The second degree murder trial of George Zimmerman continued today in Sanford. A witness told jurors that he saw the shooting victim, Trayvon Martin, on top of George Zimmerman during the deadly scuffle. As Amy Green with member station WMFE in Orlando reports, neighbor John Good testified Zimmerman was the one calling for help.
Florida minority rights groups are joining a national campaign calling for a federal constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to vote. As Jessica Palombo reports, the move comes in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down part of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions on marriage equality this week will have a major impact at the federal level, but the impact on Florida is less clear. As Nick Evans reports, the state must still grapple with how same-sex couples married in another state will access federal benefits in Florida.
A lawsuit filed this week asked the Florida Supreme Court to block a new law supporters say would speed up death penalty cases. Jessica Palombo tells us the state agency that represents death row inmates after direct appeals have been exhausted, wants the Timely Justice Act to NOT take effect this coming Monday.
The Timely Justice Act deals with the extremely complex capital punishment process. Lynn Hatter reports that critics of the act are asking, not only if it’s morally acceptable, but also if it’s even enforceable.
World Refugee Day is this month and it seems the number of refugees, both worldwide and here in Florida, is growing. The United Nations pegs the total number of people in what it calls “situations of displacement” at forty-two million. In Florida meanwhile, Regan McCarthy reports officials are working two sides of the refugee issue; they’re thanking those who help the refugees who wind up in Florida. They’re also trying to make more Floridians aware of their refugee neighbors.
The fabled Florida A&M University Marching 100 band could soon be returning to action. This past week, the shackles of suspension, imposed after the hazing death of a band drum major, were removed from the legendary musical ensemble. Sascha Cordner reports, while some say the band is not ready to get back on the field, others say it’s time for the University to move forward.