George Zimmerman says justice system failed him in newly released video

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
George Zimmerman says justice system failed him
In a newly released video, George Zimmerman said that he cannot feel guilty for surviving the deadly confrontation that lead to the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida three years ago

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- In a newly released video, George Zimmerman said that he cannot feel guilty for surviving the deadly confrontation that lead to the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida three years ago.

Zimmerman, who is speaking to his attorney in the video, added that the justice system failed him by bringing him to trial. He maintains that he acted in self-defense and should not have been charged for shooting Martin.

The former neighborhood watch volunteer, who was acquitted in the trial, said he has done a lot of soul searching over the outcome of the fight.

"Only in a true life or death scenario can you have mental clearness to know that you cannot feel guilty for surviving," he said.

The case garnered national attention and spurred discussions of race relations and self-defense laws. Zimmerman, whose mother is Peruvian, believes the Hispanic Congressional Caucus should have supported him instead of siding with the Black Congressional Caucus.

But he said the person who acted unfairly and inflamed racial tension was President Barack Obama.

Zimmerman said his life is very different from the life he lived before the confrontation. He said he constantly looks over his shoulder and has to keep his guard up.

Last month, the Justice Department decided not to prosecute Zimmerman for a hate crime.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.