Judge: Zimmerman jurors can consider manslaughter charge
(CNN) -- Jurors in the George Zimmerman second-degree murder trial will be allowed to consider at least one lesser charge -- manslaughter -- when they get the case after closing arguments, Judge Debra Nelson ruled Thursday.But she put off a decision whether they could consider a charge of third-degree murder after attorney Don West offered fierce objection to the charge, which prosecutors said is based on the idea that Zimmerman committed child abuse in killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin."Oh my God," he told Nelson. "Just when I thought this case couldn't get any more bizarre, the state is seeking third-degree murder based on child abuse."Prosecutors are seeking the additional charges to give jurors more options should they find Zimmerman didn't commit second-degree murder when he killed Martin on February 26, 2012.In arguing unsuccessfully against the manslaughter charge, West told Nelson that Zimmerman believes that because the "state has charged him with second-degree murder, they should be required to prove it, if they can."Closing arguments in the case were expected to begin Thursday afternoon, after attorneys finish arguing over legal points in the jury instructions -- including decisions on explaining justifiable use of force and Florida's controversial "Stand Your Ground" law.The law provides legal protections to people who use deadly force against attackers when faced with a fear of death or serious harm.Zimmerman, 29, has never denied shooting Martin.
(CNN) -- Jurors in the George Zimmerman second-degree murder trial will be allowed to consider at least one lesser charge -- manslaughter -- when they get the case after closing arguments, Judge Debra Nelson ruled Thursday.But she put off a decision whether they could consider a charge of third-degree murder after attorney Don West offered fierce objection to the charge, which prosecutors said is based on the idea that Zimmerman committed child abuse in killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin."Oh my God," he told Nelson. "Just when I thought this case couldn't get any more bizarre, the state is seeking third-degree murder based on child abuse."Prosecutors are seeking the additional charges to give jurors more options should they find Zimmerman didn't commit second-degree murder when he killed Martin on February 26, 2012.In arguing unsuccessfully against the manslaughter charge, West told Nelson that Zimmerman believes that because the "state has charged him with second-degree murder, they should be required to prove it, if they can."Closing arguments in the case were expected to begin Thursday afternoon, after attorneys finish arguing over legal points in the jury instructions -- including decisions on explaining justifiable use of force and Florida's controversial "Stand Your Ground" law.The law provides legal protections to people who use deadly force against attackers when faced with a fear of death or serious harm.Zimmerman, 29, has never denied shooting Martin.
Zimmerman opts not to testify as his defense team rests case
(CNN) -- George Zimmerman left court-watchers waiting until the last minute Wednesday, but finally announced after his defense team offered their last witnesses that he would not testify in his own defense in the shooting of Trayvon Martin.The defense rested its case Wednesday afternoon after Judge Debra Nelson refused a defense request to enter a judgment of acquittal without sending the case to the jury.That left Zimmerman's father, Robert Zimmerman, as the last defense witness.
(CNN) -- George Zimmerman left court-watchers waiting until the last minute Wednesday, but finally announced after his defense team offered their last witnesses that he would not testify in his own defense in the shooting of Trayvon Martin.The defense rested its case Wednesday afternoon after Judge Debra Nelson refused a defense request to enter a judgment of acquittal without sending the case to the jury.That left Zimmerman's father, Robert Zimmerman, as the last defense witness.
Zimmerman trial: Doctor details how Trayvon Martin bled to death
(CNN) -- A forensic pathologist testified for the defense in the George Zimmerman trial Tuesday, describing Trayvon Martin's traumatic last moments alive as he bled to death in the grass after being shot at close range."If he was involved in a struggle you expect his heart to be going, beating -- especially after he had been shot -- more than a 100 times a minute," said Dr.
(CNN) -- A forensic pathologist testified for the defense in the George Zimmerman trial Tuesday, describing Trayvon Martin's traumatic last moments alive as he bled to death in the grass after being shot at close range."If he was involved in a struggle you expect his heart to be going, beating -- especially after he had been shot -- more than a 100 times a minute," said Dr.
Trayvon Martin's mother, brother take the stand
(CNN) -- Prosecutors on Friday called Trayvon Martin's mother and brother to the stand in the trial of the man who fatally shot him.George Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder.
(CNN) -- Prosecutors on Friday called Trayvon Martin's mother and brother to the stand in the trial of the man who fatally shot him.George Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder.
No DNA from Trayvon Martin on Zimmerman's gun
(CNN) -- Prosecutors in the George Zimmerman trial presented evidence of DNA test results to the jury Wednesday that showed where Zimmerman's and Trayvon Martin's genetic material ended up during their 2012 altercation.Anthony Gorgone, DNA lab analyst for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, methodically walked the jury through the results of his DNA testing of Zimmerman's gun, the clothing both individuals wore the night of the shooting and scrapings from Martin's finger nails.Zimmerman did not show any emotion as Gorgone testified, but he appeared to be paying close attention.Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder for killing 17-year-old Martin in Sanford, Florida, on February 26, 2012.
(CNN) -- Prosecutors in the George Zimmerman trial presented evidence of DNA test results to the jury Wednesday that showed where Zimmerman's and Trayvon Martin's genetic material ended up during their 2012 altercation.Anthony Gorgone, DNA lab analyst for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, methodically walked the jury through the results of his DNA testing of Zimmerman's gun, the clothing both individuals wore the night of the shooting and scrapings from Martin's finger nails.Zimmerman did not show any emotion as Gorgone testified, but he appeared to be paying close attention.Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder for killing 17-year-old Martin in Sanford, Florida, on February 26, 2012.
George Zimmerman: Trayvon Martin attacked me
(CNN) -- On Monday, for the first time, jurors in the George Zimmerman trial heard from the former neighborhood watch volunteer about the events that led to Trayvon Martin's death on February 26, 2012."I tried to defend myself," Zimmerman said during his first police interview the night of the shooting. "He just started punching me in the face, and I started screaming for help.
(CNN) -- On Monday, for the first time, jurors in the George Zimmerman trial heard from the former neighborhood watch volunteer about the events that led to Trayvon Martin's death on February 26, 2012."I tried to defend myself," Zimmerman said during his first police interview the night of the shooting. "He just started punching me in the face, and I started screaming for help.
Witness: Zimmerman, Martin were in mixed-martial-arts-style fight
(CNN) -- A prosecution witness testified Friday in the George Zimmerman trial that he saw the former neighborhood watch captain and Trayvon Martin engaged in a mixed martial arts-style fight the night Martin was fatally shot.Jonathan Good said he heard a faint noise coming from the back of his home in the Retreat at Twin Lakes on February 26, 2012.
(CNN) -- A prosecution witness testified Friday in the George Zimmerman trial that he saw the former neighborhood watch captain and Trayvon Martin engaged in a mixed martial arts-style fight the night Martin was fatally shot.Jonathan Good said he heard a faint noise coming from the back of his home in the Retreat at Twin Lakes on February 26, 2012.
Key witness recounts Trayvon Martin's final phone call
(CNN) -- Taking the stand on the third day of the George Zimmerman trial, a friend of Trayvon Martin testified about the final moments of the teenager's life, saying that Martin told her someone was following him."A man was watching him," said 19-year-old Rachel Jeantel, who was on the phone with Martin just before he was fatally shot. "He said the man kept watching him.
(CNN) -- Taking the stand on the third day of the George Zimmerman trial, a friend of Trayvon Martin testified about the final moments of the teenager's life, saying that Martin told her someone was following him."A man was watching him," said 19-year-old Rachel Jeantel, who was on the phone with Martin just before he was fatally shot. "He said the man kept watching him.
Will George Zimmerman's past come to haunt him?
(CNN) -- Judge Debra Nelson heard arguments Tuesday morning on whether the jury in the George Zimmerman trial should hear about other incidents when Zimmerman reported suspicious people in his neighborhood, the Retreat at Twin Lakes.The former neighborhood watch captain is charged with second-degree murder for shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012.
(CNN) -- Judge Debra Nelson heard arguments Tuesday morning on whether the jury in the George Zimmerman trial should hear about other incidents when Zimmerman reported suspicious people in his neighborhood, the Retreat at Twin Lakes.The former neighborhood watch captain is charged with second-degree murder for shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012.
Zimmerman opening statements: Expletives, knock-knock joke
(CNN) -- A prosecuting attorney greeted the jury in the George Zimmerman trial Monday with a quote full of expletives, while his adversary decided it was appropriate to tell jurors a knock-knock joke.And that was just the beginning of opening statements in Zimmerman's long-anticipated murder trial.In a case that has ignited national debate about gun laws and race relations, Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch captain, is accused of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in February 2012 in Sanford, Florida.Prosecutor John Guy's first words to the six-woman jury may have raised a few eyebrows."Good morning. 'F*****g punks, these a******s all get away,'" Guy quoted Zimmerman. "These were the words in this grown man's mouth as he followed this boy that he didn't know.
(CNN) -- A prosecuting attorney greeted the jury in the George Zimmerman trial Monday with a quote full of expletives, while his adversary decided it was appropriate to tell jurors a knock-knock joke.And that was just the beginning of opening statements in Zimmerman's long-anticipated murder trial.In a case that has ignited national debate about gun laws and race relations, Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch captain, is accused of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in February 2012 in Sanford, Florida.Prosecutor John Guy's first words to the six-woman jury may have raised a few eyebrows."Good morning. 'F*****g punks, these a******s all get away,'" Guy quoted Zimmerman. "These were the words in this grown man's mouth as he followed this boy that he didn't know.
Opening statements Monday in George Zimmerman trial
(CNN) -- Opening statements begin Monday in the trial of George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch captain accused of fatally shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida.
(CNN) -- Opening statements begin Monday in the trial of George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch captain accused of fatally shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida.
Zimmerman judge: No state expert testimony on 911 calls
(CNN) -- A Florida judge has ruled that the opinion of two of the prosecution's witnesses -- audio experts who analyzed 911 calls from the night Trayvon Martin was killed -- will not be allowed at George Zimmerman's murder trial.Zimmerman, a former neighborhood watch captain, is charged with second-degree murder in the killing of 17-year-old Martin in Sanford, Florida, on February 26, 2012.
(CNN) -- A Florida judge has ruled that the opinion of two of the prosecution's witnesses -- audio experts who analyzed 911 calls from the night Trayvon Martin was killed -- will not be allowed at George Zimmerman's murder trial.Zimmerman, a former neighborhood watch captain, is charged with second-degree murder in the killing of 17-year-old Martin in Sanford, Florida, on February 26, 2012.
Jury of six women chosen to hear George Zimmerman case
(CNN) -- An all-female jury will start hearing the murder case against Florida neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman next week, with opening arguments in the closely watched trial set for Monday.The jury was selected Thursday afternoon after defense attorney Mark O'Mara completed his question-and-answer session with the potential jurors.
(CNN) -- An all-female jury will start hearing the murder case against Florida neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman next week, with opening arguments in the closely watched trial set for Monday.The jury was selected Thursday afternoon after defense attorney Mark O'Mara completed his question-and-answer session with the potential jurors.
40 potential jurors in George Zimmerman case
(CNN) -- The prosecution in the George Zimmerman trial in Florida asked 40 potential jurors about a wide range of subjects Wednesday, the eighth day of jury selection.Zimmerman, a former neighborhood watch captain, is charged with second-degree murder for killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, on the night of February 26, 2012.
(CNN) -- The prosecution in the George Zimmerman trial in Florida asked 40 potential jurors about a wide range of subjects Wednesday, the eighth day of jury selection.Zimmerman, a former neighborhood watch captain, is charged with second-degree murder for killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, on the night of February 26, 2012.
Grilling of potential jurors goes on for Zimmerman trial
(CNN) -- Attorneys for both sides in the George Zimmerman trial continued Monday to drill down into what potential jurors have heard about the case in the media.Zimmerman, a former neighborhood watch captain, is charged with second-degree murder for killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, on the night of Feb. 26, 2012.
(CNN) -- Attorneys for both sides in the George Zimmerman trial continued Monday to drill down into what potential jurors have heard about the case in the media.Zimmerman, a former neighborhood watch captain, is charged with second-degree murder for killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, on the night of Feb. 26, 2012.
Jurors in trial of George Zimmerman will be sequestered
(CNN) -- Jurors in the trial of George Zimmerman will be sequestered, Judge Debra Nelson announced Thursday.Attorneys in the case agreed that the trial will take two to four weeks, not the four-to-six weeks previously estimated, she said.Ten more potential jurors were questioned Thursday about pretrial publicity.Questions included whether they had formed an opinion based on what they heard, and whether they thought they could be fair and impartial jurors.
(CNN) -- Jurors in the trial of George Zimmerman will be sequestered, Judge Debra Nelson announced Thursday.Attorneys in the case agreed that the trial will take two to four weeks, not the four-to-six weeks previously estimated, she said.Ten more potential jurors were questioned Thursday about pretrial publicity.Questions included whether they had formed an opinion based on what they heard, and whether they thought they could be fair and impartial jurors.
Zimmerman trial nears next phase of jury selection
(CNN) -- Jury selection in George Zimmerman's trial in Seminole County, Florida, dragged into its third day Wednesday, with one potential juror saying he couldn't keep an open mind about the case.Zimmerman, a former neighborhood watch volunteer, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012.
(CNN) -- Jury selection in George Zimmerman's trial in Seminole County, Florida, dragged into its third day Wednesday, with one potential juror saying he couldn't keep an open mind about the case.Zimmerman, a former neighborhood watch volunteer, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012.
Zimmerman trial lawyers question potential jurors on knowledge of case
(CNN) -- The second day of jury selection in George Zimmerman's murder trial in the death of Trayvon Martin was tightly focused on the potential jurors' knowledge of the case.Zimmerman seemed engaged in the process Tuesday, taking notes and chatting with his attorneys periodically as they questioned the people who could decide his fate.The former neighborhood watch volunteer is charged with second-degree murder for killing Martin on February 26, 2012; he claims he shot the teenager in self-defense.Ten potential jurors were questioned in open court in Seminole County, Florida, and another appeared at a sidebar, but it is not clear what happened during that sidebar.
(CNN) -- The second day of jury selection in George Zimmerman's murder trial in the death of Trayvon Martin was tightly focused on the potential jurors' knowledge of the case.Zimmerman seemed engaged in the process Tuesday, taking notes and chatting with his attorneys periodically as they questioned the people who could decide his fate.The former neighborhood watch volunteer is charged with second-degree murder for killing Martin on February 26, 2012; he claims he shot the teenager in self-defense.Ten potential jurors were questioned in open court in Seminole County, Florida, and another appeared at a sidebar, but it is not clear what happened during that sidebar.
Zimmerman trial underway as jury selection process begins
(CNN) -- Self-defense or murder?
(CNN) -- Self-defense or murder?
Zimmerman murder trial begins with jury selection Monday
(CNN) -- Despite the intense scrutiny and heated emotions surrounding his client's case, George Zimmerman's defense attorney says he has no immediate plans to ask for a change of venue or to put his client on the stand.Zimmerman's murder trial will begin with jury selection Monday in Seminole County, Florida -- the same county where 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was fatally shot last year.Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, said requesting a change of venue is only relevant if lawyers can't pick a suitable jury."If we can pick a jury in Seminole County, this is where the incident occurred and this is where the case should be decided," O'Mara told HLN's Jean Casarez.O'Mara also said there are no immediate plans for Zimmerman to testify."The defense doesn't have to present any evidence, any piece of paper, any witness including the defendant.
(CNN) -- Despite the intense scrutiny and heated emotions surrounding his client's case, George Zimmerman's defense attorney says he has no immediate plans to ask for a change of venue or to put his client on the stand.Zimmerman's murder trial will begin with jury selection Monday in Seminole County, Florida -- the same county where 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was fatally shot last year.Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, said requesting a change of venue is only relevant if lawyers can't pick a suitable jury."If we can pick a jury in Seminole County, this is where the incident occurred and this is where the case should be decided," O'Mara told HLN's Jean Casarez.O'Mara also said there are no immediate plans for Zimmerman to testify."The defense doesn't have to present any evidence, any piece of paper, any witness including the defendant.