The Trayvon Martin case: A timeline

(Image credit: CC BY: ElvertBarnes)

last updated 8 January 2015

This article — originally published on March 29, 2012 — was last updated on July 17, 2012. Scroll down for the latest updates.

The February shooting death of Trayvon Martin, a black 17-year-old staying at a gated community in Sanford, Fla., was a minor local news story for weeks before exploding into the national media. Since then, the killing has both fascinated and repulsed the nation, touching on all sorts of cultural and racial issues, and becoming nightly fodder on the cable news shows. Here's a look at what happened and when in this complicated, still-unfolding tale:

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While certain details remain a matter of heated disagreement, here's what we know: Neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, 28, was driving his SUV though his Orlando-area neighborhood (known as the "Retreat at Twin Lakes") when he called 911 to report "a real suspicious guy," a "black male" walking around. That was Martin, heading back to the house where he was staying after a 7-Eleven run. Martin was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and carrying a can of iced tea, a bag of Skittles, and his cellphone. Zimmerman followed Martin, and the two engaged in some sort of altercation. One of the two men cried for help before Zimmerman fired one shot into Martin's chest. Zimmerman was brought to the police station, pleaded self-defense, and has remained free since.

Police release 911 calls Zimmerman and others made on the night of the killing. Zimmerman says he's monitoring a "real suspicious... black male," and disregards the 911 operator telling him not to chase after Martin. The case gains national media attention, with much of the debate centered on Florida's controversial "stand your ground" gun law, which lets residents use deadly force against a threat when they feel their lives are in danger.

The FBI and U.S. Justice Department say they're going to open an investigation into the killing. Older Zimmerman 911 tapes are released, revealing that he has a history of flagging "suspicious," often black, youths. State Attorney Wolfinger's office announces a grand jury investigation. A 16-year-old friend of Martin's recounts a cellphone conversation she had with him the night he died that lasts until right before the fatal shooting (as phone records confirm); she says Martin was creeped out by the strange man following him, and tried to get away from him.

President Obama makes his first public comments on the case, saying Martin's parents are right to expect that all Americans consider the case with the seriousness it deserves, adding as a personal coda: "You know, if I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon." Fox News' Geraldo Rivera draws outrage for suggesting that Martin's supposedly criminal-looking "hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin's death as George Zimmerman was." Thousands attend a second "Million Hoodie March" in Philadelphia.

Zimmerman's father, Robert Zimmerman, makes his first public comments on the case, claiming that Martin beat his son and threatened to kill him. Zimmerman's brother, Robert Zimmerman Jr., also publicly defends his brother and backs up their father's claims. The family says they have received death threats. Director Spike Lee apologizes for tweeting an address that he mistakenly believed belonged to Zimmerman's parents. Comedian Roseanne Barr apologizes for tweeting their actual address.

Reuters reports that Zimmerman's neighbors saw him with bandages on his head and nose the day after Martin was killed. Gov. Rick Scott denies claims that political pressure was the main reason Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder. Zimmerman moves to disqualify trial Judge Jessica Recksiedler over a conflict of interest, after Recksiedler reveals that her husband works with a lawyer whom Zimmerman had approached for possible legal representation. A group of media outlets files a motion for the court to make available records — such as police and autopsy reports — that were sealed by Herr.

Martin's autopsy is leaked, showing that the teenager had trace amounts of THC, the active ingredient of marijuana, in his blood, cuts on his knuckles, and had been shot at close range, no more than 18 inches away. Released police interviews with friends and coworkers paint Zimmerman as confrontational and prone to racist remarks. The New York Times details a long "series of missteps — including sloppy work" — by the Sanford police.

The court releases transcripts and audio recordings of jailhouse conversations between Zimmerman and his wife Shellie, in which the couple talk about how much they love each other, purchasing bulletproof vests, and discreetly moving money into personal bank accounts. Speaking in poorly concealed code (they referred to PayPal as "Peter Pan"), George explains to Shellie how to move cash garnered through donations into another bank account so they can claim to be virtually "penniless," and thus unable to post bail.

Less than 24 hours after a judge sets George Zimmerman's bond at $1 million, the shooter ponies up $100,000 (with the backing of $1 million in collateral), and is released from jail. Zimmerman must stay in Seminole County and will be electronically monitored. He is forbidden from obtaining a passport, going to the airport, or opening a bank account, and has a curfew every night from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

In taped recordings released by the Florida State Attorney's Office, a woman identified as Witness #9 alleges that Zimmerman molested her as a child. The unnamed woman, who is reportedly two years younger than Zimmerman and was not a witness to the February shooting, says her family was friends with Zimmerman's family, and that the alleged assaults began when she was 6 years old. Zimmerman's attorney fought to block the release of her claims, arguing that they are not relevant and that it would only "serve to reignite and potentially enhance the widespread public hostility toward Mr. Zimmerman."

Sources: ABC News (2) (3), Associated Press (2) (3), Bloomberg, CBS News (2), (3), Christian Science Monitor, CNN (2), The Daily Beast, Global Post, GZlegalcase.com, Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald (2), (3) Mother Jones, New York Times, Orlando Sentinel (2) (3) (4) (5), Politico, TheRealGeorgeZimmerman.com, Reuters (2) (3), Scribd/Change.org, Talking Points Memo, Think Progress, USA Today (2)

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