BUFFALO, NY - The intense media attention surrounding the killing of Trayvon Martin has touched a nerve with many people across America. Did public pressure lead to the arrest of George Zimmerman?
It is a question 2 On Your Side posed to several people in Buffalo.
Rashad Robinson was talking about the case with his friends over lunch at Gigi's Restaurant. "I think public pressure led to that (arrest). It was needed because I feel like without the public pressure, they may not have pressed the issue as much as they should have," said Robinson.
Dennis Vacco, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of NY said, "public pressure limited the options of the special prosecutor." He thinks the district attorney in Florida may have rushed to judgement on the stand your ground statute.
"It does boil down to the public's confidence in your decision making," said Vacco.