In the much awaited George Zimmerman trial for the murder of seventeen year-old Trayvon Martin, there were shocks today as opening statements got underway for what is predicted to be at least a four week trial.
After a rather lengthy jury selection that ended in a 6-person, non-minority, all female jury, the trial began in earnest as Zimmerman faces second-degree murder charges for fatally shooting Martin in the chest after the neighborhood watch volunteer followed the teen as he walked to his father’s apartment. Zimmerman maintains that the act was self-defense. The prosecution hopes to showcase that Zimmerman was the aggressor that led to the death of Martin.
In two moves that shocked witnesses and audiences viewing the trial this morning, the opening statements contained both expletives and, surprisingly, levity. The prosecution’s statement contained several f-bombs local news stations weren’t able to edit out. Prosecutor John Guy quoted the expletive Zimmerman uttered when watching Trayvon Martin, “f—— punks,” as well as a few others said by Zimmerman that night.
While some analysts believe the use of the F-bombs could be effective at conjuring an unfavorable view of Zimmerman in the eyes of jurors, some also agree that defense attorney; Don West’s subtle way of “sneaking in” commentary that could be part of the closing argument could raise the “seed” of reasonable doubt that could benefit the defendant. Yet, twice as of this printing the judge has criticized West for presenting a closing argument.
However, many analysts were in agreement about the defense attorney, Don West’s use of a knock-knock joke with regard to jury selection was a shocking misstep.
“Knock. Knock. Who is there?” West said. “George Zimmerman. George Zimmerman who? Ah, good. You’re on the jury.”
Yikes.
From there the jurors were introduced to witness statements with regard to what they saw and heard that night. The phrase “ground and pound” may stick with jurors as one witness describes this is what they saw with regard to Martin straddling Zimmerman during the fight that ensued after Zimmerman began following Martin. Yet, it seems that statements Zimmerman gave about Martin going after the gun seem to be false due to DNA evidence, as well as Zimmerman’s claim that Martin had his hands over his mouth.
The 911 tape was also played for jurors where a voice can distinctly be heard screaming for help. The battle of whose voice it was begins. The prosecution maintains that it was the defendant based upon his testimony and that of witnesses and family members. At the end of this opening statement, West says about the lack of weapon held by Martin that night:
“Trayvon Martin armed himself with concrete sidewalk, and bashed George Zimmerman’s head against it.”
In a bit of our own commentary, we’ll add, “If so, Mr. West, it was the only weapon a possibly scared seventeen year-old kid had against a gun-toting adult who didn’t identify himself and stalked him while he was out minding his own business.”
There will surely be more to come. Stay tuned for more coverage. You can read Jeff Weiner’s of the Orlando Sentinel’s live tweets here: @JeffWeinerOS
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