Crime & Safety

Local Police Lieutenant Testifies at George Zimmerman Trial

On trial in shooting death of Trayvon Martin, Zimmerman's failed attempt to become a Prince William County police officer draws attention.

George Zimmerman applied to become a police officer in Prince William County, but his application was probably not considered because of credit problems, a lieutenant with the Prince William County Police Department testified in a Florida court Wednesday. 

Lt. Scott Kearns testified that he sent out a letter on July 8, 2009, denying Zimmerman's application. Police probably did not consider Zimmerman's application because of the problem with his credit, Kearns testified. 

"Now Lieutenant, I imagine that you get a lot of people who apply. So is there anything unusual or sinister in this—people not getting the job as an officer?" defense attorney Don West asked.  

"No sir," Kearns replied. 

Zimmerman's application was destroyed after three years, in accordance with standard police procedures, Kearns said. Police do keep a "cursory" amount of information on applicants, he said. 

Zimmerman, 29, is on trial for second degree murder in the February 2012 death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla. Martin was walking from a convenience store when Zimmerman, who volunteered with neighborhood watch, called 911. He told police that he shot Martin in self-defense. 

Zimmerman lived in the Manassas area for a long time before he moved to Florida. As Patch reported last year, when Zimmerman was growing up, he served as an altar boy, and later a receptionist, at All Saints Catholic Church. Zimmerman was also a victim of an assault in Manassas in 2001, according to Manassas City Police. He graduated from Osbourn High School in 2001. 


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