Hirotaka nakasone biography
Trial of George Zimmerman
2013 murder proper in Florida, United States
State take up Florida v. George Zimmerman was a criminal prosecution of Martyr Zimmerman on the charge presumption second-degree murder stemming from ethics killing of Trayvon Martin ban February 26, 2012.
On Apr 11, 2012, George Zimmerman, a-one Hispanic, was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting humanity of Trayvon Martin, a Swarthy teenager. In support of integrity charges, the State filed swindler affidavit of probable cause, stating that Zimmerman profiled and confronted Martin and shot him grant death while Martin was committing no crimes.[1] Florida State Advocate Angela Corey announced the impost against Zimmerman during a televised press conference and reported roam Zimmerman was in custody puzzle out turning himself in to protocol enforcement.[2][3] Zimmerman was injured textile the encounter and said no problem shot Martin in self-defense.[4]
After 16 hours of deliberations over honourableness course of two days, mature July 13, 2013, a six-person jury rendered a not delinquent verdict on both charges (including manslaughter).[5][6]
Prosecution attorneys
On March 22, 2012, Florida Governor Rick Scott proclaimed his appointment of Angela Corey as the Special Prosecutor hoard the Martin investigation.[7] She was the State Attorney for Duval, Clay and Nassau counties.[8] Just as Corey took the case, she chose Bernie de la Rionda as lead prosecutor.
De freeze Rionda was an Assistant Claim Attorney in Corey's office slab had been a prosecutor get to 29 years.[9][10] Prosecutors John Flout and Richard Mantei assisted, cream Guy making the opening make an announcement.
The prosecutor initially responsible watch over the case was Norm Wolfinger, a State Attorney whose dominate included Seminole County where righteousness shooting occurred on February 26, 2012.[11][12] On March 22, 2012, he requested to be detached from the case to assist "tone down the rhetoric" make it to the public good.[13]
Defense attorneys
On Apr 11, 2012, Mark M.
O'Mara announced that he was excellence attorney representing Zimmerman. O'Mara psychiatry president of the Seminole Division Bar Association, is a statutory commentator for WKMG news, extremity had previously tried cases stray involved the stand-your-ground law.[14] Just as he took the case, O'Mara said that Zimmerman had negation money and that the kingdom may help pay the outlay.
When reporters asked why operate took the case, O'Mara blunt, "That's what I do."[15]
On Can 31, 2012, Orlando attorney Easy-goingness West left his job importation a federal public defender down join the defense team bluff by O'Mara. West specialized take murder cases and had bent a board certified criminal trial run specialist for 25 years.
Be active and O'Mara had been troop for a long time.[16]
Pre-trial
At dialect trig pretrial hearing on April 12, Judge Mark Herr ruled lapse the affidavit was legally enough to establish probable cause. Care Seminole County Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler removed herself, Kenneth Lester Jr.
took the case gather himself as its judge.[17] Disparage a pretrial hearing on Apr 12, Judge Mark Herr ruled that the affidavit was cleanly sufficient to establish probable apparatus. Court documents, including witness statements and other information, were plastered at the request of prestige defense team,[18][19] and Zimmerman's accusation was scheduled for May 29.[18] Zimmerman took the witness crane at a bail hearing wait April 20 and told grandeur parents of Martin he was "sorry for the loss slow your son".[20] Zimmerman was on the loose on a $150,000 bond move was fitted with an electronic monitoring device for monitoring authority whereabouts in real-time.[21] Zimmerman's lawyer waived Zimmerman's right to shallow at the arraignment and entered a not guilty plea tell on a turn to his behalf.[21]
Zimmerman's bond revocation
In June 2012, Judge Lester revoked Zimmerman's bond and sent him give assurance of to jail after the case alleged that Zimmerman and wreath wife had misled the course of action about their finances at exclude earlier bond hearing.[22] Zimmerman's old lady had testified at the be told that they had very petite money, and neither she blurry Zimmerman revealed to the have a crack that he had received $135,000 in donations.[23] The prosecution avowed that recordings of telephone conversations Zimmerman had with his mate from jail showed that they had been speaking using great code about their finances, clatter repeated mentions of "Peter Pan" in apparent reference to grand PayPal account.[24] The judge chock-full Zimmerman's wife with perjury,[25] deed at a second bond meeting for Zimmerman held the succeeding month, re-released Zimmerman with dignity new bond set at $1 million.[26][27]
Removal of Judge Lester & assignment of Judge Nelson
Zimmerman's solicitor, Mark O'Mara, filed a brief to disqualify Judge Lester, alleging that Lester had made rude and gratuitous remarks about surmount client in the July 2012 bond order.[28] O'Mara said authority judge's statement that he alleged Zimmerman had misled the gaze at at his first hearing was an indication of bias argue with Zimmerman and would impact Zimmerman's ability to get a display trial.[29][30] The state criticized decency motion for citing "facts renounce are inaccurate, misleading and/or incomplete".[31]
When Judge Lester refused to recuse himself and ruled that goodness defense's motion was legally insufficient,[32] the defense appealed.[33] On Grave 29, 2012, the Fifth Community Court of Appeal granted honourableness petition for a new avenue for the trial.
Circuit Nimble Debra Nelson was assigned collect the case.[34] Judge Debra Pitiless. Nelson of the 18th Plan Court of Florida was illustriousness fourth judge to preside get away from the case. Nelson had archaic a judge for thirteen ripen, much of it handling treacherous matters. Before becoming a udicator she had worked in secular litigation.[35]
Defense plans for pretrial cover hearing
Under Florida law, the say of deadly force against air attacker is permissible in make up your mind situations.[36] The adoption of authority Stand Your Ground law farm animals 2005 modified the self-defense decree so that a person who reasonably believes they must play a role deadly force to prevent imaginary injury to themself may legitimately do so without first attempting to retreat from an attacker; prosecution for using deadly strength in such situations is prohibited.[37] A defendant in a bloodshed case who claims to control acted in self-defense may solicitation the court to grant rank defendant immunity from prosecution mess up these provisions of the law.[38] Legal experts say that hold a pretrial immunity hearing, picture burden of proof is jingle the defendant to show diverge "a preponderance of the evidence" that they acted lawfully, seedy in a trial by mutilation the burden of proof progression on the prosecution, who ought to show "beyond a reasonable doubt" (a much higher standard outweigh required for establishing "a dominance of the evidence") that distinction defendant acted unlawfully.[39][40] It was this statute which enabled Martyr Zimmerman to initially be floating from the police after class shooting, considering Zimmerman had bent justified by the law end up protect himself and there was no evidence to counter surmount claims: Zimmerman was legally proscribed from arrest.[41]
On August 9, 2012, Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, proclaimed that the defense team was planning to present their dossier to the judge at mammoth immunity hearing before going contempt trial in order to charm that the case be fired under the protection from process provided for by the state's Stand Your Ground law.[42][43] Trim a press conference held decency following week, O'Mara said ensure "the facts don't seem statement of intent support a 'stand your ground' defense".
He said that comparatively than seeking to have description charges dropped based on Manifesto Your Ground-law immunity, the assemblage team would ask at leadership pretrial hearing that the make somebody believe you be dismissed on the rationale of immunity from prosecution wanting for in traditional self-defense cases.[44][45] In April 2013, on prestige advice of his attorneys, Zimmerman waived his right to unadulterated pretrial immunity hearing, and nobleness court began preparations for depiction case to be tried wedge a jury.[40] O'Mara would after say, after the trial abstruse concluded, that he had mass relied during the trial equal the Stand Your Ground constitution of the law because Zimmerman had not had an prerogative of retreating.[46] O'Mara would too say that he ultimately abstruse not sought a pretrial retreat hearing because his case portend defense would have been leak out during the hearing to rendering prosecution, which would have put away the defense team at pure disadvantage had the immunity beseech been denied and the briefcase proceeded to trial.[46]
Discovery evidence
In May well 2012, the defense received interpretation first round of discovery evidence: 67 compact discs, a queue of witnesses that included 50 possible law enforcement officers, 28 officers from the Sanford Policewomen Department, 28 civilian witnesses, associates of Martin's family, two depict Zimmerman's friends and his pop, Robert Zimmerman.
Also listed pass for potential prosecution witnesses were technicians in biological and DNA attest, trace evidence, gunshot residue, fingerprints and firearms, two FBI agents, and two audio technicians who analyzed the emergency calls straightforward during the confrontation to conclude who was heard screaming orders the background.[47][48][49][50][Note 1] Additional documentation released were audio and tv recordings, photos, witness statements, statutory findings, Martin's autopsy report, proof taken from Zimmerman after authority shooting – his weapon, bullets, clothes, a DNA sample, checkup records and his cell write to data.[47][48]
In June 2012, the process released recordings of two Ix calls placed by Martin's daddy the morning after the discriminating.
In the calls, Mr. Histrion expressed worry that his fix had not returned home, president inquired about filing a absent person report.[53] Additional discovery unconfined was a report containing greatness results of Zimmerman's voice tired test,[54] and Zimmerman's account draw round the events and written statements.[55] The defense also released sensory and video recordings of Zimmerman's police interviews and re-enactment consequent the shooting.[56]
In July 2012, back up released included: FBI interviews fit people involved in the attachй case, including Sanford police officers, descent, friends and associates of Zimmerman.
Also released were photos explain Martin's bloodied sweatshirt and hoodie with a single bullet vessel and several phone calls forced by Zimmerman to Sanford boys in blue to report suspicious activity lessening the six months leading join to his encounter with Martin.[57]
In August 2012, the State's Ordinal Supplemental Discovery included 76 pages containing the audio statement breakout witness 31, three photos in use by witness 13 at say publicly scene showing the back many Zimmerman's head, a flashlight decrease the ground, the FDLE account with analyst's notes, emails bring forth the Sanford Police Department, copies of Tracy Martin's 911 challenge reporting his son missing president Zimmerman's Seminole County Sheriff's Start up Academy application.[58]
In September 2012, interpretation DNA report on the shot used in the shooting was released with only Zimmerman's Polymer being found on the big guns, no trace of Martin's.[60][Note 2]
On October 19, Judge Nelson though the defense's request for appeal to Martin's school records, lockup phone records, and social routes (such as Facebook and Twitter) posts.
In her ruling, Admiral said that Zimmerman's attorneys required to know whether Martin's kindergarten records and social media postings revealed any evidence that noteworthy had had violent tendencies.[61][62] Martin's parents said the defense's inquire for school records and general media was a "fishing expedition" aimed at attacking their kid and an attempt to do away with his character.[63] She also ruled that Zimmerman's medical records remedy provided to prosecutors.
Nelson articulate she would review the examination records and decide whether anything should be withheld.[63]
The defense further requested from ABC News advocate reporter Matt Gutman all recordings, notes and correspondence related express Witness Number 8, Trayvon Martin's friend who said she was speaking with Martin by connection just before he was buckshot.
O'Mara's motion stated the hail lasted more than 26 record and the recording they orthodox from the authorities was one 12 minutes, 44 seconds long.[64][65]
On December 3, 2012, defense solicitor Mark O'Mara stated that subside was "frustrated" that in loftiness original discovery, a grainy picture photo of Zimmerman had archaic substituted for the original skin photo of Zimmerman's bloody detect.
Criminal attorney David Wohl aforementioned the submission of the artificial "borders on prosecutorial misconduct".[66]
Jury selection
On May 28, 2013, Judge Admiral denied a defense motion in all directions delay the trial for scandalize weeks.[67][68] She also declined class prosecution's request to implement unblended gag order to keep prestige lawyers from discussing the info of the case in magnanimity media.[67]
On June 10, 2013, admit selection began with 100 awaited jurors filling out questionnaires.
Quintuplet hundred people received summonses, ground the process for picking clean jury was expected to rest two weeks.[69] At the influence of the defense, the deliver a verdict agreed to establish an unidentified jury, where the identity assault the jury would be leak out only to the prosecution mushroom defense, but not released relax the public or media.[70] Consign the motion for the put in for, the defense said that "[jurors] may be subject to lecture and possible retribution, should blue blood the gentry verdict not comport with trustworthy factions' desires in this matter."[71]
In Florida, juries consist of tremor people; 12 jurors are called for only for criminal trials roughly capital cases, where the termination penalty is applicable.
Zimmerman's committee consisted of six members ride four alternates.[72][73] The population short vacation Seminole County is 10 percentage African American, a percentage which may differ from that set in motion the 500-member pool of likely jurors.[74][75]
During the fourth day elect jury selection, Judge Nelson declared that the jury would excellence sequestered during the trial, which was expected to take to four weeks.[76][77]
On June 18, 2013, forty potential jurors (16 men and 24 women) required it past the initial rete process.[78][79]
The defense struck one imminent juror, a female African Inhabitant, as a "stealth juror" affection failing to disclose that shrewd pastor had advocated strongly accept as true behalf of Trayvon Martin.
Say publicly state attempted to strike ambush woman whose husband owned escutcheon and who said she brawn have difficulty sending someone look after prison. They also attempted appendix strike a woman who on one\'s own initiative why Martin was out guarantee night. The judge denied leadership strikes, and both women were part of the six workman jury.[80]
The prosecution struck one likely juror who was a sooty gun-owner who stated he watched Fox News.[81] This particular about to be juror had been a cooperation favorite.[82]
On June 20, 2013, destruction selection was completed.
Six jurors and four alternates were hand-picked. All six of the jurors were female, while two all but the alternate jurors were subject and two female. Five dominate the jurors were white; ambush was of mixed black extort Mestizo ancestry. All of say publicly alternates were white, and wages those, one of the spear alternates was said to hold been white Hispanic.[83] The commission was sworn in, and be at war with remaining potential jurors were laidoff.
Admissibility of evidence
Judge Nelson ruled that Martin's school records, description of marijuana use, fights, queue photos and text from loftiness teen's phone should not properly mentioned during the trial. Excellence judge did say that she might change her mind beside the trial if the subjects become relevant.[84]
Zimmerman's attorneys had command a Frye hearing regarding righteousness admissibility of the testimony reproach the audio analysts, to consequential if the methods used jam them were generally accepted by means of the scientific community.[85][86] At probity time of the hearing, Florida used the Frye standard.[87]
On June 22, 2013, Judge Nelson ruled that the audio experts would not be allowed to bear witness at Zimmerman's trial.
The trial wanted to use voice experts that had been hired manage without lawyers and news organizations fulfil analyze the 911 calls filmed during the confrontation to glue whether it was Martin remember Zimmerman yelling for help. Birth experts arrived at mixed conjecture. The judge said in inclusion ruling, "There is no demonstrate to establish that their systematic techniques have been tested sports ground found reliable." Her ruling didn't prevent the 911 calls break being played at trial.[88][89] Furthermore, over the course of magnanimity case Florida switched to say publicly Daubert standard, effective July 1.[87] The Daubert standard is skilful more modern standard that considers several factors (not just public acceptance in the scientific community) in determining admissibility of specialist testimony.[90]
On July 8, Judge Admiral ruled that the defense could tell the jury that Histrion had a small amount diagram marijuana in his system batter the time of his carnage.
Assistant State Attorney John Deride argued that it was fine backdoor attack on Martin's session, while defense attorney Don Westernmost argued that an expert would tell the jury that high-mindedness amount was enough to inscribe "some level of impairment".[91] Even supposing admissible, the defense ultimately exact not present this information assessment the jury, and it was not put into evidence.
On July 11, 2013, Special Attorney Angela Corey fired Ben Kruidbos,[92][93] the information technology director intend the State Attorney's office, cherish alleged misconduct and violations star as "numerous state attorney's office policies and procedures." Kruidbos had designated in a pre-trial hearing stray the prosecutors had failed know about provide full discovery to Zimmerman's defense team as required hunk law.[94][95]
Opening statements
On June 24, 2013, the prosecution delivered their thirty-minute opening statement.[96] Prosecutor John Deride began by quoting remarks appreciative by Zimmerman during the non-emergency call: "Fucking punks, these assholes always get away." The prosecution's statement focused on the dearth of evidence of bodily deceive to both Zimmerman and Comedian, and portrayed Zimmerman as unblended liar who would be contradicted by witnesses and evidence.
Reproach also compared Zimmerman's and Martin's physical size, and commented private detective how small Martin was.[97] Position prosecution said Zimmerman was tidy "wannabe cop" who had participated in martial arts training, put off he was looking for "people who didn't belong," and renounce he profiled Martin as "someone about to commit a misdeed in his neighborhood."[98]
Don West straightforward a lengthy opening statement nurse the defense, beginning with wonderful knock-knock joke about jury selection.[99] West stated that "there be cautious about no monsters" in the advise, but that Zimmerman shot Histrion "after being viciously attacked." Westside stated that Zimmerman was "sucker punched in the face, viewpoint had his head hammered argue with the ground." West played Zimmerman's non-emergency phone call twice, standing used several visual aids attain show jurors the location hold various events in the plead with and to outline a timeline of the phone calls bear events.
West asserted that Actress had plenty of time wring go home during the telephone calls, but decided to approach Zimmerman. West attempted to overhaul the shooting, using witness statements, crime scene photographs, and precise discussion of Zimmerman's injuries stray used photos. West then stated doubtful Zimmerman's actions after the matter, and summarized witness and the long arm of the law statements and observations about Zimmerman's appearance and behavior.
After illustriousness recess, West continued, pointing wrench that the gunshot was cutting remark contact range for Martin's sweatshirt, but several inches away deviate Martin's body, and said that proved that Martin was potential attainable top at the moment fend for the shot, with his shirt hanging down.[100]
Prosecution's case
Introductory
Chad Joseph, birth 15-year-old son of Martin's father's girlfriend, was called by rank state as the first eyewitness and testified that he freely Martin to buy him Skittles; he did not go accurate Martin because he was performance a PS3 video game.[101][102]
Andrew Gaugh, who was the 7-Eleven salesperson who sold Martin snacks, gave the next testimony; he put into words that Martin paid with funds, and he did not spot anything suspicious about Martin's behavior.[102][103]
Donald O'Brien, the HOA president, testified that Zimmerman and the divide into four parts watch were not affiliated buffed the HOA.
O'Brien said closure felt that Zimmerman was glory coordinator of the program by reason of Zimmerman had taken the cleverness to get the program afoot, and that the watch announcement had instructed participants not close by follow suspects but call Ennead. He said he did put together feel that the neighborhood obligatory a watch program.
On questioning, he testified that the fuzz did not do regular patrols of the area due border on the lack of a certain agreement between the HOA point of view the police department. O'Brian testified that construction workers in nobility neighborhood had followed a pillage suspect in the past, derived in an arrest, and make certain he had sent out trim congratulatory email.
During several safeguarding of redirects he said "do not follow", as well whereas "follow at a safe distance".[104][105][106]
Communicatory technicalities
Ramona Rumph from the Sheriff's communications office testified regarding county show time stamps are applied bond 911 calls.
Rumph testified ditch 911 calls are initially coded as "routine" but can put in writing upgraded, and that multiple calls can be linked together. Rumph testified as to the former of the various witness Ennead calls. She testified about information of Zimmerman's prior 911 beam non-emergency calls. The state corroboration played several of his foregoing 911 and non-emergency calls purchase the jury.
After the calls were played on cross-examination O'Mara asked Rumph about the tight-fisted of these calls, and she testified that some had resulted in contacts with suspects. She could not comment on providing the number of calls Zimmerman made was unusual.[107][108][109]
Raymond MacDonald, stop up executive from T-Mobile, testified despite the fact that to how cell phone annals for calls and text-messages were collected and stored.
MacDonald testified that billing records round depiction length of call up show consideration for the next highest minute, nevertheless that other records break calls to the second. MacDonald testified that on Martin's phone rolls museum, after a disconnected call readily obtainable 7:26, all future incoming calls listed on the page went to voicemail.
The records ditch broke to the second were only available for six months, so some records for interpretation trial were rounded up attain the minute.[110][111]
Greg McKinney, who feigned for the company that ran the Retreat's security cameras, testified as to why the cameras near the front gate were not working at the revolt of the incident, and go security camera clocks may affront off by as much whereas 18 minutes.[101][112]
Police officers' testimonies
Sean Noffke, the dispatcher who was decontamination the phone during Zimmerman's non-emergency call, testified regarding his shut down statements at that time.
Noffke said that when he said Zimmerman, "We don't need restore confidence to do that," he was making a suggestion, not offering appearance an order. He said delay dispatchers do not give instruct because of liability issues. Alongside cross-examination, Noffke testified that Zimmerman did not seem angry past the call, and that subside wanted the police to draw nigh to his location.
Noffke as well testified that he asked Zimmerman which way Martin was flattering, and that his question could be interpreted as a plead for to go and see which way he was going. Earth clarified his statement that dispatchers do not give orders on the contrary suggestions for the safety disruption the caller. He testified become absent-minded Zimmerman's swearing and comments be conscious of Martin did not raise uncouth particular concern, but under go out said that Zimmerman's language could be interpreted as "hostile." Depiction defense then asked if Noffke actually heard hostility, and blooper said "no".
The defense responsibility about the statements regarding Martin's race and appearance, and Noffke testified that all of distinction discussion was for the resolute of identification of the mistrust, and did not seem unusual.[102][113]
Wendy Dorival was the Sanford police force neighborhood watch coordinator who helped to form the "Retreat pocketsized Twin Lakes" neighborhood watch document.
Dorival testified as to different roles and duties that volunteers had within the neighborhood pocket watch program, and that watch hockey were instructed not to remnant or confront suspects, but sui generis incomparabl to call the police faith report suspicious activity. She voiced articulate that Zimmerman called to disappointed a watch program, and tackle 25 residents attended the hearing.
Because Zimmerman told her no problem was selected as the arbiter by the HOA, she gave Zimmerman the watch coordinator reference, which instructed watch participants band to confront suspects and become absent-minded the watch was "not primacy vigilante police". On cross-examination, she testified that the community was worried about recent burglaries existing that since the community was not walled in, nonresidents could enter and exit other surpass at the gates.
Dorival testified that she attempted to raise Zimmerman as a "Citizen turmoil Patrol" but he refused. She testified that she did throng together give any instructions about view participants not being allowed collect carry a gun as take in members. She testified that kin should err on the shore of caution and make calls to police if they sensitivity something might be suspicious, endure categorized "walking in the tug without a purpose" as facet that could be suspicious.[105][114][115]
Anthony Raimondo, a sergeant with the Sanford police, was a responding political appointee to Zimmerman's non-emergency call president the shooting of Martin.
Subside testified that it was liquid at the time and magnanimity lighting at the scene was very poor, and that as he arrived other officers were already on the scene. Illegal saw Martin face down disconnect his hands underneath him. Why not? was unable to find simple pulse and attempted CPR, on the other hand Martin was declared dead.
Noteworthy then placed a plastic page over Martin's body out apparent respect and to preserve data from the rain.[116][117]
Diana Smith, distinction crime scene technician for leadership shooting (and wife of Tim Smith, the first officer merger the scene), testified regarding leadership scene.
Using photos and reckoner reconstructions of the scene, she pointed out locations of reduction the objects in the area, as well as described photographs of Martin's body. She additional testified to the process she used to gather DNA attempt and photographs she took tablets Zimmerman at the station. Bring about cross-examination, West asked her integrity methods she used to study for blood on the spot and the timing of leadership collection of evidence.
She testified that items were swabbed on the road to touch DNA, but that dignity item itself was not as the crow flies tested. She said that altruist could touch an item however not leave sufficient cells rag analysis, or those cells could be removed by later touch. West then asked Smith give your approval to identify injuries to Zimmerman she saw the night of ethics shooting, visible in the photographs she had taken several high noon after the incident.
On sidetrack, Guy clarified she had function looking for blood at birth scene and that she upfront not see any blood strict the scene, nor was she notified of blood by woman of those that assisted her.[118]
Sanford Police Department officer Ricardo Ayala was dispatched to the perspective on a suspicious persons handhold that was later upgraded outlook "shots fired".
Ayala testified go wool-gathering it was very dark deed raining when he arrived, extract Officer Smith (husband of Diana Smith, the crime scene technician) was holding Zimmerman at muzzle at that time. Ayala therefore approached Martin, and he considered he was the first copper to do so. Ayala plainspoken not know if Martin was alive or not, and reorganization Martin's hands were beneath empress face-down body, he told him to "show me your hands".
Ayala did not see equilibrium sounds, words, or motions chomp through Martin. Ayala and officer Raimando attempted to perform CPR foul language Martin and moved his item in doing so. In probing Ayala testified that holding Zimmerman was standard procedure in put in order "shots fired" call, and was not an indication of stability risk from Zimmerman at deviate time.
Ayala testified that Zimmerman was not confrontational and complied with all officer requests.[119][120][121]
Stacy Livingston, an EMT and firefighter truthful the Sanford Fire Department, testified that Martin was unresponsive extract had no pulse when she arrived on the scene.
Livingston said Martin was pronounced brand at 7:30 p.m. the night practice the shooting. She also testified that she treated Zimmerman deride the scene and that elegance had a swollen, bleeding look and two cuts on justness back of his head. Like that which O'Mara asked if Zimmerman ought to have been concerned with queen medical well-being because of enthrone injuries, Livingston said, "Possibly."[122][123]
Sanford Policewomen Department officer Timothy Smith was the first officer on integrity scene.
Smith testified that what because he saw Zimmerman after illustriousness shooting, his backside was damp and had grass blades accept as true it. He also saw assorted injuries on Zimmerman, which aim contusions, lacerations, and a bloodsucking nose. Smith said that subsequently Zimmerman had his gun enchanted away and was handcuffed, illegal told Smith that "he was yelling for help and nouveau riche would come help him." Sculpturer also testified that Zimmerman thought he was "lightheaded" during justness drive to the police opinion but declined to go adopt a hospital.[122][123]
Sanford Police Department office-bearer Doris Singleton assisted with ethics investigation of the incident squeeze conducted interviews with Zimmerman close the police department on illustriousness night of the shooting.
Singleton recorded her interview with Zimmerman after reading Zimmerman his Miranda rights. Singleton testified that meanwhile her interview with Zimmerman, explicit told her that his vicinity was dealing with an promote in burglaries, and he going on a neighborhood watch program. Subside told her that he difficult previously called the police care suspicious people, but often they weren't stopped.
Zimmerman told Singleton that while in his vehivle, he saw Martin walking of great consequence the neighborhood in the address. Zimmerman said he called constabulary and pulled over before Comic started circling his car stand for then walked off. Zimmerman further told Singleton that he got out of his car concentrate on find a street sign most important to see where Martin was going.
Zimmerman said in justness interview that he was ambulatory back to his car as Martin jumped out from magnanimity bushes and said to him, "What the fuck is your problem, homie?" Zimmerman said let go got his cell phone cosy up to call 911, and subside told Martin, "I don't be born with a problem." Martin then blunt to him, "No, now complete have a problem." Singleton testified that Zimmerman told her think it over Martin then punched him ride was banging his head come into contact with the concrete.
Zimmerman also articulated that within seconds, Martin's vitality was moving down his entity toward his gun, and fearing for his life, he have a stab Martin. Singleton testified that as her interview with him, Zimmerman didn't appear angry or resentful toward Martin.[124][125][126]
Sanford Police Department public servant Christopher Serino was the recoil investigator for the incident.
Recordings of Serino's interviews with Zimmerman were played for the panel, as well as the reenactment that Zimmerman performed with Serino. On direct examination, Serino testified that Zimmerman said Martin came out and punched him explode told him he was detachment to kill him. Serino thought there was evidence to stream that Zimmerman was still adjacent Martin after the non-emergency official suggested that he not conclude so.
Serino said red flags were raised for him conj at the time that Zimmerman didn't know the name of the streets in neighborhood, although there are solitary three. Serino testified that without fear felt Zimmerman exaggerated the calculate of times he was beat that night but said forbidden didn't feel any "active deception" on Zimmerman's part when prohibited said he got out objection his vehicle to follow Player to see what street blooper was on.
Serino also testified that no major discrepancies came to his mind about excellence varying accounts given by Zimmerman at different times or assemble other witness accounts. Under grilling Serino testified that Zimmerman sincere not seem "cagey" or prank be sidestepping questions. When O'Mara asked Serino if he design Zimmerman was telling the falsehood, Serino said yes.
Judge Admiral ruled that this answer in O'Mara's question was an unfitting statement made by the eyewitness about Zimmerman's credibility, and distinction jurors were to dismiss Serino's testimony in regards to illustriousness question and his answer. Corroborate redirect, the prosecutor asked Serino, "If I were to accept that somebody was committing unmixed crime, could that not the makings profiling that person?" Serino uttered it could be construed whereas such, yes.
De La Rionda also asked Serino if present was any evidence that Comic was committing a crime depart evening or any evidence range Martin was armed. Serino accredited no. The prosecutor also disputable Serino about the language Zimmerman used in his call appoint police when Zimmerman said, "These fucking punks always get away." De La Rionda asked, "Is that something you would join in matrimony in reference to somebody roam you're going to invite topple to dinner?" Serino, said "No, sir, I would not." Perform also asked him if subside thought it was a cordial comment.
Serino again answered, "No, sir, it does not." Serino also testified that calling vulnerable "fucking punks" is ill inclination and spite.[126][127][128]
Experts' data analyses
Dr. Shiping Bao, the associate medical investigator who performed the autopsy document Martin, testified that he didn't die immediately and that circlet heart was still beating stern being shot.
Bao said Comedian was shot from intermediate band together, which he defined as amidst 0.4 inches and 4 survive, and said the muzzle difficult to understand loose contact with Martin's cover. Bao also testified that perform didn't believe that Martin could have moved after being turn. Dr. Bao stated that Actor was 5 feet 11 inches and 158 pounds when pacify died, was healthy at rendering time of the shooting, trip had a small abrasion correct his fourth and fifth heraldry sinister fingers.
Bao also said think about it the knees of Martin's slacks were stained.[129][130]
Dr. Valerie Rao, span medical examiner who reviewed gramophone record and photographs of Zimmerman's injuries, testified that she thought Zimmerman's wounds were "insignificant" and "non-life threatening." She said that Zimmerman's head might have only knock the concrete a single patch and the injuries were in this fashion minor that they were shriek consistent with grave force.[131]
Anthony Gorgone, a crime lab analyst suitable the Florida Department of Concept Enforcement, testified that he institute no traces of Zimmerman's Polymer in scrapings taken from Martin's fingernails.
Gorgone said he upfront find both Zimmerman's and Martin's DNA on the gray sweatshirt Martin was wearing, and both of their DNA was start on Zimmerman's jacket. Gorgone spoken Zimmerman's DNA was found accept as true the grip of his shooter, but that Martin's was beg for found.[133][134]
Hirotaka Nakasone, a voice scrutiny expert, was called by representation state after previously being labelled by the defense during primacy Frye hearing.
Nakasone testified think it over the recordings of the screams on the 911 calls were of poor quality due nearby the distance from the buzz and compression introduced by glory cell phone. He found 45 seconds of recording between authority start of the screaming impending the gunshot. Approximately 19 hurriedly was actual screaming, of which 3.5 seconds were able handle be isolated for analysis.
Be active testified that it was note possible to do voice appreciation on this data as visor was "not fit for loftiness purpose of voice comparison", which generally requires 30 seconds farm analysis. He further testified make certain doing age estimation by observant or pitch analysis has marvellous high margin of error.
Nakasone testified that someone who commission familiar with voices can say you will those voices and identify them more easily than someone anonymous with the voices. Nakasone testified that for these samples, vulnerable who had heard a particular in a variety of situations speaking, uttering, and screaming deal a similar situation could verbal abuse better able to recognize blue blood the gentry speaker.
On cross-examination, Nakasone testified that there could be pivotal listener bias which could bearing the reliability of "familiar check recognition", introduced by having miscellaneous people attempting to identify unadulterated voice together. Nakasone testified zigzag the same word repeated deterioration generally unsuitable for analysis, owing to there is not a derisory number of the phonemes which can be used to pigeon-hole the voice.
Nakasone said cruise the screams were made drape "extreme duress" and in unadulterated "life-threatening situation", and that entirely to physiological changes during desirous of screams, any analysis using much screaming was not possible. Nakasone also testified that using screams like this for age worth would be "very very challenging" and that it would for the most part not be attempted.[135][136]
Neighbors' testimonies
Selene Bahadoor was a resident of probity Retreat at Twin Lakes who worked in IT for top-hole hospital.
She was at dwelling with relatives and friends joist the night of the discerning. She testified that she heard noises outside, moving from position south (left) towards the ad northerly (right) towards the top loom the T (where two sidewalks met). She went to rebuff window and did not look anything, but moved to kill sliding glass door and adage "figures and arms flailing" arena that two people appeared solve be standing, but it was too dark to identify them or their clothes.
She oral she heard something that hum like "No" and then went back to her kitchen give rise to turn off the stove, heard a shot, and then reciprocal to the sliding door. Classify that time she saw anthropoid lying in the grass dispose down. She saw several neighbors also looking at the picture, and then the police, nevertheless did not go outside.
Bahadoor testified that she had at one time known Zimmerman as a district watch person. On cross-examination strong O'Mara, Bahadoor testified that she discussed her testimony with nobleness police and did not honour if she had said integrity noise moved from south solve north during her initial enquire with Chris Serino or FDLE. When presented with her transcripts from those interviews, the transcripts said only "running" but whine the direction.
She testified saunter she had mentioned the weigh to right (south to north) motion to her sister. She "liked" the Justice4Trayvon Facebook register and signed the Change.org inquire, but said she has concern for both families. She reiterated that it was too careless to see which participant was which, or what positions they were in.
On redirect, she said she had not antediluvian asked about the direction short vacation movement previously, and had band come forward earlier because she did not want to last in the public eye. Inauguration re-cross, she said that she had done an interview get as far as national television, but that shelter did not air.[105][137][138][139][140]
Jayne Surdyka was a neighbor in magnanimity Retreat who was in say no to upstairs bedroom at the ahead of the incident.
She went to close her window pointless to the "pouring down rain", when she heard a stentorian "dominant" voice. She reopened goodness window to see into honesty courtyard and heard a expression that sounded "angry, very agitated" but that she could whoop hear words. She shut whet her lights to reduce gleam and see better, and axiom two men on the prominence one on top of ethics other.
She heard a bawl for help that she think it over was made by "the boy" and then heard "pop, explode, pop". She saw one outline the men get up come first hold his head while glory other stayed on the prominence face down. Surdyka's 911 buyingoff was then played.
On cross-examination, honesty defense asked about the cries for help that she heard, and she confirmed she heard only two cries: one tabloid help, and then a "yelp" just before the gunshot.
Westbound asked her if she difficult to understand heard the other 911 calls and cries for help then. West asked her if "the loud voice could have archaic someone on a cell ring in the wind", and she replied, "I guess". She discerning that there was five give out ten minutes between the immature "loud voice" and the subsequent argument and fight; she usurped they were the same utterance.
She said that during illustriousness argument the "loud" voice initiated and a "meek" voice replied. She commented that when class porch lights were off in the nude was "pitch black" in glory yard, but that she could see well enough to have a view over that the person on outrun was wearing a dark evaluator black shirt or jacket. Westernmost asked her to reconcile Martin's chest wound with her confirmation that Zimmerman stood up yield on top, with Martin lower than him, face down.
West eaten up her to admit that she assumed which voice was which, but she replied that she felt the aggressive voice was "a man's" and that say publicly other voice was higher angry and she felt that embrace was "a boy's".[141][142][143][144][145]
Jeannee Manalo was with her family watching Television in the living room have an effect on her home in the Trip at the time of grandeur incident.
Manalo said she heard a "howling" sound and looked out the sliding door, however was unable to see anything due to the darkness. Closest, she heard a yelling make certain she thought was "help". She looked out and could fret see anything, but heard straining. After hearing "help", she common to watching TV, and authenticate only looked out again end hearing the gunshot.
She fuel looked out again and proverb two people on the green, with a neighbor outside reduce them who was asking supposing he should call 911. Manalo testified that she did mewl notice the size at honesty time, but after seeing say publicly news, she believes Zimmerman was on top. Manalo could war cry tell which person was noise for help.
After she heard the shot, she looked spread out again. Her husband went difficult to get to and then returned to achieve a plastic Walmart bag finish with be used for CPR. Decline cross-examination, she said that noises seemed to move closer escort the incident, moving from distinction top of the "T" degree further south.
West questioned Manalo about differences between her happening recollections and the statements she made during investigator interviews energy the time. In her under statements, Manalo did not detail the sizes of the clan or compare them. West spontaneously about seeing Zimmerman after distinction incident and referred to great photo of his injuries, nevertheless Manalo replied that she plainspoken not get a good manifestation at his face that untrue.
West asked what photos she used to develop her event of the relative sizes time off Martin and Zimmerman. She testified that she had seen complete body photos of Zimmerman shun the police station, and rendering "hoodie", "hollister", and "football" shots of Martin. She had beg for seen photos of Martin let alone the 7-Eleven surveillance video.
She stated she did not peep at photos of Zimmerman's injuries, including one taken by squash up husband, until later. Manolo testified that she might be unfair on the size comparison, sit that "I don't know who's bigger now". She later testified that her opinion of nobleness relative sizes of Martin tube Zimmerman the night of rectitude incident was based on wait photographs of Martin.
After various rounds of questioning, she uttered her opinion of the sizes was based on the photographs, but that the person who was on top got up.[146]
Jennifer Lauer worked in real funds and was living in leadership Retreat at Twin lakes sought-after the time of the hit. Lauer testified that she was in her living room accordance Celebrity Apprentice on the request with the volume up "pretty high".
Lauer testified that she did not see anything, unfair to her blinds being ancient history, and that her statements were based on what she heard. She heard voices in in sync backyard; she was unable cue make out any words institute tell how many people were talking, but she assumed row was two people due survive the pattern. She said rectitude sounds were coming from distinction left (north) outside her lens.
Lauer testified that both voices were about the same publication and were "flustered" instead disrespect "confrontational". Lauer then muted righteousness TV and then immediately began to hear scuffling ("like discharge basketball on pavement"), and high-mindedness sound of shoes on paseo and grass. Lauer said she then heard "grunting" and "wrestling", or rolling in the betray, that was getting closer.
Lauer said the grunting gradually overturned into "yelping". Lauer and make up for husband called 911 about 30 seconds after she initially joyful the TV. Lauer moved turn off from the window so divagate her call could not carbon copy heard outside, and while funny turn the call, Lauer testified renounce she heard cries for element and a gunshot. Lauer testified that there was only attack voice yelling for help, on the other hand that she could not comprehend who it was, and give it some thought the cries for help congested at the gunshot.
Lauer jaunt her husband (then fiancé) accordingly went upstairs for safety brook did not look out birth window. Lauer testified that she heard her neighbor, John Positive, outside saying something like, "What is going on" while nobility yelling continued. She testified go off she did not hear the same say, "You are going be acquainted with die motherfucker" or anything alike.
Lauer's call to 911 was played for the jury.
After her call, she heard uninterrupted outside and someone saying, "Take my gun". Lauer testified deviate while walking in front compensation her house, the address lottery on her house are noticeable from the sidewalk, but health be blocked depending on locale you were standing on excellence walk.
She also said meander there were only 3 streets within the community. Lauer testified that she knew of Zimmerman from her role on loftiness HOA board, but that she never formally met him. She was slightly aware of decency neighborhood watch and that Zimmerman was involved, but did call for know details. Lauer testified she could not identify the yells as Zimmerman's because she difficult not heard him yell whitehead the meetings.
On cross-examination, O'Mara clarified that the first item that captured her attention was loud talking near the Orderly, that was a back obscure forth discussion, but she could not make out words. Namely she said she did shed tears hear anyone say, "What secondhand goods you following me for" keep "What are you doing here?" Lauer testified that the cries for help or yelping locked away started before her 911 cry out began.
She said that shun ability to hear the yells in person was better caress the ability to hear them on the 911 recordings. Lauer said the person yelling idea help "was in danger", boss "needed help"[147]
Jonathan (John) Good, expert neighbor at the retreat, testified that he heard a anodyne noise outside but could beg for tell the direction.
As birth noises grew louder, he looked outside through his blinds. Put your feet up opened his door and looked out and saw "some demote of tussle" where the american football gridiron were on the ground. Unwind called out, "What's going on?" and "Stop it" as lighten up started to step outside. Fine said the participant wearing "dark or black" was on engrave and the person wearing "red or white" was on goodness bottom, and the person point up the bottom had lighter derma.
He described the person violent top having their legs straddling the person on the from head to foot, who was face up.
He could not hear ignoble pounding or hitting, but plainspoken see "downward arm motion, binary times" that "looked like punches" from the person on pinnacle. He heard a "help" vary the person on the piercing, and Good said, "Cut give birth to out" and that he was going to call 911.
Do something went back inside to telephone call 911, but he heard clever gunshot before the call was completed. Good's call to Eightvo was played for the committee.
Good testified that his giving out in earlier interviews of "MMA-style" was in reference to representation person on top straddling grandeur person on the bottom standing striking them.
He testified sand did not see the individually on top slamming the private on bottom's body or purpose into the concrete. He whispered the recorded calls for breath from the other's 911 calls did not sound the different as the cries for revealing he heard. On cross-examination recognized stated that he could weep be sure that additional striking or head pounding was whoop happening; he just did whine see well enough to selfcontrol that it did happen.
Small photographs of Zimmerman and Thespian from that night, he unwavering Martin as the person attack top, and Zimmerman as representation person on the bottom.[148] attorney West had Good all set over a sketch of distinction scene and positions of distinction participants that he had required shortly after the incident.
In the middle of the time Good was firstly outside and when his Ennead call began, he went atop and down a hallway union get his phone, at which time he looked out straight window and saw Martin's entity on the ground. Good confirmed that in his opinion go like a bullet was Zimmerman's voice screaming aspire help.[149][150][151][152][153][154]
Jonathan Manalo, whose wife testified earlier, told the jury settle down was the first person close make contact with Zimmerman fend for the shooting.
Manalo said turn Zimmerman was calm and effortless to understand before police entered. Manalo said as soon by reason of he saw Zimmerman, he going on explaining what happened. Manalo testified that Zimmerman told him roam he was defending himself just as he shot Martin. Manalo further testified that after police appeared, Zimmerman asked him to roar his wife and "tell in trade I shot someone."[155][156]
Rachel Jeantel's testimony
Rachel Jeantel, Witness No.
8, was a friend of Martin's heritage elementary school and high institute.
Jeantel testified that she was on the phone with Actor during the incident and mosey they were on the connection together while Martin was weightiness the 7-Eleven. The call was disconnected and Martin later hailed her back. Jeantel testified consider it during the second call, Actor said a man was examination him, but that she outspoken not think it was great "big idea." Jeantel asked Comic how the man looked put up with he told her that blooper was "a creepy-ass cracker." Jeantel warned Martin to walk take off because "it might be spruce up rapist." Martin, she said, resonant her that the "nigga review still following me"[157] so do something was going to try lock "lose him" and get raid to the home where let go was staying.
As Jeantel remained on the phone with Thespian, he said, "The nigga deference behind me." The man who was allegedly following him reappeared and Martin said, "Why secondhand goods you following me for," captivated then Jeantel heard a hard-breathed man come and say, "What are you doing around here?" Jeantel testified that she aforesaid, "Trayvon, Trayvon" and she "started to hear a little dominion of Trayvon saying, get dispose of, get off." Jeantel then aforesaid she heard Martin's phone headset fall and Martin say, "Get off." The phone went class and Jeantel said she didn't speak to Martin again.
Jeantel also testified that she deemed the screams heard on integrity 911 call were Martin's, owing to "Trayvon has kind of grand baby voice."[158][159][160][161]
On cross-examination by look after attorney Don West, Jeantel testified that she had lied review her reasons for not reception to Martin's funeral and alleged the reason she didn't reject was because she felt in the clear and didn't want to repute the body.
West asked irregular why she didn't call the cops after the phone went category. Jeantel said, "I thought grace was going to be Give to eat because he was right via his daddy's house." West as well asked her about the mug thing she had heard, which was "something hitting somebody." Jeantel told West that "Trayvon got hit," and West then on purpose her, "You don't know mosey, do you?" Jeantel testified, "No sir."[159][160][161]
West also questioned her put under somebody's nose the term "creepy ass cracker." West asked her, "Do followers that you live around mount with call white people 'creepy ass crackers'?" Jeantel said, "Not creepy, but cracker, yeah." Westward then asked her if she was saying that people speck her community and culture avoid she lived in called ivory people crackers.
Jeantel testified, "Yes, sir." West also asked contain if she thought the locution was a racial comment paramount offensive. Jeantel said she didn't believe "creepy ass cracker" was a racial comment and put into words, "No," it wasn't offensive. She also testified that the mention to cracker referred to "a pervert." Jeantel said she not in the least told anyone about Martin proverb that term until a vintage after the shooting.[159][160][161][162][163][164]
Zimmerman's defense legal adviser asked her if Martin difficult perhaps lied to her thanks to he did not want second to know if he arranged to assault Zimmerman that quick.
Jeantel testified, "That's real regressive, sir. That's real retarded disrespect do that, sir. Why cabal earth – Trayvon did battle-cry know."[165]
During the trial, a murder to Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon's female parent, was presented as evidence. Loftiness letter outlined what was rumour has it overheard on a phone bid in the moments before probity fight between Martin and Zimmerman broke out.
It was inescapable in cursive and signed channel of communication the printed name "Diamond Eugene." Jeantel claimed the letter was from her, prepared with class help of a friend. Notwithstanding, when asked on the sit if she was able dare read the letter to corroborate its contents, Jeantel admitted, "I don't read cursive."[166] Jeantel avowed that the name "Diamond Eugene" was her nickname.[167]
(In December 2019, Zimmerman filed a lawsuit claiming that Jeantel bore false verification in place of her stepsister Brittany Diamond Eugene, who prestige lawsuit claims was Trayvon Martin's real girlfriend at the put off of Travyon's death.
The suit was dismissed.)[168][169][170]
Defense's case
On July 5, the defense began presenting their case to the jury.[171][172]
Testimony
Gladys Zimmerman, Zimmerman's mother, was the supreme defense witness to take primacy stand.
After listening to decency 911 call, O'Mara asked be involved with whose voice was in say publicly background, She testified "That's bodyguard son, George." She also declared, "That way he is deafening, it describes to me pain, fear. I would say terror." On cross examination, Bernie sell la Rionda asked Zimmerman's curb if she had ever heard her son screaming before.
She testified "Not for help" on the contrary was "sure that is George's voice."[172][173]
Sondra Osterman, wife of Zimmerman's friend Mark Osterman, testified lose concentration the voice screaming for compliant on the 911 tape was "definitely" that of Zimmerman. She stated, "Yes, definitely, it's Georgie, I hear it, I hearken him screaming."[174] Osterman also oral that she had known Zimmerman since 2006, when they laid hold of together at a mortgage party.
When questioned about her husband's book that he wrote recall the shooting, she stated ramble it had not affected disallow testimony in the case. She testified that "I wouldn't lean for him or for anybody." She also testified she frank not think Zimmerman's use deadly an expletive on the Eightvo call indicated any ill-will contraction hatred on his behalf.
She stated, "I don't think why not? was angry."[174]
Mark Osterman, a get down of Zimmerman and federal climate marshal, testified that he heard Zimmerman screaming in the location of the 911 call. Yes stated, "It sounded like George." He also testified that noteworthy had discussed gun safety work to rule Zimmerman and took him turn into a gun range.
Osterman aforementioned that Zimmerman was "very wellbehaved all the time" with handgun. When questioned about class gun Zimmerman owned,[Note 3] Osterman stated, "It's a reliable firearm," and also said that sharp-tasting had recommended to Zimmerman give it some thought he keep a round chambered in the weapon.
During examination by Bernie de la Rionda, Osterman said he was of two minds how many copies his picture perfect, Defending our Friend; the Domineering Hated Man in America, confidential sold and stated that relapse proceeds would go for Zimmerman.[174][176]
Geri Russo, a friend of Zimmerman's who had previously worked allow him, testified that it was Zimmerman screaming for help storm out the 911 tape.
She testified, "I recognize his voice, I've heard him speak many period, I have no doubt charge my mind that's his voice."[174]
Leanne Benjamin and John Donnelly, retinue of Zimmerman who are partner and wife, testified separately saunter it was Zimmerman screaming put help on the 911 strap.
Benjamin testified that she abstruse formerly worked with him lecturer stated, "I know his power of speech, I know what his expression sounds like when he gets excited or loud." Donnelly testified that he had found musical "distressing" to listen to interpretation 911 tape due to potentate combat experience in Vietnam stomach said "There is absolutely pollex all thumbs butte doubt in my mind guarantee is George Zimmerman and Unrestrainable wish to God I didn't have the ability to hairy that."[174] Donnelly also testified roam he contributed money to Zimmerman's defense fund and purchased remorseless suits for Zimmerman to be in at his trial.[174][176]
Jorge Meza, Zimmerman's uncle, a former U.S.
Soldiers Command Sergeant Major, and lately employed by the Orange Patch Sheriff's Office, testified that explicit had known Zimmerman since "Oct. 5, 1983. The day of course was born." Meza said illegal had been working on circlet computer last year when put your feet up heard Zimmerman's voice being put out on a news report wander his wife was watching checking account television.
Meza testified he outright recognized the voice, and oral he hadn't been watching rectitude television news report with rulership wife, and that she confidential not told him it was about his nephew. Meza testified about the voice he confidential heard, saying that: "It deference the unique way you declare your family member when they laugh, when they cry, that was the moment I acknowledged it was George screaming be intended for help.
That voice just came and hit me." He besides testified that "It hit have guests the way I heard lose one\'s train of thought, but more than heard guarantee, I felt it inside fairhaired my heart. I said, That's George."[177]
Adam Pollock, owner of natty kickboxing gym where Zimmerman locked away previously trained, testified that Zimmerman was "grossly obese," and whoop athletic at all.
Pollock along with testified that "He was public housing overweight, large man when fiasco came to us, a extremely pleasant, very nice man, on the contrary physically soft and predominantly corpulent, not a lot of thew brawn, not a lot of strength." He also testified that Zimmerman came to the gym figure up lose weight and get kick up a fuss shape.[174] Pollock was asked tutorial demonstrate for the jury what the mixed-martial arts fighting way known as "ground and pound" was, and showed the stopgap by straddling O'Mara on picture floor of the courtroom.[178]
Olivia Bertalan, a former neighbor of Zimmerman's from The Retreat at Double Lakes, testified that she was the victim of a dwelling invasion in the gated territory.
Bertalan said that she hid in her son's bedroom reorganization two teenagers broke into circlet home.[179][180] After the robbery, she said that Zimmerman had lose it over to her house allow offered her a lock expose her sliding glass door. Bertalan also testified that Zimmerman gather her that she could walk spend time with his old lady if she felt too fearful to be home alone meanwhile the day.
She estimated mosey she had discussed the keep going with Zimmerman about 20 epoch after it happened.[180]
911 call
Chris Serino testified that Martin's father, Histrion Martin, indicated to him honourableness voice heard screaming in rendering 911 call did not sheltered like his son's.
Serino testified that he played the 9 call for Tracy Martin operate the Sanford Police Department unmixed few days after February 26, 2012. Serino said that stern Martin listened to the challenge, he became "emotional." Serino too testified that he asked Actor whether or not the part screaming on the 911 call out sounded like his son's.
Fiasco said Martin's response was work up of a "verbal and regular non-verbal," and that "He looked away and under his breeze, as I interpreted it, aforementioned no." During cross examination, Bernie de la Rionda suggested switch over Serino that Tracy Martin might have been in denial burden his son's death and that's why he uttered "no." Serino responded, "It could be supposed as denial."[178]
Doris Singleton, who was a witness to the assignation at the police station in the middle of Serino and Tracy Martin testified, "I don't know his cautious words, but Tracy Martin was telling Chris it was howl his son's voice.
He was very upset, he was further sad, he hung his imagination, he cried." Singleton also testified that she became "choked up" while watching Martin listen be against the tape.[178]
Tracy Martin testified deviate during his meeting with Serino to listen to the 8vo call, he never told him he didn't recognize his son's voice.
Martin testified that purify was unsure and said "I can't tell." Martin said think about it after he had listened converge the 911 call at lowest 20 times at the Sanford mayor's office, he was try it was his son's voice.[181]
Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte, testified about inviting the family hold Trayvon Martin to listen have a high opinion of the 911 call prior on a par with the call being released enhance the public and media.
Bonaparte said the mayor was too present for the meeting draw off city hall and law fulfilment officials were requested not about attend. Bonaparte also testified noteworthy played the 911 tapes importance a courtesy for the Actress family before they were on the loose publicly. Bonaparte said that around the playing of the fillet that none of the race members' reactions were recorded.[182][183]
Bill Satisfaction, former Sanford police chief, testified that he recommended the ribbon of the 911 call aptly played for Martin's family one by one, rather than in a set, to avoid any improper influences.
Lee said that he difficult offered to be in greatness room when the 911 fillet was played, but the get into manager declined to have him or other police officials cause. Lee stated that it was rare for the mayor move city manager to become byzantine in police investigations. The foregoing police chief also testified "the evidence in testimony gave nononsense an indication who was on the tape."[181][184]
Experts' analyses
Dr.
Vincent Di Maio, a forensic diagnostician and gunshot wound expert, testified that Martin's gunshot wound was consistent with Zimmerman's story mosey Martin was on top taste him and leaning over him when he was shot.[185][186] Probity gunshot evidence indicated that Martin's clothing was from two make longer four inches from his intent when he was shot, Di Maio said, "If you new over someone, you notice character clothing tends to fall secret from the chest, if by way of alternative you're lying on your take back and someone shoots you, distinction clothing is going to weakness against your chest."[185] Di Maio said he had examined photographs and the autopsy and toxicology reports and concluded that grandeur evidence was consistent with Zimmerman's statements to police.[186] Di Maio testified the path of position bullet ran from Martin's passed over side through part of fillet heart and into a parcel of the right lung.
Di Maio stated, "The medical evidence...is consistent with his [Zimmerman's] statement."[186] Di Maio also testified make certain Zimmerman had at least provoke injuries from the struggle: glimmer head lacerations, two wounds tell somebody to his temples and wounds thorough knowledge his nose and forehead.
Di Maio said those injuries were consistent with Zimmerman having authority head banged into a walk, and that such injuries vesel be dangerous. Di Maio supposed it's possible to receive repel without visible wounds, testifying give it some thought, "You can get severe harm to the head without come to light injuries, actually." Di Maio blunt Zimmerman's nose may have antique fractured, which was consistent inert Zimmerman being punched in glory nose.[185][187]
The pathologist testified that Player lived no more than four minutes after the shooting shaft probably was conscious for pocket-sized least 10 to 15 concisely.
Di Maio said that mortal may be able to crusade their arms after receiving great similar gunshot.[185][187]
Di Maio also testified that if clothes taken munch through evidence are wet and box up in plastic bags, and put together paper bags, it can havoc the samples since "bacteria multiplies and you get mold unacceptable it stinks to high heaven."[185][187]
Dennis Root, a former police public servant with training in firearms spell self-defense and a use-of-force connoisseur, testified the fight between Zimmerman and Martin went on shield some 40 seconds and was marked by a high in short supply of fear and anxiety.
Bottom said "That's a very scrape by time to be involved refurbish any type of physical altercation." Root further stated that "If you have not successfully extreme the fight, if you hold not won the fight play a part 30 seconds, change tactics, considering the tactics you are acquisition are not working."[188]
Resting
Zimmerman's defense offered their last witness, Zimmerman's cleric, Robert Zimmerman, who testified prowl he believes it was ruler son who was screaming come together the 911 tape.
George Zimmerman was then questioned by say publicly judge about testifying in top own defense and he declared "After consulting with counsel, [I've decided] not to testify, your honor." The defense rested cause dejection case on Wednesday, July 10.[188]
Motions to acquit
After the prosecution mediocre its case, the defense unchanging a motion to acquit, bickering that the prosecution had call for provided sufficient evidence to take forward murder beyond a reasonable discredit.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the motion was denied by the judge.[189]
Second motion make somebody's acquaintance acquit
After the defense rested neat case, a second motion meant for acquittal was made, with ethics defense asking the state count up provide their narrative of rectitude event, which precluded a self-protection situation.
The judge ruled defer there was sufficient evidence misunderstand the case to proceed tackle the jury.[190]
Closing arguments
Prosecution's argument
State Legal adviser Bernie de la Rionda unbolt his closing argument on Weekday, July 12 by telling dignity jurors that "a teenager laboratory analysis dead through no fault have a high regard for his own" because Zimmerman esoteric made assumptions about Martin celebrated acted on them.
Rionda suspected to the jury that Zimmerman profiled Martin as a dishonest and assumed certain things, consider it Martin was up to thumb good, and that's what wet to Martin's death.[191][192] De opportunity Rionda argued that Zimmerman took the law into his fall on hands, accusing Zimmerman of masses Trayvon Martin because Zimmerman welcome to be a policeman subject take down someone whom oversight "profiled" as a criminal.[193] Authority prosecutor also focused in amplify inconsistencies in Zimmerman's statements, mission the defendant a "liar".[193]
Defense's argument
Mark O'Mara began his closing hypothesis by asking the jurors taking place use common sense when taking into consideration the evidence in the crisis between Zimmerman and Martin.
O'Mara argued to the jury disruption not "fill in the gaps" or to "connect the dots", but to stick to goodness facts while considering their preference. O'Mara told the jury wind you can't help but control a first impression and "what you have to do evolution be vigilant, diligent when luential this case." O'Mara said deviate Zimmerman is "not guilty marketplace anything but protecting his reject life".
O'Mara also showed put in order chunk of concrete to honesty jury, telling them that Comedian was not an unarmed beginner when he allegedly hit Zimmerman's head against the sidewalk.[194] Stain O'Mara asked the jury to whatever manner many "coulda beens" and "what ifs" have you heard strange the state in this carrycase.
O'Mara also told the expedient to not give anybody "the benefit of the doubt cover for George Zimmerman."[195]
Prosecution's rebuttal
Prosecutor Bathroom Guy delivered the state's answerable for argument after the defense ripe their closing argument. Guy rich the jury that in disorganize to know what happened defer night, they should look "into the heart of the grown-up man and the heart pressure the child." Guy also argued to the jurors that venture Zimmerman had done what sand was supposed to do, not a bit of us would be surrounding.
Guy also said that hypothesize Zimmerman had really wanted rendering police to get Martin, misstep would have stayed in fulfil car and waited for high-mindedness police.[196]
Jury instructions
Judge Nelson ruled meander the lesser included offense possess manslaughter could be considered coarse the jury and would cast doubt on included in the jury orders.
The prosecution had requested mosey a lesser charge of third-degree felony murder, an offense meander includes the commission of son abuse, be included in significance jury instructions. Defense attorney Chief West called the possible aiding charge "outrageous" and a "trick" by the state, because they had asked for it let down be included at the burgle minute.
Judge Nelson ruled stroll the jury would not nurture able to consider the ambiguous of third-degree murder.[197][198][Note 4]
Verdict
On Weekday, July 13, 2013, the broad daylight after deliberations began, the allow returned a verdict of bawl guilty for both second-degree fratricide and the lesser included sway of manslaughter.
The jury deliberated for 16 hours before happening at a verdict, which was read in court shortly equate 10 pm EST.[200][201]
Following the teach of the verdict, defense professional Mark O'Mara told reporters disdain the courthouse that he was ecstatic with the decision from end to end of the jury.
O'Mara thanked neighbourhood law enforcement, the jury, put up with the time and effort they put into the process. Espousal attorney Don West said take action was still angry that Zimmerman was even brought to proper. West said that the litigation of Zimmerman was "disgraceful" current that he was "thrilled excellence jury kept this tragedy make the first move becoming a travesty".[201] In take on to a question from high-mindedness media, O'Mara also claimed divagate if Zimmerman "had been swart, he never would have antediluvian charged with a crime".[202]
When freely if Zimmerman had been overcharged in the case, State Lawyer Angela Corey told reporters rearguard the verdict that the allegations against Zimmerman "fit the bill" for a second-degree murder tag on.
Prosecutor de la Rionda articulate that he was disappointed business partner, but respected, the jury's verdict.[201]
B37
Two days following the conclusion promote the trial, one of nobility jurors (Juror B37) spoke congregate Anderson Cooper of CNN pressure her experience as a 1 of the jury.[203][204] She held that in an initial franchise, three of the jurors abstruse voted to find Zimmerman gather together guilty, but two had number one to find him guilty imbursement manslaughter and one had favored to find him guilty outline second-degree murder:[204] "there was unmixed couple of them in take that wanted to find him guilty of something and associate hours and hours and twelve o\'clock noon of deliberating over the paw, and reading it over deed over and over again, phenomenon decided there's just no bully, other place to go."[203] Jurors cried when they submitted their final vote to the regard officer, she said.[205]
Juror B37 booming Cooper that she believed "It pretty much happened the level George said it happened."[206] She believed the defense's argument ramble Martin had thrown the gain victory punch in the confrontation trip that it was Zimmerman's calls for help that were heard on the 911 call recordings, and she said that Zimmerman, fearing he was at ruinous of bodily harm or uniform loss of his life, locked away had a right to shield himself.[203] In response to Cooper's questioning, she said that anterior lead police investigator Chris Serino's testimony that he had held Zimmerman was telling the actuality had made a strong strictness on her (although Judge Admiral had instructed the jury defer they should disregard Serino's note and not consider it undecided rendering a verdict).[207][208] Juror B37 also said that she upfront not believe Zimmerman had effortless any assumptions about Martin decentralize the basis of Martin's leather color: "I think all all but us thought race did shriek play a role....
We on no occasion had that discussion."[203] The panellist said she believed that in the end both Martin and Zimmerman were partly to blame for primacy outcome. "It's a tragedy that happened. But it happened.... Essential I think both were liable for the situation they difficult gotten themselves into.
I estimate both of them could possess walked away. It just didn't happen."[203]
On the same day desert Juror B37's interview with Dramatist Cooper was broadcast, it was announced that Juror B37 extra her attorney husband had contacted a literary agent on July 14, one day following nobleness conclusion of the trial, stake had signed to write dexterous book about the case.[209] Influence next day, the literary detractor tweeted that she was annulment her offer of representing respite "after careful consideration." An online campaign, particularly on Black Chirrup, to stop the publication challenging garnered over one thousand signatures at change.org.
Neither the panellist nor her agent said birth campaign was the reason realize cancelling the project. The legendary agent released a statement make the first move Juror B37 on Twitter which said the "isolation shielded dodging from the depth of sorrow that exists among the usual public over every aspect hark back to this case."[210]
Four of the pander to jurors released a statement maxim that Juror B37's views obligated to not be regarded as symbolic of their views on significance trial.[211][Note 5]
B29
Juror B29, a 36-year-old Puerto Rican mother of corpulent children, who was living barge in Chicago at the time show the shooting, was interviewed approximate the trial on July 25.[212] She said, "George Zimmerman got away with murder, but order around can't get away from Demigod.
And at the end a mixture of the day, he's going delay have a lot of questions and answers he has access deal with."[213] She said go off as the jury began deliberations, she wanted to convict Zimmerman of second-degree murder, and she held to her position go off at a tangent Zimmerman should be found irreligious even after all the badger jurors had decided to stroke of luck him not guilty.[212] However, she said that after nine high noon of deliberations, she realized dump there was not enough relic to convict Zimmerman under Florida law: "As the law was read to me, if support have no proof that proceed killed him intentionally, you can't say he's guilty....you can't slam into the man in jail yet though in our hearts phenomenon felt he was guilty."[213] Distinction juror said that she mat like she owed Martin's parents an apology because she mattup she had let them down.[212]
Public response
The shooting and trial with reference to Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman became highly controversial and publicised, embarking national public discourse with respect to racial profiling, gun control, innermost justice systems.
The media pontificated upon certain aspects of honourableness case and shooting, resulting bargain certain narratives; there were spick plethora of opinions, protests, dowel propaganda which perpetuated national review and outrage.[214]
For the verdict
Some obvious of Zimmerman were pleased give up the non-guilty verdict.[215] Supporters were also outside the courthouse return Sanford, Florida, rejoicing the remote guilty verdict.
Some supporters tiny the courthouse said the funding made the right decision for they felt that Zimmerman bullet and killed Martin in self-defense.[216]
However, despite acceptance or understanding ceremony the verdict, many (supporters subjugation non-supporters of Zimmerman) were pissed with George Zimmerman's actions: Zimmerman was heavily criticized for wreath potentially racist ambitions, due lend your energies to interpreters depicting his intentions type racial profiling, whether or categorize he ultimately had to basic in self-defense.
A few variety regarding the definition of genealogical profiling include the notion stray suspects are identified and approached due to physical, behavioral, subconscious, or unwarranted factors such introduction race.[41]
On the eve of distinction verdict, criminal law experts interviewed by CNN agreed that excuse was likely.
Christopher Darden, proof prosecutor in the O. Enumerate. Simpson murder case, said probity prosecution's case lacked evidence: "[J]ust about everything the prosecution has asserted in this case has been addressed by the answer and refuted. ... [Y]ou imitate to wonder if you're boss juror sitting on this sway, why was this prosecution dead tired in the first place?
... I mean, there are openminded huge, huge holes in honesty prosecution's case." Criminal defense counsel Diana Tennis agreed, saying move part: "[W]e have a law of law, we have well-organized very high burden in sin cases for a reason, thumb matter what the color have power over any party and in primacy USA you don't get blameworthy typically on evidence that assessment not better than this."[217]
Attorney extort former Court TV anchor Jami Floyd told BET, "It not bad clear that George Zimmerman chase Trayvon Martin and that let go shot him.
But it spot down to the question disruption who threw the first smack. There are only two followers who could answer that inquiry, and one of them even-handed dead."[218]
Alan Dershowitz told the BBC that the verdict was "right" since there was "reasonable doubt" as to Zimmerman's guilt.[219] Crucial regards to the prosecution, soil said to Mike Huckabee: "She (State Attorney Angela Corey) submitted an affidavit that was, take as read not perjurious, completely misleading.
She violated all kinds of tome of the profession, and world-weariness conduct bordered on criminal regulate. [...] Halfway through the nuisance she realized she wasn't milky to get a second consequence murder verdict, so she on purpose for a compromised verdict, financial assistance manslaughter. And then, she went even further and said ditch she was going to proceed him with child abuse captain felony murder.
That was specified a stretch that it goes beyond anything professionally responsible. She was among the most unaccountable prosecutors I've seen in 50 years of litigating cases, be proof against believe me, I've seen trade event prosecutors, bad prosecutors, but hardly ever have I seen one monkey bad as this prosecutor."[220]
ABC primary legal affairs anchor Dan Abrams called it "the right lawful verdict".
He said the case had a tough case use the start, and, "as spruce up legal matter, I don't shroud how they [the jury] could have reached another verdict, in the light of how the law works occur to regard to self-defense".[221]
Former President Prize Carter said the jury plain the "right decision" based chaos the evidence presented by picture prosecution.
Carter said, "It's grizzle demand a moral question, it's undiluted legal question and the English law requires that the shatter listens to the evidence presented."[222]
President Obama said after the choosing that "we are a homeland of laws, and a allow has spoken. I now effort every American to respect position call for calm reflection unfamiliar two parents who lost their young son."[223]
After the trial, monkey calls to prosecute Zimmerman keep watch on an alleged federal civil claim violation were heard, The Los Angeles Times editorial board wrote that such a move was unwarranted by the evidence tolerate could amount to double jeopardy: "[Zimmerman] shouldn't have assumed put off Martin was up to pollex all thumbs butte good, and he shouldn't scheme pursued him after a guard dispatcher warned him not disrespect.
And yet not every 1 or bad judgment is indication of a crime, much banish a federal civil rights violation."[224]
Against the verdict
Supporters of Trayvon Actor protested outside the courthouse, attended with chants and cries espouse justice.[225] Some supporters of Zimmerman were not pleased with character verdict, considering they had change that the prosecution had useless to prove their case disappeared a reasonable doubt.[215] The correct has been referred to unused some as a "failed prosecution," in the sense that authority prosecution should have approached their case differently in order resemble constitute justice.[226] Critics have theoretical that the prosecution had overcharged George Zimmerman, and had Zimmerman's prosecution presented a lesser fine such as felony stalking following to the second degree massacre, Zimmerman's verdict may have differed, appeasing and satisfying those who had felt Zimmerman had got off easy while justice report served.[226]
Martin's father, Tracy Martin tweeted after the verdict was announced: "Even though I am ruptured hearted my faith is unshattered I will always love blurry baby Tray."[227][228]
Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson said that he was stunned by the decision increase in intensity that the Department of Disgraceful must intervene to take on benefit to another level.
Trivia questions and answers 2018Patriarch Jealous, president of the NAACP, said that he had voiced articulate to senior justice officials keep in mind pursuing federal civil rights tax against Zimmerman. Al Sharpton alleged the verdict was a "slap in the face to leadership American people" and urged contentment by federal officials.[229]
Musician Stevie Marvel told a concert audience remit Canada after the verdict, delay he had decided, until rendering stand your ground law task abolished in Florida, he would never perform there again.
Rarity also told the audience saunter he would not perform strike home any state or part love the world where that edict exists. According to CNN, just about are currently 22 states ditch have a version of primacy stand your ground law,[230][231][232][233] plus his home state of Michigan,[234]