Washington Post columnist Jonathan Capehart says that a joke recorded in a jailhouse phone call between Trayvon Martin's shooter and his wife crosses a line by making light of the item of clothing that's come to represent the unarmed teen's death.
When Shellie advises that he "could always lay down or something" to hide from onlookers, Zimmerman said, "Yeah, exactly. Well, I have my hoodie." And then you hear what sounds like an exhaled laugh. You can hear the exchange starting at about 12 minutes and 35 seconds into the call.
Words cannot even express how disgusting this is. An unarmed Trayvon was wearing a hoodie when he was shot and killed by Zimmerman on Feb. 26. That the neighborhood watch volunteer could even say "hoodie" is beyond callous.
But I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. From the very beginning of this tragedy Zimmerman has shown poor judgment. He followed Trayvon even though he was told not to by a police dispatcher. He plotted with his wife to hide how much money they really had — while talking on phone lines they knew were being recorded by the police. This resulted in Zimmerman's bail being revoked and his wife being arrested for perjury. And it was during one of these scheming phone calls that Zimmerman invoked his "hoodie" levity. Shooting from the lip is never a good idea when you're accused of murder.
Read Jonathan Capehart's entire column at the Washington Post.
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