WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday that the “facts and the law” will guide the Justice Department’s investigation into Trayvon Martin’s death but noted there was a very “high bar to meet” in order to bring federal charges in the case.
Holder said that the Justice Department was assisting local authorities in their probe and conducting a parallel investigation that he promised would be “thorough and independent.”
“I have great faith in our justice system,” Holder said at a press conference following an unrelated antitrust announcement. “The truth will ultimately be determined and appropriate action will be taken.”
He said that unlike possible state criminal violations, federal hate crimes require prosecutors to prove guilt under “the highest standard in the law.”
Federal hate crime legislation requires the US government to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant acted with specific intent, which is more difficult to prove than negligence or recklessness.
The Justice Department announced last month it was launching an independent investigation into Martin’s shooting amid nationwide protests by civil rights activists, who claim race has been a factor in the lack of arrest in the case.
The unarmed Martin, an African-American, was shot and killed in a gated community in Sanford, Fla., by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman, who claims he was acting in self-defense.
In a speech at the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network Convention in Washington, D.C., earlier Wednesday, Holder called Martin’s death “a tragedy we’re struggling to understand” and lauded those who “have called, not just for answers and justice, but also for civility and unity.”
Holder’s comments came a day after the Florida prosecutor overseeing the case, Angela Corey, said she would release new information about the case by Friday. It is widely expected Corey will announce her decision on whether to bring charges against Zimmerman.
Earlier Tuesday, Zimmerman’s attorneys held a hastily arranged press conference to say they could no longer represent him because their client had not returned their calls in days.
The attorneys, Hal Uhrig and Craig Sonner, also revealed that Zimmerman had contacted FOX News Channel’s Sean Hannity — as well as Corey — without informing them.
They said Zimmerman had fled the state of Florida but was still in the United States.
Martin’s family released a statement Tuesday night expressing their concern that Zimmerman was a flight risk.
Appearing on NBC’s “Today,” Sonner and Uhrig said they did not believe Zimmerman would evade authorities should he be charged. The attorneys, who said they continue to believe in his innocence, urged Zimmerman to get back in touch with them.
“If you’ve got something you’d like to talk to us about, we’re here; we’ve been ready for you,” Uhrig said in the interview Wednesday. “But even if you don’t want us to represent you, just call us and tell us that so we’re clear on it.”