Trayvon Martin's Parents Settle Wrongful Death Suit
Trayvon Martin's parents have settled a wrongful-death claim with the homeowners association of the Florida subdivision where their son was shot and killed by George Zimmerman, the Orlando Sentinel reported Friday.
The homeowners association is believed to have paid more than $1 million to Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin to set aside their wrongful-death claim and claims for pain and suffering, loss of earnings and expenses.
The family's attorney Benjamin Crump has not confirmed the amount of the settlement. "I have no comment on that subject … I know you did not get that from me," he said in an interview, according to the Sentinel.
Both parties intend to keep the amount confidential, according to their agreement.
The portion of the settlement made public Friday had been edited to eliminate the names of the parties and people making payment.
"It is understood and agreed that the payment made herein is not to be construed as an admission of any liability by or on behalf of the releasing parties; but instead the monies being paid hereunder is consideration for avoiding litigation, the uncertainties stemming from litigation as well as to protect and secure the good name and good will of the released parties," the settlement said.
Crump has made clear that he intends to file suit later against Zimmerman, and the settlement spelled out that Zimmerman was not part of this deal.
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Florida judge Debra S. Nelson set June 10 for the trial of George Zimmerman, the onetime neighborhood watch volunteer who has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing of Trayvon Martin.
George Zimmerman decided not to seek immunity under Florida's controversial "Stand Your Ground" law in March although his lawyer Mark O' Mara originally announced he would. Zimmerman will instead allow a jury to decide his fate at his second-degree murder trial for killing unarmed teen Trayvon Martin.
Under Florida law, Zimmerman could have argued his self-defense case in advance of the trial. His murder charges would have been dropped if he was successful in convincing the judge of his case.
Zimmerman shot the 17-year-old Black high school student in February in a gated community in Sanford, Florida. Martin was carrying a bag of candy and a can of iced tea. Zimmerman claims that, after he followed the teenager, Martin assaulted him and a fight ensued.
Martin’s parents and their lawyer have contended that the teenager was racially profiled by Zimmerman, who is of white and Hispanic parentage.
(BET.com reporter Jonathan P. Hicks contributed to this article.)
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