Trayvon Martin's parents share their story in new book 'Rest In Power'

Trayvon was shot, killed 5 years ago

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The parents of slain teen Trayvon Martin have released a new book that highlights the death of their son and the media  attention it got.

It's called, "Rest In Power."

Trayvon was 17 when he was shot and killed by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who’d called police to report a suspicious person in his neighborhood. He then shot and killed Trayvon, who was unarmed, after disregarding police instructions not to confront him.

Zimmerman was acquitted in 2013.

In their book, Sybrina Fulton and her ex-husband, Tracy Martin, said it was the overwhelming spotlight of social media that helped make their son’s death a national movement -- and changed their lives forever.

"It's five years according to time, but it doesn’t feel like five years in your heart," Fulton said.

Fulton and Martin are divorced and wrote the book together. They reflect on their lives before the death of their child in the book.

"That's why we always say, 'I am Trayvon, you are Trayvon Martin,' because it could have happened to anyone," Fulton said.  

One of the most powerful parts of the book is when they describe getting a call from police  saying that Trayvon had died.

"I thought that call was the worst moment of my life, but as soon as we buried Trayvon, I went back to Sanford and we started looking for answers," Martin said.

Both Fulton and Martin said that Zimmerman's acquittal left them with no faith in the justice system.

"People with the most money, they get the less time, or they get no time, and if you don't have any money, or if you have minimal money, it depends on what attorney you can afford," Fulton said. 


About the Author
Calvin Hughes headshot

Seven-time Emmy Award-winning newscaster Calvin Hughes anchors WPLG-Local 10’s 4, 5, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts.

Loading...

Recommended Videos