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A day before a grand jury was set to convene in Florida to hear evidence in the case of the shooting death of 17 year old Trayvon Martin, Florida’s Attorney General announced that she would continue her own investigation instead of turning to the grand jury. The announcement was unexpected given the heightened political nature of the incident, even as protests continue in the streets over Martin’s killing, with demonstrations across Florida, and here in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, George Zimmerman, the man who killed Trayvon Martin, has for the first time publicly spoken out, by soliciting funds for his legal defense through a personal website.

Now, residents of LA County are expressing outrage over a case reminiscent of Trayvon Martin right here at home. On March 24th, 19 year old black college student, Kendrec McDade was fatally shot by two white police officers in North Pasadena. A 9-1-1 call by a man named Oscar Carrillo-Gonzalez tipped police off about a suspected burglary in the area. One police officer shot McDade at close range from a cruiser, after the young man apparently made a motion toward his waistband. A second officer, pursuing McDade on foot, also fired shots, apparently assuming his fellow officer was in danger.

The two police officers , Jeffrey Newlen and Mathew Griffin, have been placed on administrative leave, while Oscar Carillo was initially arrested because he falsely claimed that the suspects were armed. Carrillo, who is an undocumented immigrant father of US citizens, may face deportation. He has been released but is being monitored by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Carrillo’s lawyer, Andres Bustamante, claims that his client is being scapegoated by police.

Meanwhile, Kendrec McDade’s family has retained civil rights attorney Caree Harper, who also takes issue with the police account of the incident. Harper told the LA Times, “The officers pulled the trigger.. The Chief is trying to shift the blame.” Kendrec’s parents, Kenneth McDade and Anya Slaughter, have filed a federal lawsuit against the Pasadena Police Department saying their investigation “reeks” of a cover-up. Pasadena Police Chief Philip Sanchez had called for the LA County Office of Independent Review, and the FBI to look into the matter. Both agencies are indeed now conducting their investigations, in addition to the Pasadena Police Department’s own internal review.

GUESTS: Caree Harper, attorney for Kendrec McDade’s family, Richard Winton, LA Times reporter who has been extensively covering the case

Contact the attorney’s office at 310-281-0063 or visit www.attorneycareeharper.com .

There will be a rally calling for justice for both Trayvon Martin and Kendrec McDade this evening in front of the Pasadena City Hall at 6 pm, 100 North Garfield Avenue in Pasadena.

Click here to read Richard Winton’s articles about Kendrec McDade.