The special prosecutor appointed to investigate the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin said Monday that she had decided not to convene a grand jury in the case, which incited protests nationwide after the local authorities in Sanford, Fla., decided not to pursue charges against the crime watch volunteer who shot the unarmed teenager.
The prosecutor, State Attorney Angela Corey, who was appointed last month by Florida Gov. Rick Scott to investigate the shooting, said in a statement that her decision “should not be considered a factor in the final determination of the case.”
Ms. Corey had previously said that summoning a grand jury might not be necessary, so the move was not entirely unexpected. Grand juries are typically called to investigate high-profile cases and politically sensitive matters.
Last month, State Attorney Norm Wolfinger, the previous prosecutor in the case, had directed the grand jury to convene to hear evidence starting on Tuesday. But Mr. Wolfinger, who usually handles cases in Sanford, recused himself after public outcries about the pace of the investigation.
The shooting occurred the night of Feb. 26 when Trayvon was walking back from a store to his father’s house in Sanford. Along the way, he was confronted by George Zimmerman, 28, the watch volunteer, who fatally shot Trayvon.
Mr. Zimmerman, who is white and Hispanic, has said he shot Trayvon, who was black, in self-defense, though others have questioned that account and asked why Mr. Zimmerman confronted Trayvon in the first place.
The shooting and the subsequent decision not to pursue charges against Mr. Zimmerman led to protests around the nation, including on the floor of the House of Representatives.
An investigation by the Justice Department is continuing, a spokesman said Monday.
{NY Times/Matzav.com Newscenter}
