Crime

George Zimmerman’s Father Details Defense in First TV Interview Since Trayvon Martin Shooting

Robert Zimmerman, the father of George Zimmerman, said in an interview Wednesday that Trayvon Martin beat his son and threatened his life on the night Martin was shot.

In his first television interview since his son shot and killed the unarmed Florida teenager, 64-year-old Robert Zimmerman told Orlando Fox affiliate WOFL-TV, “It’s my understanding that Trayvon Martin got on top of him and just started beating him.”

Robert Zimmerman spoke to WOFL on the condition that his face not be shown because he said his family has received thousands of death threats.

He said his son was not following Martin, as has been widely claimed, but that he kept walking in order to find the address of his location for police.

“[George] called the non-emergency number first, and they asked him where he was, because he was at the rear of the town houses and there was no street sign,” Robert Zimmerman said.

During that time, he said, George Zimmerman lost sight of Martin.

“He went to the next street, realized where he was and was walking to his vehicle. It’s my understanding, at that point, Trayvon Martin walked up to him and asked him, ‘Do you have a f–king problem?’ George said, ‘No, I don’t have a problem,’ and started to reach for his cell phone. At that point, he [Martin] was punching him in the nose, his nose was broken and he was knocked to the concrete.”

Robert Zimmerman said his son was beaten for nearly a minute, after which he tried to get his head off the concrete and move with Martin on him onto the grass.

“In doing so his firearm was shown, Trayvon Martin said something to the effect of, ‘You’re going to die now,‘ or ’You’re going to die tonight,’” Robert Zimmerman said.

Martin “continued to beat George, and at some point, George pulled his pistol and did what he did,” he said.

As for the two gunshot-like noises and screaming that can be heard on the 911 recordings, Robert Zimmerman said one of the sounds is a door closing, supported by the fact there there was only one bullet missing from his son’s gun.

He said the screaming is his son, not Martin.

“All of our family, everyone that knows George, knows absolutely that that is George screaming,” he said. “There‘s no doubt in anyone’s mind.”

Of the account that Martin was on the phone with his girlfriend at the time of the incident and said he was concerned he was being followed, Robert Zimmerman said he doesn’t believe it.

“I don’t believe that happened. I don’t believe she was on the phone with him, and I find it very strange with the publicity involved — that all of a sudden, after three weeks, someone would remember that they were on the phone,” Robert Zimmerman said.

“I‘m sorry for all the hate that’s going around from their attorneys from everyone involved. They’re just making up things that are not try about George. How he’s being portrayed is an absolute lie,” Robert Zimmerman said.

Asked how his son has been handling the past several weeks, Robert Zimmerman said he’s “not dealing with it well.”

“I don’t know if his injuries are physical or mental or — he’s not in good shape,” he said.

Robert Zimmerman, a former magistrate judge and a Vietnam War veteran, described his family’s situation as “unimaginable.”

“Tough was being in Vietnam and other things. This is way beyond anything I can imagine,” he said.

Watch the full 19-min. interview below:

Comments (68)

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  • inferno
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 5:18pm

    I love the way the media attaches a negative conotation to the term “vigilante”. Zimmermen was a neighborhood watch member. The word“vigilante”, refers to someone who is watchful. That is exactly what neighborhood watch members are, vigilant , which means they are looking for things that are out of the ordinary. At times things that appear to be abnormal have a rational explanation. Other times when crimes occur, the most common answer to police questions, is that, “no one saw or heard anything that appeared to be out of the ordinary ”

    Report Post »  
  • waspanglosaxon
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 5:01pm

    How do you determine when America is officially ‘over’? (1.) When Social Security is basically destroyed, either formally or else by raising the age limit to unreasonable levels (as advocated by Sen. Marco Rubio), and (2.) the total breakdown of law and order. If/when the federal government crucifies Geo. Zimmerman on the basis of PC/BS-ism, it will mean that no cop, security guard or even private citizen may defend him/herself from any Black criminals.

    Report Post » waspanglosaxon  
  • desertspeaks
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 3:45pm

    never let a good crisis go to waste, this story is being fomented by tptb, obama needs to bury the truth of his presidency and get his people to vote for him again,..
    Obama needs this! he needs the racial issue to divide and conquer our country! This is their plan! We were warned of these types of actions FIFTY years ago by a cartoon. This lesson has been forgotten and buried. Well it’s now time to dig it up and relearn the lesson, so here it is, the cartoon that taught us to watch out for this type of crap.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CjrZNi49bE&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwhatreallyhappened.com%2Fnode&feature=player_embedded

    Report Post » desertspeaks  
  • RougeFastFingers
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 3:22pm

    We will never know what happned, too many people have clouded the issue with what they want to believe.

    Report Post » RougeFastFingers  
    • SpankDaMonkey
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 3:33pm

      .
      We know what happened. Same thing that happens everyday some Black African Kid got Killed. Only this time a Black African didn’t pull the trigger……….

      It was a Hispanic, but we won’t talk about that……….

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 3:14pm

    It began with TRESSPASSING. This was a gated community where he was up to no good. He had absolutely no business there. He was not on his way home from the store. He was not ‘stalked’ on nay public property. He was on private property, acting suspicious (hard to do without actually being suspicious). He was hididng his identity and it was impossible to know if he was carrying weapons. On top of this he presented an altercation that he was in control of. He could have left. He is a victim of HIS OWN actions. They set the stage and he is solely to blame. That’s just the simple sad truth. Anyone denying it or making excuses for him is setting up more of the same.

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
    • storm8259
      Posted on March 30, 2012 at 2:16am

      Your comments are obscene. If you wish to comment, please at least have some facts. While no one will ever know what actually happened, since there is only one side to tell. The facts are that he was NOT trespassing, he was walking back to his father’s girlfriends house, it was raining. he had his hood up.

      Oh and by the way GANDHI would not have been a republican. One would think if you’re going to use his name as your profile, you could at least spell it right.

      Just plain ignorance

      Report Post » storm8259  
  • SoupSammich
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:53pm

    And Raider fans are winners?
    Pa was a judge and vet, and most likely spoke to son. Duh? You sure do like to group everyone huh? We have just been killing time waiting for your little nuggets of insight. Still waiting…

    Report Post »  
  • brian8793
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:45pm

    This moron sure does know a lot for a guy who wasn’t even there.

    Report Post » brian8793  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:29pm

    What kind of justice system do we have that we arrest people just because a large group of blacks want him arrested? The police judged it was self-defense. The more we hear about the true facts…we realize that is exactly what it was. The blacks have been given so much power and have not been curtailed in their stupidity for so long, that they think that just because they protest…, a man can be arrested and tried and convicted. If this happens…woe is coming to the rule of law. This country is close to mob rule by a minority mob.

    Report Post »  
  • korbin
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:07pm

    Never let the facts get in the way of the truth. Its’s here people regardless of your color we are Americans first. please do your part to be a sheep dog and not a sheep. Join oathkeepers.org or at the very least expose yourself to a cause that can actually achieve results. This is either 1932 Germany or 1776 America where do you stand. ??????

    Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:02pm

    What was Trayvon Martin doing in that neighborhood anyway ? Did he live there ? And in the rain… I haven’t heard that from anyone yet ……why was he there ?

    Report Post »  
    • brian8793
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:48pm

      Who the hell cares why he was walking through that neighborhood?

      Report Post » brian8793  
    • SoupSammich
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:56pm

      Gated communities are essentially posted-private property. That detracts from your narrative, but you will find other means. Were you wanting to perhaps compare and contrast parents in this case? Feeling all snug as a bug in a rug in your raiders hoodie?

      Report Post »  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 3:11pm

      The same reason all punks walk through neighborhoods,not using sidewalks and in between houses,he was casing it for a break in.The punk got smoked like he should have and he probably shouldn’t have attacked Zimmerman,he’d be alive today to rob someone else.After Zimmerman’s acquittal he should sue the thugs parents for inflicting emotional stress on him.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • Etch_uh_Sketch
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:36pm

    Where is the BLOOD ? if ZImmerman was in a hand to hand fight to the death , whith Trayvon getting the upper hand and ON TOP of him, when he shoots, there would be blood on his gray shirt or on the jacket ? Why no blood ? this story is starting to stink.

    Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:01pm

      Funny, the detective who interviewed the guy that day didn’t buy the story and gave an affidavit saying in his opinion the guy should be charged. Wouldn‘t he have believed Zimmerman’s story if he’d actually looked like he was beaten up?

      Plus, if the guy received treatment the day for a broken nose, then he should go to that practitioner and have the record of treatment pulled and made public.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • SoupSammich
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:59pm

      Uh, police and emergency responders actually do know 1st aid. Research if you must invest. PD report said the Zim was treated at the scene. Does that mess up the racial narrative?

      Report Post »  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:28pm

    I cannot help but wonder that none of this would have happened had the RESIDENT not been advised to turn his back on the INTRUDER and return to his vehicle.

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
    • brian8793
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:47pm

      Common sense on this thread? Thank you.

      Report Post » brian8793  
    • SoupSammich
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:09pm

      A raiders “fan” inquiring about common sense? Will wonders ever cease?

      Report Post »  
  • fcbs46
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 11:15am

    How do you like that Glenn! You know probably guilty Glenn. I like the information and the history lessons but Maybe you should take a moment and check yourself before doing he’s probably guilty.

    You jumped like all the rest, he‘s a racist and a mostly white guy so he’s probably guilty.

    Take time from your busy schedule and find out about how blacks have been using the white mans guilt to put over on the public that every white man (especially middle age or older) is a KKK member.

    Report Post »  
    • Marine25
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:58pm

      No. But every member of the terrorist group known as the KKK is white, and male, and Christian.

      Report Post »  
    • SoupSammich
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 5:00pm

      So we can get the kluckers, the aryans, the skin heads, the brand, the NOI, the panthers, the crips, the bloods, and a few other boys clubs together-say in SanFran to finally settle stuff so we can get back to how broke we are monetarily and morally as a nation? Flip a coin for shirts vs skins or is that redundant too? Getting really tired of each narrative-but then I am reminded of Holder’s my people comment, and Obammy’s look like my son crap. There are some really sick people in purported positions of power that should be on the street. Lets all throw some JP5 on the fire and see how that goes.

      Report Post »  
  • lisa2994
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 11:11am

    Does anyone besides myself believe that this is being used now as a way to fan a little more fuel to the fire that has already started?

    Report Post » lisa2994  
    • Etch_uh_Sketch
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:37pm

      Both sides fanning like crazy .

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:40pm

      Of course it is! The Occupy Wall Street got all the white dissidents protesting, getting violent with police etc., basic social unrest. They needed to get the black dissidents involved and bingo, this lands in their lap. It’s two different arms of the same machine. The goal of the protestors is probably very different from the goal of the organizers. It’s Saul Alinsky collapse the system crap.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • momrules
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:52am

    I truley wish that the black racist groups and indivuals, whether private citizens or in Congress would stop their own brand of madness.
    More people will die because of them and their apparent attempt to get a race war started.
    Mr. Zimmerman has a right to speak out in defense of his son, just as Martin’s parents defended their son.
    We have an ongoing investigation. I wish everyone would stop their calls for more violence but I am afraid it is too late now. G.Zimmerman is going to lose one way or the other.

    Report Post »  
  • Lumbar Spine
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:49am

    Judge Zimmerman, in judging someone‘s credibility it helps if you can see his face when he’s talking.

    Report Post »  
  • Lumbar Spine
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:49am

    Judge Zimmerman, in judging someone‘s credibility it helps if you can see his face when he’s talking.

    Report Post »  
  • Lumbar Spine
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:41am

    Judge Zimmerman, did you pull any strings to get your son his concealed carry permit?

     
    • Mateytwo Barreett
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:10pm

      Gee, which of those numerous 4 contacts with police . Which include 1 speeding (which according to the person that was kind enough to post it) made him a person tending toward violence. Or would it be the divorce related civil disturbance.
      The burning question is “Will liberals be able to carry ”Skittles”.

      Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:17pm

      So, you don’t want a hispanic registered Democtrat to have a carry permit? Why are you such a racist? You’re nothing but a dirty hispaniphobe!

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • korbin
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:17pm

      Actually I live in Commufornia, I got my CCW from Florida as a Commufornia resident because my state does not follow the US Constitution. In Florida the requirement is you are able to legally possess firearm, background check, etc. It is our right to carry, there is no need to have your judge father help you get a CCW. You are sadly mistaken just like most people. Think about how difficult it is to own a handgun in California, if you can have own them you are dissected more than any Government official it is the people who can’t own guns legally that are the criminals…

      Report Post »  
    • greenherring
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:22pm

      Lumbar, we don’t need your racism here. Move on please.

      Report Post » greenherring  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 3:16pm

      LUMBAR You need to pull the string that pulls your head out,Florida is a shall issue state meaning it’s very easy to get a concealed carry permit,you don‘t need to ’pull strings’ to get a license to carry.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • Lumbar Spine
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:36am

    Judge Zimmerman, did you pull any strings when your son was arrested three times previously on violence-related charges?

    Report Post »  
    • Mateytwo Barreett
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:17pm

      @Spiney
      You’re getting boring.

      Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
    • SoupSammich
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:04pm

      Poor, poor, poor, pobresito Spiney. Should some intestinal fortitude and head on down to Fla and get you some satisfaction. Get your ma to sign off and you can get some cool tattoos and some grill bling too. Then have a cuban sammich, and go interview Senor Zimmerman, the judge you love so much.

      Report Post »  
  • copatriots
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:32am

    Do you think we will see national outrage over this??? Perhaps the victim looks like a relative of Obama….

    http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/south-carolina-teen-brutal-soccer-attack-earns-assault-103322121.html

    Report Post »  
  • Lumbar Spine
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:31am

    Judge Zimmerman, did you make any calls on your son’s behalf the night he killed Trayvon Martin?

    Report Post »  
    • Make My Day
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:34am

      There is a re cord of all phone calls, we will see.

      Report Post » Make My Day  
    • Forward
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:46am

      Leave it alone. Let the authorities work this through. Didn’t the Casey Anthony case teach anyone anything? You are innocent until proven guilty, especially if you haven’t even been charged.

      If Judge Zimmerman made a call and tried to influence this issue that needs to be addressed too, but speculating about it at this point is ridiculous and is done only to stir the pot.

      We already have an elderly couple whose life has been turned upside down due to the mob reaction. The Zimmermans are obviously unable to live their life in any reasonable fashion. What is the restitution to these people if George actually followed the law? Which member of the media or “community organizer” will come forward to fix this? How can it even be fixed?

      This is why we assume innocence. This is why we don’t (usually) try a case in the court of public opinion. We rely on facts and the removal of doubt.

      What a travesty. The Sanford police department obviously did not do a good job the night of the shooting but what has happened over the past week in terms of the attempts to intimidate the Zimmermans and/or cause harm to George Zimmerman outside of the justice system is sickening.

      To the extent that someone fuels this fire I believe that they are chargable with incitement to riot. Heaven knows why the New Black Panthers have not been charged given the bounty they have advertised. I‘m not sure why that isn’t immediately illegal.

      Report Post »  
  • Just in time
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:27am

    The New Black Panthers will not let it go. Even if It is proven that Goerge was defending himself.

    Report Post »  
    • Lumbar Spine
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:38am

      Screw the NBPP…they’re just a fringe group of knuckleheads. George Zimmerman should be charged in the killing of Trayvon Martin and then let the justice system take its course.

      Report Post »  
    • marine249
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:19pm

      Lumbar
      The cops have to find the truth as they see it before
      they can charge anyone. if they went around charging
      people on the word of nuts like you LOOK OUT

      Report Post »  
  • 65Mustang
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:26am

    The Martin boy is not the innocent that is being portrayed by the disgusting, race-baiting sharks, Sharpton, Jackson, Black Panthers, etc…it was and is a tragic mistake. HOLDER IS GOING TO PURSUE THE GUILTY.

    Report Post »  
    • Lumbar Spine
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:33am

      Really…what did Trayvon Martin do, specifically, on the night he was killed that would have given George Zimmerman legal cause to follow him?

      Report Post »  
    • Forward
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:59am

      The point is that we don’t know. To assume that he was a saint may be incorrect. We are trying to determine if George Zimmerman commited a crime. Creating a firestorm around these individuals clouds the issue rather than clearing our site. Sit back, shut up and let the authorities do their job. If there is any concern over the situation it should be directed at the Sanford police and potentially the Florida law.

      Put your attention there and I can go along with it but to attack Zimmerman at this point is very wrong. It assumes guilt where perhaps there is none. In the end, mob violence is ugly no matter who the victim is.

      Report Post »  
    • AJAYW
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 11:10am

      @Lumbar Spine

      Just maybe you are a race baiting racist

      Report Post »  
    • marine249
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:11pm

      @AJAYW
      You are correct

      Report Post »  
    • Mateytwo Barreett
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:54pm

      @Spiney
      Here’s a couple possibilities. The ONE factoid that has not been disputed is that George Zimmerman was the neighborhood watch. That makes Zimmermans presence and authority valid.
      Beyond that it would seem to be conjecture, logic, reason, and drawing on personal experience.
      Your posts reveal a difinitve lack of ability in those areas. Your acceptance of information dispensed by, if I may be so bold, CNN and ABC makes you apppear very gullible, and close minded.

      Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
    • SoupSammich
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:13pm

      Spiney-
      Your selective outrage is laughable. Troll though a few other sites and do some real looking at what is going on; this is beyond farce, congrats on your selective rage and uber white guilt. Where is your pic again?

      Report Post »  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:21am

    What has holder or obama done to the black panthers for the bounty poster they put out. NOTHING!

    Report Post »  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:20am

    ..and here comes the ‘destroy the reputation’ of Zimmermans father routine from the left/liberal/marxist media…like clockwork we will see people try to destroy this man, a Veteran and Judge. A man who served his country for decades. We may even see the old ‘Hes’ the mans father, of course he defends his son’ routine…this is becoming predictable..in other news, The House kills Barrys’ pathetic Budget plan 414-0..that is at least funny.

    Report Post » Mark0331  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:39am

      Mark I think you’ve called this one!

      Its a shame that these things happen in the first place….but if someone makes a life changing decision to harm someone else and they get killed for being violent, then we can’t blame the shooter for defending his own life esp when the one perpetrating the violence is saying your going to die tonight. If the judge is right about all this, then we have a completely different case then don’t we?

      I fear that even if the real facts were known that they would not be accepted anyways. We can see people are blind with rage against this man and his family, they have made up their minds that the man is a cold blooded racist killer who stalked their skittles carrying son for wearing a scary looking hood and walking while being black as they say.

      I think Beck is right when he says that this may be that situation used this year to fan the flames of racial hatred in this country, our president will use this situation to generate chaos then claim to be the peace maker when everything gets lit on fire. Its coming folks! Innocent people are already being affected by this, young blacks are no robbing stores in spees based on their socalled support for Martin and the elderly Zimmermans (unrelated) had to move out of their own home fearing for their lives.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
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