White House Says Obama Will Not Weigh in on Possible DoJ Case Against Zimmerman

Obama Won't Press Justice Department On George Zimmerman Case: White House (AP)

WASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama won't involve himself in decisions by the Justice Department on whether to pursue civil rights charges against George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

White House spokesman Jay Carney says it would be inappropriate for Obama to express an opinion on how the department deals with Zimmerman after the neighborhood watch volunteer's acquittal in the shooting of the unarmed 17-year-old last year.

Critics of Saturday's verdict have called for the Justice Department to step in.

The Justice Department has said it's investigating whether federal criminal civil rights charges are warranted.