Despite his initial skepticism about how Florida GOP Gov. Rick Scott and the special prosecutor he appointed would handle the Trayvon Martin Case, civil rights activist Al Sharpton says he was impressed.
"I will say I did not trust Gov. Scott and prosecutor Angela Corey. But they did their job. I want to congratulate him and the prosecutor for being what they should be," Sharpton, an MSNBC commentator, told
The Hill.
Corey announced Wednesday that neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman will face second degree murder charges for the shooting death of Martin, a 17-year-old African American who was unarmed. The incident has split the nation and ignited a debate over race.
Sharpton, who has advised the Martin family over the ordeal, hopes the arrest will unite Americans in support. "Despite the fact we have different political parties and different political persuasions, perhaps tonight we can come together and say only the facts should matter when dealing with the loss of life," he said.
Protests across the nation helped force the arrest, Sharpton said. "Had there not been pressure, there would not have been a second look."
But he cautioned against a presumption of guilt for Zimmerman. "They charged him with a serious crime. He deserves a fair trial. We don't want anyone high-fiving tonight."
© 2013 Newsmax. All rights reserved.