Man known for defending George Zimmerman has change of heart, testifies for grand jury
ORLANDO, Fla.
One of George Zimmerman's most outspoken supporters in the days surrounding his murder trial has changed course, testifying Wednesday in front of a grand jury that Zimmerman could have called him and made racially charged comments.
In 2012, shortly after Zimmerman claimed he shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in self-defense in his Sanford gated community, friend Frank Taaffe said, "I'm going to go on camera and say George is not a racist."
On Wednesday, Taffe, said he's had a change of heart, saying he testified against Zimmerman in front of the grand jury that will decide whether Zimmerman will face federal charges for violating Martin's civil rights.
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Taaffe said his flip came after he got a call from an unknown number two years ago by a man claiming to be Zimmerman. He said the man made a racist comment about Martin, which he first thought was a prank call at the time, but now he's not so sure.
Taaffe said he had already publicly defended Zimmerman on national television when the call came. He said he faced death threats, but claimed Wednesday that his personal losses have led him to identify more with the Martins.
Taaffe now views the mystery call differently, he said.
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Man known for defending George Zimmerman has change of heart, testifies for grand jury