Was the zimmerman homemade video permitted in Court?

[FarPoint]

I don't get to watch the Court case live and need to get my information from the recaps. I was watching Chris Matthews and saw them discussing/reviewing the zimmerman homemade, after the fact explanation, butterfly bandaides and all. Was this tape actually allowed??????

If this is true...then I see it as testimony without cross examination in my opinion. Trayvon has been silenced and can not give his account.

[FarPoint]

1. Someone posted that the prosecution actually introduced the video.

I am speechless.........so wrong.

[Captain Stern]

2. The video was made by the police.

And yes, it was actually the prosecution that had this video presented as evidence.

[FarPoint]

3. I'd like to know if Sanford Police do such video's

for all defendants of murder in their jurisdiction? Or, is this the first and last such video to be launched.

[Captain Stern]

4. No idea, but I assume they do them as part of any murder investigation, when possible.

At the point this video was made, Zimmerman hadn't been charged with anything.

My surprise isn't so much that it was made, but rather that it was the prosecution that introduced it as evidence.

[FarPoint]

5. Let me assume then since we can at this point,

that they never, ever make videos for murder defendants...return to the murder scene days after the murder and create a win-win testimony.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. The video demonstrates several leaps of logic needed to believe Zimmerman

Including, but not limited to:

* Zimmerman claiming he got out of the car to get a street address, in the community he lived for 3 years and served as NW, and in a community with a grand total of 3 streets.

* Zimmerman's claim that he was "ambushed" by Trayvon coming out from a bush, despite there being no substantial bushes in the immediate vicinity.

* Zimmerman claiming Trayvon was smothering his mouth with both hands, yet the cries for help on the 911 tapes were clear up until the time the gunshot was heard

* Zimmerman's curious description of Trayvon post shooting: Sitting up and saying "You got me."

The video, and the other statements by Zimmerman were brought into evidence by the state in the event that Zimmerman choses not to testify (as is his constitutional right not to.) It's the next best thing to point out some of the ridiculous leaps of logic that one must use if they want to believe Zimmerman's story.

[Captain Stern]

7. I think the Prosecution allowing the video to be shown...

...pretty much assures that Zimmerman won't testify. Why should he? He's basically been allowed to tell his story, without being cross examined. A story that the investigating detective said he believed.

To bring up the points in closing, that you mentioned, the Prosecutor would be put in the awkward position of essentially having to tell the jury that their own expert witness (Serino) was wrong.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

8. Serino's a fact witness, not an expert witness. nt

[Captain Stern]

9. I'm not an expert, so I'll take your word for it.

However, if I understand correctly, Serino's job is to find out what the facts are in cases like these. I'ts what he does for a living. And I'm assuming that he's somewhat competent at it, considering his position.

He's stated that he believes Zimmerman's story (after questioning him personally), despite the perceived inconsistencies. Zimmerman may well have been lying, but the Prosecution is never going to get the chance to question him.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

10. Well, except for the little point where he wanted to charge Zimmerman.

While I don't believe that was testified to, it is in fact, a fact.

[Captain Stern]

11. Is the prosecution allowed to ask him about that?

And if so, should they?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

12. I honestly don't know if that's been precluded.

I don't think it's necessarily inadmissible, but the defense could have objected to it as prejudicial and the court may have chosen to exclude it.

But I don't know, exactly.