Eric Holder Speaks About Trayvon Martin Investigation

Attorney general says action will be taken if Justice Department finds civil rights violations

Charges in the Trayvon Martin case could come from the nation’s top law enforcement authority, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday.

Speaking to an audience at the National Action Network convention in Washington, Holder said the department is conducting an independent review in the shooting death of the 17-year-old Miami student, which has not resulted in the arrest the confessed shooter, George Zimmerman.

The Department of Justice launched its investigation three weeks ago, pledging to explore evidence that Zimmerman, who pursued Martin against the advisement of Florida law enforcement, may have racially profiled the teen.

From an Associated Press report:

"I know that many of you are greatly — and rightly — concerned about the recent shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, a young man whose future has been lost to the ages…

"If we find evidence of a potential federal criminal civil rights crime, we will take appropriate action," said the attorney general. "I also can make you another promise: that at every level of today's Justice Department — preventing and combating youth violence and victimization is, and will continue to be, a top priority."

Justice Department official Tom Perez and U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill from Florida have traveled to Sanford to meet with the Martin family, members of the community and local authorities, Holder said.

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