Sean Hannity Enrages Fox News Panel By Defending George Zimmerman

Sean Hannity Stuns Fox Panel With Claim About George Zimmerman
Political commentator Sean Hannity addresses the crowd while delivering his speech, "Get America Back to Work", Thursday, May 22, 2014, during the 22nd Williston Basin Petroleum Conference held in Bismarck, N.D. (AP Photo/Kevin Cederstrom)
Political commentator Sean Hannity addresses the crowd while delivering his speech, "Get America Back to Work", Thursday, May 22, 2014, during the 22nd Williston Basin Petroleum Conference held in Bismarck, N.D. (AP Photo/Kevin Cederstrom)

A Fox News panel discussing race turned fiery Wednesday night when host Sean Hannity asserted that George Zimmerman was "absolutely" in the right for fatally shooting black teenager Trayvon Martin in 2012.

Guests Pastor Marcus Mosiah Jarvis and criminal defense attorney Eric Guster, both of whom are black, were astounded that Hannity defended Zimmerman. In 2013, a Florida jury acquitted Zimmerman of killing the unarmed teen in his father's gated community, which fueled the ongoing debate about racial profiling of young African Americans.

Tempers flared on "Hannity," when the host criticized President Barack Obama for rushing to judgment on high-profile racial incidents such as Martin's killing,

"So you're saying George Zimmerman was right?" Guster asked.

"Absolutely," Hannity responded.

"Oh my God," Guster said. "Are you serious? You're defending George Zimmerman? Your credibility has gone out the window like baby in the bathwater."

After Hannity told the two men that he trusts the jury system, Jarvis pressed him to acknowledge statistics that tell a different story.

"You have to admit to the fact that the judicial system has its own racist components," Jarvis said. "African Americans only comprise 15 percent of the U.S. population. Of that 15 percent, a small portion are African American males. Of that, 50 percent are incarcerated."

Hannity conceded that Jarvis raised a good point.

"I think there's inequality in the justice system," Hannity agreed.

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