A Florida judge has dismissed George Zimmerman’s 2019 lawsuit for $100 million against the parents of Trayvon Martin, Black teen fatally shot by Zimmerman in 2012 while walking back from a store.
Judge John Cooper dismissed all counts against all parties listed including,Trayvon’s parents Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, attorney Ben Crump, and others, AP reports.
The Tallahassee judge stated that Zimmerman did not show “any fraudulent representation.” He also said that any further discussions about the case would be pointless.
“There can be no claim for conspiracy to defraud if there is no adequately stated claim for fraud.” Cooper wrote in the order.
According to Zimmerman’s lawsuit, he claimed that Brittany Diamond Eugene was on the phone with Martin before he was fatally shot and not her half-sister Rachel Jeantel. He claimed that Jeantel, who actually testified, pretended to be on the phone with Martin on the night of the incident in 2012.
Zimmerman also claimed that Trayvon’s parents and Crump were involved in a conspiracy to file charges against him. AP also reports that Zimmerman stated they wanted to “destroy his goodwill and reputation in the community.”
Zimmerman also claimed he was portrayed as a murderer and a racist in the lawsuit filed.
Ultimately, Zimmerman went on to be acquitted for the 2012 murder of Trayvon Martin. The case brought national attention to Florida’s “stand your ground” law and racial injustices across the country.
Feb 26th will be ten years since the passing of Trayvon Martin.
