University of Florida legal experts available to address Trayvon Martin case

March 20, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — On Feb. 26, Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African-American youth, was shot and killed by George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old white and Hispanic man, while Martin was walking in Zimmerman’s neighborhood. Almost a month after the killing, Zimmerman has not been arrested, with Sanford, Fla. police citing Florida’s 2005 “Stand Your Ground” law as the reason, which allows a person who feels threatened in a public space to use deadly force. As the case gains national attention, with over 500,000 signatures on a Change.org petition calling for the arrest of Zimmerman, it has today gone to a grand jury, and the Justice Department and FBI have opened an investigation on the case.

University of Florida Levin College of Law experts

Bob Dekle, Legal Skills Professor
Cell: 386-365-4611
Email: dekle@law.ufl.edu

Areas of expertise include issues related to criminal law, self-defense, evidence, police tactics and interrogation.

Michelle Jacobs, Professor of Law
Office: 352-273-0940
Email: jacobsm@law.ufl.edu

Areas of expertise include issues related to critical race theory and criminal law.

Katheryn Russell-Brown, Chesterfield Smith Professor of Law; Director, UF Levin Center for the Study of Race and Race Relations
Office: 352-273-0912
Email: russellbrownk@law.ufl.edu

Areas of expertise include issues related to race and crime, criminal law.

Michael Seigel, UF Research Foundation Professor of Law; Director, Criminal Justice Center and Clinics
Office: 352-273-0914
Email: seigel@law.ufl.edu

Areas of expertise include issues related to criminal law, self-defense, and Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law.

Jennifer Zedalis, Legal Skills Professor; Director Trial Practice Team
Office: 352-273-0814
Email: zedalis@law.ufl.edu
Areas of expertise include issues related to criminal law and trial practice.