George Zimmerman launches website

George Zimmerman, the neighbourhood watch captain who killed unarmed 17 year old black, has launched a website to raise money for his legal costs.

The 28-year-old has not been charged with any crime but has hired a number of lawyers to defend his reputation after the killing in February which made him a national hate figure.

The simple website opens with a message from Mr Zimmerman, where describes the night of Martin's death as a "life altering event" and said: "I have been forced to leave my home, my school, my employer, my family and ultimately, my entire life".

He said that money from the site would be used for both his legal costs and his living expenses, which he has struggled to meet since being forced to leave his job as an insurance underwriter.

The site - entitled "The Real George Zimmerman" - is scattered with quotes including the line from British philosopher Edmund Burke: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men doing nothing."

The link to a page called "My Race" was broken on Monday but it is thought to address the issue of Mr Zimmerman's own background. In initial reports he was usually said to be white but is now more regularly referred to as a mixed-race hispanic.

A photo album has an image of graffiti slogan on a brick wall reading: "Long live Zimmerman" and there is a link to PayPal account where contributors can make donations.

Mr Zimmerman's lawyers confirmed the authenticity of the website, saying in a statement: "George Zimmerman's family has setup a website for anyone who would like help with George and his family with their living expenses and for his defense".

The website crashed repeatedly under the weight of incoming traffic.

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PA: Gunman's accomplice shoots good Samaritan:  "A masked gunman identified as Edward Friedland, 26, of 15th Street near Venango in Tioga, burst into the store about 8:30 p.m., announced a robbery, and got into a gun battle with store owner Antonio Monegro, 35, after Monegro pulled his gun on the assailant.   After Friedland and Monegro exchanged gunfire, wounding each other, Friedland ran out the door, and Del Valle, a bystander, picked up Monegro's weapon and chased Friedland north on Fifth Street.  Police say Nieves then picked up the gun Friedland had discarded and ran after Del Valle, shooting him several times in the back before standing over his fallen body in the middle of Fifth Street and firing one last bullet into his head. Del Valle died at the scene.   Friedland, who turned up at an area hospital with a gunshot wound the night of the robbery, was arrested then and charged with attempted murder, robbery, aggravated assault, and related offenses in the shooting of Monegro.


NC: Robbers Fire Shots, Victims Fire Back:  "According to investigators, a couple was moving into their new house, when the three suspects tried to rob the couple. The homeowner was shot in the hip and is now in good condition. Deputies said the homeowner opened fire at the suspects. Shots were fired from inside a white Chevy Suburban with three children inside, and shots were fired from the suspects' brown getaway car.  Sheriff Elks says the suspects tried to speed away, lost control and crashed their car into a ditch. The suspects then ran into nearby woods, where authorities found them armed and carrying drugs.  Police K-9 units were called in to search the woods for the weapons and other drugs. One gun was found in the woods, another was found at the shooting scene."


SC: No charges to be sought in fatal double shooting:  "Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said Tuesday no charges will be filed in connection with a fatal double shooting at a west-side apartment complex on Saturday.  The fatal shooting occurred at 12:10 a.m. Saturday at Lee’s Crossing Apartments, off Powell Mill Road. Douglas Williams, 29, later told deputies that he shot the two men after catching them trying to break into his apartment.  Michael Deangelo Gentry-Hill Jr., 22, of 102 Richborough Drive, died at the scene of the incident. Darren Tyree “Ty” Hill, 18, of 112 Shelby St., died at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center later Saturday morning, according to the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office.  Wright said two shots were fired during the incident, and that Gentry-Hill and Hill had single gunshot wounds to the front part of their heads.  “Douglas Williams is the victim here,” Wright said during a news conference Tuesday. “He has a right to defend himself.”  Williams has a criminal record, according to the State Law Enforcement Division"