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JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL

New Secrets Revealed in Trayvon Martin Case

Aired March 27, 2012 - 19:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST: I`m Jane Velez-Mitchell, coming to you live from New York City.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No justice, no peace!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No justice, no peace!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No justice, no peace!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: The front lines for the fight for justice for shooting victim Trayvon Martin moved to the nation`s capital.

Plus, we`ve got new photos of Trayvon Martin taken not long before he was shot and killed. We`re going to tell you exactly where the investigation stands tonight, next.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Tonight, more secrets in the Trayvon Martin shooting death revealed. New, more recent photos of the teen emerge, as more allegations surface about Trayvon`s past. But are the reports even relevant to the tragic night he was shot?

Plus, the dead teen parents were in Washington, D.C., today. We`ll tell you what happened within the halls of Congress.

And we`re learning more about George Zimmerman`s side of the story. It has some asking, was there a rush to judgment? Tonight, I`ll play the crucial 911 call. And I`ll analyze it with my dynamic panel.

And we`re taking your calls for the hour.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No justice, no peace!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No justice, no peace!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No justice, no peace!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Trayvon Martin`s supporters, who are taking their calls for justice all the way to the White House.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Justice! Justice! Justice!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Justice! Justice! Justice!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Justice! Justice! Justice!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Police, I just heard a shot right behind my house.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What happened in those moments? And that`s something that I don`t know at this time.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A leaked police report, though, is starting to paint the unarmed teenager as the potential aggressor here.

GEORGE ZIMMERMAN, SHOOTING SUSPECT (via phone): This guy looks like he`s up to no good or he`s on drugs or something.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Justifiable use of deadly force has been asserted in this case and will continue to be asserted.

SYBRINA FULTON, TRAYVON`S MOTHER: They`ve killed my son. And now they`re trying to kill his reputation.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Justice for Trayvon Martin! Justice for Trayvon Martin!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Justice for Trayvon Martin! Justice for Trayvon Martin!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Justice for Trayvon Martin! Justice for Trayvon Martin!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Tonight, more conflicting stories about what happened in the moments leading up to the killing of Trayvon Martin. As new information about the teenager`s troubles at school surface, others ask, what does that have to do with this unarmed teenager being shot? And still others are asking tonight, was there a rush to judgment against shooter George Zimmerman?

And we`ve got brand-new photos of the victim, Trayvon Martin. These were taken within the last year.

Martin shot and killed a month ago, while walking home from the 7- Eleven by Neighborhood Watch volunteer George Zimmerman. Zimmerman claims the shooting was self-defense.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No justice, no peace! No justice, no peace!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No justice, no peace! No justice, no peace!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No justice, no peace! No justice, no peace!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: That self-defense claim, and the fact that Zimmerman has not been arrested, has led to huge protests like this one that took place in the nation`s capital today.

Also new tonight, we`ve got a voice mail where you can hear shooter George Zimmerman leaving a message for his friend, Frank Taffy, who`s been defending him. It was left after the shooting of Trayvon Martin. Here it is from ABC.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZIMMERMAN (via phone): And I appreciate it, and you`re truly setting an example for me for the future of doing the right thing even when it`s tough. And I appreciate it. I`ll talk to you soon. Thanks.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And we are digging deeper into this investigation, as more information comes out. For instance, what was going on right before this 91 call from a neighbor?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you think he`s yelling "help"?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All right. What is your...

(GUNSHOT)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There`s gunshots.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You just heard gunshots?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How many?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just one.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Is it all going to boil down to a crucial one-minute gap? Tonight we will listen to the 911 call George Zimmerman made in its entirety. And we`re going to talk about the timing of the events the night Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin. Do statements from witnesses and from George Zimmerman match up?

And I want you at home to be part of this discussion. Call me: 1-877- JVM-SAYS. That`s 1-877-586-7297.

Straight out to CNN`s Athena Jones, live in Washington, D.C.

Athena, Trayvon`s parents spoke out against racial profiling and hate crimes today. Tell us about it.

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that`s right. So there was a forum at the House Judiciary Committee. The Democrats on the committee held a forum to talk about racial profiling and hate crimes and to talk about this "stand your ground" law we`ve been hearing so much about in Florida.

And it was a packed room, I can tell you that. There was a lot of strong words. Not just from members of Congress, but also from Trayvon Martin`s parents, both during the forum and afterwards, when speaking to reporters.

Let me play for you a little bit of what one Florida Congresswoman, Frederica Wilson, had to say during the hearing -- during the forum.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. FREDERICA WILSON (D), FLORIDA: This investigation is laced with racial profiling, lies and murder. Trayvon was hunted, chased, tackled and shot. Ill-conceived laws and lax gun laws all contribute to this tragedy. In closing, Mr. Zimmerman should be arrested immediately for his own safety.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And you know, the overall theme here was seeking justice for Trayvon Martin for having a fair trial, a fair hearing of the events of that night of February 26 and making sure that justice is served and everything is done in a peaceful way.

And so there were a lot of emotions during the forum and afterwards. We had a chance to speak to the parents during the forum. They thanked everyone for their support.

And afterwards, I asked, do they have a message, for instance, for this New Black Panther Party, who`s talking about this bounty, and allowing people to go out and get Mr. Zimmerman. And they said, "We want everything to be handled peacefully" -- Jane.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Thank you so much for that report, Athena.

Tonight, new reports about Trayvon`s past are leaking out. And some are complaining that this is essentially a smear campaign to smear the victim who is obviously not here to defend himself. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEN CRUMP, LAWYER FOR TRAYVON`S PARENTS: If he and his friends experimented with marijuana, that is still completely irrelevant to George Zimmerman killing their son.

FULTON: They`ve killed my son. And now they`re trying to kill his reputation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: OK. Now, the "Miami Herald" is reporting Trayvon was suspended from school at the time of his death. He reportedly got in trouble for allegedly having a plastic bag with traces of marijuana in it. And the paper says he had been suspended from school three times for graffiti, tardiness and truancy, as well.

So I want to go to Laura Lake, attorney, with me here on set. Is this character assassination? Is this relevant? We`ve got to lay out the facts, but I want your analysis.

LAURA LAKE, ATTORNEY: It most certainly is irrelevant. These facts don`t matter. He`s doing exactly what 17-year-old young boys and girls do. He`s experimenting, possibly, getting into a little bit of trouble. And maybe even sowing his oats a bit.

But it doesn`t change the fact, Jane, that on that night he walked to a store and got Skittles and an iced tea, also what a young man does. There wasn`t liquor on -- in his possession, drugs in his possession. We don`t hear any of that. So bringing up all of these things is an attempt at character assassination. I`m not buying it. And America`s not buying it.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right. In the last few hours, we`ve gotten some new photos of -- well, you see a lot of new photos coming in, but new photos specifically of Trayvon Martin from football coach Jerome Horton.

Now, these are much more recent photos of Trayvon, who was 17 years old at the time of his death. We also learned more from the police report, which states that George Zimmerman was bleeding from the nose and back of his head, and his back appeared to be wet and was covered in grass. Zimmerman talked to a lawyer, who said this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CRAIG SONNER, ATTORNEY FOR GEORGE ZIMMERMAN: I believe that he -- his nose was broken. It was -- he sustained injury to his nose. And on the back of his head, he sustained a cut that was serious enough that probably should have had stitches, but there was a delay in him getting to the emergency room. So they -- by the time they got there, got to the doctor, there was an option not to stitch it up, because it already had started healing, is my understanding.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Now, the special prosecutor is saying tonight that -- and we`re hearing in published reports that there were six ear-witnesses. So that`s not eye-witnesses. Those are ear-witnesses. But listen specifically to what the special prosecutor for this case told CNN`s John King. And we`ll analyze it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We believe there may have been one person who saw something. We believe there are a lot of what we call ear-witnesses. My lawyers are trying to track those people down. If anyone knows anything about this case, please let us know.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right. Now I have to say, on the other side, we`re going to get investigative reporter Jon Lieberman to give us the play by play of what Zimmerman is claiming.

But I want to go right now to Jerome Horton.

And you are Trayvon Martin`s former football coach. You`ve heard what we`ve reported about, well, Trayvon got into some trouble, had been suspended three times, according to published reports. Then we hear that this is character assassination, according to many people. So we want to get it straight from you about the character of this young man, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Tell us what he was like. You knew him well, sir.

JEROME HORTON, FOOTBALL COACH: Trayvon was a great kid. Trayvon wasn`t confrontational. He wasn`t the type of kid that goes around and just finds trouble or trouble finds him. He was -- he was really just his dad`s best friend.

He hung out at the park with other kids. He volunteered at the park. And just while he was there, he spoke to other kids. The 5-, 6-year-old kids would come up to the concession stand where he was at. He would give them candy and ask them, you know, how they`re doing, what type -- what positions they play in football.

I mean, to hear all them trying to assassinate his character right now, to try to make what they -- the wrong into a right is -- it`s just hurtful. It`s hurtful to me to hear it. It`s -- actually, it`s really hurtful to the family to hear it. Because all of it is irrelevant.

He hasn`t done anything any 16-year-old kid -- I mean, even me back -- I think about me going back to 16 and I was 17, all these things I did. So it means nothing to the case. It means nothing to -- I mean, his death. For them to bring this up, it`s not going to bring him back. It`s not going to make the fact that George Zimmerman shot him dead, tracked him down, and left the scene of the crime with the weapon.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, you make a good point. I think everybody should remember what they were like when they were 17. And I can tell you, speaking from personal experience, I was a nightmare when I was 17. OK? I was always getting in trouble. And so I certainly don`t think we can use that as a basis for judgment.

But I want to go to Jon Lieberman, investigative reporter. Give us the basics of what George Zimmerman is claiming, because this is new. This has come out through the "Orlando Sentinel."

JON LIEBERMAN, INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER: Well, here`s the deal. Cops do not like to be criticized; they don`t like to be embarrassed. So what it appears happened here is cops leaked Zimmerman`s account of what happened to the "Orlando Sentinel." I want to go through it step by step with you quickly. Which basically is Zimmerman spots Trayvon, OK? He gets out of his SUV and then pursues Trayvon.

At some point, he turns around, Zimmerman, gets back into or heads back to his SUV. And at that point, Zimmerman is claiming that Trayvon comes up behind him and the two exchange words. Essentially, that Trayvon says, "Do you have a problem?"

Zimmerman says, "No, I don`t have a problem."

And Trayvon says something to the effect of "Well, you do now." and punches him in the nose, essentially breaking his nose.

And at that point, according to Zimmerman`s statement, which was leaked, multiple statements, Zimmerman then claims that Trayvon starts pummeling him, and he starts screaming for help and in self-defense shoots him once in the chest.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Now, on the other side of the break, we`re going to talk to Jerome Moore -- this is Trayvon Martin`s former football coach -- as to whether or not that sounds like the Trayvon he knew.

And we`re also going to get analysis from our incredible panel about why cops are leaking this information to the newspaper. Is this more example of them inappropriately handling this case from the get-go? And does the inappropriate behavior continue?

And we`re taking your calls on this. Andrea in Delaware, hang on. We`ll get you on the other side. 1-877-JVM-SAYS.

New allegations against Trayvon Martin as George Zimmerman`s side of the story emerges, and now many are asking was there a rush to judgment? Others are saying all of it is irrelevant. He wasn`t the one who was walking the streets with a gun.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FULTON: As I said before, and I`ll say it again. Trayvon was our son, but Trayvon is your son. A lot of people can relate to our situation. And it breaks their heart, just like it breaks mine. Thank you for everything.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This particular incident, this confrontation between Trayvon and George, it had nothing to do with race.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anyone else, they would have been locked up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`ve got an 18-year-old son. My heart goes out to the Martins. I`m a black man. And like my friend George, I`m just trying to do the right thing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Tonight, oh, boy, we are getting some new -- new pictures of the key figures in this case. And they say a lot. These are the two key figures in the Trayvon Martin shooting, and I`m going to show them to you right now.

On the left, you`re about to see one of the most commonly used photos of Trayvon. And on the right, a much more recent photo of the 17-year-old victim. For a long time, we only had pictures of a child. Now, well, does this paint a different picture?

Same goes for George Zimmerman. Most of last week, we had only that mug shot of him from 2005. Now we see him smiling in a business suit.

This is what we know about the two of them at the time of their deadly encounter. Trayvon was at least 6 feet tall, some say as tall as 6`3", depending on who you weigh -- asked, he weighed between 140 and 160 pounds. That`s recorded on the police report.

George Zimmerman, 5`9", according to the report, and he weighs between 200 and 250 pounds.

So I`m wondering, to our expert panel, do these new images change our perception of the story? Mark Eiglarsh, criminal defense attorney, what do you think?

MARK EIGLARSH, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The answer is no for me. I don`t care what the pictures look like. For me legally what changes the climate for me are these alleged new facts coming out that allegedly took place, according to Zimmerman.

If they`re true -- and let me just say this, I do believe he should be arrested and treated like everybody else. It should be heard in a court of law. A judge and jury should rule on it.

But assuming for just one moment -- and it`s a big leap and assumption -- that what he told law enforcement on the night in question is credible and supported by the evidence, his attorney is going to have a much stronger argument for immunity if those facts are true.

Under the law, even if he`s dreamed the aggressor, if he turns away, he`s now retreating from Martin. And if Martin -- again, don`t kill the messenger, but if Martin then goes towards him and punches him and bangs his head, there`s a strong argument to be made that he had the right to shoot him.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: But are there any eye-witnesses? There`s a one- minute gap in the 911 calls.

EIGLARSH: Absolutely.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And we don`t know, with any certainty, what happened. Is this going to be essentially a he said-he said?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: More Trayvon Martin in a moment. But first, here is your "Viral Video of the Day."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(PARAKEETS TALKING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CRUMP: He had a .9 millimeter gun; Trayvon Martin had a bag of Skittles. Where is the self-defense in that?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And let`s take a look at the type of gun George Zimmerman he was carrying the night he shot Trayvon. Police report says it was a .9 millimeter handgun known as a Kel Tech PF-9 semi-automatic handgun. Experts say it`s a popular gun. It comes at an affordable price. Zimmerman also wearing a holster.

So I`m going to throw this out to actress Cheryl Lee Ralph, author of "Redefining Diva." Does the question boil down to, why was this guy carrying a gun?

And I say this, noting, A, that you look fabulous in that hoodie. And B, that the information now is that he was not actually on Neighborhood Watch patrol. He`s claiming now that he was running errands when he decided to -- he spotted Trayvon and decided to follow him. Your thoughts?

CHERYL LEE RALPH, AUTHOR, "REDEFINING DIVA": You know what? This is all so, so very difficult on so many levels. I`m the mother of a teenager. I`m the mother of a young man. And so many of us mothers have to talk with our sons about how you look when you go in the world.

But when you killed this young man, you killed all of our sons. How is it that the victim is tried and convicted? How is it? How is the victim 100 pounds lighter? How is the victim unarmed with Skittles? How do you turn the victim into a criminal when all he was doing was walking into his own gated community? How...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: We`re going to the phone lines. I think you`ve raised some excellent questions. And that`s why we`re talking about it for the hour tonight. And taking your calls at home. Helene, Florida. Your question or thought, Helene.

CALLER: George Zimmerman was told by 911 to not follow the child. And then he said, "I will wait in the van for the police," and the child was (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the van. My question is, how far was Trayvon Martin`s body found from the van?

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Do we know, Jon Lieberman? I don`t think we have that kind of information.

LIEBERMAN: No, we don`t have the exact. But that being said, I would expect photos to start leaking of the crime scene and of Zimmerman`s alleged injuries. That`s going to be next.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And you`re suggesting that the police will be behind that leak?

LIEBERMAN: Absolutely. Police do not like being beaten up. And by leaking Zimmerman`s injuries, by leaking Zimmerman`s account, they`re trying to balance what they perceive has been an imbalance in the way of telling the story. I`m not saying I agree with it or disagree with it. But that`s what they`re going to do.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: A cop in New Orleans has now resigned from the force after posting this on Facebook: "Act like a thug, die like one." Unbelievable. Blaming the victim.

Rolonda Watts, TV personality. Is there some institutional bias within some police departments against the African-American community?

ROLONDA WATTS, TV PERSONALITY: I think the sad thing is, Jane, there is a systemic racism all throughout this country. I love this country, but within her fabric is racism. It was founded on it; it continues. And I hate to say that. But this is a chance for all of us to have dialogue.

Let`s face it, Jane. If Zimmerman was the hero that he`s trying to be, and Trayvon was the monster they`re trying to portray him to be, don`t you think that we are a nation that celebrates heroes? Zimmerman would have been tearing through that neighborhood as the greatest thing that ever happened in Florida. He would have been splashed...

VELEZ-MITCHELL: More on the other side.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you need police, fire or medical?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe both, I`m not sure.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Police, I just heard a shot right behind my house.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Trayvon is the victim of a botched police investigation, full of incompetence or intelligent mismanagement.

CROWD: No justice, no peace. No justice, no peace.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Was it racially motivated? The answer is absolutely not.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I stand before you today asking for justice for my son.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We demand justice that George Zimmerman is arrested.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: It`s been more than a month now since Trayvon Martin was shot dead in Sanford, Florida. The story has had so many twists and turns since then.

And we want tonight to do a reset. Hit the reset button and analyze the strongest, most crucial evidence we have access to, the 911 calls. Right now, we`re going to play for you George Zimmerman`s 911 call in its entirety. Here is the call from February 26th. It started at 7:09 p.m. and lasted for four minutes. Listen.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

GEORGE ZIMMERMAN, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH CAPTAIN: Hey, we`ve had some break-ins in my neighborhood, and there`s a real suspicious guy. It`s (BLANK) the best address I can give you (BLANK).

This guy looks like he`s up to no good or he`s on drugs or something. It`s raining, and he`s just walking around, looking about.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok. Is this guy -- is he white, black or Hispanic?

ZIMMERMAN: He looks black.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you see what he was wearing?

ZIMMERMAN: Yes. Dark hoodie, like a gray hoodie, and either jeans or sweat pants and white tennis shoes. He`s here now. He`s just staring.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok. Just walking around the area.

ZIMMERMAN: Looking at all the houses.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok.

ZIMMERMAN: And now he`s just staring at me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok. You said it`s (BLANK)

ZIMMERMAN: That`s the clubhouse.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s the clubhouse? Do you know what -- he`s near the clubhouse right now?

ZIMMERMAN: Yes, now he`s coming towards me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok.

ZIMMERMAN: He`s got his hand in his waistband. And he`s a black male.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok. How old would you say he looks?

ZIMMERMAN: He`s got a button on his shirt. Late teens.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Late teens, ok.

ZIMMERMAN: Something is wrong with him. Yes, he`s coming to check me out. He`s got something in his hands. I don`t know what his deal is.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok. Let me know if he does anything else.

ZIMMERMAN: Please send an officer over here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, we`ve got them on the way. Just let me know if this guy does anything else.

ZIMMERMAN: Ok. These (EXPLETIVE DELETED) they always get away. Yes. When you come to the clubhouse, you come straight in and make a left. Actually, you would go past the clubhouse.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok. It`s on the left-hand side from the clubhouse?

ZIMMERMAN: No, you go in straight through the entrance, and then you make a left -- you go straight in, don`t turn and make a left -- (EXPLETIVE DELETED) he`s running.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He`s running? Which way is he running?

ZIMMERMAN: Down towards the other entrance of the neighborhood.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok. Which entrance is that that he`s heading towards?

ZIMMERMAN: The back entrance. (EXPLETIVE DELETED).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you following him?

ZIMMERMAN: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok. We don`t need you to do that.

ZIMMERMAN: Ok.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. Sir, what is your name?

ZIMMERMAN: George. He ran.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. George, what`s your last name?

ZIMMERMAN: Zimmerman.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And George, what phone number are you calling from?

(BLANK)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right, George, we do have them on the way. Do you want to meet with the officer when they get out there?

ZIMMERMAN: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. Where are you going to meet with them at?

ZIMMERMAN: If they come in through the gate, tell them to go straight past the clubhouse and straight past the clubhouse and make a left. And then they go past the mailboxes, they`ll see my truck.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok. What address are you parked in front of?

ZIMMERMAN: I don`t know. It`s a cut-through, so I don`t know the address.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok. Do you live in the area?

ZIMMERMAN: Yes, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What`s your apartment number?

ZIMMERMAN: It`s a home. (BLANK) oh, crap. I don`t want to give it out loud. I don`t know where this kid is.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok. Do you want to meet with them right near the mailboxes then?

ZIMMERMAN: Yes, that`s fine.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right, George. I`ll let them know to meet you when they`re out there. Ok.

ZIMMERMAN: Actually, could you have them call me and I`ll tell them where I`m at?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok. Yes, that`s no problem.

ZIMMERMAN: Do you need my number, or you got it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I got it. (BLANK)

ZIMMERMAN: Yes, you got it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok. No problem. I`ll let them know to call you when they`re in the area.

ZIMMERMAN: Thanks.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re welcome.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: The call ends at 7:13 p.m. According to Trayvon`s phone records, he was talking to his girlfriend on his cell phone from 7:12 to 7:16. She says she heard an altercation in the background and then the call goes dead. At the same time, 7:16 p.m., a neighbor calls 911. Listen.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you need police, fire or medical?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe both. I`m not sure. There`s just someone screaming outside.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ok. And is it a male or a female?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It sounds like a male.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And you don`t know why?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don`t know why. I think they`re yelling "help". But I don`t know. Just send someone quick.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Does he look hurt to you?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I can`t see him. I don`t want to go out there. I don`t know what`s going on. They`re sending --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So you think he`s yelling "help"?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All right. What is your --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There`s gunshots.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You just heard gunshots?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How many?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just one.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

VELEZ-MITCHELL: That is the most crucial evidence. Lauren Lake, attorney, quickly, your thoughts.

LAUREN LAKE, ATTORNEY: I believe that at this point, racial profiling is wreaking from this case. What made this boy suspicious? When you were told to stay in the car and do not pursue him, you did it anyway with a gun. You were not supposed to be carrying if you were supposedly on your neighborhood watch duty.

It`s wrong after wrong after wrong after wrong, which leads to a death. In my opinion leading to probable cause for an arrest, that should happen.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Very quickly, Jon Leiberman, is that scream going to be crucial?

JON LEIBERMAN, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: The scream is absolutely crucial. I`ve been to the voice lab at Quantico where the FBI is going to analyze that. They need to know who screamed "help".

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Dr. William July, very patient psychologist, you are a former police officer. I have an issue with how police have handled this from the get-go. Had they done a proper investigation from the beginning and treated this as a homicide investigation. Actually stopped George Zimmerman and taken his clothes, which are evidence, which could have gunshot residue. Had they done everything properly from the start, do you think there still would be this kind of outcry nationally?

DR. WILLIAM JULY, PSYCHOLOGIST: Well, it`s really interesting how all of that happened. I don`t know how things -- procedures are handled there. But I know here when I was an officer on duty, we would call and there`s a number we call to actually talk to a D.A. to tell them what we had and to get charges that they would take or would tell us what to file.

So you know, I don`t know why things work out the way they do there. But I know that here that would have been handled much more efficiently, I will say.

But let me point to something that`s very important. And that is that this is an issue of perception and that is the underlying problem here. The perception that -- what Zimmerman said, "These a-holes, they always get away with this." That papers and points very importantly to what`s really going on underneath all of this because that is what made him pursue him. That is what made him engage him and confront him and subsequently, led to a death.

This -- what should have been at the most was Trayvon Martin being interviewed by some officers that showed up on the scene for a suspicious call. No problem with that. That is all that should have happened here. But what happened was that he ends up dead, because a vigilante took matters into his own hands because of his perceptions.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Teresa, Georgia, your question or thought about what we just heard.

TERESA, GEORGIA (via telephone): Yes. I was going to comment on what he just said. In the 911 call where he said that these -- they always get away. It`s like he was going to make sure this kid didn`t get away.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I think that`s a very interesting point. I want to go to Martin Karp. He is the Miami-Dade County public school board member who attended Trayvon Martin`s vigil last night. How is this impacting the kids that Trayvon Martin went to school with? Is it demoralizing to them? Does it make them scared? What is their emotional and psychological reaction?

MARTIN KARP, MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: I think that the -- that the emotions -- you see a wide range of reactions. Certainly, there is some fear, but there is also an opportunity for reflection.

Last night at the school, the students recited poetry. They spoke about their memories of Trayvon and the type of person that he was. They spoke in a very positive way. His language arts teacher spoke about his contributions in the class.

It was really an opportunity to look back in a positive way and the students at the school are the ones who spearheaded this. You know, in other places there had been walk-outs and other ways to express emotions. But at this school, at this school that he actually attended, it was just a very classy, elegant performance. And putting something together that would honor his life and actually honor the request of his parents to do something where education would continue in the building, but to recognize what he did and the type of friend he was to many and the student that he was.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And I have to point out that the parents of Trayvon Martin do not want kids walking out of school in protest. They say they care about kids getting educated. And so their message to kids is stay in school. Whatever you`re doing, continue your education.

On the other side of the break, we have a very, very special guest, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. And we`re going to talk to her. We`re going to talk to Bernice King about what this is going to mean for American culture, and where does this incident stand in terms of events that have impacted America.

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CHAKA KHAN, SINGER: My birthday was a couple days ago. And it hit me that I was here celebrating another year of life, and here this child is dead.

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VELEZ-MITCHELL: That is singer Chaka Khan on "PIERS MORGAN". Chaka Khan got a bunch of actors and singers together to do a tribute, a song tribute to Trayvon Martin. It`s called "Super Life", and she unveiled the new video last night on "PIERS MORGAN". Check it out.

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KHAN: I am Trayvon. And I am Chaka.

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VELEZ-MITCHELL: Amazing video. You see people like Chaka Khan, Diddy, Lebron James, shedding a light on Trayvon Martin`s death and it has so totally captured the nation`s attention.

We are so honored and delighted to have with us tonight Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. Bernice, there are moments in America that cause a sea change, you know, where everything changes. Do you think this is one of those defining moments, and if so, how would you measure it against other historic moments that have occurred, that have changed things, particularly for the African-American community in America?

BERNICE KING, DAUGHTER OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.: Well, I certainly think it can be a defining moment depending on the way in which we conduct ourselves through this process. I think if my father were here today, he would certainly be encouraging us to conduct ourselves on the higher plain of dignity and discipline as we seek justice in this process.

And at the end, when all of the cameras are gone, we`ve got to ensure that this community can leave together in peace. And that`s what`s going to be most important at the end. And as the CEO of the King Center, we`re certainly in a position to help to facilitate that kind of healing when the time is appropriate.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Trayvon`s parents went to Capitol Hill today and lawmakers were very fired up about making sure a tragedy like this never happens again. Listen.

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CORRINE BROWN (D), FLORIDA: I mean, it`s just got to be certain procedures that you follow. And I don`t know whether it`s incompetence or whether it`s cover-up or all of the above, but we`ve got to make sure that what has happened in Sanford with the police department and how they handled this situation never happens again in the United States of America.

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VELEZ-MITCHELL: Bernice, if your father were alive today, what do you think he would advise those who are upset about it to do specifically? Not in general terms, but in terms of a strategy for justice?

KING: Well, I mean you know, my father always encouraged us to embrace nonviolence as a way of life. That we go through the whole process of allowing the facts to come forth and allowing the justice system to prevail. I think it is important that attention is being brought to the issue, and we not let anything be swept under the rug.

But we have to make sure that in doing what we`re doing, that we are staying focused on the goal of getting justice in this particular situation and not let the emotions that obviously occur in situations like this get the best of us. So the strategy is to really mobilize, utilize the principles and steps of nonviolence in this entire process, so that, again, the end result is that this community has to live together in the end.

It`s bigger and in the end it`s going to be bigger than Trayvon. It`s going to be bigger than Zimmerman. It`s really going to be about how do we forge a society where we can live together truly as brothers and sisters? And that means we have to attack the injustices that would lead to these kind of incidents. And certainly the laws that have been passed in so many states, the "Stand Your Ground" laws create these types of atmospheres.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: I love what you`re saying. Nonviolence, the practice of nonviolence -- that is the key to human evolution on every level. Be right back.

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VELEZ-MITCHELL: More on the Trayvon Martin case in a moment. But first, I think we all can deserve a little laugh break.

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VELEZ-MITCHELL: What is going to happen ultimately? Quick predictions from our panel of experts beginning with attorney Mark Eiglarsh.

MARK EIGLARSH, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Ultimately, I think that there`s no way he`s going to avoid not being arrested and prosecuted. I think the political climate is intense and also I think that if you look at the law even in a light most favorable to him, I think this prosecutor can find ways under "Stand Your Ground" to exclude him.

Just for an example, he comes out with a gun. He has no right to point a gun at Martin. That would be an aggravated assault, it`s a forcible felony. That means he doesn`t get the protection under "Stand Your Ground. Jane, it all hinges on the facts.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Rolonda Watts, TV personality, what is going to happen?

ROLONDA WATTS, TV PERSONALITY: Well, I think there`s a message in this mess. I think that we are going to -- I think justice will prevail, and I also believe that we`re going to have open dialogues. Each of us will be urged to do something to make our country better and a more understanding, tolerant nation.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Lauren Lake, attorney.

LAKE: I believe there will be an arrest, and I believe there`s three crucial points that are going to be deciding what our outcome will be. One, that police investigator that initially said he did not believe Zimmerman`s statement, the lead investigator, is going to be key. Two, whether or not that scream is Trayvon and, three, that ear witness that actually hears the scream and says it was a kid. If the jury believes those things there can be a conviction in this case.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Jon Leiberman?

LEIBERMAN: Zimmerman will get arrested and charged, though I see a first-degree murder conviction as an uphill battle, perhaps lesser conviction on lesser charges.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Dr. William July, psychologist, former police officer?

JULY: Trayvon`s death will not be in vain. I think what it`s going to lead to is a national dialogue that brings more focus to the perceptions we have and the actions we take, and I think we`re all going to learn a lot from this and this young man`s life will not have been wasted. We`re going to learn a lot and we`re going to move forward as a culture.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Sheryl Lee Ralph, actress?

SHERYL LEE RALPH, ACTRESS: We will learn that vigilantes have always been un-American and no justice for one is no justice for all. The life and death of Trayvon Martin mattered to all of us and it is worth something.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr.?

KING: Well, I would say in the words of my father today the choice is no longer between nonviolence or violence but between nonviolence and nonexistence. And I would hope that justice will prevail and that we, as a nation, will begin to seriously look at embracing nonviolence as a way of life.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: I have to applaud you and my heart is warmed and filled with hope when you talk about nonviolence because that is what is so important for our country to absorb out of all of this is that violence leads to violence, violence begets violence. That when you walk around toting a gun, something bad is going to happen ultimately.

KING: Yes, it is.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And that we need to practice nonviolence in all aspects of our lives. This is a wake-up call for everybody and it goes way beyond this case.

KING: Yes, it does.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And we can hope that poor Trayvon did not die in vain if we can all learn from this and start really thinking about this concept of nonviolence which some people think, oh, that`s a little whatever, weird, different. No, it is essential for our survival as a species.

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VELEZ-MITCHELL: We`re talking about nonviolence which, frankly, is why I`m a vegan. I don`t want to practice violence on any level of my life. I err but I think it`s a very important thing for our culture to stop equating violence with manliness, Lauren.

LAKE: Yes, it`s like a symbol of machoism and it doesn`t work. People end up dead, hurt. We`re raising a culture of kids who don`t know how to talk things out. They need to fight things out and shoot things out and it`s unacceptable and it`s leading us to where we are now.

You have a perception that ends up being false. It`s too late to change your mind because you`ve killed a kid with Skittles and an iced tea.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: It`s like everybody is walking around with a nuclear weapon.

LEIBERMAN: We bury too many kids, too many black kids, too many white kids, too many Puerto Rican kids, too many Jewish kids -- you name it. We bury too many kids at the hands of violence.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: So our culture has to take responsibility and stop glorifying violence.

LAKE: Yes.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Nancy next.

END