...given the bigger picture of what had been going on in that community prior to the tragedy?
Sanford Police Chief Brian Tooley was forced from office last year after the son of a SPD Lieutenant was caught on video beating down a black homeless man, who was hospitalized. He wasn't arrested, but turned himself in a month later when the video erupted in controversy on YouTube. It is perhaps no coincidence that the officer in charge of the case was also the crime scene officer in Trayvon Martin's case. The Sanford police had initially stated that witnesses had confirmed that Martin attacked Zimmerman, though it turned out that several had said it was Martin who had called out for help and even said they were coached by police officers to say otherwise.
http://www.thebradentontimes.com/news/2012/03/25/opinion/sanford_tragedy_highlights_new_problems_with_stand_your_ground_law
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOMCKab3Uhg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHGEam82GME
(http://krisabel.ctv.ca/image.axd?picture=%5C2007%5C8%5Cbstunt3.jpg)