2ND DEGREE MURDER IN TRAYVON CASE

I must say, I am pleasantly surprised at the Florida prosecutor’s announcement today that her office has charged George Zimmerman with 2nd degree murder in the shooting of Trayvon Martin. I think she knew she had to come correct. Perhaps more importantly, I think she has strong evidence to convict. Among other things, there is the timeline of  Trayvon’s phone conversation with a young girl while Zimmerman was trailing him. There were Trayvon’s screams for help, which reportedly have been confirmed as his voice, not Zimmerman’s. And there’s forensic evidence that has not even been part of the public discourse about the case.

In her press conference, the prosecutor struck the right tone and balance, sending a clear message that she intends to try to bring this case to a just conclusion, for both Trayvon and Zimmerman’s sake. Symbolically, this move sends an important message that black life has value, too.

Who knows? It may help to ease some of the racial tensions that have been rising lately.

Still a long way to go before a conviction, but this was a good start.