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Sanford police chief out temporarily

The Sanford, Florida police chief catching serious flack for his handling of the Trayvon Martin murder investigation announced today he will temporarily step do

The Sanford, Florida police chief catching serious flack for his handling of the Trayvon Martin murder investigation announced today he will temporarily step down.

"As a former homicide investigator, a career law enforcement officer and a father, I am keenly aware of the emotions associated with this tragic death of a child. I'm also aware that my role as a leader of this agency has become a distraction from the investigation," police chief Bill Lee said at a press conference.

George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, shot unarmed teen Trayvon Martin to death on February 26. Nearly one month later, no arrest has been made in the case yet.


Yesterday, the Sanford City Commission issued a vote of "no confidence" in Lee.

Sanford city manager Norton Bonaparte said Scott O'Connor will run the department until an interim chief is appointed.