Dennis Root
O'Mara anything about the way Zimmerman handled his gun that night inherently dangerous. Objection, Objection Overruled.
Root: No.
O''M: based on your knowledge, did Mr Z have any other option.
Root: No.
O'M: Did you take the case on for the notoriety of it?
Root: Absolutely not.
O'M: Ever been cross examined by a prosecutor before this case?
Root: No
O'M: What factors you look at to evaluate use of force?
Root: At the moment the force was used, what was their perception at that moment and how would that affect the outcome.
O'M: Blood down, blood back. From your experience as a fighter, what happens when you get hit in the nose?
Root: This and that and so forth. "The stunning effect it can have on a person".
O'M: To get an advantage over another person in a fight, would a first strike to the nose help to get the upperhand?
Root: Sets the tempo, sets control of the fight, generally becomes victorious.
O'M: Shows the nose picture of George. Is this what that would look like?
Root: Yes.
Objection, O'Mara changes direction.
O'M: Did you learn fight techniques in getting your Criminal Justice degree?
Root: No,. Its the book end.
O'M: Would you recommend your career path to your own kids or relatives kids?
Root: Depends on the person, but yes, its a very noble profession.
O"M: Asking about 'increase of force' events in your experience.
Root: Force is force. Wide field.
O'M: When you do 'use of force' training, does it include how to use "Verbal Force" or 'Voice Force"?
Root: Many variables. Forty feet away, or up close and personal. Difficult to answer A and B or how verbal force should be used.
Root: My personal point if you shoved me would be to give you personal commands.
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Prosecution Re-Cross
Guy: Your opinion on no other options based on what you were told Trayvon was doing came from the Defense, right.
Root: That is part of what I took into account, but it is in combination with all the other variables, that is how I formed my opinion.
Guy: Do you know what Trayvon Martin was doing at the time he was shot?
Root: Yes, based on my opinion I do know what Trayvon Martin was doing.
Root insists that what he was told by Defense about what Trayvon was doing was plausible, therefore it is part of his opinion.
Guy: Asking about other criminal trials. This is first time in front of Jury?
Root: Yes.
Guy: About 'use of force' event.
Guy: Do you know when George was punched in the nose?
Root: No.
Now back and forth about the punch to the nose.
Root: Yes I have been struck in the nose many times. And, I keep fighting.
Guy: My question was, have you seen people hit in the nose and they keep fighting?
Root: Yes.
Now mannequin alignment discussion.
Guy: Can't the hand, the arm move independent of the body?
Root: Yes. Anything is possible, but not everything is probable.
Root: Everything depends on where you are in relation to the other person. Highly unlikely the wrist was moving.
Guy: You were asked a question, was it your opinion that George had thought the threat was gone was because Trayvon had run off?
Root: I determined that there was no immediate threat because George was trailing him for them (for the police).
Guy: An interview is better if it is delayed?
Root: Yes. My interpretation was it seemed reasonable.
Root: As a police officer, you don't delay.
You are aware that G. spoke with his best friend about what happened about 8 hours after?
Root: Yes.
Guy: Thats all I have.
O'Mara: Re Re Cross
Warrior Mindset?
Root: Yes.
In talk with Mr Pollock, it seemed that Mr Z, did not have a Warrior Mindset.
Root: Based on injuries of Mr Z vs Mr T, supports information from the other source I determined that George did not have a Warrior Mindset.
O'M. One more I missed.
Excuse Mr Root, Subject to Recall.
Please Call Your Next Witness.