RACE ON TRIAL IN THE DEATH OF TRAYVON MARTIN

Zimmerman1As I sit here in my law office, I'm catching a few glimpses of the preliminary proceedings in the George Zimmerman trial. I am familiar with some of the key players in the case. Periodically, I represent criminal clients in Seminole County, Florida. The courthouse is located in Sanford. Sanford is about thirty miles from downtown Orlando where my office is located. I have appeared before Judge Nelson two or three times. She strikes me as a no-nonsense, knowledgable and fair judge. I have also interacted with Marc Omara before he became George Zimmerman's lawyer.

 He is a very competent criminal defense attorney, but I am troubled by his characterization of Trayvon Martin in the media. It is not that unusual for a defense attorney to do whatever he can to elicit unflattering information about the victim, especially if he is claiming self defense. I certainly do whatever I can to bolster the image of my client. Part of that bolstering process sometimes entails bringing out things about the alleged victim that tend to cast him in an unfavorable light. Still, there seems to something more than bolstering going on here. Behind the legal arguments being made I keep hearing echoes and whispers of race.

In one sense the Zimmerman's defense team is simply trying to set up the narrative for their theory of the case. But, the Defense team must tread carefully so as to not cater to the stereotypical perceptions that some hold about African Americans. Whether wittingly or not the demonization of Trayvon Martin plays right into the hands of those who wish to polarize the country along racial lines for political and financial gain.

On the surface this case is about a man, no-one extraordinary, who is accused of killing a teenager. From a distance there are no racial undercurrents or outside players seeking to exploit this tragedy for their political or their financial gain. But not too far beneath the surface the ugliness of America's unresolved race problem is perculating and threatening to boil over. Omara is an astute lawyer and he is keenly aware of the diverse and potentially explosive forces that have converged at the Sanford courthouse. Conservative political groups are spinning this tragedy to rile up their base. But, African Americans are looking at the matter through the lens of history.

The killing of Trayvon Martin speaks to the diminished value historically assigned to the lives of African American males. Initially, his death was treated as an open and shut case of self defense. The criminal justice system assumed this posture until African Americans weighed in for the historical record. African Americans marched, picketed and protested in Sanford and around the nation. We are likely to see all the above again, if Zimmerman is acquitted, because African Americans have a accumulative sense of group injury. This trial is about not just the future of George Zimmerman. It is also about America's racial past coming back to hunt us. The verdict in this case and the response that follows will be an important indicator of how far this nation has come, with regard to race relations. It will also be an indicator of how far we have to go.