Bill Lee Jr. has stepped down “temporarily” from his position as Sanford Police chief as local and national anger mounts regarding the alleged mishandling of the investigation into Trayvon Martin’s death.

The announcement was made by City Manager Norton Bonaparte Jr. at a press conference yesterday afternoon, just hours before a massive rally in Martin’s honor.

From the Huffington Post:

“Bonaparte told reporters that he hoped the move would ‘restore calm to the city of Sanford’ and help speed the case through the legal process. He said that the city has not yet appointed an interim chief.

‘I am aware that my role as the head of the department has become a distraction,’ said Lee at the press conference. ‘I have come to the decision to temporarily remove myself.'”

Read the rest of this article at HuffingtonPost.com

Meanwhile, in the wake of national outrage and relentless media attention over the shooting of 17 year-old Trayvon Martin, Seminole State College has decided to expel now-former student George Zimmerman.

Zimmerman had been working on an Associates in Arts degree in the general studies program since 2009.

From the Orlando Sentinel:

“‘Due to the highly charged and high-profile controversy involving this student, Seminole State has taken the unusual but necessary step this week to withdraw Mr. Zimmerman from enrollment,’ according to a statement from the college. ‘This decision is based solely on our responsibility to provide for the safety of our students on campus as well as for Mr. Zimmerman.'”

Read more at OrlandoSentinel.com

Are you satisfied with the City of Sanford’s handling of the Trayvon Martin controversy?

Should Bill Lee only “temporarily” step down?

Will the Martin family ever truly find justice for their son?

Sound off below!