George Zimmerman sues family of Trayvon Martin, and police, for $100 million
George Zimmerman, who was acquitted of murder after fatally shooting unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, is suing the dead teenager's family and police for $100 million.
On Feb 26, 2012, Mr Zimmerman, who was then a neighbourhood watch captain in a gated community in Sanford, Florida, shot the black youth.
He was arrested and charged. During the 2013 trial, prosecutors argued Mr Zimmerman profiled, pursued and confronted the teenager.
Mr Zimmerman claimed he shot him in self defence. He was found not guilty by a jury.
The incident helped spark the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Mr Zimmerman claims a fake witness was used to incriminate him.
He is suing Martin's parents, state prosecutors and two women, who are accused of helping provide false statements to investigators.
Mr Zimmerman claims he was the victim of a "malicious prosecution" and defamation.
His legal claim said he received death threats and suffered "great mental anguish," and had to be treated by psychologists.
Benjamin Crump, the Martin family’s lawyer, said the action was baseless.
He told the Sun-Sentinel newspaper in Florida: "I have every confidence that this unfounded and reckless lawsuit will be revealed for what it is."
Mr Zimmerman is also suing Mr Crump and his publisher,claiming they defamed him in a book.
