Elderly Couple Flees Home, Hires Lawyer After Spike Lee Retweets Wrong Zimmerman Address
An elderly Florida couple has hired a lawyer after movie director Spike Lee retweeted their home address in an apparently mistaken impression that they are related to the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
The couple, Elaine and David McClain, have a son named William George Zimmerman, who is no relation to the shooter, George Zimmerman, the Orlando Sentinel reports. They have hired the Morgan & Morgan law firm. Lawyer Matt Morgan told the Sentinel the couple had to flee their home “and their lives have been upended.” He would not say whether a lawsuit is planned.
Lee apologized in a tweet on Wednesday night. “I Deeply Apologize To The McClain Family For Retweeting Their Address. It Was A Mistake. Please Leave The McClain’s In Peace. Justice In Court,” Lee wrote.
According to CBS News, the tweet apparently violates Twitter’s terms of use. Its rules state: “You may not publish or post other people’s private and confidential information, such as credit card numbers, street address or Social Security/National Identity numbers, without their express authorization and permission.”
In related news, a police surveillance video showing Zimmerman after the shooting raises questions about claims he acted in self defense, report the Miami Herald and ABC News. There are no visible bruises, cuts or blood, the stories say.
Prior coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Journalist Interviews Chair After ‘Legal Adviser’ for Man Who Shot Trayvon Martin Leaves Studio”
ABAJournal.com: “Justice Department to Investigate Death of Fla. Teen; Does ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law Protect Shooter?”
