George Zimmerman Real Time Trial Thread *No Discussion* 7/3/13

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Tricia

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Dear Webseuths Members,

We know many of you want to discuss the facts of the case and as long as the discussion is civil you may discuss the case in general in this link below:

[ame="http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213157"]George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin General discussion - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community[/ame]


This thread is for REAL TIME COURTROOM updates.

If those of you watching could please update this thread as much as possible it will be greatly appreciated by those unable to watch the trial while at work.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Tricia
 
Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 22m
Judge shuts down O'Mara as he argues that #trayvonmartin history should be fair game if she allows #zimmerman records.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 28m
O'Mara is up first for the defense.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 29m
Attorneys are about to argue over admissibility of #Zimmerman school and other records. #trayvonmartin

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 30m
We are back in session.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 3h
School records at issue in #Zimmerman murder trial (from @AP) #trayvonmartin http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=uMahkian …

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 14h
Prosecutors attack #Zimmerman story several ways (from @AP) #trayvonmartin http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=L1u7XRKp …

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 15h
Updated: Prosecutors want to use #Zimmerman school records (from @AP) #trayvonmartin http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=L1u7XRKp …
 
Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 2m
Mantei says records go to #Zimmerman state of mind that he wanted to be a police officer and still does accord to hmwk assignments

Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 2m
Mantei is loading up on case law to back up his arguments. #zimmerman

Jeff Weiner Jeff Weiner ‏@JeffWeinerOS 7m
Mantei citing caselaw, using powerpoint presentation. Notes state has burden to disprove #GeorgeZimmerman self-defense claim. #TrayvonMartin
Retweeted by Kyle Hightower

Tony Pipitone Tony Pipitone ‏@TonyPipitone 7m
State notes anything that "tends to prove or disprove a material fact" should come in, i.e. wannabe cop learned self-defense law, profiling.
Retweeted by Kyle Hightower

Yamiche Alcindor Yamiche Alcindor ‏@Yamiche 8m
Mantei: The jury should know that #GeorgeZimmerman was taking classes on criminal litigation and investigation.
Retweeted by Kyle Hightower

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 7m
Mantei: "This is simply a fact the jury ought to know."

Natalie Tolomeo Natalie Tolomeo ‏@NatalieTolomeo 14m
Prosecutor Richard Mantei arguing now that GZ's frustrations are "part of what's going on here" #ZimmermanTrial #Zimmerman #TrayvonMartin
Retweeted by Kyle Hightower

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 14m
Prosecutor Mantei is now up to respond.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 17m
O'Mara says that any relevance if the records outweighs prejudice to #zimmerman
 
Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 1m
The state says #Zimmermanon9 's interest in law enforcement could show his state of mind that night.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 3m
The state says there's nothing wrong with #Zimmermanon9 's desire to be an officer but it's relevant and defense has not shown prejudice.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 5m
The state says #Zimmermanon9 still wants to be an officer and studied "how to be a good witness.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 7m
The state says #Zimmermanon9 's state of mind, motive and whether he was observing or profiling are relevant.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 10m
The state calls #Zimmermanon9 's frustration with intruders getting away was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 11m
The state says it's relevant to a material fact not a collateral issue and it has a number of reasons to present it. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 14m
The state says #Zimmermanon9 's background helps explain why he did what he did.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 15m
The state says #Zimmermanon9 used police jargon.. Like "I unholstered my firearm".

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 17m
The state says it has more than one theory and #Zimmermanon9 's records his show his ambition and frustration as a wannabe cop.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 21m
The defense says the state is going down a dangerous path bringing up #Zimmermanon9 's past. He believes it opens the door to Martin's past.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 24m
Rest this week. We don't know when she will be called to testify about the screams for help on the 911 recording. 2/2 #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 26m
Sybrina Fulton is wearing glasses again today and has her hair in an "up hairdo" again today. The state is expected to 1/2 #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 28m
The defense says #Zimmermanon9 's police ride along two years ago is not relevant and neither is his past police application in Virginia.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 30m
The judge says that's not a "tit for tat" legal issue. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 31m
The defense says if she allows #Zimmermanon9 's school records in.. She should allow Martin's records of fighting in. The judge interrupted.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 33m
Court is in. The defense says the state's assertion that #Zimmermanon9 took a class about stand your ground is not true.. Not in the book.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 39m
WATCH LIVE: Attorneys argue at 8:30am on admissibility of #Zimmerman's criminal justice school records: http://at.wftv.com/15QGYxF via @WFTV
 
Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 1m
The defense says the state is trying to use the judge to pull a fast one. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 55s
The defense says the state is trying to slip in the records under the pretense that it's not trying to prove "bad acts". #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 1m
The defense asked for more time to respond and the judge cut him off. #Zimmermanon9

Jeff Weiner Jeff Weiner ‏@JeffWeinerOS 3m
O'Mara: State will use #GeorgeZimmerman's class work as bad acts, didn't give proper notice. #TrayvonMartin #ZimmermanTrial
Retweeted by Kyle Hightower

Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 1m
O'Mara argues that state must prove relevance before trying to use records to paint #zimmerman as wannabe cop

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 2m
The defense says the state missed a deadline to argue this evidence as prior bad acts and but is trying to use it that way. #Zimmermanon9

Mantei rebutted, saying the defense could not site any law to back up that this info is irrelevant because there is not any.

Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 22s
The judge will allow the testimony because she's decided it goes to a material issue in the state's case. #Zimmermanon9
 
In a 15 min. recess before next state witness...
 
Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 5m
The defense is trying to decide how mention of "bad credit" on #Zimmermanon9 's police application should be handled or redacted.

Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 1m
Judge allows school records in #Zimmerman trial (from @AP) #trayvonmartin http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=uMahkian …

[Registar is excused with no defense questions]

Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 52s
Melvin testifies #zimmerman was supposed to graduate in spring 2012. No cross. She is off the stand.

Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 20s
The registrar is validating #Zimmermanon9 's college records.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 1m
The state has called Sonja Bowles-Melvin who is the registrar at Seminole State College. #Zimmermanon9

WFTV Eyewitness News WFTV Eyewitness News ‏@WFTV 3m
UPDATE: Judge allows evidence of #Zimmerman's criminal justice course, past: http://at.wftv.com/11g1mu5 #Zimmermanon9
Retweeted by Kathi Belich, WFTV

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 4m
The jury is coming in. #Zimmermanon9
 
Yamiche Alcindor ‏@Yamiche 1m
Don West up for cross. He's pointing out that Kearns doesn't have knowledge of #GeorgeZimmerman 's application.
Retweeted by Kyle Hightower

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 42s
Kearns says official applications are destroyed after 3 yrs. but retains some info. [only a computer printout with basic info [DOB, SSN, gender, race, credit history/was the reason GZ was not considered for position/as LE he would be subject to a criminal/a bad risk/when credit improved he could reapply]

Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 6m
The defense asked Prince William county officer Scott Kearns who #Zimmermanon9 used as a reference but the records have been destroyed .

West up for defense cross....

Mantei asks for state, was there anything sinister in the fact that GZ was not hired? No

Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower now
Testifies that #zimmerman applied to Virginia police agency in July 2009

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 1m
Next is state witness Scott Kearns, operations officer with Va. Prince Williams Co. Police.

Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 3m
The state's next witness is the former personnel officer for the Virginia police department where #Zimmermanon9 applied and was rejected.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 4m
The registrar said #Zimmermanon9's course study involved criminal justice field. The defense asked no questions.
 
6:30 AM PDT
9:30 AM EDT

There was a hearing, which I totally missed but Reader captured it above.

Trial is now starting.

Bringing Jury in.

State New Witness:

Sonja Boles-Mellvin: Registrar at Seminole State College

Showing her a grade change form for George's, when he applied for graduation on October 17, 2011 for anticipated graduation of June 2011'

Next Witness:

Lt. Scott Kearns: Currently, Operations Manager at Prince William County Police in Virginia. In 2009 was with Personnel Unit. Showing him a copy of a letter having to do with an application by George to join the department.

West in cross. He is going over the document that was filed which is not the original application but a document that is produced to document the document that gets thrown away after awhile.
Pointing out that George apparently had a credit problem which is the reason he was turned down by them to be a police officer. West suggesting to the witness that if George were to sort out his credit woes he could reapply.
 
Carter was also working FT at public defender's office and was adjunct professor since 11/09 as a side job, liked teaching and helped reinforce law he needed for his job as a defense lawyer...understanding the law and how it is applied is so important in crime. All facts are important but some have more weight. West asks about 'reasonable person' standard.
Carter later went into JAG corps, dealt with law, you are placed where they need you and where you want to be..asked is the army his career, he'd rather not comment on that..(laughter)...he did not write the book used for the class..not specifically about Florida law, not specifically SYG law.

West for defense, has Carter ID GZ and he says Hi, George...

Carter tells Mantei self defense is not something you get through fast, he covered it constantly, class very much engaged in discussion of SD, he remembers discussing it often..

Did he cover self defense law? yes

Mantei on direct....Carter says he remembers GZ because he was one of the better students in the class.

Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower now
Says he gave #zimmerman an A in the course.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 33s
Next up is army officer Alexis Carter (sp?). He previously taught course at Seminloe State college on criminal litigation.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 3m
Kearns testifies that #zimmerman credit issues was reason his application wasn't considered any further. He is off the stand.

Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 2m
The witness said #Zimmermanon9 could have reapplied once he got older and established credit but there is mo evidence that he did.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 3m
The defense says #Zimmermanon9 's credit problems could have made him vulnerable to criminals and that's why he was turned down.
 
Next Witness:

Alexis Francisco Carter: A military lawyer in the Army.
Taught "Criminal Litigation" at Seminole State College. Gave George an 'A' in the course.

Putting into evidence a chapter from a book used for the course. The chapter deals with the 'Stand your ground' law.
He remembers George as one of the better students in the class.

West in cross. Introduces witness to Mr O'Mara and reintroduces him to George. Going over Carter's resume regarding the teaching of the one course. HIs first job after law school was as a public defender. As a side he became an adjunct professor and taught this course. Now he works just as a prosecutor, a military prosecutor.
The book was a standard book used in the course, it was not specifically focused on Florida law.
He supplemented the book with other material that did focus on Florida laws.

West tells Carter he is not asking trick questions, BUT, he is asking about the Castle Doctrine, which evolved in Florida to the 'stand your ground', which allowed someone to defend themselves outside their home if they were subject to a deadly attack, to defend themselves.

Objection. Sidebar.
 
West points out that since Carter passed his exams and entered the bar in Fl. he was very familiar with Fl. law...he agrees that SYG is codified law in Fl., West asks about castle law, if attacked in home have no duty to retreat. SYG allows someone to defend themselves outside their home with no duty to retreat, before you had to retreat if you could...Carter agrees...and did teach this difference...he would put up examples on camera and ask class what is happening in this situation?

Objection...sidebar..West continues..and tries to discuss the change in law with Carter...objection/judge says questions should be on what Carter taught in his class..whether of not a reasonable person would have a fear for their life..

Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 4m
Note: All jurors made note of Carter testifying that he covered self defense often in the class #zimmerman took.

David Ovalle David Ovalle ‏@DavidOvalle305 6m
Professor's testimony important for state bc #GeorgeZimmerman claimed in Hannity interview he knew nothing of #StandYourGround law
Retweeted by Kyle Hightower

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 6m
Carter says the class COVERED self defense standards and something he "constantly iterated".

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 9m
Class in question was taken in 2009. Carter says #zimmerman was one if the better students in class.
 
West is trying to Carter to apply his answers to GZ's case, judge tells him to rephrase questions.

Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 1m
Carter: "It's fluid. The law as it applies isn't static."

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 3m
Judge interjects and tells jury she will instruct in the legal standard they will judge #zimmerman by. #TrayvinMartin

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 4m
Carter also says he taught class that the same presumption for reasonable fear of not present in Stand Your Ground.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 6m
Carter testifies that former "castle doctrine" self defense allowed person to defend self in their home.

Tony Pipitone Tony Pipitone ‏@TonyPipitone 12m
Juror 5 is such a note-taking maniac, she's scribbling furiously now during bench conference she cannot hear.
Retweeted by Kyle Hightower

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 12m
Sidebar is over.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 15m
Attys are called to sidebar.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 19m
Carter says discussions on Fla. law were on the classroom, but not in the textbook he taught from.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 20m
Carter says book he taught from in the class didn't focus exclusively on Fla. law.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 22m
Carter tells West under cross examination that he works exclusively as an army prosecutor right now. #zimmerman
 
Now back, West continues about the Castle Doctrine which evolved into Stand Your Ground.

West is describing the statutes. Trying to get witness to clarify that part of self defense is, under any circumstance, is that you ' have to act under the fear of great bodily harm'.
Objection, West needs to ask about what Carter taught in the class, not what or how West defines it.
So Carter explains, on issue of reasonable fear, 'the totality of the circumstances' are what is important.
West reinterprets that. West says: The issue is what the person thinks is going to happen, not what does happen.
Objection. Judge says for second time she will explain to jurors about the law.
Carter says that can injuries support the idea of a reasonable fear of death. And, they go back and forth. West says if I were screaming for help and I didn't stop over 20 or 30 seconds, that I could conclude that whoever was pummeling me wasn't going to stop.
Discussing the theory of an 'imperfect self defense'.

Re-direct

The idea of claiming that when you have provoked the action, did that enter into the discussion.
Objection. Sidebar.

Back.

'The imperfect self defense' concept. Carter says what he is talking about with that is "that you meet the force you are encountering with excessive force."
 
Krzensky - Administrative Service Department of Sanford Police.

Shows him a record for a request for a police ride-along, by George Zimmerman. Reason to solidify my chances to pursue a law enforcement career.

O'Mara cross:
Only record?

Witness excused.
 
Note: I have to leave until about 1pm and will catch up with the tweets then. If anybody else wants to post them in the meantime, please do! If anybody wants to transcribe the testimony, please do. TIA!

Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 2m
We are on recess until 11 awaiting next state witness

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 2m
Krzenski is off the stand.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 3m
State witness Jim Krzenski, records manager with Sanford PD testifies confirming #zimmerman app for police ride along in 2010.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 6m
Carter is off the stand.

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 7m
Carter clarifies on redirect that imperfect self def he referenced is when a person meets force applied with excessive force.

Jeff Weiner Jeff Weiner ‏@JeffWeinerOS 10m
West done with cross, state's Richard Mantei back up for redirect. Defense objects to 1st question. #GeorgeZimmerman #TrayvonMartin
Retweeted by Kyle Hightower

Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 2m
The state calls Jim Krzenski is in administrative services for Sanford police department to talk about #Zimmermanon9 's ride along.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 5m
The state is trying to regain control of its witness. The professor is able to talk about the law because he taught it. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 50s
The state did not want its own witness to say these things to the jury but could not stop it. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 1m
The professor told the defense tables can turn on who is the aggressor no matter who started it with a lower level of force. #Zimmermanon9

Jeff Weiner ‏@JeffWeinerOS 3m
West done with cross, state's Richard Mantei back up for redirect. Defense objects to 1st question. #GeorgeZimmerman #TrayvonMartin
Retweeted by Kyle Hightower

Corey Dade Corey Dade ‏@CoreyDade 8m
Carter: Taught "imperfect defense"--person may have "acted unreasonably in countering the force that was presented to them" #GZtrial
Retweeted by Kyle Hightower

Kyle Hightower Kyle Hightower ‏@khightower 9m
Jury taking lots of notes as Carter gives the nuiances of stand your ground law. Says that dynamics can change. #zimmerman

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 2m
The defense asked if someone was screaming for help for more than 30 seconds it would be clear you wanted out of the fight. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 4m
The defense got the professor to admit that the "aggressor" can change. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 5m
The professor told the defense you don't have to have be injured or be almost dead before defending yourself. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 18m
@Kittensworth Because she's family of the victim. Judge ruled on it citing case law early on. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 16m
The professor did not know the self defense statute number. The defense said it was not a trick question.. Or was it? #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 17m
The defense is now questioning the professor about the self defense and stand your ground laws trying to turn the witness. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 20m
On stand: US Army military prosecutor Cpt Alexis Carter, taught #Zimmerman at @SeminoleState College. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 22m
The professor does not believe that the textbook mentioned Florida self defense laws but said he taught Florida law. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 27m
The professor says while teaching he was an Orange County public defender right after he got his law degree. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 29m
The professor asked #Zimmerman09 how he's doing, in identifying him.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 30m
The professor says it was so practical and the students engaged in repeated discussions about it. #Zimmermanon9

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 31m
The professor says he taught #Zimmermanon9's class about self defense and the stand your ground law specifically.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 33m
He has #Zimmermanon9 's email homework assignment. He says he remembers that Zimmerman was one if his better students.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 34m
He taught #Zimmermanon9 at Seminole State College. He focused on elements of crimes and many other topics.

Kathi Belich, WFTV Kathi Belich, WFTV ‏@KBelichWFTV 35m
The state has called an army prosecutor who taught criminal litigation. #Zimmermanon9 was a student and got an "A" from him.
 
11:00 AM Skpe Testimony

At precisely 11:00 AM, the Judge declares the Court back in session.

Prosecution having audio problems with Skype connection. It is being displayed on the big screen.
George is glancing at big screen and writing left handed in his notebook.

Have come up with a work-around. Will ask questions on the phone, he will respond, on Skype.

Jury comes in.

Witness:

Professor Scott Pleasance Testifying remotely from some subterranean cave in Colorado. He is a professor of Criminal Investigation at Seminole State College.
Mantai holds up a textbook, and a packet of materials from the course
George in his class Summer of 2011. Course covers a variety of subjects and aspects of crimes.

This is not a good advertisement for Skype. Random people are calling the professor in the middle of his testimony.

The course discusses subject of criminal profiling.

Mark O'Mara has now contacted the witness via phone and it is now being done by cell phone. There is a cell phone sitting on the witness box.

Mark has asked to approach the witness cellphone and is now questioning the witness about the textbook, and the material that was covered in the class in the summer of 2011. Witness: Yes, or that they read that material. Re; criminal profiling, no course work on that? Witness: No, there was not.
Can you testify that George was even present in the online discussion? Witness: Yes. There are records documenting the fact that he was there and participated in the discussion. Witness has printouts of the discussion. O/Mara: Strategies as to testifying or how to be a witness was not covered in the coursework? Witness: It was part of the required reading but not discussed in the coursework. O'M: Did students fill out a thingie about their career goals? Witness: No, but it was discussed in class, the students career goals.

Witness: George's career goal was to become an attorney and eventually a prosecutor.
 
Witness: Amy Siewert

Forensic technologist in firearms section, FDLE
Now crime analyst for FDLE in firearms sedtion.

Identifying the Keltec pistol that was used to kill Trayvon.

Witness is demonstrating directly to the jury, how the gun works. How the gun is loaded, how a cartridge is loaded into the chamber. Capacity of this particular gun is seven.
She received the pistol with six in the magazine and an additional one.
Firearm cannot be fired unless the trigger is pulled.
Trigger travel distance. This gun has longer distance than most similar pistols.
Demonstrating the holster with the clip on the back and how the gun goes into the holster.

Witness testifying to what "amount of trigger pull" is. 4.5 to 5 pounds (necessary to pull the trigger)

Talks more about gun, bullets, cartridges.

Now about powder that follows the bullet out of the barrel of the gun.

Prosecution arranging the exhibit for the "hoodie" worn by Trayvon. The hoodie is displayed suspended in a glass frame about 3 inches deep. Kind of like a museum mounting of a 3D object.

Witness explains she was looking at the area around 'this hole'.

Second exhibit is the shirt worn under the 'hoodie'.

Witness is now identifying a photo of the outer sweatshirt. It indicates measurements of the location of the bullet hole relative to the 'edges'. Now showing different views of the hole. Right side, wrong side, close up of distance test witness made. Basically this is about the gunpowder around the hole.

Now showing a photo of the other sweatshirt, the underneath shirt. The two bullet holes line up.
Tearing of material, some bits of gunpowder, the sooting, and blood.

She did a distance test with dark shirt sample over the light shirt sample. And displays and discusses.

She says it is consistent with the firearm touching the outer sweatshirt and the inner sweatshirt being right behind.

Prosecution: Done.

Should we cross now, or after lunch? O'Mara says it should take him about 20 minutes. So, they will proceed with cross now.

Asks witness to take out the firearm from the evidence box. Hold it so as not to point it at any of us.
He is using the term "double action" and how it is a safety feature. Single action, cocked would be very dangerous when carried at O'Mara's hip. O'Mara: Some weapons used particularly for ''self defense". Witness: Yes. O'Mara: What makes this firearm a safe firearm to carry in a loaded way?
Witness explains about the 'safety' features. The trigger pull itself is NOT a safety feature. It is a design feature of the gun. O'Mara: is that a safe gun to carry in the firing position? They go back and forth a little.
The factory that makes the gun is located in Brevard County. She visited the factory a couple of times. No indication the gun was not functioning properly.

O'Mara: Now, about racking the gun, putting a cartridge in the chamber being ready to fire; asking her if that is normal way to carry a gun like that.

The bullet holes, O'Mara clarifies with the muzzle of the firearm 'touching' vs pushing. She says 'touching' the fabric itself.


O'Mara asks about 'touching', does that mean touching? or an eighth of an inch away? Witness, it means 'touching'.

O'Mara: Did you do anything with how far away the fabric was from Trayvon's chest? Witness: No

Did you involve yourself with the actual bullet wound in the body? No

Re-direct:

The firearm could be used for self defense, it could also be used for murder.
Defense objection, sustained.

Asking about the pull. (missed her answer) Asking about a firearm with an external safety.

She literally demonstrates for the jury how to fire the gun with it fully loaded.

Done.

Defense re-cross:

About pull, single action, double action, (eyes crossing).

O'Mara is confusing issue this firearm with other firearms. None of this makes a particle of sense to me. But, each pull of the trigger requires the same amount of pull no matter what firearm one uses.

ALL DONE. LUNCH BREAK. Special lunch today for Jurors, so they get extra time.

Return at 1:45 PM EDT 10:45 AM PDT
 
Thank you so much, i.b.nora!

You are a great transcriber!

Will try to add the treets missed before court starts again.
 
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