Updates to our Terms of Use

We are updating our Terms of Use. Please carefully review the updated Terms before proceeding to our website.

Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Evidence Admission Uncertain|in Zimmerman Murder Trial

SANFORD, Fla. (CN) - After a Thursday hearing in which a voice heard screaming for help could not be identified, it is uncertain whether audio experts will testify when George Zimmerman goes to trial Monday for the murder of Trayvon Martin.

Seminole County Judge Debra Nelson recessed the hearing just after 5 p.m. Thursday to be continued today.

Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder for shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin to death Feb. 26, 2012.

Zimmerman claims he killed the unarmed teen in self-defense, legally, under Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law.

In a 911 call made the night of the shooting, a voice can be heard screaming for help in the background. Zimmerman claims it's him. Martin's parents claim it's their son screaming for his life.

FBI voice examiner Hirotaka Nakasone said Thursday that in the 45-second sample there were only 3 seconds in which the screams were not obscured.

Zimmerman's defense team also has filed motions asking prosecutors to be barred from using certain "inflammatory" phrases, including "profiled," "vigilante," "self-appointed neighborhood watch captain," "wannabe cop," "he got out of the car after the police told him not to," and "He confronted Trayvon Martin."

They also asked that Zimmerman be allowed to travel to Orange County, Fla., and that his curfew be extended from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Zimmerman's attorney Mark O'Mara filed another motion asking the judge to prohibit courtroom spectators from wearing clothing that expresses support for Trayvon or the state.

Zimmerman's legal team also wants prosecutors sanctioned for not turning over all the evidence in Martin's phone.

O'Mara apologized earlier this week for saying that one of the videos in Martin's phone showed him referreeing a fight in which two men beat up a homeless man. The video actually showed two homeless men fighting over a bicycle.

The hearing continues today. Nelson is expected to decide whether jurors can hear opinions on who yelled for help.

Categories / Uncategorized

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Loading...