WASHINGTON -- Rep. Andy Harris, Maryland's sole Republican representative in Congress, is receiving attention for comments he made on WMAL radio Tuesday about last week's verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman.
"We're hung up on this one case where this one fellow was in fact found not guilty by a jury," Harris said during the interview. "That's the way the American law system works. Get over it."
Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer in Florida, fatally shot Trayvon Martin last year in a case that captured national attention. He was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges on Saturday, sparking protests around the country.
Harris, in his second term, represents Maryland's 1st Congressional District, including the Eastern Shore and portions of Baltimore, Carroll and Harford counties.
Harris's comments were picked up by CNN and other national media outlets Tuesday. His remarks, however, appear to be directed at the media as much -- if not more -- than the protesters.
Here is a transcript of the exchange:
WMAL: "Have you been watching -- I know its way off topic -- but have you been watching, as everyone has, the Zimmerman case?"
HARRIS: "You know, I haven't been watching day by day but it honestly you can't turn on any news program now without 90% of it taken up by the Zimmerman case. Again, you know we missed the forest for the trees to a large extent with all the huge issues going on in the world with unrest in the Middle East, we're hung up on this one case where this one fellow was in fact found not guilty by a jury. That's the way the American law system works. Get over it."