This summer, America waited in anticipation for a verdict that would have people talking for months.
The trial of George Zimmerman and the events that transpired during his altercation with Trayvon Martin reached its pinnacle in late June and early July as prosecutors carefully questioned Zimmerman and other witnesses involved in the case.
“We are confident that at the end of this trial you will know in your head, in your heart, in your stomach that George Zimmerman did not shoot Trayvon Martin because he had to,” said prosecutor John Guy. “He shot him for he worst of all reasons, because he wanted to.”
The prosecution claims that Zimmerman had profiled the teenager because of his race, and then against police orders, followed him and then killed him. However, the defense claims that Zimmerman had used his firearm in self-defense and that Trayvon Martin had knocked Zimmerman to the ground and then began assaulting him and beating his head into the cement sidewalk.
Then the case began to develop more as witnesses began to be questioned.
Rachel Jeantel, the 19 year-old friend of Martin was the first witness to testify. Jeantel testified that she was on the phone with Martin right before the shooting took place and claims she hears Martin say, “Why are you following me for? Get off, get off.”
George Zimmerman’s neighbor, John Good, was questioned next. Good testifies that he saw Martin on top of Zimmerman throwing punches. However, he also said he could not tell if it was Zimmerman or Martin calling for help, nor did he actually see any of the punches connect.
Next, Martins mother and father testifies. Martins mother, Sybrina Fulton, says that the screaming coming from the 911 call was her son. Martins father, Tracy Martin, was asked whether the voice on the 911 call was his son, he turned away and under his breath, said no. The prosecution says it might have just been a denial of his son’s death.
On July 9, Dr. Vincent DiMaio, the former chief medical examiner in San Antonio, Texas, testifies that the trajectory of the bullet and the traces of gunpowder are consistent with Zimmerman’s claim that Martin was over him and leaning forward at the time Martin was shot.
Dennis Root, a public safety consultant called by the defense, testifies that martin was probably in better shape than Zimmerman. During the cross-examination, the prosecution uses a foam dummy to demonstrate the difficulty Zimmerman would have had reaching his gun with Martin on top of him, which was the claim of the defense. However, Root later agreed with the defense team that Zimmerman could have probably reached around Martin to get his gun.
The court was notified that George Zimmerman would not testify, and the jury was sent away to talk and come up with a verdict.
