This image of George Zimmerman was taken from a video released by attorney Howard Iken, who is representing Zimmerman in his divorce, on March 12, 2014. (AP)
The story was too shocking even for the person at the center of it. After all, this was the same man who was going to take part in a celebrity boxing match. George Zimmerman, the killer of Trayvon Martin, sold a painting of the hoodie-wearing unarmed 17-year-old for $30,000 in an online auction. The photo of a smiling Zimmerman holding the artwork with Justice for all lightly painted in the background is as galling as it is tasteless.
And its a fake.
That Zimmerman is painting isnt news. His $100,000 eBay sale and the dust-up with the Associated Press over his use of their photo of Special Prosecutor Angela Corey have made headlines. But upon seeing what was billed Zimmermans latest sale on a friends Facebook page, I immediately contacted Robert Zimmerman Jr., Georges brother. His response was swift.
If that were true I would denounce it as repulsive myself, Robert wrote me. There is no way George would even contemplate disparaging the likeness of Trayvon Martin. Professional digital pot-stirrers are at it again and amusing themselves by disrespecting a tragedy. He added, The circulation of these fraudulent images puts George in danger. People who believe the stories are rightfully incensed. It appears that is the objective of the parties behind the fabrication of the false news stories and forged art.
Even the smallest amount of effort would have uncovered all of this as a fake. The site featuring the Zimmerman story is called TheNewsNerd. Find it for yourself. That Im even mentioning it at all is more than it deserves. Anyway, when you scroll down to the bottom of the site, youll see the following message.
(Screenshot from TheNewsNerd)
The stories are for entertainment purposes only. They are purely satirical. And they are not funny. Not in the slightest. This particular story roiled emotions that ranged from oh NO he didnt! to pure rage. Im all for good satire, but this was dumb and dangerous.
Follow Jonathan on Twitter: @Capehartj
Read the rest here:
Dont be fooled by fake George Zimmerman art