Nutter stands by comments on Trayvon Martin slaying

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter caused a stir over the weekend when he called the shooting of Florida teen Trayvon Martin an “assassination” during an appearance on MSNBC.Nutter said Monday he stands by his comments on the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, who was unarmed when he was shot and killed by the captain of a neighborhood watch group.”It was an assassination. I do feel that way. I feel very very strongly about this. I have a 17-year-old daughter and a 28-year-old son,” Nutter says. 

They “should be able to go where they want to go,” Nutter said. “They’re not doing anything with anyone. They should not be subject to this type of persecution and ultimately an assassination or execution.”Police in Florida have not charged the shooter, George Zimmerman. Thousands have turned out in Philadelphia and cities around the country to call for his arrest.

Demonstrators planned a candlelight vigil near Philadelphia’s City Hall Monday night to call for Zimmerman’s arrest.