Trayvon Martin 911 Tape Reveals Possible Racial Slur By Neighborhood Watchman George Zimmerman (VIDEO)

A recently revealed 911 tape suggests George Zimmerman used a racial slur when talking about Trayvon Martin to police.

Law enforcement officials in Sanford, Fla., investigating last month's shooting of an unarmed black teen by self-appointed neighborhood watch leader George Zimmerman say they may have missed a possible racist remark made by Zimmerman to a 911 operator seconds before he shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

The officials made the admission to ABC News after revealing that Zimmerman can be heard on a recording of one of the 911 calls made on the night of the shooting saying what some people think sounds like "f***ing coons" under his breath.

Moments later Zimmerman confronted Martin and shot him dead after a brief scuffle, according to investigators.

WATCH:

WFTV had an audio expert listen to the call and determined that Zimmerman said the word "punks."

Regardless of whether Zimmerman is saying "punks" or "coons," MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell believes the remarks do suggest a cover-up on the part of the Sanford Police Dept.

"When I heard that tape today and when I interpreted it the way attorney [Jasmine] Rand interpreted it, I believe that what we have here is evidence of a police cover-up," O'Donnell said. "This is not conclusive legal proof of a police cover-up, but this is evidence that the police, that local police department, never wanted anyone to hear those two words. And that's why we haven't heard those two words until today."

In the moments before Martin was shot, he was on his cellphone talking to his girlfriend.

"He said this man was watching him, so he put his hoodie on. He said he lost the man," the girl told ABC News. "I asked Trayvon to run, and he said he was going to walk fast. I told him to run but he said he was not going to run."

Read More on HuffPost Black Voices.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Martin's age as 18; he was 17.

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Comments

[Romevicki]

06:15 PM on 03/30/2012

what was he doing in that neighborhood???

[mjtaylor22]

12:44 PM on 03/28/2012

what i definitely heard him say is "they always get away"
guess he made sure this one did not get away.huh...and didn't even get arrested..........

[thedoughman2006]

11:48 PM on 03/28/2012

They DID put Zimmerman in handcuffs, but after a brief talk, they let him go. Look, the boy could have easily out run Zimmerman, why didn't he do it. Maybe he wanted to confront him. You did hear him say, "why you following me", that make me believe that Tryvon turned around and through the first punch, and continued until Zimmerman pulled out the GUN, fired the first shot. THAT first shot missed, and probably was a mind changer for the aggressor Tryvon. But it was too late, the adrenaline had push things pass the point of no return. Zimmerman fired yet another shot, maybe he felt the need to defend himself even more. I can bet that this whole thing will come out to be a DRAW. A draw wherein, Zimmerman will be slapped on the waist for
Invading the space of the other person. In some ways, that's an act of aggression that is equivalent to one country invading another,
inciting an aggressive act. And for harassment and provoking an individual to anger. against orders and advice of the police. Because of his disobedience a young man is dead. The shooting was justified. Why? Because when a person is said to fear for their well being, it's not easy to prove that he didn't have fear for his life, and it's NOT fair at all. THE LAW will be changed, WATCH. It's going to be called, Tryvon's Law.

[Seth Elkins]

11:15 AM on 03/29/2012

maybe. but his name is "trayvon". also, apparently this law isn't as strict in florida (citation needed [no pun intended]), but in many states, if you have an assault on a spouse, peace officer, or any government worker, you can not receive a permit to conceal and carry a handgun. in fact, in many states, this would show intent, or motive. it seems irrelevant to me whether or not trayvon attacked zimmerman. mostly because trayvon was unarmed, but also because of the fact that before anyone had been attacked, zimmerman had been asked by police dispatch to stand down. when he disobeyed, he committed himself to the acts that followed.

in the eyes of justice, self defense is not "i punch you, you shoot me". and in a situation like this, it is obvious that zimmerman was out looking for just this kind of action.

trayvon was unarmed. when trayvon called his father's girlfriend's house to state that he thought he was being followed, he was obviously not thinking it was just a funny story he'd like to share with his father. he was in fear for his safety, and he was unarmed.

if zimmerman was a watchman, why didn't he just ask trayvon what he was doing? if a police officer follows you around, it's called harassment. why is this any different?

[mjtaylor22]

11:19 AM on 03/29/2012

zimmerman pursued him and he Travon tried to defend himself.......you just said it...so who is the aggressor.....they guy following me for no reason I know of....there was nothing wrogn with zimerman. no blood..dont think he was n any fight....

[morphine507]

02:40 PM on 03/27/2012

Zimmerman reminds me of Samuel L Jackson in Lakeview Terrace... hellbent on "protecting" the neighborhood. I hope he gets fully charged.. this is ridiculous..

[l ichtSola]

12:14 AM on 03/27/2012

Assuming Trayvon's girlfriend isn't lying, it just adds more to this young boy's innocence. This story becomes more and more heartbreaking as more information becomes revealed.

[noblecanine]

12:00 AM on 03/27/2012

testosterone poisoning is not confined to male caucasians...all males can succumb to its fury.

[Nag1nag2]

10:57 PM on 03/26/2012

Hmmlets try to work the spin. Lets say the US soldier that killed 16 people. Okay lets say that one of the deceased was a 17 year old who was suspended from school for weed particles in his napsack. Lets say that the other punched a boy int he face.

Now lets say the soldier said he shot all 16 people in self-defense. Would people still give that argument a listen? If they dont. Why are they listening to it in this case?

[Marine Corps Sniper]

01:14 PM on 03/26/2012

moderator:
Why have you continually blocked the vast majority of my post? The words I have used are far less offensive than what I have seen being posted. I truly believe you have shown a biased attitude towards my post. Or possibly my moniker is bothering you in some way. I AM SURE IT WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE BUT I WILL give it a try. I will make a valiant effort to hold you accountable for what I believe you to being biased.
I have kept copies of ALL MY POSTS. Something I have always done on all other sites and forums. Now it may be worth it's purpose. I will present these to someone who would be concerned how these forum post are regulated. This WILL NOT end here. ... Semper Fi!

[mdipary2004]

11:09 AM on 03/27/2012

Great post Marine. Keep pushing the issue. If you think it is bad here, go to the womans section.

[Marine Corps Sniper]

11:53 AM on 03/27/2012

I have never participated in a forum such as this. The majority of posters here feel as though they are MENSA members. There is an arrogance and aloofness that prevails amongst the members of this site. Do the words Huffington Post play a part in this mindset? I only wonder. I believe the "moderators" are a large part of the problem. I believe they have and do leave out well meaning and opinionated post, that do not parallel with their own agenda. .... Semper Fi!
---Semper Fi

[hmead57400]

09:30 AM on 03/26/2012

Why don't we wait until we have ALL the facts and an investigation is finished before we do anything we will be sorry for! The pictures released of the victim are no where close to how he looked on the day he died. The public is on a race to judgement which is being fanned by some who are still race prejudiced.

[JohnnyRivers]

11:59 AM on 03/26/2012

Rush? Without public outrage thie shooter would have gotten away with the murder without anymore questioning or investigation at all. That's why the FBI had to step in. The problem is with the POLICE DEPARTMENT not doing their job because they are racist. They were letting the guy get away with murder and knew it.

[Marine Corps Sniper]

07:28 AM on 03/26/2012

MyNameIsTed said:
Sorry but a real "Marine Corps Sniper" has enough pride and dignity in the hard work that's made him a Marine to not call himself "Marine Corps Sniper" on a Huffington Post message board. I'm with the others who are sure this guy is some loser with delusions of grandeur, much like George Zimmerman, who wanted to be a real cop.
================================================
Marine Corps Sniper said:
Saying your sorry for voicing your opinion is proof you are a sorry individual. YOU DOLT! Wake up! I earned that title Marine. And one step beyond that of Marine Corps Sniper. I have pride and dignity in declaring I was and am a Marine Corps Sniper. Many people's monikers ( look it up dolt! ) are in reference to their jobs ( past or present ), personality, celebrities, etc., etc. Others, I have come to see, are envious and jealous, (yes it is the cold truth, deal with it ) of my accomplishment in the military. Oh, and by the way, I am also very proud of the FACT I was awarded 3 Purple Hearts. Now what have you accomplished, DOLT! ...Semper Fi!

[mr whiteffolks]

05:40 AM on 03/26/2012

The racist south has had a past that isn't favorable and this incident is just one of many that seemingly shows this guy (Zimmerman) had a predetermined dislike of Blacks which gave him the notion that killing someone was OK because well in the eyes of some, it is OK !

[Ken Ratcliff]

01:05 AM on 03/26/2012

let the blood run deep. The history of race relations in the south points to Zimmerman getting off. for the reason that white people have intimidated the black community from day one. These incidents have always found white juries which lean towards the defendant, not the victim. They are fearful of loosing another election to a black man, They are fearful of loosing control, so throughout the south, whites have changed the voting laws;
With the Stand your ground law, they have reinvented the "shoot first and ask questions later syndrome". This case will perpetuate the deeper motive of the lawful killing of black men. We are trapped, and the police will not protect us. Who do we turn to in a situation such as this? The Government...not really. The Conservatives want less government. That is why they are so big on the Repubs retaking the White House and the Senate. They're pushing for "states rights". Remember, it was the Feds who came in after the Civil War and forced whites to engage the former slaves. After Reconstruction all bets were off. Segregation, Jim Crow laws, litmus test,lynchings and the flat out killing of blacks became a featured event to participate in on a Sunday after church; all these things fell into play. Lets see if they can determine whether this is a case of self defense or a case of murder. Its time to get the hell out of here !

[mdipary2004]

11:17 AM on 03/27/2012

So hispanics will make the south rise again. Really
I know people are upset, however if the truth was found out would anyone really accept it. There is racism on every side that is taught to children. If we put a white kid, a black kid. a hispanic kid, a asian kid in a sand box, they will play with each other all day long. Later in life if they hate someone for there race, who's fault is it?

[Michael Pelletier]

09:49 PM on 03/25/2012

The word was obviously "punks." What kind of idiot would think it was anything else? Oh, right, race-baiters.

[cmkinusn]

01:00 AM on 03/26/2012

I think the race game may be silly, but doesnt change how the man killed the kid. :\ I think regardless of race, it was still a crime. Though bringing race into every single one of these situations is annoying, him seeing the kid as a punk without any proof to this accusation still shows he was a man of prejudice (perhaps it was simply the way the kid dressed that made him think that way. Perhaps it was the kids age and the time of night)

[Sonia Price]

10:29 AM on 03/27/2012

I agree with you completely. This is nothing new though. We as a society all know that certain clothing and the way you carry yourself can make you a target. Perhaps we should let our kids know, If you want to be respected, then carry yourself with respect. This 17 yr old was still in school and living with his parents. They lived in a neighborhood where crime had become such an issue that they had to start a neighborhood watch group. WHY would you allow your child to walk to the store, alone, at night, dressed like thug, in a neighborhood where crime is often and recent knowing that there is someone keeping a lookout? Common sense people. He should've been home. The skittles were not that important.

[KAO22]

08:27 AM on 03/26/2012

I respectfully disagree. These tapes do not do the call justice. The initial release of the tape was quite clearly the slur they claim.

[rewith85man]

04:38 PM on 03/25/2012

Instead of getting to know the kid well, he judged him all because of his appearance. #TrayvonMartin

[LeslieAnne Brown]

01:16 PM on 03/25/2012

Zimmerman is not a police officer so what gives him the right to patrol his community with a gun? This guy clearly has Napolean qualities; overzealous, wannabe police. Additionally, Trayvon Martin could not have had his phone hidden in his waistband, since he was on the phone telling his girlfriend that he was being followed. He only has 2 hands; ice tea, skittles and he's on the phone.

[Roland Jason]

02:07 PM on 03/25/2012

1,What gives him the to patrol his community?
He wasn't on patrol, he was out running an errand.
2, What gives him the right to carry a gun ?
The 2nd Amendment.

[cmkinusn]

06:11 PM on 03/25/2012

The man should not have approached Trayvon as he did, and a gun should never be used in a nonthreatening situation. He may have deemed it so, but he did not do anything to confirm that. (told the kid to put his hands up, told him to stay put) He had a gun, which means he could have pulled it out and held Trayvon at gunpoint from a safe distance. Why did he approach the kid so close as to be within reach of him? Not only that, but I bet he attacked the kid, who knocked him on his ass and probably meant to pin him. The kid was unarmed, and Zimmerman shot him. Even after police told him to stop pursuing, told him to stay away. And yet, they havent charged him with manslaughter. They have enough cause to charge him with negligent manslaughter, do they not?

[pause87]

10:14 PM on 03/25/2012

What errand was he running?? He said himself he saw the boy walking down the street and decided to follow him cause he looked suspicious. You can twist these amendments around to make them okay in any situation. Use your common sense and good judgment. Well,i guess he really doesn't have either.

[zjin]

10:22 AM on 03/25/2012

Just another racist hate crime disguising itself as a neighborhood watch gone wrong. It's happened in the past, and it continues today.

[Kim May]

11:15 AM on 03/28/2012

Simple, RIGHT and to the point..thank you.