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Blue Bike

(65 posts) Wed Jul 10, 2013, 04:01 PM Jul 2013

Zimmerman will not testify in his own defense [View all]

Source: USA Today

SANFORD, Fla. -- George Zimmerman told the judge in his murder trial today that he will not testify and his lawyers asked for an immediate judgment of acquittal, which was denied.

Earlier in the day, judge Debra Nelson rejected defense requests to allow into evidence photos and text messages from Trayvon Martin's phone as well as a computer animation of the slaying.

Nelson said she will allow defense lawyers to show jurors the computer animation during closing arguments. However, she rejected the defense bid to present the animation as actual evidence, which means the animation can't be reviewed by jurors during their deliberations.

The animation, from a defense witness, depicts the 17-year-old Trayvon walking up to Zimmerman and punching him -- and later shows the teen on top of Zimmerman when Trayvon is shot.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/10/trayvon-martin-george-zimmerman-trial-animation/2504917/

56 replies

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Zimmerman will not testify in his own defense [View all] Blue Bike Jul 2013 OP

The jury will add this action to their deliberation. nt onehandle Jul 2013 #1

The jury will be specifically instructed that he has a right not to testify The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2013 #3

Stone cold killer sits there stone faced for weeks. onehandle Jul 2013 #4

See the PHOTOS on the link below of Zimmerman smiling and laughing in Court Tx4obama Jul 2013 #51

True they won't vocably deliberate on it... Ash_F Jul 2013 #21

What they can take into account is the fact that he avebury Jul 2013 #30

Um, no they won't. Dreamer Tatum Jul 2013 #49

Even though the jurors wil be instructed not to consider the animation during deliberations, Aristus Jul 2013 #2

Z won't speak in his own defense? truebluegreen Jul 2013 #5

It usually is not a good idea for any defendant to testify. The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2013 #6

If Zimmerman had asked for a lawyer immediately and not answered so many questions, JDPriestly Jul 2013 #8

Plus Zimmerman christx30 Jul 2013 #10

Bingo. The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2013 #15

Thank you. Lessons everyone can learn. JDPriestly Jul 2013 #23

I would say... Bay Boy Jul 2013 #28

Very true. That was hearsay. Why the prosecution brought it in I do not know. JDPriestly Jul 2013 #29

You are absolutely right! 7962 Jul 2013 #19

It's sure driving the judge crazy marshall Jul 2013 #48

Yup - LiberalElite Jul 2013 #45

+1, never talk. joshcryer Jul 2013 #50

I have GOT to send that to my brother! 7962 Jul 2013 #54

The defense may be trying to set up an appeal based on the judge's refusal to allow the entry JDPriestly Jul 2013 #7

Everything was fine until you said convicting Zimmerman wouldn't bring Trayvon back. Steviehh Jul 2013 #31

Post removed Post removed Jul 2013 #35

Posters don't seem to like this but your response is spot, on! Thanks. n/t axollot Jul 2013 #43

Isn't self defense an affirmative defense? SwankyXomb Jul 2013 #9

Yup. Mr. David Jul 2013 #14

No he doesn't. Why would you say that? onenote Jul 2013 #24

That animation is BULLSHIT. AtheistCrusader Jul 2013 #11

+1000 nt Earth_First Jul 2013 #13

There will be rebuttal testimony introduced to discredit the animation... I hope n/t cosmicone Jul 2013 #16

The man is guilty as hell. Mr. David Jul 2013 #12

Yeah, when John2 Jul 2013 #32

I saw the animation on my noon news dusty trails Jul 2013 #17

And people John2 Jul 2013 #36

How about a cartoon ? dusty trails Jul 2013 #40

I believe the PTB have made their decision: GeorgeGist Jul 2013 #18

Why is the judge even allowing the animnation to be shown? Its not live footage of the event and cstanleytech Jul 2013 #20

Yeah, that "compromise" seems misguided Doctor_J Jul 2013 #25

I was hoping for a dramatic scene... Ash_F Jul 2013 #22

Too bad life isn't a Perry Mason or Matlock episode Doctor_J Jul 2013 #26

I bet he will tell all some day though. If even decades later. Ash_F Jul 2013 #27

I think the law needs to be modified mainstreetonce Jul 2013 #33

Repeal the 5th Amendment? Seeking Serenity Jul 2013 #34

No mainstreetonce Jul 2013 #42

I wasn't aware the defense introduced a video of him into evidence. Seeking Serenity Jul 2013 #52

There are at least mainstreetonce Jul 2013 #53

This means his lawyers feel the prosecution did not meet "burden." n/t davidwparker Jul 2013 #37

Its unethical to let a lying defendant to take the stand. jbond56 Jul 2013 #46

You don't know what his lawyer knows from their private conversations. davidwparker Jul 2013 #55

yep jbond56 Jul 2013 #56

Prosecution is now fighting to add "Aggravated Assault" as a lesser charge. Socal31 Jul 2013 #38

They are hashing out the terms before the jury. That is it. Formality. nt axollot Jul 2013 #44

I said the other day I was 99.9% sure he wouldn't davidpdx Jul 2013 #39

When does prosecution rebuttal/closing arguments start? Myrina Jul 2013 #41

Court session starts at 8:30 local time jbond56 Jul 2013 #47