http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/06/24/trayvon-martin-trial-the-prosecution-opens/
. “****ing punks, these *******s always get away,” were the first words assistant prosecutor Guy used in his opener, describing what Zimmerman was recorded saying to a police dispatcher just minutes before he fatally shot Martin. Guy went directly to the moments leading up to the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin in February 2012. His intent was to show that Zimmerman had already made up his mind that he should confront Martin rather than waiting for police.
2. Zimmerman’s story doesn’t add up. Guy says that the defendant told police that while he was sitting in his car, Martin ran behind a set of townhouses in the gated community where the shooting took place. But the prosecutor says other records dispute Zimmerman’s statement to the police: “Listen to the non-emergency call that happened in real time and you will see that didn’t happen.”
3. Nobody heard Martin threaten Zimmerman. Guy argues that despite Zimmerman’s statements, witnesses did not hear one of the main claims defense lawyers are hanging their case on: Zimmerman’s assertion that Martin said, “You are going to die tonight.” Matter-of-factly, Guy lays out to jurors: “You are going to hear from people out there. Nobody heard that.”
4. None of the witnesses saw the entire incident. Guy maintained that people in the vicinity of the shooting heard part of the fight between Zimmerman and Martin — some heard the beginning, some heard the end, but all these amount to nothing more than “slices.”
5. There is no evidence that Martin actually attacked Zimmerman. Despite Zimmerman’s injuries — he had cuts on his head and a broken, bloodied nose — none of his blood or DNA was on Martin. “He didn’t have bruised knuckles. He didn’t have swollen hands. The only injury to his hand that was capable of being photographed was a small abrasion on his left ring finger. Trayvon Martin was right handed. That was the only injury to his hands.” Guy said.
George Zimmerman trial begins with prosecutors, defence squaring off in opening statements | World | News | National Post
ANFORD, Fla. — A prosecutor told jurors in opening statements Monday that George Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Martin “because he wanted to,” not because he had to, while the neighbourhood watch volunteer’s attorney said the deadly shooting of the Miami-area teen was carried out in self-defence.
The opposing attorneys squared off on the first day of testimony in a trial that has attracted international attention and prompted nationwide debates about gun control, race, and equal justice under the law.
Included among the millions likely to be following the case are civil rights leaders the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, who joined national protests in the weeks before prosecutors filed second-degree murder charges against Zimmerman 44 days after the shooting.
Zimmerman, who identifies himself as Hispanic, has denied that the shooting had anything to do with race. His mother was born in Peru. His father is a white American. Martin was black.
Prosecutor John Guy’s first words to jurors recounted what Zimmerman told a police dispatcher in a call shortly before the fatal confrontation with Martin: “F—— punks. These a——-. They always get away.”
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Six female jurors chosen for murder trial of George Zimmerman, who shot teenager Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman was profiling Martin as he followed him through the gated community where Zimmerman lived and Martin was visiting, Guy said. He said Zimmerman viewed the teen “as someone about to a commit a crime in his neighbourhood.”
“And he acted on it. That’s why we’re here,” the prosecutor said.
Zimmerman didn’t have to shoot Martin, Guy said.
“He shot him for the worst of all reasons: because he wanted to,” he said.
Defence attorney Don West told jurors that Zimmerman was being viciously attacked when he shot Martin. Zimmerman was sucker-punched by Martin, who then pounded Zimmerman’s head into the concrete sidewalk, West said. He played for jurors the call to a police dispatcher in which Zimmerman used the obscenities.
Martin had opportunities to go home after Zimmerman followed him and then lost track of him, West said, but instead the teen confronted the neighbourhood watch volunteer.
“I think the evidence will show that this is a sad case,” West said. “There are no monsters here.”
The prosecutor described Zimmerman as someone who wanted to be a police officer, and he dismantled the story Zimmerman has told investigators about what happened during the fight between the neighbourhood watch volunteer and the Miami-area teen that left Martin dead from a bullet to his chest.
Zimmerman’s claim that Martin had his hands over the neighbourhood watch volunteer’s mouth is false since none of Zimmerman’s DNA was found on Martin’s body, Guy said. The prosecutor also said Zimmerman’s claim that he had to fire because Martin was reaching for his firearm is false since none of Martin’s DNA was on the gun or holster.
Zimmerman is pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, claiming self-defence.
. “****ing punks, these *******s always get away,” were the first words assistant prosecutor Guy used in his opener, describing what Zimmerman was recorded saying to a police dispatcher just minutes before he fatally shot Martin. Guy went directly to the moments leading up to the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin in February 2012. His intent was to show that Zimmerman had already made up his mind that he should confront Martin rather than waiting for police.
2. Zimmerman’s story doesn’t add up. Guy says that the defendant told police that while he was sitting in his car, Martin ran behind a set of townhouses in the gated community where the shooting took place. But the prosecutor says other records dispute Zimmerman’s statement to the police: “Listen to the non-emergency call that happened in real time and you will see that didn’t happen.”
3. Nobody heard Martin threaten Zimmerman. Guy argues that despite Zimmerman’s statements, witnesses did not hear one of the main claims defense lawyers are hanging their case on: Zimmerman’s assertion that Martin said, “You are going to die tonight.” Matter-of-factly, Guy lays out to jurors: “You are going to hear from people out there. Nobody heard that.”
4. None of the witnesses saw the entire incident. Guy maintained that people in the vicinity of the shooting heard part of the fight between Zimmerman and Martin — some heard the beginning, some heard the end, but all these amount to nothing more than “slices.”
5. There is no evidence that Martin actually attacked Zimmerman. Despite Zimmerman’s injuries — he had cuts on his head and a broken, bloodied nose — none of his blood or DNA was on Martin. “He didn’t have bruised knuckles. He didn’t have swollen hands. The only injury to his hand that was capable of being photographed was a small abrasion on his left ring finger. Trayvon Martin was right handed. That was the only injury to his hands.” Guy said.
George Zimmerman trial begins with prosecutors, defence squaring off in opening statements | World | News | National Post
ANFORD, Fla. — A prosecutor told jurors in opening statements Monday that George Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Martin “because he wanted to,” not because he had to, while the neighbourhood watch volunteer’s attorney said the deadly shooting of the Miami-area teen was carried out in self-defence.
The opposing attorneys squared off on the first day of testimony in a trial that has attracted international attention and prompted nationwide debates about gun control, race, and equal justice under the law.
Included among the millions likely to be following the case are civil rights leaders the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, who joined national protests in the weeks before prosecutors filed second-degree murder charges against Zimmerman 44 days after the shooting.
Zimmerman, who identifies himself as Hispanic, has denied that the shooting had anything to do with race. His mother was born in Peru. His father is a white American. Martin was black.
Prosecutor John Guy’s first words to jurors recounted what Zimmerman told a police dispatcher in a call shortly before the fatal confrontation with Martin: “F—— punks. These a——-. They always get away.”
Related
Experts can’t testify about screams from 911 call before Trayvon Martin killing, judge rules
Six female jurors chosen for murder trial of George Zimmerman, who shot teenager Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman was profiling Martin as he followed him through the gated community where Zimmerman lived and Martin was visiting, Guy said. He said Zimmerman viewed the teen “as someone about to a commit a crime in his neighbourhood.”
“And he acted on it. That’s why we’re here,” the prosecutor said.
Zimmerman didn’t have to shoot Martin, Guy said.
“He shot him for the worst of all reasons: because he wanted to,” he said.
Defence attorney Don West told jurors that Zimmerman was being viciously attacked when he shot Martin. Zimmerman was sucker-punched by Martin, who then pounded Zimmerman’s head into the concrete sidewalk, West said. He played for jurors the call to a police dispatcher in which Zimmerman used the obscenities.
Martin had opportunities to go home after Zimmerman followed him and then lost track of him, West said, but instead the teen confronted the neighbourhood watch volunteer.
“I think the evidence will show that this is a sad case,” West said. “There are no monsters here.”
The prosecutor described Zimmerman as someone who wanted to be a police officer, and he dismantled the story Zimmerman has told investigators about what happened during the fight between the neighbourhood watch volunteer and the Miami-area teen that left Martin dead from a bullet to his chest.
Zimmerman’s claim that Martin had his hands over the neighbourhood watch volunteer’s mouth is false since none of Zimmerman’s DNA was found on Martin’s body, Guy said. The prosecutor also said Zimmerman’s claim that he had to fire because Martin was reaching for his firearm is false since none of Martin’s DNA was on the gun or holster.
Zimmerman is pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, claiming self-defence.
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