If you’re going to tweet out someone’s address in an attempt to summon the wrath of the internet community, you’d better make sure you have the right address.
Yesterday, Blippitt first told you about how director Spike Lee erroneously tweeted the home address of an elderly Florida couple as being the address for Trayvon Martin’s shooter, George Zimmerman.
Lee has now reached a settlement with Elaine and David McClain.
The couple’s attorney, Matt Morgan, announced the settlement yesterday, adding that Spike Lee called the couple to apologize.
The McClains are in their 70s and have a son named William George Zimmerman, who lived in their Sanford home in the mid-1990s.
He is not related to 28-year-old George Zimmerman, who killed an unarmed, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26.
The killing has set off a firestorm of controversy. The Department of Justice and the FBI have launched an investigation into the shooting, the Sanford police chief has stepped aside, President Obama has chimed in on the matter, and Geraldo sparked more outrage for suggesting that Trayvon Martin’s attire is what got him killed (he was wearing a hoodie at the time).
There have also been several protests and marches held across the U.S. and Congressman Bobby Rush was removed from the House of Representatives on Wednesday for putting on a hoodie as a form of protest.
George Zimmerman maintains that he was acting in self defense, despite newly-released footage that seems to show no injuries as the neighborhood watch volunteer arrived at the police station about four hours after the shooting.
“At this point in time, we have come to an agreement with Spike Lee and his attorneys, and at this point, the matter is fully resolved,” Morgan said. “Spike has agreed to compensate the McClains for their loss and for the disruption into their lives. He’s taken full responsibility.”
On Wednesday, Lee tweeted: “I Deeply Apologize To The McClain Family For Retweeting Their Address. It Was A Mistake. Please Leave The McClain’s In Peace.”
Lee also called Mr. and Mrs. McClain to apologize personally.
“He was really kind,” Elaine McClain said. “And when he called us, you could just tell he really felt bad about it. And it was just a slip, and I just know that he really, really has been concerned.”
More in the video below.
Related articles
- Spike Lee settles with couple for retweeting wrong address (thegrio.com)
- Spike Lee Settles With Sanford Couple for Retweeting Wrong Zimmerman Address (tampa.cbslocal.com)
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