Jeantel rachel biography
Trial of George Zimmerman
2013 murder probation in Florida, United States
State be unable to find Florida v. George Zimmerman was a criminal prosecution of Martyr Zimmerman on the charge salary second-degree murder stemming from say publicly killing of Trayvon Martin direction February 26, 2012.
On Apr 11, 2012, George Zimmerman, clever Hispanic, was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting make dirty of Trayvon Martin, a Coal-black teenager. In support of character charges, the State filed cease affidavit of probable cause, stating that Zimmerman profiled and confronted Martin and shot him tolerate death while Martin was committing no crimes.[1] Florida State Counsellor Angela Corey announced the tariff against Zimmerman during a televised press conference and reported focus Zimmerman was in custody aft turning himself in to condemn enforcement.[2][3] Zimmerman was injured amid the encounter and said yes shot Martin in self-defense.[4]
After 16 hours of deliberations over loftiness course of two days, profess July 13, 2013, a six-person jury rendered a not bad 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 barred enclosure 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 iciness Rionda was an Assistant Put down Attorney in Corey's office cranium had been a prosecutor mix up with 29 years.[9][10] Prosecutors John Reproach and Richard Mantei assisted, counterpart Guy making the opening recital.
The prosecutor initially responsible suggest the case was Norm Wolfinger, a State Attorney whose manipulate included Seminole County where honourableness shooting occurred on February 26, 2012.[11][12] On March 22, 2012, he requested to be ice from the case to mark out "tone down the rhetoric" rep the public good.[13]
Defense attorneys
On Apr 11, 2012, Mark M.
O'Mara announced that he was loftiness attorney representing Zimmerman. O'Mara decline president of the Seminole Patch Bar Association, is a admissible commentator for WKMG news, spell had previously tried cases digress involved the stand-your-ground law.[14] What because he took the case, O'Mara said that Zimmerman had cack-handed money and that the refurbish may help pay the current.
When reporters asked why significant took the case, O'Mara aforementioned, "That's what I do."[15]
On Hawthorn 31, 2012, Orlando attorney Teacher West left his job thanks to a federal public defender run into join the defense team stage by O'Mara. West specialized problem murder cases and had anachronistic a board certified criminal proper specialist for 25 years.
Unquestionable and O'Mara had been convention for a long time.[16]
Pre-trial
At neat as a pin pretrial hearing on April 12, Judge Mark Herr ruled focus the affidavit was legally necessary to establish probable cause. Aft Seminole County Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler removed herself, Kenneth Lester Jr. took the case repute himself as its judge.[17] Tolerate a pretrial hearing on Apr 12, Judge Mark Herr ruled that the affidavit was honestly sufficient to establish probable prod.
Court documents, including witness statements and other information, were closed at the request of honesty defense team,[18][19] and Zimmerman's impeachment was scheduled for May 29.[18] Zimmerman took the witness say you will at a bail hearing aspirant April 20 and told rank parents of Martin he was "sorry for the loss have power over your son".[20] Zimmerman was at large on a $150,000 bond sit was fitted with an electronic monitoring device for monitoring ruler whereabouts in real-time.[21] Zimmerman's lawyer waived Zimmerman's right to manifest at the arraignment and entered a not guilty plea function his behalf.[21]
Zimmerman's bond revocation
In June 2012, Judge Lester revoked Zimmerman's bond and sent him arrival to jail after the litigation alleged that Zimmerman and circlet wife had misled the cultivate about their finances at rule out earlier bond hearing.[22] Zimmerman's helpmeet had testified at the attend to that they had very slender money, and neither she blurry Zimmerman revealed to the courtyard that he had received $135,000 in donations.[23] The prosecution designated that recordings of telephone conversations Zimmerman had with his old woman from jail showed that they had been speaking using precise code about their finances, extinct repeated mentions of "Peter Pan" in apparent reference to spiffy tidy up PayPal account.[24] The judge supercharged Zimmerman's wife with perjury,[25] spell at a second bond pay attention to for Zimmerman held the consequent month, re-released Zimmerman with integrity new bond set at $1 million.[26][27]
Removal of Judge Lester & assignment of Judge Nelson
Zimmerman's lawyer, Mark O'Mara, filed a buzz to disqualify Judge Lester, alleging that Lester had made derogative and gratuitous remarks about emperor client in the July 2012 bond order.[28] O'Mara said illustriousness judge's statement that he accounted Zimmerman had misled the have a crack at his first hearing was an indication of bias antagonistic Zimmerman and would impact Zimmerman's ability to get a impartial trial.[29][30] The state criticized distinction motion for citing "facts go wool-gathering are inaccurate, misleading and/or incomplete".[31]
When Judge Lester refused to recuse himself and ruled that nobleness defense's motion was legally insufficient,[32] the defense appealed.[33] On Venerable 29, 2012, the Fifth Territory Court of Appeal granted birth petition for a new nimble-fingered for the trial.
Circuit Arbitrator Debra Nelson was assigned deceive the case.[34] Judge Debra Ruthless. Nelson of the 18th Progression Court of Florida was birth fourth judge to preside be felt by the case. Nelson had anachronistic a judge for thirteen seniority, much of it handling not right matters. Before becoming a arbiter she had worked in civilian litigation.[35]
Defense plans for pretrial nonliability hearing
Under Florida law, the call to mind of deadly force against doublecross attacker is permissible in estimate situations.[36] The adoption of significance Stand Your Ground law increase 2005 modified the self-defense ill-treat so that a person who reasonably believes they must impart deadly force to prevent poker-faced injury to themself may cleanly do so without first attempting to retreat from an attacker; prosecution for using deadly paragraph in such situations is prohibited.[37] A defendant in a butchery case who claims to imitate acted in self-defense may request the court to grant glory defendant immunity from prosecution inferior to these provisions of the law.[38] Legal experts say that simple a pretrial immunity hearing, rectitude burden of proof is scrutinize the defendant to show circumvent "a preponderance of the evidence" that they acted lawfully, worn out in a trial by allow the burden of proof interest on the prosecution, who have to show "beyond a reasonable doubt" (a much higher standard outshine required for establishing "a greater part of the evidence") that high-mindedness defendant acted unlawfully.[39][40] It was this statute which enabled Martyr Zimmerman to initially be loose from the police after picture shooting, considering Zimmerman had archaic justified by the law thicken protect himself and there was no evidence to counter sovereignty claims: Zimmerman was legally illegal from arrest.[41]
On August 9, 2012, Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, declared that the defense team was planning to present their overnight case to the judge at strong immunity hearing before going make somebody's acquaintance trial in order to seek that the case be fired under the protection from disputing provided for by the state's Stand Your Ground law.[42][43] Distill a press conference held decency following week, O'Mara said rove "the facts don't seem terminate support a 'stand your ground' defense".
He said that in or by comparison than seeking to have ethics charges dropped based on Site Your Ground-law immunity, the barrier team would ask at excellence pretrial hearing that the data be dismissed on the argument of immunity from prosecution on the assumption that for in traditional self-defense cases.[44][45] In April 2013, on dignity advice of his attorneys, Zimmerman waived his right to organized pretrial immunity hearing, and position court began preparations for leadership case to be tried get ahead of a jury.[40] O'Mara would late say, after the trial difficult to understand concluded, that he had pule relied during the trial press on the Stand Your Ground funds of the law because Zimmerman had not had an way out of retreating.[46] O'Mara would further say that he ultimately challenging not sought a pretrial nonliability hearing because his case provision defense would have been overwhelm during the hearing to significance prosecution, which would have instructive the defense team at first-class disadvantage had the immunity call been denied and the win over proceeded to trial.[46]
Discovery evidence
In May well 2012, the defense received class first round of discovery evidence: 67 compact discs, a endow with of witnesses that included 50 possible law enforcement officers, 28 officers from the Sanford Guard Department, 28 civilian witnesses, branchs of Martin's family, two remember Zimmerman's friends and his priest, Robert Zimmerman.
Also listed monkey potential prosecution witnesses were technicians in biological and DNA ascertain, trace evidence, gunshot residue, fingerprints and firearms, two FBI agents, and two audio technicians who analyzed the emergency calls sense during the confrontation to consequential who was heard screaming kick up a fuss the background.[47][48][49][50][Note 1] Additional glimmer released were audio and record recordings, photos, witness statements, proper findings, Martin's autopsy report, support taken from Zimmerman after rendering shooting – his weapon, bullets, clothes, a DNA sample, health check records and his cell ring up data.[47][48]
In June 2012, the disputing released recordings of two Eightvo calls placed by Martin's paterfamilias the morning after the critical.
In the calls, Mr. Player expressed worry that his celebrity had not returned home, streak inquired about filing a lacking person report.[53] Additional discovery on the rampage was a report containing blue blood the gentry results of Zimmerman's voice strength test,[54] and Zimmerman's account rob the events and written statements.[55] The defense also released oftenness and video recordings of Zimmerman's police interviews and re-enactment people the shooting.[56]
In July 2012, state under oath released included: FBI interviews pertain to people involved in the pencil case, including Sanford police officers, coat, friends and associates of Zimmerman.
Also released were photos disrespect Martin's bloodied sweatshirt and hoodie with a single bullet concavity and several phone calls effortless by Zimmerman to Sanford police force to report suspicious activity consider it the six months leading recruit to his encounter with Martin.[57]
In August 2012, the State's Ordinal Supplemental Discovery included 76 pages containing the audio statement cheat witness 31, three photos enchanted by witness 13 at blue blood the gentry scene showing the back medium Zimmerman's head, a flashlight demonstration the ground, the FDLE account with analyst's notes, emails make the first move the Sanford Police Department, copies of Tracy Martin's 911 phone reporting his son missing stand for Zimmerman's Seminole County Sheriff's Sovereignty Academy application.[58]
In September 2012, illustriousness DNA report on the armament used in the shooting was released with only Zimmerman's Polymer being found on the artillery piece, no trace of Martin's.[60][Note 2]
On October 19, Judge Nelson conj albeit the defense's request for touch to Martin's school records, jug phone records, and social publicity (such as Facebook and Twitter) posts.
In her ruling, Admiral said that Zimmerman's attorneys indispensable to know whether Martin's secondary records and social media postings revealed any evidence that significant had had violent tendencies.[61][62] Martin's parents said the defense's call for for school records and common media was a "fishing expedition" aimed at attacking their babe and an attempt to annihilate his character.[63] She also ruled that Zimmerman's medical records capability provided to prosecutors.
Nelson aforesaid she would review the medicinal records and decide whether anything should be withheld.[63]
The defense in addition requested from ABC News folk tale reporter Matt Gutman all recordings, notes and correspondence related come to get Witness Number 8, Trayvon Martin's friend who said she was speaking with Martin by mobile just before he was bash.
O'Mara's motion stated the phone up lasted more than 26 lately and the recording they traditional from the authorities was lone 12 minutes, 44 seconds long.[64][65]
On December 3, 2012, defense lawyer Mark O'Mara stated that be active was "frustrated" that in distinction original discovery, a grainy picture photo of Zimmerman had back number substituted for the original paint photo of Zimmerman's bloody bill.
Criminal attorney David Wohl oral the submission of the compose "borders on prosecutorial misconduct".[66]
Jury selection
On May 28, 2013, Judge Admiral denied a defense motion activate delay the trial for shake up weeks.[67][68] She also declined rectitude prosecution's request to implement neat as a pin gag order to keep rank lawyers from discussing the information of the case in justness media.[67]
On June 10, 2013, admit selection began with 100 destined jurors filling out questionnaires.
Quint hundred people received summonses, challenging the process for picking cool jury was expected to receive two weeks.[69] At the solicit of the defense, the enthusiast agreed to establish an unknown jury, where the identity illustrate the jury would be open only to the prosecution allow defense, but not released fit in the public or media.[70] Nervous tension the motion for the charm, the defense said that "[jurors] may be subject to deal with and possible retribution, should distinction verdict not comport with sure factions' desires in this matter."[71]
In Florida, juries consist of provoke people; 12 jurors are prescribed only for criminal trials here capital cases, where the kill penalty is applicable.
Zimmerman's admit consisted of six members build up four alternates.[72][73] The population devotee Seminole County is 10 percentage African American, a percentage which may differ from that position the 500-member pool of imaginable jurors.[74][75]
During the fourth day ship jury selection, Judge Nelson declared that the jury would pull up sequestered during the trial, which was expected to take bend over to four weeks.[76][77]
On June 18, 2013, forty potential jurors (16 men and 24 women) strenuous it past the initial grid process.[78][79]
The defense struck one possible juror, a female African Inhabitant, as a "stealth juror" be after failing to disclose that lead pastor had advocated strongly win over behalf of Trayvon Martin.
Decency state attempted to strike way of being woman whose husband owned ordnance and who said she energy have difficulty sending someone come together prison. They also attempted rap over the knuckles strike a woman who deliberately why Martin was out turnup for the books night. The judge denied probity strikes, and both women were part of the six obtain jury.[80]
The prosecution struck one implied juror who was a swart gun-owner who stated he watched Fox News.[81] This particular lookedfor juror had been a fortification favorite.[82]
On June 20, 2013, compromise selection was completed.
Six jurors and four alternates were chosen.
Carriera allenatore carlo ancelotti biographyAll six of honourableness jurors were female, while flash of the alternate jurors were male and two female. Cardinal of the jurors were white; one was of mixed coalblack and Mestizo ancestry. All see the alternates were white, gleam of those, one of prestige male alternates was said thoroughly have been white Hispanic.[83] Primacy jury was sworn in, abstruse all remaining potential jurors were dismissed.
Admissibility of evidence
Judge Admiral ruled that Martin's school archives, history of marijuana use, fights, and photos and text expend the teen's phone should shout be mentioned during the right. The judge did say dump she might change her launch an attack during the trial if depiction subjects become relevant.[84]
Zimmerman's attorneys challenging requested a Frye hearing with regard to the admissibility of the affirmation of the audio analysts, space determine if the methods unreceptive by them were generally force by the scientific community.[85][86] Enraged the time of the meeting, Florida used the Frye standard.[87]
On June 22, 2013, Judge Admiral ruled that the audio experts would not be allowed stop at testify at Zimmerman's trial.
Blue blood the gentry prosecution wanted to use speak experts that had been chartered by lawyers and news organizations to analyze the 911 calls recorded during the confrontation expel determine whether it was Actress or Zimmerman yelling for aid. The experts arrived at tainted conclusions. The judge said resource her ruling, "There is thumb evidence to establish that their scientific techniques have been well-tried and found reliable." Her oath didn't prevent the 911 calls from being played at trial.[88][89] Additionally, over the course refer to the case Florida switched pause the Daubert standard, effective July 1.[87] The Daubert standard high opinion a more modern standard turn considers several factors (not impartial general acceptance in the systematic community) in determining admissibility be in the region of expert testimony.[90]
On July 8, Aficionado Nelson ruled that the accumulation could tell the jury become absent-minded Martin had a small type of marijuana in his plan at the time of wreath death.
Assistant State Attorney Toilet Guy argued that it was a backdoor attack on Martin's character, while defense attorney Ornamentation West argued that an specialist would tell the jury saunter the amount was enough inhibit create "some level of impairment".[91] Although admissible, the defense early enough did not present this knowledge to the jury, and come next was not put into documentation.
On July 11, 2013, Shared Prosecutor Angela Corey fired Munro Kruidbos,[92][93] the information technology chairman for the State Attorney's prayer, for alleged misconduct and violations of "numerous state attorney's labour policies and procedures." Kruidbos esoteric alleged in a pre-trial sensing that the prosecutors had backslided to provide full discovery constitute Zimmerman's defense team as chosen by law.[94][95]
Opening statements
On June 24, 2013, the prosecution delivered their thirty-minute opening statement.[96] Prosecutor Toilet Guy began by quoting remarks made by Zimmerman during glory non-emergency call: "Fucking punks, these assholes always get away." Magnanimity prosecution's statement focused on rectitude lack of evidence of fleshly harm to both Zimmerman move Martin, and portrayed Zimmerman monkey a liar who would live contradicted by witnesses and authenticate.
Guy also compared Zimmerman's subject Martin's physical size, and commented on how small Martin was.[97] The prosecution said Zimmerman was a "wannabe cop" who esoteric participated in martial arts loyalty, that he was looking make available "people who didn't belong," explode that he profiled Martin variety "someone about to commit neat as a pin crime in his neighborhood."[98]
Don Westernmost made a lengthy opening make an announcement for the defense, beginning consider a knock-knock joke about expedient selection.[99] West stated that "there are no monsters" in rank case, but that Zimmerman buckshot Martin "after being viciously attacked." West stated that Zimmerman was "sucker punched in the slender, and had his head hammered against the ground." West unnatural Zimmerman's non-emergency phone call double, and used several visual immunodeficiency to show jurors the recur of various events in magnanimity case and to outline dinky timeline of the phone calls and events.
West asserted saunter Martin had plenty of repulse to go home during rank phone calls, but decided optimism confront Zimmerman. West attempted correspond with reconstruct the shooting, using watcher statements, crime scene photographs, prosperous a discussion of Zimmerman's injuries that used photos. West abuse described Zimmerman's actions after integrity incident, and summarized witness take up police statements and observations turn Zimmerman's appearance and behavior.
Care the recess, West continued, out that the gunshot was at contact range for Martin's sweatshirt, but several inches finish off from Martin's body, and alleged this proved that Martin was on top at the good at sport of the shot, with jurisdiction shirt hanging down.[100]
Prosecution's case
Introductory
Chad Patriarch, the 15-year-old son of Martin's father's girlfriend, was called moisten the state as the primary witness and testified that misstep asked Martin to buy him Skittles; he did not hubbub with Martin because he was playing a PS3 video game.[101][102]
Andrew Gaugh, who was the 7-Eleven clerk who sold Martin fortification, gave the next testimony; subside said that Martin paid write down cash, and he did yell see anything suspicious about Martin's behavior.[102][103]
Donald O'Brien, the HOA numero uno, testified that Zimmerman and loftiness neighborhood watch were not concerted with the HOA.
O'Brien articulated he felt that Zimmerman was the coordinator of the information because Zimmerman had taken authority initiative to get the curriculum started, and that the gaze at program had instructed participants yell to follow suspects but buying-off 911. He said he blunt not feel that the sector needed a watch program.
Deliberate cross-examination, he testified that justness police did not do public patrols of the area overcome to the lack of graceful written agreement between the HOA and the police department. O'Brian testified that construction workers jagged the neighborhood had followed ingenious burglary suspect in the root for, resulting in an arrest, trip that he had sent tap a congratulatory email.
During some rounds of redirects he articulated "do not follow", as convulsion as "follow at a protected distance".[104][105][106]
Communicatory technicalities
Ramona Rumph from influence Sheriff's communications office testified on how time stamps are going in 911 calls.
Rumph testified that 911 calls are at the outset coded as "routine" but get close be upgraded, and that legion calls can be linked peak. Rumph testified as to description times of the various beholder 911 calls. She testified reflect on details of Zimmerman's prior Ix and non-emergency calls. The tide then played several of cap previous 911 and non-emergency calls for the jury.
After loftiness calls were played on cross-questioning O'Mara asked Rumph about illustriousness results of these calls, contemporary she testified that some difficult to understand resulted in contacts with suspects. She could not comment depress if the number of calls Zimmerman made was unusual.[107][108][109]
Raymond MacDonald, an executive from T-Mobile, testified as to how cell cell phone records for calls and text-messages were collected and stored.
MacDonald testified that billing records dress the length of call enthusiastic to the next highest dominance, but that other records confound calls to the second. MacDonald testified that on Martin's bell records, after a disconnected challenge at 7:26, all future entering calls listed on the holdup went to voicemail.
The annals that broke to the superfluous were only available for provoke months, so some records funding the trial were rounded straighten out to the minute.[110][111]
Greg McKinney, who worked for the company lose one\'s train of thought ran the Retreat's security cameras, testified as to why say publicly cameras near the front egress were not working at representation time of the incident, predominant that security camera clocks could be off by as untold as 18 minutes.[101][112]
Police officers' testimonies
Sean Noffke, the dispatcher who was on the phone during Zimmerman's non-emergency call, testified regarding ruler own statements at that prior.
Noffke said that when unquestionable told Zimmerman, "We don't call for you to do that," unquestionable was making a suggestion, mewl giving an order. He uttered that dispatchers do not afford orders because of liability issues. During cross-examination, Noffke testified dump Zimmerman did not seem enraged during the call, and defer he wanted the police pause come to his location.
Noffke also testified that he on purpose Zimmerman which way Martin was going, and that his unquestionably could be interpreted as far-out request to go and esteem which way he was dire. He clarified his statement guarantee dispatchers do not give instantly but suggestions for the protection of the caller. He testified that Zimmerman's swearing and comments about Martin did not draft any particular concern, but slipup redirect said that Zimmerman's dialect could be interpreted as "hostile." The defense then asked venture Noffke actually heard hostility, perch he said "no".
The bulwark asked about the statements with regard to Martin's race and appearance, at an earlier time Noffke testified that all scholarship the discussion was for excellence purpose of identification of righteousness suspect, and did not feel unusual.[102][113]
Wendy Dorival was the Sanford police neighborhood watch coordinator who helped to form the "Retreat at Twin Lakes" neighborhood contemplate program.
Dorival testified as outdo various roles and duties renounce volunteers had within the split up watch program, and that term participants were instructed not forget about follow or confront suspects, on the contrary only to call the boys in blue to report suspicious activity. She said that Zimmerman called package organize a watch program, mushroom about 25 residents attended birth meeting.
Because Zimmerman told circlet he was selected as rendering coordinator by the HOA, she gave Zimmerman the watch mediator handbook, which instructed watch arable not to confront suspects jaunt that the watch was "not the vigilante police". On examination, she testified that the people was worried about recent burglaries and that since the persons was not walled in, nonresidents could enter and exit conquer than at the gates.
Dorival testified that she attempted strengthen recruit Zimmerman as a "Citizen on Patrol" but he refused. She testified that she sincere not give any instructions reflect on watch participants not being permissible to carry a gun slightly watch members. She testified defer people should err on grandeur side of caution and assemble calls to police if they thought something might be debatable, and categorized "walking in primacy rain without a purpose" bring in something that could be suspicious.[105][114][115]
Anthony Raimondo, a sergeant with influence Sanford police, was a responding officer to Zimmerman's non-emergency footing and the shooting of Actor.
He testified that it was raining at the time coupled with the lighting at the spectacle was very poor, and prowl when he arrived other employees were already on the perspective. He saw Martin face jail with his hands underneath him. He was unable to come across a pulse and attempted Resuscitation, but Martin was declared lifeless. He then placed a open sheet over Martin's body lug of respect and to guard evidence from the rain.[116][117]
Diana Sculpturer, the crime scene technician subsidize the shooting (and wife wages Tim Smith, the first dignitary on the scene), testified on the scene.
Using photos unthinkable computer reconstructions of the view, she pointed out locations tactic all the objects in primacy scene, as well as asserted photographs of Martin's body. She further testified to the enter she used to gather Polymer evidence and photographs she took of Zimmerman at the thinking. On cross-examination, West asked brush aside the methods she used oversee look for blood on illustriousness scene and the timing point toward the collection of evidence.
She testified that items were swabbed for touch DNA, but consider it the item itself was grizzle demand directly tested. She said ramble someone could touch an text but not leave sufficient cells for analysis, or those cells could be removed by closest contact. West then asked Sculpturer to identify injuries to Zimmerman she saw the night admire the shooting, visible in rectitude photographs she had taken diverse hours after the incident.
Evaluate redirect, Guy clarified she esoteric assistance looking for blood mix with the scene and that she did not see any tribe at the scene, nor was she notified of blood shy any of those that aided her.[118]
Sanford Police Department officer Economist Ayala was dispatched to description scene on a suspicious mankind call that was later upgraded to "shots fired".
Ayala testified that it was very unlighted and raining when he checked in, and Officer Smith (husband take off Diana Smith, the crime view technician) was holding Zimmerman outside layer gunpoint at that time. Ayala then approached Martin, and forbidden believed he was the foremost officer to do so. Ayala did not know if Player was alive or not, current as Martin's hands were underneath directed by his face-down body, he expressed him to "show me your hands".
Ayala did not distrust any sounds, words, or convention from Martin. Ayala and fuzz Raimando attempted to perform Resuscitation on Martin and moved coronet body in doing so. Fashionable cross-examination Ayala testified that possession Zimmerman was standard procedure feature a "shots fired" call, very last was not an indication well any risk from Zimmerman at the same height that time.
Ayala testified make certain Zimmerman was not confrontational take up complied with all officer requests.[119][120][121]
Stacy Livingston, an EMT and defender with the Sanford Fire Turnoff, testified that Martin was indifferent and had no pulse in the way that she arrived on the view.
Livingston said Martin was well-defined dead at 7:30 p.m. the shadows of the shooting. She as well testified that she treated Zimmerman at the scene and delay he had a swollen, trauma nose and two cuts persistent the back of his tendency. When O'Mara asked if Zimmerman should have been concerned congregate his medical well-being because be keen on his injuries, Livingston said, "Possibly."[122][123]
Sanford Police Department officer Timothy Adventurer was the first officer closing stages the scene.
Smith testified drift when he saw Zimmerman afterwards the shooting, his backside was wet and had grass blades on it. He also apothegm several injuries on Zimmerman, which included contusions, lacerations, and cool bloody nose. Smith said defer after Zimmerman had his pump taken away and was handcuffed, he told Smith that "he was yelling for help esoteric nobody would come help him." Smith also testified that Zimmerman said he was "lightheaded" close the drive to the the cops station but declined to be to a hospital.[122][123]
Sanford Police Commission officer Doris Singleton assisted succumb the investigation of the event and conducted interviews with Zimmerman at the police department foul language the night of the exquisite.
Singleton recorded her interview resume Zimmerman after reading Zimmerman realm Miranda rights. Singleton testified stray during her interview with Zimmerman, he told her that coronate neighborhood was dealing with minor increase in burglaries, and take action started a neighborhood watch info. He told her that sharp-tasting had previously called the the old bill on suspicious people, but usually they weren't stopped.
Zimmerman pressing Singleton that while in coronet car, he saw Martin pale in the neighborhood in primacy rain. Zimmerman said he hollered police and pulled over earlier Martin started circling his vehivle and then walked off. Zimmerman also told Singleton that subside got out of his to find a street stake and to see where Comedian was going. Zimmerman said manifestation the interview that he was walking back to his motor vehicle when Martin jumped out escaping the bushes and said achieve him, "What the fuck problem your problem, homie?" Zimmerman articulated he got his cell headphone out to call 911, playing field he told Martin, "I don't have a problem." Martin authenticate said to him, "No, packed together you have a problem." Singleton testified that Zimmerman told contain that Martin then punched him and was banging his intellect into the concrete.
Zimmerman further said that within seconds, Martin's hand was moving down sovereign body toward his gun, swallow fearing for his life, dirt shot Martin. Singleton testified turn during her interview with him, Zimmerman didn't appear angry dim spiteful toward Martin.[124][125][126]
Sanford Police Tributary officer Christopher Serino was position lead investigator for the bump.
Recordings of Serino's interviews connect with Zimmerman were played for loftiness jury, as well as depiction reenactment that Zimmerman performed release Serino. On direct examination, Serino testified that Zimmerman said Histrion came out and punched him and told him he was going to kill him. Serino said there was evidence make contact with suggest that Zimmerman was yet following Martin after the non-emergency dispatcher suggested that he slogan do so.
Serino said non-natural flags were raised for him when Zimmerman didn't know rendering names of the streets prosperous his neighborhood, although there go up in price only three. Serino testified focus he felt Zimmerman exaggerated authority number of times he was hit that night but articulated he didn't feel any "active deception" on Zimmerman's part just as he said he got tunnel of his vehicle to move behind Martin to see what road he was on.
Serino besides testified that no major discrepancies came to his mind nearby the varying accounts given timorous Zimmerman at different times supporter with other witness accounts. In the shade cross-examination Serino testified that Zimmerman did not seem "cagey" epitomize to be sidestepping questions. What because O'Mara asked Serino if loosen up thought Zimmerman was telling picture truth, Serino said yes.
Deliver a verdict Nelson ruled that this riposte to O'Mara's question was stupendous improper statement made by rendering witness about Zimmerman's credibility, swallow the jurors were to throw out Serino's testimony in regards swing by the question and his rejoinder. On redirect, the prosecutor without prompting Serino, "If I were elect believe that somebody was committing a crime, could that yell be profiling that person?" Serino said it could be construed as such, yes.
De Building block Rionda also asked Serino assuming there was any evidence make certain Martin was committing a lawlessness that evening or any proof that Martin was armed. Serino answered no. The prosecutor likewise questioned Serino about the dialect Zimmerman used in his hail to police when Zimmerman spoken, "These fucking punks always force to away." De La Rionda freely, "Is that something you would use in reference to advise that you're going to inveigle over to dinner?" Serino, articulate "No, sir, I would not." He also asked him in case he thought it was uncut friendly comment.
Serino again acknowledged, "No, sir, it does not." Serino also testified that life`s work someone "fucking punks" is execute will and spite.[126][127][128]
Experts' data analyses
Dr. Shiping Bao, the associate analeptic examiner who performed the necropsy on Martin, testified that unwind didn't die immediately and wander his heart was still lacing after being shot.
Bao voiced articulate Martin was shot from middle range, which he defined because between 0.4 inches and 4 feet, and said the censor had loose contact with Martin's clothing. Bao also testified prowl he didn't believe that Thespian could have moved after state shot. Dr. Bao stated ditch Martin was 5 feet 11 inches and 158 pounds conj at the time that he died, was healthy maw the time of the cutting, and had a small detrition on his fourth and ordinal left fingers.
Bao also blunt that the knees of Martin's pants were stained.[129][130]
Dr. Valerie Rao, a medical examiner who reviewed video and photographs of Zimmerman's injuries, testified that she esteem Zimmerman's wounds were "insignificant" fairy story "non-life threatening." She said focus Zimmerman's head might have hit the concrete a one and only time and the injuries were so minor that they were not consistent with grave force.[131]
Anthony Gorgone, a crime lab sensible with the Florida Department illustrate Law Enforcement, testified that do something found no traces of Zimmerman's DNA in scrapings taken flight Martin's fingernails.
Gorgone said let go did find both Zimmerman's gain Martin's DNA on the clothing sweatshirt Martin was wearing, nearby both of their DNA was found on Zimmerman's jacket. Gorgone said Zimmerman's DNA was crank on the grip of tiara gun, but that Martin's was not found.[133][134]
Hirotaka Nakasone, a expression analysis expert, was called prep between the state after previously use called by the defense on the Frye hearing.
Nakasone testified that the recordings of leadership screams on the 911 calls were of poor quality inspection to the distance from birth phone and compression introduced fail to notice the cell phone. He establish 45 seconds of recording among the start of the earsplitting until the gunshot. Approximately 19 seconds was actual screaming, behoove which 3.5 seconds were straightforward to be isolated for examination.
He testified that it was not possible to do utterance analysis on this data hoot it was "not fit lease the purpose of voice comparison", which generally requires 30 for a few moments for analysis. He further testified that doing age estimation uncongenial listening or pitch analysis has a high margin of mistake for.
Nakasone testified that someone who is familiar with voices jumble recognize those voices and discover them more easily than kindly unfamiliar with the voices. Nakasone testified that for these samples, someone who had heard smart person in a variety ad infinitum situations speaking, uttering, and drum in a similar situation could be better able to know again the speaker.
On cross-examination, Nakasone testified that there could subsist significant listener bias which could impact the reliability of "familiar voice recognition", introduced by securing multiple people attempting to sort out a voice together. Nakasone testified that the same word usual is generally unsuitable for breakdown, because there is not a-one sufficient number of the phonemes which can be used house identify the voice.
Nakasone uttered that the screams were grateful under "extreme duress" and remark a "life-threatening situation", and go due to physiological changes about life-threatening screams, any analysis thoughtprovoking such screaming was not credible. Nakasone also testified that employ screams like this for fritter away estimation would be "very observe challenging" and that it would generally not be attempted.[135][136]
Neighbors' testimonies
Selene Bahadoor was a resident compensation the Retreat at Twin Lakes who worked in IT realize a hospital.
She was level home with relatives and entourage on the night of class shooting. She testified that she heard noises outside, moving stick up the south (left) towards rendering north (right) towards the take over of the T (where glimmer sidewalks met). She went come close to her window and did sound see anything, but moved consent her sliding glass door bracket saw "figures and arms flailing" and that two people arrived to be standing, but detach was too dark to pigeonhole them or their clothes.
She said she heard something avoid sounded like "No" and subsequently went back to her caboose to turn off the range, heard a shot, and bolster returned to the sliding dawn. At that time she axiom someone lying in the quit face down. She saw very many neighbors also looking at probity scene, and then the boys in blue, but did not go out.
Bahadoor testified that she confidential previously known Zimmerman as pure neighborhood watch person. On questioning by O'Mara, Bahadoor testified rove she discussed her testimony staunch the police and did turn on the waterworks recall if she had aforementioned the noise moved from southeast to north during her primary interview with Chris Serino person FDLE.
When presented with recipe transcripts from those interviews, significance transcripts said only "running" however not the direction. She testified that she had mentioned excellence left to right (south cause somebody to north) motion to her develop. She "liked" the Justice4Trayvon Facebook page and signed the Change.org petition, but said she has sympathy for both families.
She reiterated that it was as well dark to see which prime mover participating was which, or what positions they were in. On outgoing tide, she said she had classify been asked about the point of movement previously, and difficult not come forward earlier as she did not want interrupt be in the public specialized. On re-cross, she said turn this way she had done an examine for national television, but focus it did not air.[105][137][138][139][140]
Jayne Surdyka was a neighbor increase by two the Retreat who was crumble her upstairs bedroom at loftiness time of the incident.
She went to close her pane due to the "pouring mediate rain", when she heard undiluted loud "dominant" voice. She reopened the window to see hurt the courtyard and heard ingenious voice that sounded "angry, very much agitated" but that she could not hear words. She assurance off her lights to engage glare and see better, countryside saw two men on glory ground one on top register the other.
She heard fastidious cry for help that she thought was made by "the boy" and then heard "pop, pop, pop". She saw give someone a tinkle of the men get hot up and hold his head stretch the other stayed on excellence ground face down. Surdyka's 8vo call was then played.
On probing, the defense asked about loftiness cries for help that she heard, and she confirmed she heard only two cries: put off for help, and then grand "yelp" just before the shooting.
West asked her if she had heard the other Eightvo calls and cries for support previously. West asked her conj admitting "the loud voice could scheme been someone on a can phone in the wind", stand for she replied, "I guess". She clarified that there was pentad to ten minutes between significance initial "loud voice" and glory later argument and fight; she assumed they were the aforementioned voice.
She said that before the argument the "loud" articulate initiated and a "meek" words decision replied. She commented that while in the manner tha the porch lights were dampen down it was "pitch black" burst the yard, but that she could see well enough consent see that the person far from certain top was wearing a careless or black shirt or case.
West asked her to unite Martin's chest wound with give something the thumbs down testimony that Zimmerman stood set out from on top, with Comedian underneath him, face down. Westward pressed her to admit stray she assumed which voice was which, but she replied dump she felt the aggressive utterly was "a man's" and deviate the other voice was better pitched and she felt renounce it was "a boy's".[141][142][143][144][145]
Jeannee Manalo was with her family examination TV in the living elbow-room at her home in prestige Retreat at the time rigidity the incident.
Manalo said she heard a "howling" sound extra looked out the sliding entryway, but was unable to program anything due to the swarthiness. Later, she heard a noise that she thought was "help". She looked out and could not see anything, but heard struggling. After hearing "help", she returned to watching TV, famous then only looked out bone up after hearing the gunshot.
She then looked out again present-day saw two people on blue blood the gentry grass, with a neighbor elsewhere with them who was request if he should call Octavo. Manalo testified that she sincere not notice the size at the same height the time, but after farsightedness the news, she believes Zimmerman was on top. Manalo could not tell which person was screaming for help.
After she heard the shot, she looked out again. Her husband went outside and then returned understand get a plastic Walmart case to be used for Resuscitation. On cross-examination, she said depart noises seemed to move nigher over the incident, moving alien the top of the "T" slightly further south. West tricky Manalo about differences between sagacious current recollections and the statements she made during investigator interviews at the time.
In uncultivated earlier statements, Manalo did crowd together describe the sizes of rendering individuals or compare them. Westward asked about seeing Zimmerman subsequently the incident and referred disregard a photo of his injuries, but Manalo replied that she did not get a useful look at his face go night.
West asked what likenesss she used to develop in return understanding of the relative sizes of Martin and Zimmerman. She testified that she had typography arbitrary full body photos of Zimmerman from the police station, stand for the "hoodie", "hollister", and "football" shots of Martin. She difficult not seen photos of Actor from the 7-Eleven surveillance television.
She stated she did sob look at photos of Zimmerman's injuries, including one taken make wet her husband, until later. Manolo testified that she might capability wrong on the size contrasting, and that "I don't notice who's bigger now". She closest testified that her opinion motionless the relative sizes of Actor and Zimmerman the night mention the incident was based control old photographs of Martin.
End several rounds of questioning, she said her opinion of honourableness sizes was based on glory photographs, but that the individually who was on top got up.[146]
Jennifer Lauer worked in just the thing estate and was living clear up the Retreat at Twin lakes at the time of blue blood the gentry incident. Lauer testified that she was in her living extent watching Celebrity Apprentice on grandeur television with the volume starting point "pretty high".
Lauer testified renounce she did not see anything, due to her blinds make available closed, and that her statements were based on what she heard. She heard voices trim her backyard; she was ineffectual to make out any word or tell how many cohorts were talking, but she expropriated it was two people unjust to the pattern.
She voiced articulate the sounds were coming outlander the left (north) outside tiara window. Lauer testified that both voices were about the unchanged volume and were "flustered" if not of "confrontational". Lauer then stilly dumb the TV and then in no time began to hear scuffling ("like playing basketball on pavement"), very last the sound of shoes temporary pavement and grass.
Lauer articulate she then heard "grunting" instruction "wrestling", or rolling in honourableness grass, that was getting entry. Lauer said the grunting evenly turned into "yelping". Lauer folk tale her husband called 911 ballpark thirty seconds after she in the early stages muted the TV. Lauer spurious away from the window in this fashion that her call could weep be heard outside, and determine on the call, Lauer testified that she heard cries appropriate help and a gunshot.
Lauer testified that there was one and only one voice yelling for accommodate, but that she could cry identify who it was, near that the cries for aid stopped at the gunshot. Lauer and her husband (then fiancé) then went upstairs for cover and did not look fussy the window. Lauer testified lose one\'s train of thought she heard her neighbor, Trick Good, outside saying something develop, "What is going on" eventually the yelling continued.
She testified that she did not ascertain anyone say, "You are fire up to die motherfucker" or anything similar. Lauer's call to Eightvo was played for the shell.
After her call, she heard talking outside and someone byword, "Take my gun". Lauer testified that while walking in innovation of her house, the birthplace numbers on her house total visible from the sidewalk, however might be blocked depending wrong where you were standing public disgrace the walk.
She also aforesaid that there were only 3 streets within the community. Lauer testified that she knew preceding Zimmerman from her role pretend to have the HOA board, but range she never formally met him. She was slightly aware attack the neighborhood watch and turn this way Zimmerman was involved, but upfront not know details. Lauer testified she could not identify high-mindedness yells as Zimmerman's because she had not heard him scream in the meetings.
On interrogation, O'Mara clarified that the cap thing that captured her look after was loud talking near interpretation T, that was a exacerbate and forth discussion, but she could not make out enlighten. Specifically she said she plain-spoken not hear anyone say, "What are you following me for" or "What are you involvement here?" Lauer testified that loftiness cries for help or wailing had started before her Octavo call began.
She said saunter her ability to hear honourableness yells in person was get better than the ability to hark them on the 911 recordings. Lauer said the person instil for help "was in danger", and "needed help"[147]
Jonathan (John) Trade event, a neighbor at the asylum, testified that he heard neat faint noise outside but could not tell the direction.
Makeover the noises grew louder, fiasco looked outside through his blinds. He opened his door submit looked out and saw "some sort of tussle" where birth participants were on the repute. He called out, "What's switch on on?" and "Stop it" since he started to step gone. Good said the participant wearying "dark or black" was synchronize top and the person tiring "red or white" was ensue the bottom, and the private on the bottom had lose color skin.
He described the in my opinion on top having their principled straddling the person on position bottom, who was face lie down.
He could not catch any pounding or hitting, nevertheless did see "downward arm hullabaloo, multiple times" that "looked intend punches" from the person occupy yourself top. He heard a "help" from the person on ethics bottom, and Good said, "Cut it out" and that explicit was going to call 9 He went back inside bash into call 911, but he heard a gunshot before the call together was completed.
Good's call next 911 was played for illustriousness jury.
Good testified that dominion statement in earlier interviews lacking "MMA-style" was in reference designate the person on top straddling the person on the cause and striking them. He testified he did not see integrity person on top slamming depiction person on bottom's body takeoff head into the concrete.
Loosen up said the recorded calls use help from the other's Ix calls did not sound magnanimity same as the cries oblige help he heard. On inquiry he stated that he could not be sure that addon hitting or head pounding was not happening; he just outspoken not see well enough misinform say that it did necessary. Using photographs of Zimmerman deliver Martin from that night, lighten up identified Martin as the myself on top, and Zimmerman brand the person on the bottom.[148] Defense attorney West had Satisfactory go over a sketch more than a few the scene and positions a choice of the participants that he confidential made shortly after the whack.
Between the time Good was initially outside and when emperor 911 call began, he went upstairs and down a porch to get his phone, bequeath which time he looked do in a window and saw Martin's body on the ground. Bright stated that in his thought it was Zimmerman's voice shrieking for help.[149][150][151][152][153][154]
Jonathan Manalo, whose mate testified earlier, told the temporary he was the first face-to-face to make contact with Zimmerman after the shooting.
Manalo voiced articulate that Zimmerman was calm topmost easy to understand before the long arm of the law arrived. Manalo said as in good time as he saw Zimmerman, significant started explaining what happened. Manalo testified that Zimmerman told him that he was defending herself when he shot Martin. Manalo also testified that after law enforcement agency arrived, Zimmerman asked him let fall call his wife and "tell her I shot someone."[155][156]
Rachel Jeantel's testimony
Rachel Jeantel, Witness No.
8, was a friend of Martin's in elementary school and elate school.
Jeantel testified that she was on the phone stomach Martin during the incident avoid that they were on greatness phone together while Martin was at the 7-Eleven. The yell was disconnected and Martin next called her back. Jeantel testified that during the second cry out, Martin said a man was watching him, but that she did not think it was a "big idea." Jeantel of one\'s own free will Martin how the man looked and he told her delay he was "a creepy-ass cracker." Jeantel warned Martin to go away because "it might befall a rapist." Martin, she aforesaid, told her that the "nigga is still following me"[157] deadpan he was going to set sights on to "lose him" and cause to feel back to the home at he was staying.
As Jeantel remained on the phone gangster Martin, he said, "The blackamoor is behind me." The mortal who was allegedly following him reappeared and Martin said, "Why are you following me for," and then Jeantel heard precise hard-breathed man come and claim, "What are you doing turn round here?" Jeantel testified that she said, "Trayvon, Trayvon" and she "started to hear a slight bit of Trayvon saying, focus off, get off." Jeantel proof said she heard Martin's call up headset fall and Martin divulge, "Get off." The phone went dead and Jeantel said she didn't speak to Martin freshly.
Jeantel also testified that she believed the screams heard first past the post the 911 call were Martin's, because "Trayvon has kind unravel a baby voice."[158][159][160][161]
On cross-examination fail to see defense attorney Don West, Jeantel testified that she had retiring about her reasons for throng together going to Martin's funeral contemporary said the reason she didn't go was because she mattup guilty and didn't want cut into see the body.
West gratuitously her why she didn't payingoff police after the phone went dead. Jeantel said, "I put at risk he was going to aside OK because he was correct by his daddy's house." Westside also asked her about distinction last thing she had heard, which was "something hitting somebody." Jeantel told West that "Trayvon got hit," and West grow asked her, "You don't bring up to date that, do you?" Jeantel testified, "No sir."[159][160][161]
West also questioned her walking papers about the term "creepy shorten cracker." West asked her, "Do people that you live escort and with call white mankind 'creepy ass crackers'?" Jeantel held, "Not creepy, but cracker, yeah." West then asked her supposing she was saying that persons in her community and polish that she lived in christened white people crackers.
Jeantel testified, "Yes, sir." West also without prompting her if she thought leadership term was a racial criticism and offensive. Jeantel said she didn't believe "creepy ass cracker" was a racial comment roost said, "No," it wasn't antagonistic. She also testified that class reference to cracker referred have round "a pervert." Jeantel said she never told anyone about Comic saying that term until excellent year after the shooting.[159][160][161][162][163][164]
Zimmerman's fend for attorney asked her if Comic had perhaps lied to turn a deaf ear to because he did not desire her to know if oversight decided to assault Zimmerman ditch night.
Jeantel testified, "That's take place retarded, sir. That's real diffident to do that, sir. Reason on earth – Trayvon frank not know."[165]
During the trial, put in order letter to Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon's mother, was presented as seek. The letter outlined what was supposedly overheard on a call call in the moments in advance the fight between Martin allow Zimmerman broke out.
It was written in cursive and signlanguage with the printed name "Diamond Eugene." Jeantel claimed the epistle was from her, prepared second-hand goods the help of a observer. However, when asked on character stand if she was cheerful to read the letter benefits verify its contents, Jeantel famous, "I don't read cursive."[166] Jeantel claimed that the name "Diamond Eugene" was her nickname.[167]
(In Dec 2019, Zimmerman filed a disputing claiming that Jeantel bore mistaken testimony in place of supplementary half-sister Brittany Diamond Eugene, who the lawsuit claims was Trayvon Martin's real girlfriend at nobility time of Travyon's death.
Description lawsuit was dismissed.)[168][169][170]
Defense's case
On July 5, the defense began disclosure their case to the jury.[171][172]
Testimony
Gladys Zimmerman, Zimmerman's mother, was glory first defense witness to careful the stand.
After listening however the 911 call, O'Mara recognizance her whose voice was steadily the background, She testified "That's my son, George." She too stated, "That way he interest screaming, it describes to confounded anguish, fear. I would make light of terror." On cross examination, Bernie de la Rionda asked Zimmerman's mother if she had cunning heard her son screaming heretofore.
She testified "Not for help" but was "sure that laboratory analysis George's voice."[172][173]
Sondra Osterman, wife a number of Zimmerman's friend Mark Osterman, testified that the voice screaming answer help on the 911 stick was "definitely" that of Zimmerman. She stated, "Yes, definitely, it's Georgie, I hear it, Unrestrainable hear him screaming."[174] Osterman likewise said that she had disclose Zimmerman since 2006, when they worked together at a assurance company.
When questioned about disintegrate husband's book that he wrote about the shooting, she hypothetical that it had not manufactured her testimony in the crate. She testified that "I wouldn't lie for him or connote anybody." She also testified she did not think Zimmerman's studio of an expletive on honesty 911 call indicated any jealousy or hatred on his benefit.
She stated, "I don't muse he was angry."[174]
Mark Osterman, uncut friend of Zimmerman and yankee air marshal, testified that sand heard Zimmerman screaming in significance background of the 911 telephone call. He stated, "It sounded liking George." He also testified cruise he had discussed gun protection with Zimmerman and took him to a gun range.
Osterman said that Zimmerman was "very safe all the time" anti his handgun. When questioned rigidity the gun Zimmerman owned,[Note 3] Osterman stated, "It's a firm firearm," and also said cruise he had recommended to Zimmerman that he keep a society chambered in the weapon. Through cross-examination by Bernie de aloofness Rionda, Osterman said he was unsure how many copies fillet book, Defending our Friend; significance Most Hated Man in America, had sold and stated deviate all proceeds would go tight spot Zimmerman.[174][176]
Geri Russo, a friend signify Zimmerman's who had previously struck with him, testified that pull it off was Zimmerman screaming for educational on the 911 tape.
She testified, "I recognize his blatant, I've heard him speak haunt times, I have no anxiety in my mind that's rulership voice."[174]
Leanne Benjamin and John Donnelly, friends of Zimmerman who restrain husband and wife, testified personally that it was Zimmerman shattering for help on the Ennead tape.
Benjamin testified that she had formerly worked with him and stated, "I know realm voice, I know what circlet voice sounds like when closure gets excited or loud." Donnelly testified that he had speck it "distressing" to listen in detail the 911 tape due be proof against his combat experience in Warfare and said "There is real no doubt in my chi that is George Zimmerman humbling I wish to God Unrestrained didn't have the ability be given understand that."[174] Donnelly also testified that he contributed money correspond with Zimmerman's defense fund and purchased some suits for Zimmerman watch over wear at his trial.[174][176]
Jorge Meza, Zimmerman's uncle, a former U.S.
Army Command Sergeant Major, move currently employed by the Carroty County Sheriff's Office, testified range he had known Zimmerman because "Oct. 5, 1983. The allot he was born." Meza oral he had been working perceive his computer last year what because he heard Zimmerman's voice being broadcast on a news piece that his wife was habit on television.
Meza testified operate instantly recognized the voice, keep from said he hadn't been keeping the television news report involve his wife, and that she had not told him replicate was about his nephew. Meza testified about the voice purify had heard, saying that: "It is the unique way pointed recognize your family member just as they laugh, when they holler, this was the moment Wild recognized it was George noisy for help.
That voice equitable came and hit me." Recognized also testified that "It receiving me the way I heard that, but more than heard that, I felt it lining of my heart. I aforesaid, That's George."[177]
Adam Pollock, owner manage a kickboxing gym where Zimmerman had previously trained, testified range Zimmerman was "grossly obese," illustrious not athletic at all.
Gadoid also testified that "He was an overweight, large man during the time that he came to us, pure very pleasant, very nice civil servant, but physically soft and as a rule fat, not a lot cataclysm muscle, not a lot influence strength." He also testified drift Zimmerman came to the gym to lose weight and into the possession of in shape.[174] Pollock was recognizance to demonstrate for the smash what the mixed-martial arts battle method known as "ground scold pound" was, and showed prestige jury by straddling O'Mara write off the floor of the courtroom.[178]
Olivia Bertalan, a former neighbor refreshing Zimmerman's from The Retreat unbendable Twin Lakes, testified that she was the victim of fastidious home invasion in the gated community.
Bertalan said that she hid in her son's come-hither as two teenagers broke jerk her home.[179][180] After the keep going, she said that Zimmerman challenging come over to her terrace and offered her a juncture for her sliding glass threshold. Bertalan also testified that Zimmerman told her that she could go spend time with enthrone wife if she felt else scared to be home unaccompanie during the day.
She accounted that she had discussed depiction robbery with Zimmerman about 20 times after it happened.[180]
911 call
Chris Serino testified that Martin's churchman, Tracy Martin, indicated to him the voice heard screaming redraft the 911 call did watchword a long way sound like his son's. Serino testified that he played picture 911 call for Tracy Actress in the Sanford Police Arm a few days after Feb 26, 2012.
Serino said go off after Martin listened to decency call, he became "emotional." Serino also testified that he recognizance Martin whether or not grandeur voice screaming on the Octavo call sounded like his son's. He said Martin's response was more of a "verbal be proof against a non-verbal," and that "He looked away and under fulfil breath, as I interpreted overflowing, said no." During cross inspection, Bernie de la Rionda optional to Serino that Tracy Comedian may have been in difference about his son's death tolerate that's why he uttered "no." Serino responded, "It could take off perceived as denial."[178]
Doris Singleton, who was a witness to greatness meeting at the police side between Serino and Tracy Comedian testified, "I don't know fulfil exact words, but Tracy Thespian was telling Chris it was not his son's voice.
Operate was very upset, he was very sad, he hung sovereign head, he cried." Singleton further testified that she became "choked up" while watching Martin hear to the tape.[178]
Tracy Martin testified that during his meeting keep an eye on Serino to listen to nobility 911 call, he never uttered him he didn't recognize consummate son's voice.
Martin testified dump he was unsure and aforementioned "I can't tell." Martin vocal that after he had listened to the 911 call equal least 20 times at integrity Sanford mayor's office, he was sure it was his son's voice.[181]
Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte, testified about inviting the kinsmen of Trayvon Martin to hark to the 911 call onetime to the call being out to the public and public relations.
Bonaparte said the mayor was also present for the accession at city hall and mangle enforcement officials were requested party to attend. Bonaparte also testified he played the 911 tapes as a courtesy for character Martin family before they were released publicly. Bonaparte said mosey during the playing of nobleness tape that none of glory family members' reactions were recorded.[182][183]
Bill Lee, former Sanford police supervisor, testified that he recommended nobility tape of the 911 handhold be played for Martin's parentage individually, rather than in top-hole group, to avoid any unbecoming influences.
Lee said that good taste had offered to be constrict the room when the Ennead tape was played, but influence city manager declined to take him or other police administration present. Lee stated that end was rare for the politician and city manager to change involved in police investigations. Say publicly former police chief also testified "the evidence in testimony gave us an indication who was screaming on the tape."[181][184]
Experts' analyses
Dr.
Vincent Di Maio, a acceptable pathologist and gunshot wound reign, testified that Martin's gunshot recoil was consistent with Zimmerman's history that Martin was on carve of him and leaning be in disagreement him when he was shot.[185][186] The gunshot evidence indicated rove Martin's clothing was from brace to four inches from monarch body when he was alter, Di Maio said, "If paying attention lean over someone, you catch sight of the clothing tends to melancholy away from the chest, assuming instead you're lying on your back and someone shoots boss about, the clothing is going spotlight be against your chest."[185] Di Maio said he had examined photographs and the autopsy present-day toxicology reports and concluded go off the evidence was consistent delete Zimmerman's statements to police.[186] Di Maio testified the path salary the bullet ran from Martin's left side through part be in the region of his heart and into straight portion of the right aloof.
Di Maio stated, "The analeptic evidence...is consistent with his [Zimmerman's] statement."[186] Di Maio also testified that Zimmerman had at slightest six injuries from the struggle: two head lacerations, two wounds to his temples and wounds on his nose and bearing. Di Maio said those injuries were consistent with Zimmerman receipt his head banged into spick sidewalk, and that such injuries can be dangerous.
Di Maio stated it's possible to obtain trauma without visible wounds, testifying that, "You can get austere trauma to the head wanting in external injuries, actually." Di Maio said Zimmerman's nose may keep been fractured, which was steadfast with Zimmerman being punched weight the nose.[185][187]
The pathologist testified go off at a tangent Martin lived no more mystify three minutes after the keen and probably was conscious form at least 10 to 15 seconds.
Di Maio said walk someone may be able be selected for move their arms after recognition a similar gunshot.[185][187]
Di Maio extremely testified that if clothes enchanted into evidence are wet additional packaged in plastic bags, bracket not paper bags, it crapper ruin the samples since "bacteria multiplies and you get mildew and it stinks to big heaven."[185][187]
Dennis Root, a former policemen officer with training in crest and self-defense and a use-of-force expert, testified the fight halfway Zimmerman and Martin went pursuit for some 40 seconds contemporary was marked by a extraordinary level of fear and distress signal.
Root said "That's a very much long time to be confusing in any type of secular altercation." Root further stated depart "If you have not well completed the fight, if sell something to someone have not won the altercate in 30 seconds, change railway, because the tactics you shape using are not working."[188]
Resting
Zimmerman's barrier offered their last witness, Zimmerman's father, Robert Zimmerman, who testified that he believes it was his son who was noisy on the 911 tape.
Martyr Zimmerman was then questioned rough the judge about testifying drop his own defense and settle down stated "After consulting with data, [I've decided] not to assert, your honor." The defense unwearied its case on Wednesday, July 10.[188]
Motions to acquit
After the disputing rested its case, the espousal made a motion to discharge, arguing that the prosecution locked away not provided sufficient evidence comprise prove murder beyond a harmonious doubt.
After hearing arguments stranger both sides, the motion was denied by the judge.[189]
Second inclination to acquit
After the defense so-so its case, a second emblem for acquittal was made, sound out the defense asking the renovate to provide their narrative search out the event, which precluded orderly self-defense situation.
The judge ruled that there was sufficient authenticate for the case to travel to the jury.[190]
Closing arguments
Prosecution's argument
State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda opened his closing argument number Friday, July 12 by forcible the jurors that "a poorer is dead through no defect of his own" because Zimmerman had made assumptions about Histrion and acted on them.
Rionda stated to the jury walk Zimmerman profiled Martin as neat criminal and assumed certain personal property, that Martin was up disdain no good, and that's what led to Martin's death.[191][192] Naive la Rionda argued that Zimmerman took the law into climax own hands, accusing Zimmerman be fond of following Trayvon Martin because Zimmerman wanted to be a bogey and take down someone whom he "profiled" as a criminal.[193] The prosecutor also focused be grateful for on inconsistencies in Zimmerman's statements, calling the defendant a "liar".[193]
Defense's argument
Mark O'Mara began his final arguments by asking the jurors to use common sense conj at the time that considering the evidence in loftiness confrontation between Zimmerman and Actor.
O'Mara argued to the commission to not "fill in authority gaps" or to "connect depiction dots", but to stick run on the facts while considering their verdict. O'Mara told the funding that you can't help however have a first impression ride "what you have to conclude is be vigilant, diligent during the time that deciding this case." O'Mara aforesaid that Zimmerman is "not above suspicion of anything but protecting her majesty own life".
O'Mara also showed a chunk of concrete put your name down the jury, telling them think it over Martin was not an naked teenager when he allegedly violence Zimmerman's head against the sidewalk.[194] Mark O'Mara asked the admit how many "coulda beens" streak "what ifs" have you heard from the state in that case.
O'Mara also told illustriousness jury to not give anyone "the benefit of the distrust except for George Zimmerman."[195]
Prosecution's rebuttal
Prosecutor John Guy delivered the state's rebuttal argument after the redoubt finished their closing argument. Taunt told the jury that include order to know what as it happens that night, they should fathom "into the heart of goodness grown man and the insurance of the child." Guy likewise argued to the jurors dump if Zimmerman had done what he was supposed to relax, none of us would capability here.
Guy also said desert if Zimmerman had really sought the police to get Actor, he would have stayed slender his car and waited fetch the police.[196]
Jury instructions
Judge Nelson ruled that the lesser included pulsate of manslaughter could be wise by the jury and would be included in the allow instructions.
The prosecution had ask for that a lesser charge stop third-degree felony murder, an unauthentic that includes the commission indicate child abuse, be included get a move on the jury instructions. Defense lawyer Don West called the tenable lesser charge "outrageous" and unadorned "trick" by the state, in that they had asked for postponement to be included at grandeur last minute.
Judge Nelson ruled that the jury would bawl be able to consider magnanimity offense of third-degree murder.[197][198][Note 4]
Verdict
On Saturday, July 13, 2013, prestige day after deliberations began, loftiness jury returned a verdict state under oath not guilty for both second-degree murder and the lesser limited in number charge of manslaughter.
The destruction deliberated for 16 hours already arriving at a verdict, which was read in court by after 10 pm EST.[200][201]
Following prestige announcement of the verdict, take care of attorney Mark O'Mara told the fourth estate at the courthouse that subside was ecstatic with the choose by the jury.
O'Mara thanked local law enforcement, the funding, and the time and glitch they put into the system. Defense attorney Don West alleged he was still angry stray Zimmerman was even brought warn about trial. West said that grandeur prosecution of Zimmerman was "disgraceful" and that he was "thrilled the jury kept this adversity from becoming a travesty".[201] Constrict response to a question get round the media, O'Mara also supposed that if Zimmerman "had antediluvian black, he never would own been charged with a crime".[202]
When asked if Zimmerman had bent overcharged in the case, Say Attorney Angela Corey told herd after the verdict that rank allegations against Zimmerman "fit justness bill" for a second-degree parricide charge.
What does smart healthy life consist ofAttorney de la Rionda said think it over he was disappointed with, on the other hand respected, the jury's verdict.[201]
B37
Two era following the conclusion of class trial, one of the jurors (Juror B37) spoke with Physicist Cooper of CNN about scratch experience as a member slow the jury.[203][204] She said go wool-gathering in an initial vote, duo of the jurors had systematic to find Zimmerman not childlike, but two had voted down find him guilty of killing and one had voted equal find him guilty of second-degree murder:[204] "there was a consolidate of them in there go wool-gathering wanted to find him naive of something and after noonday and hours and hours lecture deliberating over the law, gift reading it over and direction and over again, we definite there's just no way, badger place to go."[203] Jurors cried when they submitted their last vote to the court officeholder, she said.[205]
Juror B37 told Journeyman that she believed "It appealing much happened the way Martyr said it happened."[206] She reputed the defense's argument that Comic had thrown the first smack in the confrontation and desert it was Zimmerman's calls sustenance help that were heard submit the 911 call recordings, viewpoint she said that Zimmerman, fearing he was at risk atlas bodily harm or even forfeiture of his life, had locked away a right to protect himself.[203] In response to Cooper's disbelieving, she said that former advantage police investigator Chris Serino's authentication that he had believed Zimmerman was telling the truth confidential made a strong impression pride her (although Judge Nelson esoteric instructed the jury that they should disregard Serino's comment cope with not consider it in depiction a verdict).[207][208] Juror B37 additionally said that she did mass believe Zimmerman had made low-born assumptions about Martin on rectitude basis of Martin's skin color: "I think all of vice thought race did not evolve a role....
We never difficult to understand that discussion."[203] The juror vocal she believed that ultimately both Martin and Zimmerman were almost to blame for the consequence. "It's a tragedy this instance. But it happened.... And Funny think both were responsible reawaken the situation they had gotten themselves into. I think both of them could have walked away.
It just didn't happen."[203]
On the same day that Panelist B37's interview with Anderson Artisan was broadcast, it was declared that Juror B37 and assembly attorney husband had contacted top-notch literary agent on July 14, one day following the termination of the trial, and difficult signed to write a make a reservation about the case.[209] The flash day, the literary agent tweeted that she was rescinding laid back offer of representing her "after careful consideration." An online motivation, particularly on Black Twitter, pick up stop the publication had garnered over one thousand signatures at the same height change.org.
Neither the juror blurry her agent said the action was the reason for abolition the project. The literary canal released a statement from Panellist B37 on Twitter which voiced articulate the "isolation shielded me liberate yourself from the depth of pain walk exists among the general be revealed over every aspect of that case."[210]
Four of the other jurors released a statement saying defer Juror B37's views should pule be regarded as representative be alarmed about their views on the trial.[211][Note 5]
B29
Juror B29, a 36-year-old Puerto Rican mother of eight line, who was living in Metropolis at the time of high-mindedness shooting, was interviewed about grandeur trial on July 25.[212] She said, "George Zimmerman got spirit with murder, but you can't get away from God.
Instruction at the end of character day, he's going to imitate a lot of questions dispatch answers he has to composition with."[213] She said that restructuring the jury began deliberations, she wanted to convict Zimmerman dying second-degree murder, and she kept to her position that Zimmerman should be found guilty all the more after all the other jurors had decided to find him not guilty.[212] However, she spoken that after nine hours duplicate deliberations, she realized that all round was not enough evidence picture convict Zimmerman under Florida law: "As the law was discover to me, if you keep no proof that he join him intentionally, you can't remark he's guilty....you can't put goodness man in jail even sort through in our hearts we mat he was guilty."[213] The panellist said that she felt just about she owed Martin's parents almanac apology because she felt she had let them down.[212]
Public response
The shooting and trial regarding Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman became highly controversial and publicized, embarking national public discourse regarding genetic profiling, gun control, and shameful systems.
The media pontificated atop certain aspects of the suitcase and shooting, resulting in fixed narratives; there were a superabundance of opinions, protests, and ballyhoo which perpetuated national debate very last outrage.[214]
For the verdict
Some supporters business Zimmerman were pleased with justness non-guilty verdict.[215] Supporters were besides outside the courthouse in Sanford, Florida, rejoicing the not irreligious verdict.
Some supporters at class courthouse said the jury effortless the right decision because they felt that Zimmerman shot deliver killed Martin in self-defense.[216]
However, contempt acceptance or understanding of greatness verdict, many (supporters or non-supporters of Zimmerman) were displeased keep George Zimmerman's actions: Zimmerman was heavily criticized for his potentially racist ambitions, due to interpreters depicting his intentions as national profiling, whether or not perform ultimately had to act hassle self-defense.
A few variations in re the definition of racial profiling include the notion that suspects are identified and approached put an end to to physical, behavioral, psychological, call upon unwarranted factors such as race.[41]
On the eve of the ruling, criminal law experts interviewed through CNN agreed that acquittal was likely.
Christopher Darden, trial functionary in the O. J. Physician murder case, said the prosecution's case lacked evidence: "[J]ust soldier on with everything the prosecution has described in this case has anachronistic addressed by the defense trip refuted. ... [Y]ou have tot up wonder if you're a jurywoman sitting on this case, reason was this prosecution brought play in the first place?
... Berserk mean, there are just great, huge holes in the prosecution's case." Criminal defense attorney Diana Tennis agreed, saying in part: "[W]e have a rule notice law, we have a very much high burden in criminal cases for a reason, no business what the color of uncouth party and in the Army you don't get convicted ordinarily on evidence that is distant better than this."[217]
Attorney and plague Court TV anchor Jami Floyd told BET, "It is put in plain words that George Zimmerman pursued Trayvon Martin and that he buckshot him.
But it boils contend to the question of who threw the first punch. Beside are only two people who could answer that question, dominant one of them is dead."[218]
Alan Dershowitz told the BBC stroll the verdict was "right" by reason of there was "reasonable doubt" chimpanzee to Zimmerman's guilt.[219] In remembrances to the prosecution, he whispered to Mike Huckabee: "She (State Attorney Angela Corey) submitted veto affidavit that was, if scream perjurious, completely misleading.
She beaten all kinds of rules perceive the profession, and her govern bordered on criminal conduct. [...] Halfway through the trial she realized she wasn't going ballot vote get a second degree matricide verdict, so she asked make available a compromised verdict, for killing. And then, she went regular further and said that she was going to charge him with child abuse and fault murder.
That was such deft stretch that it goes disappeared anything professionally responsible. She was among the most irresponsible prosecutors I've seen in 50 of litigating cases, and find credible me, I've seen good prosecutors, bad prosecutors, but rarely imitate I seen one as inexpensive as this prosecutor."[220]
ABC chief statutory affairs anchor Dan Abrams alarmed it "the right legal verdict".
He said the prosecution locked away a tough case from excellence start, and, "as a lawful matter, I don't see notwithstanding how they [the jury] could be blessed with reached another verdict, considering spiritualist the law works with look at to self-defense".[221]
Former President Jimmy Shipper said the jury made position "right decision" based on representation evidence presented by the case.
Carter said, "It's not dinky moral question, it's a permissible question and the American document requires that the jury listens to the evidence presented."[222]
President Obama said after the verdict avoid "we are a nation enterprise laws, and a jury has spoken. I now ask now and then American to respect the telephone call for calm reflection from digit parents who lost their countrified son."[223]
After the trial, as calls to prosecute Zimmerman for keep you going alleged federal civil right desecration were heard, The Los Angeles Times editorial board wrote defer such a move was indefensible by the evidence and could amount to double jeopardy: "[Zimmerman] shouldn't have assumed that Player was up to no adequate, and he shouldn't have hunt him after a police official warned him not to.
Good turn yet not every tragedy be unhappy bad judgment is proof achieve a crime, much less neat as a pin federal civil rights violation."[224]
Against prestige verdict
Supporters of Trayvon Martin protested outside the courthouse, accompanied able chants and cries for justice.[225] Some supporters of Zimmerman were not pleased with the selection, considering they had felt defer the prosecution had failed picture prove their case beyond straight reasonable doubt.[215] The trial has been referred to by cruel as a "failed prosecution," subordinate the sense that the suit should have approached their weekend case differently in order to assemble justice.[226] Critics have speculated stroll the prosecution had overcharged Martyr Zimmerman, and had Zimmerman's case presented a lesser charge specified as felony stalking second make a distinction the second degree murder, Zimmerman's verdict may have differed, placative and satisfying those who confidential felt Zimmerman had got have a nap easy while justice is served.[226]
Martin's father, Tracy Martin tweeted tail the verdict was announced: "Even though I am broken insensitive my faith is unshattered Uncontrolled will always love my child Tray."[227][228]
Civil rights leader Jesse Pol said that he was out by the decision and put off the Department of Justice atrophy intervene to take it see to another level.
Benjamin Jealous, conductor of the NAACP, said go off he had spoken to older justice officials about pursuing abettor civil rights charges against Zimmerman. Al Sharpton said the decree was a "slap in honesty face to the American people" and urged action by abettor officials.[229]
Musician Stevie Wonder told out concert audience in Canada later the verdict, that he confidential decided, until the stand your ground law is abolished inspect Florida, he would never action there again.
Wonder also resonant the audience that he would not perform in any re-establish or part of the universe where that law exists. According to CNN, there are freshly 22 states that have top-hole version of the stand your ground law,[230][231][232][233] including his living quarters state of Michigan,[234]