Things may be quiet in Sanford, Florida after a week of jury selection in the trial of George Zimmerman, but a pair of black comedians are giving their uncensored take on the case.
W. Kamau Bell, host of the late night comedy show “Totally Biased” on F/X, weighed in on the case Thursday night, and pulled no punches about his feelings about the George Zimmerman. Zimmerman, 29, has pleaded not guilty to second degree murder, saying he shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in self-defense after Martin attacked him on February 26, 2012. Martin was unarmed.
“Now of course I’m a believer in fair trials,” said Bell during a monologue. “But if there’s any god in heaven, and I’m pretty sure there isn’t, here’s who would be deciding Zimmerman’s fate: Chuck D, Angela Davis, the ghost of Malcolm X, fat Al Sharpton, angry Bill Cosby, Ice Cube … no no no, before, “Are we there yet?” Ice Cube … Samuel L. Jackson from “Pulp Fiction,” Samuel L. Jackson from “Snakes on a Plane,” Samuel L. Jackson from “Jackie Brown,” and foreman of the jury, regular old Samuel L. Jackson. …” As he spoke, pictures of his would-be “jurors” appeared onscreen.
Bell finished the sketch with a fusillade of what he called “all of the inflammatory words” Zimmerman’s attorneys have asked the trial judge to exclude from opening arguments, after which cameras cut to “Totally Biased” executive producer Chris Rock in the control room, who declared: “This guy’s good, we should give him a nightly show this fall. Oh yeah, George Zimmerman can eat a dick.”
Totally Biased: George Zimmerman gets judged by W. Kamau Bell (& Chris Rock)
Published on Jun 14, 2013
Sixteen months after the death of Trayvon Martin, jury selection has finally begun for George Zimmerman’s trial. Kamau… shares his thoughts in ways that can’t be summed up in a video description box. Executive Producer Chris Rock sneaks his thoughts in for good measure.
Watch “Totally Biased” all new Thursdays at11:00, only on FX!
Today is Gilles Rousseau’s first Father’s Day since his daughter Lauren was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary where she was a substitute teacher.
After reading out the names, including Lauren’s, of those who have been killed with guns in the past six months, the “No More Names” bus tour left Newtown, CT on Friday. The bus is driving across the country to bring the stories of victims, and the stories of survivors and loved ones to the doors of our leaders.
Please watch and share this video to help spread the word and prevent other families from going through this kind of pain:
25 States. 100 Days. Over the next 100 days, barring action from the President and Congress, more than 3,000 Americans will die from gun violence. Follow the tour and join the campaign to enact gun laws that will protect Americans from gun violence.
The Launch of the No More Names Bus Tour. Today is the 6-month anniversary of the Newtown shooting—and still no action from Congress on gun violence. We gathered this morning in Newtown, CT to remember the 26 who were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary, as well as the 6,000 more who have been murdered since. Over the next 100 days we’re going to show members of Congress that we’re not backing down and we won’t forget.
Bob Schieffer excoriated NSA-leaker Edward Snowden on Face the Nation this morning, not as a traitor but as a coward who fled the country rather than accept responsibility for his actions.
“I like people who are willing to stand up to the government,” Schieffer began. “As a reporter, it’s my job to do that from time to time. Some of the people I admire most are in the government. Men and women who led the civil rights movement— Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr.—they are true heroes. I’m not ready to put Edward Snowden in that category. For one thing, I don’t remember Martin Luther King, Jr. or Rosa Parks running off and hiding in China. The people who led the civil rights movement were willing to break the law and suffer the consequences. That’s a little different than putting the nation’s security at risk and running away.”
Schieffer was careful not to let his disapproval of Snowden be misconstrued as complete acceptance of the surveillance Snowden revealed, but was also careful to criticize a program about which he knew little.
“I know eleven people who died or lost a member of their family on 9/11,” Schieffer said. “My younger daughter lived in Manhattan then. It was six hours before we knew she was safe. I’m not interested in going through that again. I don’t know yet if the government has over-reached since 9/11 to reinforce our defenses, and we need to find out. What I do know, though, is that these procedures were put in place and are being overseen by officials we elected and we should hold them accountable.”
“I think what we have in Edward Snowden is just a narcissistic young man who has decided he is smarter than the rest of us. I don’t know what he is beyond that, but he is no hero. If he has a valid point—and I’m not even sure he does—he would greatly help his cause by voluntarily coming home to face the consequences.”
Bob Schieffer Destroys Snowden: Don’t Remember Martin Luther King Jr. Or Rosa Parks Hiding In China
From My Good Best Friend, Ms. Shelley “Carrots” Peterson:
A Poem I wrote for my Daddy a few father’s Days Back…
But today He requested me to recite it to him again over the phone. I don’t remember if I shared it with you before to post but feel free of course, this is the perfect day right. It may make more sense with the story:
I purchased a large print bible for him as his was very worn and smaller print anyway…so then I wanted it to be more than just a bible and so I tired to hire someone to write a small story about him that turned out to be too expensive and not easy to find a writer I liked, lol.
So I jotted down some short notes on scrap paper and scribbled, scratched and crossed out many times etc. Anyway I was trying to write something to instead of a store bought card and got frustrated … and running out of time went and bought a card…not saying anything special…I purchased a lovely antique style piece of cloth and a long piece of very roman looking tricolor blended rope, to gold tone satin hearts to glue on each end of the ropes so it looked like something from a kings robe, then I wanted a book mark to fit the whole theme so I find a long strand of tiny peal looking beads tied the ends together to form an unbroken circle…So I placed the beads inside the bible as the book marker, gifted wrapped the bible with the large piece of cloth and tied it in a gift bow with the rope.
I thought that would be the best part of the gift for him with the bible of course…but as I gave him the gift and after he read the card I told him Dad wait, I want to tell you why I picked the gift wrapping accessories before you open it and I made a few scribble notes so I wouldn’t leave anything out.
I pulled out my scribble up paper that was folded in my pocket, which was also very wrinkle because I had thrown it away after I got frustrated and decided to buy the card instead ….but it was good enough for me to read my own junkie notes LOL…when I finished I tossed it in the trash as he wiped tears from his eyes holding the unopened gift still on his lap, I wasn’t expecting his emotions like that full tears big smile etc etc…he hadn’t opened the gift yet …anyway after we ate dinner and after cut the his father’s day cake..then he asked for a copy of the speech…omg lol it was just scribble notes written upside down, side ways etc.
I said Dad you can’t read them I really just had abbreviated notes and key words …so he ask me to sit down in his office and write it out where he could read it that is what he wanted before I leave …oh man, Dad really was my thoughts …gee whizzz ….well I really couldn’t remember what all I had just said but I did go home and was able to recreate pretty much what I filled in on that day.
He surprised me a month later when he called me to come down to his office and mounted on the wall of his lobby where you walk in was a long gold in cased picture frame with a gold plated spot light shinning on it from above and they told me to turn around and read it.
It was my words on a cheese type cloth professionally written in calligraphy, the rope was draped around the top and sides of the printing with the 2 hearts on each end the cloth was layered at the bottom of the poem and, he kept the beads as his book mark.
If you don’t know by now, George Zimmermanwill stand trial for the murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in just three short days.
In the year leading up to the highly anticipated trial, GlobalGrind brought you the latest developments in Zimmerman’s case, all while making sure to celebrate Trayvon’s life.
And with the June 10 date right around the corner, we’ve decided to compile all that we know about the trial, and things to look out for in the weeks to come. Take a look at this timeline:
On February 26, Trayvon Martin is walking from his father’s fiancee’s house to the local 7-Eleven store. There, he picks up a bag of Skittles and an iced-tea. It’s about 6:40 pm.
7:10 pm - About 30 minutes later (on his way back), neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman, calls 911 and tells the dispatcher that a “suspicious” guy in a dark hoodie is walking around looking at the houses.
“He looks like he’s up to no good or on drugs or something.”
7:11 pm - A minute later, Trayvon’s girlfriend calls his cell phone. She recalls him saying that a man was following him.
7:12 pm - The dispatcher asks Zimmerman if he is following Trayvon. He replies yes. At this point, he says Trayvon is running towards the back of the entrance of the gated community. The dispatcher tells Zimmerman that he doesn’t have to follow Trayvon, but he pursues anyway. Zimmerman asks if police can be dispatched.
7:13 pm to 7:17 pm - Trayvon’s girlfriend, who has stayed on the phone with him, says she heard Trayvon ask Zimmerman “What are you following me for?” Then, the line went dead. What is known is that Zimmerman shot Trayvon. Zimmerman told police later that he had lost sight of Trayvon on his way back to the vehicle when Trayvon attacked him. He says there was a struggle and he was scared for his life. What is unclear is if Zimmerman was on top of Trayvon, or if Trayvon was on top of Zimmerman. Zimmerman later tells police he shot Trayvon in self defense, although he pursued him. The first officer arrives on the scene at about 7:17 pm.
7:30 pm - Trayvon Martin is confirmed dead.
7:52 pm - Zimmerman, who was handcuffed and taken into custody after the shooting, is let free by officers claiming that there was lack of probable cause to hold or charge him.
Zimmerman Is a Free Man – Community Reacts
On February 29, Sanford police say that Zimmerman was “serving the role of neighborhood watch.” Outraged, the community rallies behind his family to call for Zimmerman’s arrest.
On March 8, Tracy Martin, Trayvon’s father, holds the first press conference to ask that Sanford police arrest Zimmerman. Sanford police chief Bill Lee claims that he did not know Zimmerman had a criminal record. During the rest of the month of March, the family urges for the release of the 911 calls and religious and civil rights leaders gather together to urge the governor and police department to investigate the murder.
It wasn’t until March 16 that police released the 911 phone call and another three days before the FBI and the Justice Department opened an investigation into the shooting of Trayvon.
On March 21, the Sanford City Commission calls for the chief of police to resign. That same day, Trayvon’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, files paperwork to trademark the “I am Trayvon” and “Justice for Trayvon” phrases.
And 45 days after Trayvon’s death, state attorney Angela Corey announces that Zimmerman will be charged with second-degree murder. He turns himself in and is booked into the Seminole County Jail.
A month after the shooting, Zimmerman and his defense set up an official fundraising site to help him raise funds for the trial. In all, they raised about $300,000.
The neighborhood watch captain’s bond was originally set at $150,000, but then a Florida judge ordered Zimmerman to turn himself in within 48 hours. Prosecutors had asked Seminole County Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. to revoke Zimmerman’s bond because they contend that he was disingenuous at an earlier bond hearing when Zimmerman’s family and attorney claimed that he was cash broke.
Shellie Zimmerman Gets Caught Up
Among those who lied about Zimmerman’s funds was his wife, Shellie Zimmerman. She was arrested after lying under oath and pled not guilty to perjury charges. In truth, the couple had access to about $130,000. Just last week at a hearing, she was denied a request to drop the charges.
Bloody Pictures Of Zimmerman Released
Ten months after the shooting, Zimmerman’s defense released pictures of him the night that he claimed Trayvon attacked him. They show a bruised and bloody Zimmerman and could shine light on what exactly happened that night.
Bail Finally Set
Zimmerman finally got out of jail on a $1 million bond in July 2012.
Zimmerman On 24-Hour Watch
Against his attorney’s wishes, a judge ordered that Zimmerman remain on 24-hour GPS monitoring until the June 2013 trial. The defense argued that they are concerned about his safety if Zimmerman is ordered to stay in the Florida county.
Zimmerman Gains Weight
Zimmerman’s lawyers contend that the neighborhood watch captain gained over 100 pounds because of emotional stress and the stress of not having the trial delayed.
Zimmerman Sues NBC
Zimmerman proves that he’s got more fight in him by suing NBC for taking his comments to a 911 dispatcher out of context in an effort to sensationalize the case. The lawsuit accuses the network of removing nearly a minute of dialogue and dead air between Zimmerman and the dispatcher to bring comments that Martin appeared to be “up to no good” and “he looks black” closer together. No word on how that’s going!
Defense Acquires Trayvon’s School Records
Zimmerman’s defense says that some information in Trayvon Martin’s file could be relevant in the defense of George Zimmerman. It’s not entirely clear what the file may reveal, but it’s unlikely that his school records could defend Zimmerman’s self-defense claim. The two don’t have much to do with each other.
New Forensic Evidence Released
Evidence might reveal that Trayvon was leaning over Zimmerman when he was shot, but it also reveals that Zimmerman’s timeline may be inaccurate. Based on the times and distances Zimmerman said he covered, Zimmerman would have still been on the phone with Sanford police.
Zimmerman Goes Broke
Remember that $300,000 that the defense gathered from supporters? According to defense attorney Mark O’Mara, they’ve blown through it all. He also told the court that because the case is out of money, it’s impossible for them to move forward. Apparently, they’ve used about $30,000 a month with the biggest output being the $95,000 given to bail bondsmen who covered his $1 million bail. As of January, the defense had less than $5,000. But in February, the defense set up another donation fund and garnered more than $28,000 in less than a month.
Request To Delay Trial Denied
Citing money issues, the defense requested that the trial should be delayed to give them more time to prepare. At a hearing in February, the judge denied that request. Later this month, a judge also denied the defense’s request to postpone the “Stand Your Ground” hearing that will take place on April 22.
Defense Raises More Money For George Zimmerman
After blowing through the bulk of funds donated to Zimmerman for the trial and claiming that there was no money left to carry on with the case, the defense revealed in early March that they had raised about $54,000 to continue on. But money was the least of their worries – the defense asked for a delay in trial in May, only to be turned down again.
Prosecutors Will Call George Zimmerman’s Wife, Brother, & Mother To Witness Stand
The Zimmermans, wife Shellie, brother Robert and mother Gladys, are all set to take the witness stand to be questioned by prosecutors during the trial. It’s unclear how the family members’ testimonies will aid in convicting Zimmerman of second-degree murder, but his vocal family has a history of digging themselves into holes…for example…
Robert Zimmerman, Jr. Compares Trayvon To A Baby Killer
In a barrage of ridiculous tweets earlier this year, Zimmerman’s brother Robert thought it would be a smart idea to make a parallel between the two teenage boys from Georgia who were charged with murdering a 13-month-old baby and Trayvon. He later apologized, saying his reasoning was to defend his brother, who is being made out to be a “monster” in the media.
Zimmerman Gives Up His Right To A “Stand Your Ground” Hearing
After some back and forth with defense attorney Mark O’Mara about Zimmerman’s “Stand Your Ground” hearing before the trial (which could have absolved him of criminal wrongdoing for killing Trayvon Martin), a judge demanded that a decision be made. In April, Zimmerman appeared before the judge to let her know that he was waiving his right to the hearing.
Voice Expert Reveals Trayvon Yelled “Stop” Before Gunshot
A state voice expert has concluded that Martin’s voice was heard yelling “stop” just before Zimmerman pulled the trigger. Experts initially believed that Trayvon was yelling “help.” Experts also confirmed that the frequency of the voice is appropriate for a 17-year-old and not an adult male, and concluded “tentatively” that the scream heard before the gunshot came from Martin.
Defense Releases Other Photographic Evidence, Including Pictures of Trayvon’s Clothes & Zimmerman’s Bloody Head
Defense attorneys released scores of new photos that they hope will help them as they prepare for the trial on June 10. Photographs of Trayvon’s hoodie, bullet hole visible, and Zimmerman’s bloodied head after the altercation were released. Five other photos show Trayvon just an hour before he was killed at 7-Eleven, buying Skittles and an iced-tea. Check out the photos here.
Defense Releases Photographic Evidence In Attempt To Smear Trayvon
In an attempt to paint 17-year-old Trayvon Martin as a monster or a thug, the defense released evidence they hoped to use during the trial, including text messages from the teen and incriminating photographs – although Trayvon’s previous behavior has nothing to do with his murder, and Zimmerman knew nothing of Trayvon when he shot him dead. There are photos of a marijuana plant, a gun, and a collage of Trayvon smoking a substance, though it’s unclear what it may be. The defense also pulled messages from the slain teen’s phone, including one where Trayvon wrote to a friend about hiding weed and another where the teen tells another person that he is a “gangsta.”
Judge Rules That Trayvon’s Weed Use, Fighting & Text Messages Will Not Be Used In Trial
Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson ruled that Trayvon Martin’s history of marijuana use, fighting, and his text messages will not be allowed in the trial. She also specified that neither party will mention any fighting in opening statements. In this same hearing, Nelson denied the defense’s request to delay the trial…again.
Defense Asks Public For More Money
Out of money for the third time, Zimmerman’s defense takes to their website to ask the public for money. In a matter of 24 hours, the team raises $12,000. In day three, the defense boasted over $34,000. Click here to see who donated…
Defense Apologizes For Mischaracterizing Trayvon
From George Zimmerman’s website: “During the Tuesday, May 28th hearing, Mr. O’Mara misstated the nature of video from Trayvon Martin’s cell phone which was included in the Defendant’s 3rd Supplemental Discovery. He stated that the video showed “two buddies of his beating up a homeless guy,” when what happened was Trayvon Martin, along with a buddy, was videotaping two homeless guys fighting each other over a bike. Though it was unintentional, it is a particular concern to us because we are and have been committed to disputing misinformation in every aspect of this case, not causing it. For that, Mr. O’Mara apologizes.”
What’s Happening Now?
The prosecution and defense are finishing up the last hearing before the June 10 trial this week. Judge Debra S. Nelson will determine if the 911 calls will be admissible.
Key Players In The Case
Below is a list of important people to watch in the 6-week trial. The following are witnesses, attorneys, and key people that will provide key information that determines Zimmerman’s fate.
You can also get your trial updates from GlobalGrind’s own EIC, Michael Skolnik, our News & Politics Editor, Christina Coleman, and boss man, Russell Simmons.
Florida teen Trayvon Martin was killed 26 February 2012 by George Zimmerman, a 28 year-old volunteer for the area’s neighborhood watch, and the incident touched off a new round of debate on police conduct, gun laws and racial profiling. Martin was a 17 year-old African American from the Miami area, visiting his father’s fianceé at her home in Retreat at Twin Lakes, a gated community in Sanford, Florida, a suburb of Orlando.
On a Sunday evening around 7 p.m., George Zimmerman called the non-emergency police number to report Martin as someone who “looks like he’s up to no good.” Martin, it was later established, was walking home unarmed from a convenience store, having purchased candy (Skittles) and beverage (Arizona brand iced tea). Zimmerman, who was armed with a 9mm pistol, followed Martin briefly, and at some point an altercation ensued.
By 7:30, Martin was dead, and police on the scene detained Zimmerman, but released him without arrest after he claimed self-defense. Two weeks later, the Sanford Police Department turned the case over to the State’s Attorney, who initiated an independent investigation. A recording of the call Zimmerman made to police on the night of the shooting was made public on 16 March, and raised new questions.
Conflicting witness reports in the press and the official clampdown on information fueled a media frenzy; in the absence of information, speculation ran rampant. Some accused Zimmerman of assuming Martin was a criminal simply because he was a young black man in a hooded sweatshirt. Others deemed Zimmerman justified in his actions.
Rallies were held around the country for the slain teenager, and “hoodies” were worn in a show of solidarity.
The entire Miami Heat NBA Team wearing “Hoodies Up” in solidarity with Trayvon
Zimmerman ducked publicity while the investigation continued. The United States Justice Department and the FBI also began investigations, based on the possibility that Trayvon Martin’s civil rights had been violated. Florida prosecutors arrested George Zimmerman, and in late April of 2012 he was charged with second-degree murder.
The murder trial of Trayvon Benjamin Martin starts Monday, June 10th, 2013.
Sharpton asked Mark O’Mara about information released by the defense about Martin last week, about voice experts who have said the screams for help on the 911 calls on the night of the February 2012 shooting were not Zimmerman’s voice, and whether Sanford, Florida police erred in not initially arresting Zimmerman.
Motions:
– State –
- Motion to compel Shellie Zimmerman to testify at deposition
- Motion in limine regarding toxicology
- Motion in limine regarding prior criminal history
- Motion in limine regarding calling of witnesses
- Motion in limine regarding opinion as to appropriate penalty or disregard of law
- Motion to limit improper opinion evidence
- Motion regarding court to order defendant to comply with discovery obligations
- Motion in limine regarding Trayvon Martin
- Motion for gag
– Defense –
- Motion to allow jury to inspect incident scene at trial
- Motion for an anonymous jury
- Motion to establish reasonable expert fee (Owen)
- Motion for Evidentiary Hearing
George Zimmerman 5/28 Press Conference Trayvon Martin Att‘y/Family
Published on May 28, 2013
Trayvon martins att’y/family at press conference aftrer hearing.
George Zimmerman 5/28 Mark O’mara at Press conference
Published on May 28, 2013
Mark O’Mara at 5/28 press conference.
This man went on Piers Morgan‘s show that night and said that Trayvon was going to get a gun. Continuing to make things up that never happened.
Maybe the State should open that door.
I’d like to see O’Mara try to argue that because Trayvon smoked weed at some point in the future, he deserved to be killed…because “deserve” to be killed is all he can say….considering there’s none of George’s DNA on Trayon’s hands…so no beating occurred.
I’d like to see him say in court that Trayvon Martin was a bad person – a thug, and thugs cannot be murdered, they can only be executed…because that IS what he’s saying.
I like that at 11:46 Mark O’Mara slipped and said that he was glad that it would “not just focus on the victim’s right.” He acknowledges that Trayvon Martin was the victim. Freudian slips? He knows his client is not the victim.
GEORGE ZIMMERMAN MUCH HEAVIER SINCE SHOOTING TRAYVON MARTIN
Benjamin Crump, center, attorney for Trayvon Martin’s family, speaks to members of the media after a hearing for George Zimmerman with Marion Evans, left, Trayvon Martin’s grandmother and Sybrina Fulton, right, Trayvon Martin’s mother, at the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, in Sanford, Fla.
Sybrina Fulton (L), the mother of shooting victim Trayvon Martin, and her attorney Benjamin Crump attend a pre-trial hearing on Tuesday May 28, 2013 in Sanford.
While in his vehicle on a personal errand, Zimmerman noticed Martin walking inside the community. Zimmerman called the Sanford Police Department to report Martin’s behavior as suspicious, stating “This guy looks like he’s up to no good, or he’s on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around, looking about” and “looking at all the houses”. According to a police report, “there is no indication that Trayvon Martin was involved in any criminal activity at the time of the encounter”. While still on the phone with the police dispatcher, Zimmerman left his vehicle. After the phone call concluded, there was a violent encounter between Martin and Zimmerman. The encounter ended with Zimmerman fatally shooting Martin once in the chest at close range.
When police arrived on the scene, Zimmerman told them that Martin had attacked him and that he had shot Martin in self-defense. Zimmerman was bleeding from the nose and from two vertical lacerations on the back of his head. EMTs treated Zimmerman at the scene, after which he was taken to the Sanford Police Department. Zimmerman was detained and questioned for approximately five hours. He was then released without being charged; at the time, police said they found no evidence to contradict Zimmerman’s claim of self-defense.
The circumstances of Martin’s death, the initial decision not to charge Zimmerman, and questions about Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law received national and international attention. Allegations of racist motivation for both the shooting and police conduct, along with intense media reporting that was sometimes inaccurate, contributed to public demands for Zimmerman’s arrest. On March 22, 2012, a Special Prosecutor was appointed to take over the investigation.
On April 11, 2012, the Special Prosecutor filed a charge of murder in the second degree against Zimmerman, who then turned himself in and was placed in custody. The prosecution’s account of what they allege happened on the night of the shooting is largely contained in the Affidavit of Probable Cause. Zimmerman pleaded not guilty to the charge and is currently out on a $1 million bond while he awaits trial.
In February 2013, Judge Debra S. Nelson set Zimmerman’s jury selection to begin on June 10, with 500 potential jurors being summoned.Zimmerman had requested a “stand your ground” hearing, but in March 2013, his defense elected to bypass the hearing so that his case would be tried before a jury.
Trayvon Benjamin Martin
Trayvon Martin in an undated photo
Born
February 5, 1995
Died
February 26, 2012 (aged 17)
Cause of death
Single gunshot fired at
intermediate range
Ethnicity
African American
Height
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight
158 pounds (72 kg)
Trayvon Martin
Trayvon Benjamin Martin (February 5, 1995 – February 26, 2012) was the son of Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, who were divorced in 1999. He was a junior at Dr. Michael M. Krop High Schooland lived with his mother and older brother in Miami Gardens, Florida.
On the day Martin was fatally shot, he and his father were visiting his father’s fiancée and her son at her townhome in The Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford, a multi-ethnic gated community, where the shooting occurred. Martin had visited his father’s fiancée at Twin Lakes several times.
The initial police report from the night of the shooting lists Martin’s height as 6’0″ (1.83 m) and weight as 160 lb (73 kg), while that night Zimmerman estimated Martin’s height at 5’11″ to 6’2″. The morning after the shooting, an autopsy found that Martin’s body was 5’11″ (1.80 m) long and weighed 158 lb (72 kg). Other values for Martin’s height of 6’2″ (1.88 m) and 6’3″ (1.91 m), and weight of no more than 150 lb (68 kg), were reported as being given by Martin’s family.
Martin had been suspended from school at the time of his death, his third disciplinary suspension of the year. One suspension was for tardiness. Another suspension was for graffiti, when Martin was observed by a security camera in a restricted area of the school marking up a door with “W.T.F.” When he was later searched by a Miami-Dade School Police Department officer, looking for the graffiti marker, the officer found several pieces of women’s jewelry in his backpack, which Martin said were not his, stating a friend had given them to him. A screwdriver was also found, which was described by the school police investigator as a burglary tool.
The jewelry was impounded and given to the police, but no evidence ever surfaced to indicate that the jewelry was stolen. Martin’s third suspension involved a marijuana pipe, and an empty bag containing marijuana residue. Martin was not charged with any crime related to these incidents and did not have a juvenile record. Judge Nelson ruled that the defense may have access to Martin’s records, including the details of these suspensions, as well as access to Martin’s social media sites, but has not ruled on if they will be admissible as evidence during the trial.
Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump said the parents had never heard about the bag of jewelry and that it was completely irrelevant to what happened on February 26. Martin’s parents and their attorneys also said the defense’s request for school records and social media was a “fishing expedition” aimed at attacking their son and an attempt to assassinate his character.
George Zimmerman
George Zimmerman after his arrest in April 2012
George Michael Zimmerman was born on October 5, 1983, in Manassas, Virginia, and is the son of Gladys (née Mesa) Zimmerman, who was born in Peru, and Robert Zimmerman, Sr., a retired Virginia magistrate. He was raised Catholic in a family that his father has described as “multiracial;” his father is an American of German descent and his mother is Peruvian with some black ancestry through her Afro-Peruvian maternal grandfather. Zimmerman’s voter registration record lists him as Hispanic.
Zimmerman’s height is shown as 5′7″ (1.70 m); and his weight as 185 lb (84 kg) on his Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Booking Information dated 4/11/2012, the date of his arrest. Zimmerman’s height is shown as 5′8″ (1.73 m); and his weight at 200 lb (91 kg) on the Sanford Police Department Offense Report for 2/26/2012, the night of the shooting.
In 2009, Zimmerman had moved with his wife to The Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford, Florida, a multi-ethnic gated community, where the shooting occurred. At the time of the shooting, he was employed as an insurance underwriter and was in his final semester at Seminole State College for an associate degree in Criminal Justice. In late 2011, he was refused an associate’s degree. He had failed at least one class and had not accumulated enough credits to graduate. In one of his interviews with police he stated his goal was to become a judge.
In 2005, Zimmerman was charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, after shoving an officer while a friend of Zimmerman’s was being questioned about underage drinking. The charges were reduced, then dropped when Zimmerman entered a pre-trial diversion program. Also in 2005, Zimmerman’s ex-fiance filed a restraining order against him, alleging domestic violence. Zimmerman requested a reciprocal restraining order. Both orders were granted. The incidents were raised by prosecutors at Zimmerman’s initial bond hearing. The judge described the incidents as “run of the mill” and “somewhat mild” and rejected the prosecution’s claim that the incidents showed that Zimmerman was violent or a threat to the community.
Sanford Police Department
Bill Lee had been chief of the Sanford Police Department for ten months when the shooting occurred. Prior to Lee becoming chief, the department had been accused of protecting relatives of police officers involved in violent incidents with blacks, and the Martin case increased distrust between the police and Sanford’s black community.
On March 22, Chief Lee temporarily stepped down from his position due to public criticism over his handling of the Trayvon Martin shooting. In April, the Sanford City Commission refused to accept Lee’s resignation and stated that “Lee’s spotless record showed there needed to be further review to determine if he failed in his duties.” Lee was fired on June 20, 2012 by Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte. Lee responded by saying “I continue to stand by the work performed by the Sanford Police Department in this tragic shooting, which has been plagued by misrepresentations and false statements for interests other than justice.”
On June 26, 2012, the lead investigator of the case, Christopher Serino, was transferred out of the Sanford Police Department’s investigative unit and reassigned to the patrol division at his own request. Serino said he felt pressured by several of his fellow police officers to press charges on Zimmerman when he believed there was not enough evidence to do so, and that one of the officers pressuring him was friendly with Martin’s father.
In September, 2012, Orlando TV station WFTV released a memo from the interim police chief Richard Myers blaming the police department spokesman, Sgt. David Morgenstern, for mishandling the Travyon Martin case and removed him from his spokeperson position.
The prosecutor initially responsible for the case was Norm Wolfinger, a State Attorney whose jurisdiction included Seminole County where the shooting occurred on February 26, 2012. On March 22, 2012, he requested to be removed from the case to help “tone down the rhetoric” for the public good.
On March 22, 2012, Florida Governor Rick Scott announced his appointment of Angela Corey as the Special Prosecutor in the Martin investigation. She is the State Attorney for Duval, Clay and Nassau counties. When Corey took the case, she chose Bernie de la Rionda as lead prosecutor. Rionda was an Assistant State Attorney in Corey’s office and had been a prosecutor for 29 years.
Defense attorneys
Craig Sonner and Hal Uhrig were the first lawyers to represent George Zimmerman. On April 10, 2012, they withdrew from the case.
On April 11, 2012, Mark M. O’Mara announced that he was the new attorney representing Zimmerman. O’Mara is president of the Seminole County Bar Association, is a legal commentator for WKMG news, and had previously tried cases that involved the Stand Your Ground law. When he took the case, O’Mara said that Zimmerman had no money and that the state may help pay the costs. When reporters asked why he took the case, O’Mara said, “That’s what I do.”
On May 31, 2012, Orlando attorney Don West left his job as a federal public defender to join the defense team led by O’Mara. West specialized in murder cases and had been a board certified criminal trial specialist for 25 years. He and O’Mara had been friends for a long time.
Martin family attorneys
Benjamin Crump, the lawyer representing the interests of the Martin family, operates a law firm in Tallahassee, Florida, with his partner Daryl Parks. The firm has eight lawyers who focus on wrongful death, malpractice, personal injury and civil rights. In 2006, Crump sued to have the video released in the case of Martin Anderson, a teenager who died at a boot camp run by the Bay County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office. The Martin family is also represented by Natalie Jackson, an Orlando civil rights attorney.
Judges
Judge Debra S. Nelson of the 18th Circuit Court of Florida is the third judge to preside over the case. Nelson has been a judge for thirteen years, much of it handling criminal matters. Before becoming a judge she worked in civil litigation. Nelson succeeded Judge Kenneth Lester on August 30, 2012, after a Florida appeals court ruled that remarks he made about Zimmerman could make a reasonable person believe he was biased against him. Lester had taken over the case in April, 2012, after Judge Jessica Recksiedler recused herself due to a potential conflict of interest.
Court proceedings
Charges
On April 11, 2012, George Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. In support of the charges, the State filed an affidavit of probable cause, stating that Zimmerman profiled and confronted Martin and shot him to death while Martin was committing no crimes. Florida State Attorney Angela Corey announced the charges against Zimmerman during a live press conference and reported that Zimmerman was in custody after turning himself in to law enforcement. In Florida, a conviction for second degree murder carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. If a firearm was used then the mandatory minimum is 25 years in state prison.
Pre-trial
A hearing was held, in which Judge Mark Herr ruled that the affidavit was legally sufficient to establish probable cause. Court documents, including witness statements and other information, were sealed. Zimmerman’s arraignment was scheduled for May 29. Judge Jessica Recksiedler recused herself as the primary trial judge, due to a potential conflict of interest and Judge Kenneth Lester, Jr., was appointed by the chief judge to take over the Zimmerman case.
Initially, Zimmerman was released on a $150,000 bond and was fitted with an electronic monitoring device that revealed his whereabouts in real-time. At the hearing, Zimmerman took the witness stand and told the parents of Martin he was “sorry for the loss of your son”. Zimmerman’s attorney, waived Zimmerman’s right to appear at an arraignment and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. The defense team announced that it would seek a “stand your ground” hearing because case evidence shows “clear support for a strong claim of self-defense.”
Judge Lester ordered that the defense have access to Trayvon Martin’s personal records including records from middle and high school, his cell phone, and access to posts he made on Facebook and Twitter as well as tweets from a girl Martin was on the phone with the night he was killed. On October 19, Judge Nelson granted the request for the defense to have access to Martin’s school records and social media posts, In her ruling, the judge stated that Zimmerman’s attorneys need to know whether Martin’s school records and social media postings reveal any evidence that he had violent tendencies. Martin’s parents and their attorneys said the defense’s request for school records and social media was a “fishing expedition” aimed at attacking their son and an attempt to assassinate his character. Judge Nelson also ruled that Zimmerman’s medical records should be provided to prosecutors. Nelson will review the medical records and decide whether anything should be withheld.
The defense also requested from ABC News and reporter Matt Gutman all their recordings, notes and correspondence related to Witness Number 8, Trayvon Martin’s girlfriend. She says she was on the phone with Martin just before he was shot. O’Mara’s motion stated the call lasted more than 26 minutes and the recording they received from the authorities was only 12 minutes, 44 seconds long.
Zimmerman’s bond revocation
In June, of 2012, Judge Lester granted a motion to revoke Zimmerman’s bond. The prosecution alleged that Zimmerman and his wife had misled the court by failing to reveal a large amount of money they had received through donations and that they had used a “rudimentary ‘code’ to discuss the money in recorded jailhouse phone calls—referring to $100,000, for example, as ‘$100.’”
On July 5, 2012, Judge Lester set Zimmerman’s bond at $1 million with several conditions – that he be electronically monitored, reside in Seminole County, have no bank accounts or passport and observe a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew. Lester said he granted bond “because Zimmerman posed no threat to the community.” Zimmerman was released on July 6.
Discovery evidence
In May 2012, the defense received the first round of discovery evidence; 67 compact discs, a list of witnesses that included 50 possible law enforcement officers, 28 officers from the Sanford Police Department, 28 civilian witnesses, members of Martin’s family, two of Zimmerman’s friends and his father, Robert Zimmerman. Also listed as potential prosecution witnesses were technicians in biological and DNA evidence, trace evidence, gunshot residue, fingerprints and firearms, two FBI agents, and two audio technicians who analyzed the emergency calls made during the confrontation to determine who was heard screaming in the background. Additional evidence released were audio and video recordings, photos, witness statements, forensic findings, Martin’s autopsy report, evidence taken from Zimmerman after the shooting; his weapon, bullets, clothes, a DNA sample, medical records and his cell phone data.
In June, 2012, the prosecution released recordings of two 911 calls placed by Martin’s father the morning after the shooting. In the calls, Mr. Martin expressed worry that his son had not returned home, and inquired about filing a missing person report. Additional discovery released was a report containing the results of Zimmerman’s voice stress test, and Zimmerman’s account of the events and written statements.The defense also released audio and video recordings of Zimmerman’s police interviews and re-enactment following the shooting.
In July, 2012, evidence released was; FBI interviews with people involved in the case, including Sanford police officers, family, friends and associates of Zimmerman. Also released were photos of Martin’s bloodied sweatshirt and hoodie with a single bullet hole and several phone calls made by Zimmerman to Sanford police to report suspicious activity in the six months leading up to his encounter with Martin.
In August, 2012, the State’s 6th Supplemental Discovery, included 76 pages containing the audio statement from witness 31, three photos taken by witness 13 at the scene showing the back of Zimmerman’s head, a flashlight on the ground, the FDLE report with analyst’s notes, emails from the Sanford Police Department, copies of Tracy Martin’s 911 call reporting his son missing and Zimmerman’s Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Academy application.
In September, 2012, the DNA report on the gun used in the shooting was released with only Zimmerman’s DNA being found on the gun, no trace of Martin’s.
On December 3, 2012, defense attorney Mark O’Mara stated that he was “frustrated” that in the original discovery, a grainy black and white photo of Zimmerman had been substituted for the original color photo of Zimmerman’s bloody nose. Criminal attorney David Wohl said the submission of the copy “borders on prosecutorial misconduct”.
Removal of Judge Lester
In July, 2012, Zimmerman’s lawyer filed a motion to disqualify Judge Kenneth R. Lester. O’Mara said Judge Lester had made disparaging and gratuitous remarks about his client in a July, 2012 bond order. The defense said the judge’s statement that he believed Zimmerman had misled the court at his first hearing “indicates bias against the party”, and would impact Zimmerman’s ability to get a fair trial. The state criticized the motion for citing “facts that are inaccurate, misleading and/or incomplete”.
On August 1, Judge Lester ruled that he would not recuse himself, stating that the defendant’s motion was denied for being legally insufficient. Zimmerman’s attorney filed an appeal in August, 2012, with a Florida appeals court to reconsider a ruling by Judge Lester refusing to step down from the case. On August 29, 2012, the Fifth District Court of Appeals granted the petition for a new judge for Zimmerman. This was the second judge to be removed from Zimmerman’s case. Judge Jessica Recksiedler removed herself from the case in April because of a conflict of interest. On August 30, 2012, Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson, who has been on the bench for 13 years, was assigned the Zimmerman case.
Trial
Jury selection is scheduled for June 10, 2013, with 500 potential jurors being summoned.
“Stand your ground” laws
Self-defense laws in the United States, particularly regarding justifiable homicide, vary by state. Florida law, as of 2005, includes a “stand your ground” provision, under which a person, who reasonably fears death or great bodily harm (the ordinary deadly self-defense requirement) is relieved of the common-law requirement that one first attempt to retreat, if one can safely do so, before using deadly force.
In almost all states, such laws exempt people in their own homes; Florida’s version extends the no-retreat doctrine to vehicles and public places. In at least 17 states, including Florida, there is no duty to retreat before using force. After the shooting, media reports had indicated that Zimmerman would most likely use the “Stand Your Ground” provision in Florida’s self-defense law. According to Durell Peaden, one of the sponsors of the Florida law, the law does not say that a person has a right to confront another. “When [Zimmerman] said ‘I’m following him’, he lost his defense.” However, the same Mar 20, 2012, article goes on to state, “Peaden and Baxley said they didn’t know all the facts of the case, so their interpretations of what happened could change if new information arises during the investigation.”
According to David Kopel, if Martin first attacked Zimmerman, the claim of self-defense by Zimmerman would be valid under the usual self-defense laws that didn’t include the “Stand your ground” law. On the other hand, if Zimmerman stalked and attacked Martin, the “Stand your ground” law would not protect Zimmerman from prosecution. In either case, the Florida “Stand your ground” law would be irrelevant.
However, the “Stand Your Ground” law grants Zimmerman the right to a pretrial hearing where a judge could find Zimmerman immune from prosecution and dismiss the charges without going to trial. The defense would need to show through a preponderance of the evidence, i.e. show with more than 50% certainty, that Zimmerman thought he would be killed or seriously injured.
Three weeks after the shooting, Florida authorities announced they had picked 19 people to head up a task force to review the Florida statute that deals with justifiable use of force, including the stand your ground provision. After six months of work, the result was that the task force did not recommend significant changes to the law.
On January 16, 2013, Trayvon Martin’s mother and Democratic lawmakers in Florida called for the repeal of the states “stand your ground” law.
Trayvon Martin’s Father: ‘Trayvon Saved My Life’
Published on Mar 22, 2012
Killer Vigilante George Zimmerman ‘Lynched’ Trayvon Martin For Carrying a Bag of Skittles and Iced Tea.
Trayvon Martin’s Mother: ‘There is a Hole in My Heart’
Trayvon Martin’s Parents Speak at ‘Million Hoodie’ Rally in New York City
Florida’s “Shoot First” Law Critiqued By Gun Control Lobby Following Trayvon Martin Shooting
Published on Mar 20, 2012
democracynow.org – We speak with Caroline Brewer of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence about how the killing of Trayvon Martin has brought renewed scrutiny to Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law, also referred to by critics as the “shoot first” law. Backed by the National Rifle Association, the law expands the right of citizens to claim self-defense in the killing of others. More than 20 states have similar measures in place. Martin says the law allowed Floridians with criminal backgrounds — including many who plead guilty to assault, burglaries and child molestation — to obtain concealed carry licenses. “You’re talking about people who are dangerous, people who are violent, and yet just within a short time after the law was passed, Florida had hundreds and hundreds of these people with these licenses to go out and kill somebody else,” Brewer says. “And pretty much it was their word against the other person’s.”
Trayvon Martin’s Death Sparks National Outcry For Justice
George Zimmerman is seen in a photo shortly after he shot and killed Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., in February.
A Florida judge has set June 10, 2013 as the start date of the murder trial of George Zimmerman.
Attorneys in the case said they estimate the trial will last three weeks, and Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda said he expected the jury selection would take longer than the trial itself, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
Circuit Court Judge Debra Nelson was appointed to the case in late August after the former judge in the case made disparaging remarks about Zimmerman’s character and advocated for additional charges against him during a bond hearing.
Zimmerman is currently out of jail on bail. He and his wife, Shellie, who is charged with perjury in the case for her claims that the couple had no money at a bond hearing, are both living in hiding in Seminole County, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Out of the public eye for weeks, George Zimmerman is finally back in court and HLN will be covering it LIVE on Tuesday starting at 9 am.
There is a critical hearing next Tuesday in George Zimmerman’s case, and it could be one of the last pre-trial hearings before his trial gets under way.
Jury selection for Zimmerman’s trial is scheduled to begin June 10.
Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty to a second-degree murder charge for shooting Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012. The teenager was returning from a convenience store and was unarmed. Zimmerman told police he shot the teen in self-defense.
At the hearing Tuesday, attorneys will argue several motions filed by the defense. The defense wants the prosecution to turn over phone records from Zimmerman and his wife.
Zimmerman’s attorneys also want access to the confidential settlement agreement between the Martin family and the homeowners association of the neighborhood where Martin was shot.
Zimmerman’s attorneys are also asking Judge Debra Nelson to sanction the prosecution for violating rules of discovery for failing to turn over evidence in a timely manner.
The court could also hear arguments Tuesday about a motion the prosecutors filed this week. Prosecutors want Zimmerman to declare in open court whether he is going to ask for immunity under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. During a hearing held in March, Zimmerman’s attorney Mark O’Mara said his client was not going to pursue immunity under the “Stand Your Ground” law and will continue directly to his trial. For prosecutors, O’Mara’s statement isn’t enough, they want Zimmerman to say on the record whether he will pursue immunity.
The motion prosecutors filed this week asks the judge to advise Zimmerman of his rights under the “Stand Your Ground Law,” and to ask him directly under oath whether he is waiving his rights under the law. Zimmerman is expected to attend Tuesday’s hearing.
All the jockeying for the best possible position in this long awaited trial is over. On June 10th, 2013, jury selection will begin and unless a meteor from the Planet Krypton crashes into planet Earth…this trial will happen.
If justice is true, after the trial is finished, George Zimmerman will be sentenced…..to join Trayvon Martin….in death.
Handout / Reuters
Jueseppi B.
