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After Teen Slaying, City Panel Slams Police Chief

On Wednesday night, Sanford, Florida city commissioners voted they have "no confidence" in their police chief over the handling of the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager shot to death by a neighborhood watch captain.

Sanford city commissioners have voted "no confidence" in their police chief over the handling of the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager by a neighborhood watch captain.

The commission voted 3-2 Wednesday night against Chief Bill Lee Jr.

Commissioner Mark McCarty said Lee, who was hired in May 2011, should resign. Commissioner Patty Mahany said the panel shouldn't rush to judgment.

The commission can't fire Lee, because the police chief reports to the city manager.

City Manager Norton Bonaparte Jr. said late Wednesday he is "looking at all the circumstances" and will take the commission's vote into consideration.

Residents and civil rights activists have called for the arrest of George Zimmerman for shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman has not been charged, and has said he shot Martin in self-defense.
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(Photo: Courtesy Red Huber / Orlando Sentinel)

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