State attorney that decided not to prosecute Zimmerman is "tough on gun crime" - I THINK NOT!

Apparently State Attorney Norm Wolfinger - who decided Zimmerman was not to be prosecuted - planned to be tough on gun crime in the area. (Oh yeah? I guess he applies that except when the victim is a 17 year old black boy)?


Review the State Attorney's web page:

http://sa18.state.fl.us/

And here's where he claims they would be tough on gun crime (Operation Cease Fire):

http://sa18.state.fl.us/prevent/cease/cf.htm

Seeing a number of violent crimes involving firearms, State Attorney Norm Wolfinger applied for and received a federal firearms prosecution grant to institute Operation Cease-Fire. This grant enables state prosecutors to work with their federal counterparts to prosecute violent gun-wielding criminals in federal court seeking quicker, surer, and stronger sentences for those who commit armed crimes or are convicted felons in possession of a firearm.

On August 30, 2002, State Attorney Norm Wolfinger, United States Attorney Paul Perez, and local law enforcement chiefs from Brevard and Seminole Counties met for an official ceremony to sign an interagency memorandum of understanding that outlined the goals and objectives of Operation Cease-Fire. Additional pictures from those signing ceremonies are available in a slide show. The two sites for the official signings - Altamonte Springs and Titusville - were significant because those are the two cities where the first cases for Operation Cease-Fire originated.

Operation Cease-Fire has a three-pronged attack plan. First, specially assigned state prosecutors will be examining all firearms cases as they come into the State Attorney's Offices in Brevard and Seminole Counties. Those prosecutors are prepared to step in from the defendant's initial appearance in the courtroom, asking for higher bonds and stricter controls. Working with the United States Attorney's Office, appropriate cases will be identified for federal prosecution, which provides for speedier trial dates and, in many cases, stiffer penalties. For example, in the Altamonte Springs case, the maximum sentence the defendant faced if prosecuted in the state courts was 15 years in prison. In federal court, the defendant faces 50 years in a federal penitentiary which will most likely not be in Florida. Secondly, we intend to communicate this new way of doing business to the criminal element. No more gun-wielding defendants out on bond for a year awaiting state trial and no more incarceration for them in a local state prison. It's the federal penitentiary in some distant state for those who are sent to federal court. They've been warned! (continued at the link)