The Anniston Star ● Sunday, October 7, 2012 ● Page 4F
SUNDAY RECORD YOUR GUIDE TO PUBLIC RECORDS AND VITAL STATISTICS IN CALHOUN COUNTY DEATHS Bonnie Evelyn Anderson, Heflin Bertha Louella Ansley, Talladega Janice Clack Barnes, Smiths Station Rev. Chester Hugh Beason, Oxford Philip J. Beville, Georgia Mary B. Blackerby, Georgia Oliver Zane Brock, Oxford Sandra Michell Petty Brown, Centre Melvin W. Brown, Ohatchee Ora Brown, Anniston William Alford “Bill” Butler Jr., Anniston Larry “Digem” Chesnut, Leesburg Annie Ruth Cox, Hobson City Martin Davis, Anniston Charlsie Marie Dennis, Ranburne Martha Lois Dunaway, Ohatchee Jimmy W. Dunson, Auburn “Cricket” Dorothy Gardner, Anniston Florence Turner Genge, Madison Clyde Gibbs, Ranburne Erlene Riddle Gilbert, Rainbow City Imogene Coker Goza, Sand Rock Juanita Gray-Roper, Jacksonville Ruby Hail, Weaver Jura Mae Hanvey, Anniston Jeanette Hill, Newell Mary M. Hill, Anniston Robert Taft Holt, Jacksonville Kenneth Kilpatrick, Piedmont Isaac “Butch” Kohen Jr., Anniston Tucker Brian Laws, Roanoke
BANKRUPTCIES
John Wilbur Clinton Mathews Jr., Tennessee Laura Diane McClanahan (Dee Dee Baxter), Georgia Barbara Jean Morgan, Roanoke Gordon Luther Morgan, Sand Rock Theodis Morris, Anniston Fred L. Parker, Anniston Opal Owens Parker, Rabbittown James “Jim” Clayton Parris, Jacksonville Roy L. Parrish, Anniston Frances Pinkard, Jacksonville Clarence Patterson “Pat” Poland Jr., Lineville Robert D. Poore, Oxford Elzon Antwon Rudolph, Anniston Lorene W. Sanford, Piedmont Dr. Warren Glea Sarrell, Anniston Gary Wayne Smith, Munford Helen Crowder Stephens, Anniston Hubert Stitts, Piedmont Thomas Bryan Townsend, Talladega Clifford Clarence Ward, Oxford Betty Nell Hunter Wells, Centre Wendell White, Ranburne John O. Williams, Weaver Calvin B. Winn II, Lineville Doris Molock Woolf, Piedmont
CATTLE SALE
MARRIAGE LICENSES
• Lloyd Eldridge Ogle • Adam Nicholas of Oxford to Angela Smith of Anniston to Maria Crow Ogle of Julie Marie Rendino Oxford of Anniston • Gregory Lee Morris • Sheldon David Henof Wellington to Benita man II of Jacksonville Faith Hammonds of to Jacinta Latrise Wellington Brock of Jacksonville • Matthew Ian Gid- • Andrew Christopher dens of Martinez, Ga., Mendez of Roanoke to to Laura Elyse Mankin Latasha Marie Neal of of Martinez, Ga. Monterey, Calif. • Richard Michael • Phillip Jerome Lee of Brown of Jacksonville Anniston to Sonya Lorto Angel Lee Johnston raine Price of Annisof Jacksonville ton • Joel Eugene Carter of • Forrest Dewayne Jacksonville to Aman- Hass of Anniston to da Lynn Ray of Jack- Christina Louise Grasonville ham of Anniston Chapter 7 • Joseph Allen Stuart • James Adam Mize of • Justin R. Fox, Cedar Springs Road, Jack- of Piedmont to Lynita Wellington to Suzanne Dawn Burns of Pied- Nichole Smitherman sonville of Wellington • Dennis L. Christopher, Tuckaway Drive, mont • Russell Allen Craig • Thomas Maverick Piedmont • Charles M. Patton, Hollon Court, Oxford of Anniston to Kayla Gidley of Oxford to • Debra A. Fuller, Merimack Drive, Oxford Ramsey Wilkerson of Katie Marie Carter of Oxford • Linda Ann Callahan, Brenda Road, Anniston • Christopher Charles • Ralph Edward ThomAnniston Palmore of Anniston as of Anniston to Regi• Sherry Morgan, Jacksonville to Roshon Lennette na Ann Funchess of Chapter 13 Johnson of Anniston Anniston • Felicia Stovall, Newborn Street, AnnisWILLS PROBATED ton • Angela M. Bedwell, Homewood Acres • James A. Mills • Allen Dean Shaffer Drive, Eastaboga • Elaine F. Salter • Nellwyn Clark Smith • Richard N. Turner, Reaves Road, Annis• Debra Leonard ton • Charlie Hutchison • Eddie Frank Payne • Raymond E. Smith • Josephine Tatum A Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows the debtor to retain certain exempt property, but the debtor’s remaining property is gathered and sold by a trustee from which creditors will receive payment. It may also be used by businesses which wish to terminate their business. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy enables debtors, through court supervision and protection, to propose and carry out a repayment plan under which creditors are paid, in full or in part, in installments over a three-year period. During that time, debtors are prohibited from starting or continuing collection efforts. The following bankruptcies declared by Calhoun County residents were recorded by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Alabama last week:
DIVORCES
• Donald Green and Marion Green • Jeffrey Bradshaw and Kimberly Bradshaw • Teresa Lewallen and Gerald Lee Lewallen • Brigget Diane Patton and David Lee Batchelor Jr. • Alice Lee Saboley and Edward Saboley
Here is the livestock market report for the Tuesday sale. Receipts for this week 700 compared to 864 last week. Receipts a year ago 848.
FEEDER CLASSES:
Bulls and steers (Medium and Large No. 1 and No. 2): 200-300 lbs. Too Few; 300400 lbs. 153.00 to 200.00; 400-500 lbs. 138.00 to 177.00; 500-600 lbs. 120.00 to 155.00; 600-700 lbs. 106.00 to 136.00. Heifers (Medium and Large No. 1 and No. 2): 200300 lbs. Too Few; 300-400 lbs. 131.00 to 165.00; 400500 lbs. 123.00 to 135.00; 500-600 lbs. 114.00 to 131.00; 600-700 lbs. 105.00 to 124.00.
SLAUGHTER CLASSES:
Cows: Breakers 71.00 to 75.00; Boners 76.00 to 80.00; Lean 68.00 to 70.00. Bulls: Normal Dressing 54-58% 91.50 to 96.50; Low Dressing
EDITOR’S NOTE The material inside the Sunday Record is recorded by The Anniston Star from various institutions and government offices. The public records are published as they appeared on the documents obtained by the newspaper. Direct questions and comments about Sunday Record to Isaac Godwin at jgodwin@jsu.edu.
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ARRESTS The people listed in this arrest report, whose names and stance. charges are obtained from public records, are presumed • Demris Devon Almon, 36: third-degree domestic vioinnocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. lence. • Stephan Shaquille Wilson, 19: third-degree burglary. Anniston • Dennis Bernard Duke, 37: possession of a controlled The following felony arrests were reported by the Anniston substance. Police Department (addresses not provided) during the • Eli Kasseed Quick, 24: second-degree possession of a forged instrument. seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. • Trisceana Gevonda Thomas, 41: obstructing justice by Calhoun County using a false I.D. • DeAngelo Cantrez Jackson, 22: violation of the Community The following felony arrests were reported by the Calhoun Notification Act. County Sheriff’s Office during the seven-day period ending • Corey Darnell Groce, 35: obstructing justice by using a at 7 a.m. Thursday false I.D. • Shanda Denise Petroff, 42, of Anniston: alteration of an • Maurice Simmons, 39: first-degree theft. insurance card. • Kimberly Dingler Livingston, 37: first-degree theft. • Charles Ray Blackwell, 29, of Heflin: first-degree escape, • Robin Michelle Simmons, 34: first-degree theft. probation revocation. •Jonathan Lee Bloodworth, 31: third-degree burglary. • Kevin Scott Lawrence, 23, of Pell City: probation violation. • James David McDonald, 28: third-degree burglary. • Layla Rae Webb, 25, of Heflin: four counts of failure to • Angelia Gwyenn Christopher, 53: second-degree domestic appear. violence. • DeAngelo Cantrez Jackson, 22, of Anniston: probation • Arlene M. Elliott, 54: possession of a controlled sub- violation.
• Iris Starlene Ledbetter, 46, of Anniston: unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. • Alonzo Miller, 29, of Anniston: contempt of court. • Kevin Scott Lawrence, 23, of Pell City: third-degree burglary. • Chrystal Michelle Slayton, 35, of Piedmont: second-degree receiving stolen property.
Drug Task Force
The following felony arrests were reported by the CalhounCleburne Drug and Violent Crime Task Force during the seven-day period ending Thursday at 7 a.m. • Jennifer L. Brown, 24: chemical endangerment of a child.
Pardon and Parole Board
The following felony arrests were reported by the Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole during the seven-day period ending Thursday at 7 a.m. • Iris Ledbetter, 46, of Anniston: probation violation. • Brandon King, 31, of Nauvoo: probation violation.
BLOTTER Crimes are listed by location. Anonymous tips may be called in to Crime Stoppers at 256-238-1414. A reward of up to $1,000 may be given.
Anniston
dryer, hair dryer, shampoo and conditioner supplies, massage table, costume jewelry. • Residence, 300 block of 3rd Avenue: television. • Drug store, 1500 block of Leighton Avenue: computer.
The following property crimes were Thefts reported to the Anniston Police Department during the seven-day • Highway/Street, 1900 block of period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. Parkwood Drive: cell phone. • Residence, 500 block of Sequoya Burglaries Drive: jewelry. • Residence, 300 block of East 15th • Residence, 3500 block of Gurnee Avenue: game console and Street: firearm, televisions. • Residence, 5200 block of Arrow games. • Residence, 400 block of West 29th Avenue: jewelry, laptop. • Residence, 300 block of East 15th Street: sofa and love seat. • Residence, 3300 block of West Street: televisions. • Commercial site: 900 block of Old 14th Street: heating and air condiGadsden Highway: copper wire, tioning unit. air-conditioning unit, water heater, • Residence, 3000 block of Griffis Street: surveillance cameras, conduit and wiring, office chair. • Residence, 1400 block of Chris- shovels, drive shaft, tools. • Bank, 200 block of Greenbriertine Avenue: television. • Residence, 1800 block of Ste- Dear Road: currency. • Unknown location, 5700 block of phens Avenue: iPad, laptop. • Unknown location, 200 block of K Alabama 202: tires. Street: hair flat iron, curlers, blow • Service/Gas Station, 1200 block
of Wilmer Avenue: currency. dria: plants, wreath, lawnmower. • Unknown location, 3200 block of • Residence, Mahlep Lane, Alexandria: checkbook, iPod Touch, McClellan Boulevard.: currency. firearm, cash, jewelry. Auto-related thefts • Residence, Gate 5 Road, Alexan• Parking Lot/Garage, 900 block dria: men’s hats, medications, sunof South Quintard Avenue: hunt- glasses, television power cable. ing knives, coins, backpack, CD • Residence, Mountain Street, receiver. Jacksonville: currency, fraternity • Highway/Street, 500 block of pin. Leighton Avenue: checkbook, Thefts navigation system, currency. • Highway/Street, 1500 block of • Unknown location, Sulphur Leighton Avenue: stereo, battery. Springs Road, Lincoln: cell phones, • Parking Lot/Garage, 1100 block of cell phone accounts. • Residence, Golden Valley Road, U.S. 431: Dodge Ram truck. • Residence, 6100 block of Weaver Ohatchee: I.D. theft. Road: Nissan truck, televisions, • Residence, South Harris Avenue, Piedmont: Coachman Catalina firearm. camper. Calhoun County • Unknown location, Gladden Lane, The following property crimes West, Alexandria: fraudulent use were reported to the Calhoun of a credit/debit card. County Sheriff’s Office during the • Unknown location, Gladden Lane, seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. West, Alexandria: fraudulent use of a credit/debit card. Thursday. • Residence, Robertson Road, Burglaries Piedmont: negotiable checks • Residence, Gate 5 Road, Alexan- (cashed).
CRAFTER’S CORNER HAUTE HOMEMADE ▶ THE IN SUNDAY’S LIFE SECTION
Auto-related thefts • Residence, West Foster Road, Jacksonville: vehicle batteries. • Parking Lot/Garage: cell phone. • Construction site, U.S. 431, Alexandria: heavy equipment battery and cables.
Jacksonville
The following property crimes were reported to the Jacksonville Police Department during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday.
Burglaries • Residence, 300 block of College Street, SE: game consoles and remotes, television,
Thefts • Department store, 1600 block of Pelham Road, S.: merchandise.
Robbery • Residence, 1500 block of Church Avenue: I.D. card, currency, cell phone.
For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com
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SUNDAY RECORD
The Anniston Star
Sunday, October 7, 2012 Page 5F
CALENDAR: AnnistonStar.com/calendar PROPERTY TRANSFERRED • Louise A. Williams to Deborah Jo Edge and Louise A. Williams, Church Hill Downs, phase 2, lot 2, $10. • Frances Camp to Reba Graham and Ann Wooldridge, Piedmont Land & Improvement Co., block 25, lots 12-14, $10. • Tammy D. Steelman to Eric A. Free and Kayla K. Free, Corning addition to the City of Anniston, block B, lots 19 and 20, $10. • Johnny S. Abernathy and Elaine Abernathy to John Kochan and Reva F. Kochan, a parcel of land in section 35, township 12, range 9, $10. • Jim Douthit and Judy B. Douthit to Phillip C. Boozer and Michele B. Boozer, a parcel of land in section 9, township 13, range 8, $10. • Cenlar FSB to Freddie Mac, S. E. Boozer’s subdivision, lots 18 and 19. • Ronald Troy Smith to Ronald Troy Smith and Bobby T. Smith, a parcel of land in section 35, township 13, range 9, $10. • Ronald Troy Smith and Bobby T. Smith to Sara Smith, a parcel of land in section 35, township 13, range 9, $10. • Johnny Warren and Margaret P. Warren to Johnny Warren and Margaret P. Warren, a parcel of land in section 16/17, township 16, range 7, $10. • Wesley Bittles and Charlotte Bittles to Paige Krutulis, Shady Hills subdivision, block 2, lot 7, $45,000. • Roger D. Holman and Beatrice Holman to Mike Stallings and Carla Stallings, Westwood subdivision, 2nd addition, block C, lot 2, $10. • Arvid Leon Padgett to Arvid Leon Padgett and Sharon A. Padgett, a parcel of land in section 35, township 13, range 7, $10. • Clemment Enterprises LLC to Bonita Ford, Western Hills subdivision, lots 24 and 25, $10.
• Barbara Gayle Gossett, Dean Ashley, James Ronald Ashley and Patricia Carol Hightower to Mark Gaines, a parcel of land in section 24, township 16, range 8, $10. • Margaret Gilley to Jascelynne Gilley, Williams Coopertown Property, block B, lot 7, $10. • Mable S. Bryant to Doris Adkinson, a parcel of land in section 6, township 15, range 8, $10. • Robert Andrew Wolfe to Andrea Jo Wolfe, Westwood subdivision, block C, lot 8, $10. • Karla Williams to Clifton W. Williams and Kasey V. Williams, a parcel of land in section 22, township 13, range 8, $10. • Elaine Courtney Rhodes to Charles G. Fowler and Hannah E. Fowler, Weaver North subdivision, 1st addition, block E, lot 3, $10. • Jamestown Development Co. LLC to Nicholas W. Mundy and Emily P. Mundy, Colony at Jamestown, lot 7, $10. • Casey B. Abernathy and Michael C. Abernathy to Bridges Properties LLC, a parcel of land in section 6, township 15, range 6, $10. • Landon Sims to Regina Sims, a parcel of land in section 19, township 14, range 8, $10. • Inez B. Reaves-Estate to William G. Dulaney, a parcel of land in section 17, township 16, range 6, $10. • Jessica U. Hoyle to Rebecca Spears Jenkins, Cynthia, Crescent addition, block 3, lot 11, $10. • Ronald K. Gallahar and Betty Griffin Gallahar to Alex K. Gallahar and Brittany Gallahar, a parcel of land in section 24, township 14, range 6, $100. • Hattye A. Peters to Phillip Peters, Golden Springs subdivision, 1st addition, block D, lot 2, $10. • Billy Partridge, Andrea Ray and Larry Ray to Billy Partridge, Hidden Meadow, block 1, lot 11, $1. • William Leon Dodd to Carolyn Lee and Michael Kent Lee, a par-
cel of land in section 3, township 15, range 7, $10. • Charles C. Redmon and Karen M. Redmon to Thomas E. McKleroy and Linda K. McKleroy, Overbrooke Forest subdivision, lot 5, $10. • Thomas E. McKleroy and Linda K. McKleroy to Jeffrey L. Cockrell and Cary W. Cockrell, Pinewood subdivision, Nelson’s addition, lot 2, $10. • Alice G. Lennon-Estate to Lisa M. Pruitt and Roger D. Pruitt, Timberidge subdivision, block A, lot 29, $10. • Eldon F. Gillispie and E. Joye Gillispie to April C. Whaley, Indian Oak Estates, section 2, lot 72, $128,500. • Cynthia Slaton to Cynthia Slaton and Jessica Stewart, fractional section A of a parcel of land in section 20/29, township 15, range 5, $10. • Vickie Marie Mundy to Robin L. Hunt, a parcel of land in section 18, township 14, range 8, $10. • Michael T. Crowe and Tammy L. Crowe to Michael T. Crowe, Valley Land Corp., 4th addition, block M, lot 9, $10. • P. D. Pritchett to Equity Trust Co. and Richard L. Mayfield, Jacksonville, Matthews addition, block N, lot 1, $10. • Barry Smith to Omega Homes Inc., Pinehurst subdivision, lot 12, $10. • Rosemary Wessinger Garza to Erin Hines and Jeffrey R. Hines, a parcel of land in section 12, township 16, range 8, $10. • First Alvernon Properties LLC to George M. Dudchock Jr. and Pamela M. Dudchock, Indian Oaks Estates, section 2, lot 77, $10. • Housing & Urban Development to Ohio Investments LLC, a parcel of land in section 35, township 13, range 7, $12,744. • Calhoun Development Co. Inc.
to Joseph A. Cash and Margaret Cash, Buckhorn subdivision, phase 7, 3rd addition, lot 203, $10. • Jerry Houck-Estate to Nathaniel H. Ponder and Agnes Nell Ponder, a parcel of land in section 24, township 13, range 9, $10. • P & G Legacy LLC to Christiane G. Branche, Greenleaf Heritage subdivision, 1st addition, block B, lot 11, $10. • Bismark LLC to Jonathan Mark Box, Whispering Oaks subdivision, 1st addition, lot 20, $83,900. • Lisa Pruitt and Roger D. Pruitt to Patricia Ortega, Lenlock subdivision, 2nd section, 1st addition, block 3, lot 10, $10. • Longleaf Development LLC to Rosemary Olivares, Hickory Hills, lots 8 and 9, $1. • JPMorgan Chase Bank to Housing & Urban Development, KaraLyn Heights, 2nd addition, block 2, lots 2 and 4. • Fannie Mae to Rex D. Newton and Ashley D. Newton, a parcel of land in section 5, township 14, range 8, $54,000. • Joyce A. Heckel to Ed Hise, Carriage Hills subdivision, 1st addition, block 3, lot 14, $1. • Kenneth Hise to Ed Hise, Carriage Hills subdivision, 1st addition, block 3, lot 14, $1. • Connie Pierce to Millie G. Smith, a parcel of land in section 22, township 16, range 6, $10. • Mary Carter to Millie G. Smith, a parcel of land in section 22, township 16, range 6, $10. • Michael L. Smith to Stephen M. Smith, a parcel of land in section 1, township 13, range 10, $10. • Michael L. Smith and Stephen M. Smith to Stephen M. Smith, fractional section 8 of a parcel of land in section 35, township 12, range 9, $10. • Richard McMurtry to Millie G. Smith, a parcel of land in section 22, township 16, range 6, $10.
RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS Here are food service establishments recently inspected by the Calhoun County Health Department, along with scores. A score of 100 indicates the inspector found no deficiencies. Potentially hazardous deficiencies (four- or five-point demerit items) are noted. These must be corrected immediately and inspectors say they are often corrected while the inspection is underway. Restaurants earning below 70 must raise their scores within seven days or face closure.
• Peggy H. Crow to Geoff H. Smith, a parcel of land in section 21, township 16, range 7, $135,000. • Allie Stewart to Lula L. Carpenter, Thomas Hampson’s subdivision, block C, lot 1, $30,600. • Patricia G. Koors, Mary G. Monk, Martha G. Norton and KMN Properties to Mayer Properties LLC, South Anniston Land Co., 1st division, block 25, lots 9-14, $320,000. • Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust to Calhoun County Community Development Corp., Anniston Land Co., block 442, lot 13, $500. • Andria Strickland Perry to Nannie Ruth Brewster, Anniston Land Co., block 102, lots 3-5, $10. • Billy Joe McFall and Linda McFall to Gregory King and Teresa King, a parcel of land in section 19, township 14, range 7, $10. • Property Investment Group LLC to Timothy Shadrick and Carol Shadrick, Jacksonville Mining & Manufacturing Co., block 396, lots 6-8; Jacksonville Mining & Manufacturing Co., block 400, lots 3-5; Quail Run subdivision, 1st addition, block F, lot 5, $10. • Christy R. Dille to Eric J. Barnes, a parcel of land in section 4, township 15, range 6, $10. • Adam S. Johnson to Angela Darlene Chandler, Seven Springs Estates, 1st addition, block B, lot 18, $10. • Warren D. Preskitt and Sheena Preskitt to Warren D. Preskitt and Sheena Preskitt, 5-W Ranch subdivision, block 1, lot 6, $100. • Rudolph M. Coleman to Deborah E. Fancher, Golden Springs subdivision, block B, lot 6, $100. • Calhoun Development Co. Inc, to Edward A. Quinn and Marybeth C. Quinn, a parcel of land in section 32, township 14, range 8, $10. • Calhoun Development Co. Inc, to Edward A. Quinn and Marybeth C. Quinn, a parcel of land in section 32, township 14, range 8, $10.
FORECLOSURES
NO MAJOR DEMERITS • Brother’s, 206 S. Pelham Road, Jacksonville — 96. • Red Lobster, 515 Quintard Drive, Oxford — 99. • Tokyo Express, 1801 Quintard Ave., Anniston — 96. • Waffle House, 545 Quintard Drive, Oxford — 96.
• April S. Smallwood and Michael L. Floyd, North Anniston Realty, Saks addition, block 29, lots 8-10. • Jo Lynn Heath, a parcel of land in section 5, township 15, range 8.
• Brenda Faye Crook, Woodchase subdivision, 3rd addition, block D, lot 14. • Virginia Johnson, Quail Run subdivision, block A, lot 4.
AnnistonStar.com
Dueling scenarios helped shape Martin story in media BY HAL BOEDEKER AND MARTIN E. COMAS Orlando Sentinel
ORLANDO, Fla. — Robert Zimmerman Sr. arrived at the Orlando Sentinel lobby alone March 15. He was so nervous that he was trembling. Sad and resigned, he discussed death threats his family had received. But the father of George Zimmerman also was determined as he demanded that the Sentinel print a typed, one-page letter with the message: “The media portrayal of George as a racist could not be further from the truth.” The newspaper published the letter online later that day, as well as in the next day’s edition. His media critique came a week after Trayvon Martin’s dad, Tracy, first spoke out about his son’s fatal shooting Feb. 26. Tracy Martin demanded that Sanford police arrest George Zimmerman — a demand that echoed across the country. Since the shooting, the Trayvon MartinGeorge Zimmerman story line has been shaped, in large part, by those dueling scenarios as both sides have used the media to present their version of the truth. Race has been a driving force. The Martin team has highlighted profiling and unequal justice, while the Zimmerman camp has countered that race was a red herring that clouded the central issue: Zimmerman acted in self-defense. Martin was black. Neighborhood watch volunteer Zimmerman was initially described as white. But other issues also propelled the story atop the national news. The public debated the merits of Florida’s “stand your ground” law; the rules of neighborhood watch and how far its volunteers can go in protecting their neighborhoods; and even the advisability of wearing hoodies. “It was a cultural story about race, about state laws. There were a lot of components that elevated it above just another crime story,” said Tom Rosenstiel, director of the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism. “That’s what journalism has always been about: stories that can provoke a deeper conversation about issues. You don’t have to live in Florida to know the details of the case.” In the court of public opinion, the Zimmerman side initially suffered one misstep after another while trying to get its message out. The Martin side, meanwhile, shared its version of the story early, clearly and frequently. “Their goal was simply to keep this case in the public forefront and not let it
Walter Michot/Miami Herald/MCT
Trayvon Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, surrounded by family and fellow employees, receives hugs and well wishes before the Miami-Dade commission Tuesday, May 15, 2012, to thank commissioners and county employees for donating vacation time to her and to Trayvon’s aunt. get swept under the rug, and they did that excellently,” said Orlando attorney Mark NeJame, a legal analyst for CNN. “Martin’s team adopted a philosophy of simply repeating their position as if it were a mantra.” That mantra: Martin, just 17, was an innocent child walking home in his hoodie when he was shot in cold blood, armed only with Skittles and iced tea. Zimmerman should be arrested. The mantra for Mark O’Mara, Zimmerman’s attorney: “Wait until you know the facts of the case.” “This case has gotten skewed way off the base of what I think it should be on, because people are not listening to and seeing facts,” O’Mara said in a recent interview with the Orlando Sentinel. “A lot of people ran with the idea that this was a racially motivated case when there was no support to it.” That was hard to see in the beginning, when protesters joined the Martin family’s demand that Zimmerman be charged with killing Martin. After weeks of national outcry, an arrest happened April 11 when a special prosecutor charged him with second-degree murder. “The narrative plays toward the mob
in a case like this,” said Al Tompkins, an instructor at the Poynter Institute, a school for journalists in St. Petersburg. “The story is easy to understand. The youth is innocent, and the youth is the victim. What happens is a complex narrative that’s much more difficult to get your arms around and sort out how you should feel. “It’s not as simple as man shoots teen. There appears to have been some struggle. Once you know the narrative, the facts change. The man (Zimmerman) did have injuries. The youth actually fought back somehow. It’s difficult for the public to stop in its tracks and alter its thinking in any way.” The Sanford shooting has been one of the biggest stories this year, and one that reflects how today’s fragmented news culture works across blogs, websites and talk shows. Many in the media seized on emotion, not facts. The key ingredient helping the story gain traction was Zimmerman’s call to a dispatcher who told him to back off before Martin was killed, Rosenstiel said. “It was after that tape was released that the story became much larger,” Rosenstiel said. “That was one of the propulsive elements along with social media.”
But both sides also used traditional media. Benjamin Crump and Natalie Jackson, lawyers for the Martin family, became frequent TV guests on morning programs, cable news and local newscasts. At a March 16 news conference, Crump said, “Thank God for the media, because I’m not sure we ever would have gotten the truth out.” Crump even flew to London with Martin’s parents for a hoodie march. “Most lawyers prefer to try their cases in the courtroom,” Crump said in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel. “But in my experience, in civil rights cases, if you don’t present your case in the court of public opinion and get media coverage, there’s no guarantee — no matter how egregious the facts are — you’ll be able to present your case in a court of law.” In his 17 years of practicing law, Crump has become well known for taking on cases of poor minorities — and presenting them to the media before they reach the courtroom. Crump took the case after several requests from those in the Martin camp, including Tracy Martin. He sees a societal benefit in his TV appearances with Martin’s parents. “It kept mushrooming to the point that people started talking about it with their children,” Crump said. “It became a debated issue at dinner tables around America. It was a phenomenon in every sense of the word.” Meanwhile, Zimmerman’s side of the story remained largely untold: George’s brother talked with CNN’s Piers Morgan on March 29. Zimmerman talked with Sean Hannity on July 18 on Fox News Channel. “Are we playing catch-up? They’re eons ahead of us,” O’Mara said. “They’re running around the country just saying whatever they want.” O’Mara questions Crump’s approach. “If he believes he wants to take on as a crusade the plight of the way young black males are treated in the criminal justice system — ‘call me, and I will help you,’ ” O’Mara said. “What they’re saying is, ‘Let’s have a conversation.’ Go right ahead, but don’t make it a media frenzy about a case that doesn’t involve that.” To O’Mara, the central legal issue will rest on his client’s insistence that he was defending himself when Martin was shot. “The reality is, this case is supposed to be judged upon George’s belief, whether it was reasonable, that he was in fear of great bodily injury at Martin’s hands,” O’Mara said. “To that, we look at some of the evidence. That’s what we need to focus on. To turn George into something he’s not for an ulterior motive is frustrating.”