George Zimmerman trial: U.S. Justice Department orders hold on evidence, including gun, in Trayvon Martin killing
(CBS)Police in Florida say the U.S. Department of Justice has placed a hold on evidence in the George Zimmerman case, including the gun the former neighborhood watch volunteer used to shoot unarmed teen Trayvon Martin,CBSNews.com reports.
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The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether to file civil rights charges against Zimmerman, who was acquitted Saturday evening of second-degree murder charges in the teen's shooting death. Before the freeze, evidence in the case was set to be released, and Zimmerman would have been able to retrieve the gun if he requested it.
Speaking in an interview with ABC News, Zimmerman attorney Mark O'Mara said there was "even more reason" now for Zimmerman to carry a gun because of safety concerns following the verdict. O'Mara told CBS that Zimmerman shouldn't be stripped of his second amendment rights, but said Zimmerman should never again carry the gun used in the Martin killing.
After reading news reports about the hold, a Florida gun shop owner has offered to give Zimmerman a free gun, CBS affiliate WKMG reports.
