An attorney who played a key role in the Trayvon Martin case will speak at Troy University today.

Troy University will host a Black History program at 7 p.m. today at the Trojan Center Ballroom. The program is free and open to the public.

The program titled “The Pursuit of Justice Through the Eyes of Attorney Benjamin Crump” is led by four campus organizations, the African-American Alliance and NAACP and 101 Elite Men and Miss Elite Society, which are groups that mentor university freshmen.

Derrick Brewster, Troy University assistant dean of student services, said Crump will be a familiar name to many as the family lawyer for Trayvon Martin who was shot and killed Feb. 26, 2012, by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. The Sanford, Fla., 17-year-old was unarmed at the time.

Zimmerman was found not guilty of second-degree murder and was also acquitted of manslaughter, a lesser charge.

“Benjamin Crump is a highly respected attorney in regards to his craft,” Brewster said. “He is called the up-and-coming Johnnie Cochran.”

The late Johnnie Cochran is best known for his leadership in the defense and criminal acquittal of O. J. Simpson for the murder of his former wife and her friend.

“Benjamin Crump will probably speak about the Trayvon Martin case and will also speak on other issues affecting the African-American community and about how far we’ve come and how we will continue to improve as a race of people.”

Crump is a native of North Carolina and now resides in Tallahassee.

Brewster said Troy University has been the site of several programs during February, which is Black History Month.

“The programs have been off and on, but, with the anticipated success of ‘The Pursuit of Justice’ program, we would like to make these programs annual events.”