

"At this point in time, we have come to an agreement with Spike Lee and his attorneys, and at this point, the matter is fully resolved," Morgan said. "Spike has agreed to compensate the McClains for their loss and for the disruption into their lives. He's taken full responsibility."

Lee tweeted late Wednesday: "I Deeply Apologize To The McClain Family For Retweeting Their Address. It Was A Mistake. Please Leave The McClain's In Peace."

Movie director Spike Lee apologizes for retweeting couple's address as that of George Zimmerman

Morgan added that Lee also called the McClains to apologize personally.

"He was really kind," Elaine McClain said. "And when he called us, you could just tell he really felt bad about it. And it was just a slip, and I just know that he really, really has been concerned."

No one answered at a telephone listing for a production company for Lee in New York after business hours Thursday.

[anlyztht]

You showed class, Spike. Proud of you.

[SugarChris]

wow, Spike Lee actually did the right thing.

[longtree-2009]

too bad spike lee can't be caned. too bad the settlement wasn't at least 50 million dollars. too many idiots, like spike, use twitter and facebook as if they were a 10 y/o child.

[cmc1227]

Spike Lee is a *********

[LosAngelesCA]

Yay Spike Lee. I like you again. You did the right thing in this case but you should have never burned Sal's pizza shop.

[POTUS101]

I would like to know what was SL thinking when he RT'd the address? Was he trying to stur hate and discontent? Had he convicted Zimmerman before the facts were unearthed by investigators? Since when does mob justice rule in the US?

This is nothing more than a case of lynch mob justice! SL & the NBPP should be investigated for a hate crime because they are attacking someone and not allowing law enforcement to investigate.

Finally, the NBPP nor SL has taken any action to call attention to the (white) student at Mississippi State University who was allegedly killed by 3-(black) males, nor the 13-year old (white) teen who was allegdely doused with gasoline and set afire by 2-(black) teens who told him, "This is what you deserve, white boy."

But CBS, NBC, ABC, nor CNN carry this in the national news.

Where is Rev. Al & Jesse to protest the senseless killing and attempted murder "allegedly" committed by blacks against whites? Can only white people be racists & commit hate crimes? Or is Al & Jesse just stirring up trouble like Rev. Bryant has stated?

Should we try the 5-blacks in the press like what is happening to Zimmerman?

If you cannot see where the liberal press is doing a disservice to the nation by promoting racism, then you're beyond help and have damned this country to hell.

You're part of the problem! Are you going to doing something about it, or join Al & Jesse to tear apart this nation?

[SugarChris]

The Liberal press promoting racism?? Lack of education, compassion, and simple decent morals is what is promting racism. If you are a HATER, look no farther than the POS's that raised you, if you want validation for your ignorance.

[audemus]

I agree with most of your comments POTUS101, however I must take issue with your criticism of the so-called "liberal press." I fail to see where anyone but the actual offenders promote racism, and yes, this does include all races. Some blacks can be (and are) just as racist as some white people. Stupidity is not limited by color.

I look forward to the day when injustice, regardless of its skin-tone, is protested and condemned by all.

[robert0259]

It was reckless to be tweeting anyones address...what if a mob had lynched those people...would Lee's appolgy bring them back to life?

[Skruffy1]

I agree, Robert. Regardless if a person has committed a heinous crime, it is WRONG for the family's address to be publicly posted as Lee did. All it can do is stir up lynch-mob mentality.