The special prosecutor in the Trayvon Martin case announced Monday that she will not take the case before a Florida grand jury — but will continue pursuing her investigation.
The news release issued on behalf of Florida State Atty. Angela Corey cautioned the public not to read too much into the move.
“The decision should not be considered a factor in the final determination of the case,” it said.
The Seminole County Grand Jury was scheduled to convene Tuesday to hear evidence in the death of Martin, a hoodie-wearing unarmed black 17-year-old who was shot Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla. The case has captivated the nation, with neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, 28, saying he shot Martin in self-defense and with black activists demanding Zimmerman’s arrest.
The decision to bypass the grand jury was unexpected. Grand juries are often used in politically controversial cases as a buffer, protecting prosecutors and politicians from controversy. But there can also be a backlash to grand jury proceedings, because they occur outside the public’s view.
In the meantime, protests continue. . .