ATLANTA -- What's next legally for George Zimmerman? He was found not guilty in criminal court for the killing of Trayvon Martin. His attorneys say that should be the end of it. But OJ Simpson was also found not guilty of murder in the 90's. The family of his alleged victims then went after him in civil court, where they won.
"And in that case the standards [of proof] were lower," said Cobb County civil litigator Lance LaRusso. He defends police officers in wrongful death suits. "Different evidence could be looked at, and the jury basically tries it a second time."
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"Keep in mind the civil case has a little bit of an easier time anyway," LaRusso said. "They've heard what these witnesses are going to say, they know the strengths and weaknesses of every witness."
But it may be over before it ever starts. Zimmerman's lawyer said if anyone tries to sue his client, they'll file for immunity and get it. So what does immunity mean?
LaRusso isn't licensed to practice law in Florida, but he looked up the state's self-defense statutes. It appears the same Stand Your Ground law that initially protected Zimmerman from criminal prosecution will also protect him from a civil case.
"And the statute has some teeth, they can actually ask for the costs of the defense and basically have the client that brought the case pay for all the defense," LaRusso said.
The family would first have to challenge the law when they file the civil case. If they choose not to or their case is dismissed, another avenue could be going through the federal court system.
"I think we're going to be reading about this for some time," LaRusso said.
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