In the settlement, the association did not admit any wrongdoing or any liability. The part of the settlement made public on Friday was edited to prevent disclosure of the names of the parties and the people making the payment.
The settlement mentioned, “It is understood and agreed that the payment made herein is not to be construed as an admission of any liability by or on behalf of the releasing parties; but instead the monies being paid hereunder is consideration for avoiding litigation, the uncertainties stemming from litigation as well as to protect and secure the good name and good will of the released parties.”
However, the settlement spelt out clearly that George Zimmerman, who was the head of the Neighborhood Watch at the Retreat at Twin Lakes townhomes in Sanford, at the time of Trayvon’s death, was not a party to the settlement, or had any relation to it.
A copy of the settlement was provided to the office of the Special Prosecutor in the case on Thursday, before part of it was made public on Friday. A copy of the settlement has also been placed in Zimmerman’s criminal-case file.
Zimmerman is currently charged with second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin.