Zimmerman Trial

Jury Selection

Defense attorney Mark O'Mara, left, holds a stack of jury questionnaires, with co-counsel Don West, center, defendant George Zimmerman and jury consultant Robert Hirschhorn, far right, on the first day of his trial, in Sanford, Fla., Monday, June 10, 2013.

George Zimmerman smiles during a pretrial hearing at the Seminole County courthouse, in Sanford, Fla., on Saturday morning.

Defense attorney Don West (center) addresses the court as defense attorney Mark O'Mara and defendant George Zimmerman listen.

From left, defense attorney Mark O'Mara, jury consultant Robert Hirschhorn, defendant George Zimmerman and co-counsel Don West stand Wednesday for the judge's arrival during Zimmerman's trial in Sanford, Fla.

George Zimmerman arrives in a Florida court on the third day of jury selection in his trial for second-degree murder over the 2012 shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin.

Florida Circuit Judge Debra Nelson addresses a prospective juror Wednesday during the third day of jury selection in the trial of George Zimmerman.

Tracy Martin, father of Trayvon Martin, listens to a prospective juror in the trial of George Zimmerman, who is accused of fatally shooting the boy.

Sybrina Fulton, mother of fatally shot teen Trayvon Martin, listens to a prospective juror in the trial of George Zimmerman.

Defense attorney Mark O'Mara (R) confers with co-counsel Don West during George Zimmerman's trial.

Judge Debra S. Nelson (2nd-R) speaks with the defense and prosecution attorneys during jury selection of George Zimmerman's trial in Seminole circuit court June 14.

George Zimmerman, right, smiles as he sits next to defense counsel and jury consultant Robert Hirschhorn, left, during jury selection in his trial at Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla., Friday June 14, 2013.

State attorney Angela Corey, right, talks with Stephanie Fulton Sands, left, aunt of Trayvon Martin, Sybrina Fulton, second from left, and Tracy Martin, center, parents of Trayvon Martin, and their attorney, Benjamin Crump, second from right, during the George Zimmerman trial Thursday.

Defense attorney Mark O'Mara questions potential jurors during the trial.

Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda questions a potential juror in Seminole circuit court during George Zimmerman's trial.

Defense attorney Mark O'Mara questions a prospective juror on the fourth day of George Zimmerman's trial.

Zimmerman and his wife Shellie arrive in Seminole circuit court Thursday, where the all-female jury was selected.

Gracie Zimmerman, left, sister of George Zimmerman, his father, Robert Zimmerman Sr., second from left, his mother, Gladys, second from right, and wife Shellie Zimmerman, right, sit in Seminole circuit court.

The Trial StartsJune 24, 2013

George Zimmerman, arrives Monday in Seminole Circuit Court, with his wife, Shellie.

Tracy Martin, Trayvon's father, said: 'As we enter court seeking justice, we hold on to his smile which strengthens us and ask that you continue to pray for us.'

Trayvon's father, Tracy Martin, cries as he listens to the description of his son's death, with Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon's mother, at left, and Daryl Parks, a family attorney, at right, during the 11th day of the George Zimmerman trial in Seminole circuit court.

George Zimmerman with his wife, Shellie, arrive Monday, June 24 for opening arguments in his second-degree murder trial.

An all-female jury with just one minority on the panel will deliberate George Zimmerman's fate.

Day 15

Attorney Mark O'Mara, defense counsel for George Zimmerman, gestures with a shooting gun motion while questioning a state witness.

Sanford police officer Timothy Smith holds up the gun that was used to kill Trayvon Martin

Rachel Jeantel, a friend of Martin's, is questioned by defense attorney Don West on June 27. She appeared to get frustrated several times during the cross-examination, including one time when West suggested they could break until the morning so she'd have more time to review the deposition transcript.

Jeantel testifies on Wednesday, June 26. She was the last person to speak with Martin on the phone.

The evidence letter that Jeantel says she wrote with a friend for Sybrina Fulton, Martin's mother, is displayed during the trial on June 27. When the defense asked Jeantel to read the letter, she said she couldn't read cursive. She asked a friend to write the letter for her, she said.

Witness Jennifer Lauer points to where her former home was in the Retreat at Twin Lakes community during questioning by defense attorney Mark O'Mara on June 27. Lauer called 911 on the night of the shooting.

Selma Mora reenacts a scenario for defense attorney Mark O'Mara on Thursday, June 27. Mora lived in Zimmerman's neighborhood at the time of the shooting.

Witness Jonathan Good is cross-examined by defense attorney Mark O'Mara on Friday, June 28.

Week 3July 1st – July 5th

Hirotaka Nakasone, a voice recognition expert with the FBI, testifies in the Zimmerman trial on Monday, July 1.

Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda, on July 2, demonstrates a possible scenario while questioning state witness Chris Serino, a Sanford police officer.

Mark Osterman, a U.S. Air Marshal and friend of Zimmerman's who wrote a book about the case, testifies on Tuesday, July 2. He recounted the story of the shooting that Zimmerman told him and testified that when he took Zimmerman home from the police station after the shooting, Zimmerman wasn't acting like himself.

Alexis Carter, a military prosecutor, testifies during the trial on July 3. Carter taught a criminal litigation class that Zimmerman completed, and testified that the class included extensive coverage of Florida's self-defense laws.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Lab Analyst Anthony Gorgone testifies about DNA findings on Wednesday, July 3, in Sanford, Florida. Here, Gorgone points to a sweatshirt worn by Trayvon Martin on the night Martin was shot. Only one stain on Martin's hooded jacket yielded a partial DNA profile that matched Zimmerman's.

Gorgone points to a jacket worn by Zimmerman on the night of the shooting. Multiple stains on Zimmerman's jacket tested positive for Zimmerman's DNA. At least two stains from the jacket tested positive for a mixture of DNA that included Martin's DNA.

Volusia and Seminole County associate medical examiner Shiping Bao testifies on July 5. Bao conducted the final autopsy on Martin and determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the chest.

Martin's brother Jahvaris Fulton testifies at the Zimmerman trial in Seminole County circuit court on July 5.

Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, takes the stand during Zimmerman's trial on Friday, July 5.

George Zimmerman's mother, Gladys Zimmerman, listens to the 911 tape while taking the stand during his trial in Seminole County circuit court on July 5.

The Prosecution Rests

The Defense Starts Monday

The defenseMonday, July 8th (Day 20)

George Zimmerman at the defense table before the start of the 20th day of his trial in Seminole circuit court, in Sanford, Fla., Monday, July 8, 2013.

Former Sanford police chief Billy Ray Lee, Jr. testifies in the George Zimmerman trial in Seminole circuit court, in Sanford, Fla., Monday, July 8, 2013

John Donnelly, a friend of George Zimmerman's, cries on the witness stand after listening to screams on the 911 tape. He said he has no doubt the screams belonged to Zimmerman.

LeAnne Benjamin, a friend of George Zimmerman, smiles while identifying him in court during her testimony on the 20th day of his trial in Seminole circuit court, in Sanford, Fla., Monday, July 8, 2013.

Mark Osterman, a friend of George Zimmerman, describes the type of gun Zimmerman owned while testifying, on the 20th day of the Zimmerman trial.

Sondra Osterman, a friend of George Zimmerman, listens to the 911 tape while testifying, on the 20th day of his trial

The Father of Trayvon Martin, Tracy Martin, testifies as a defense witness in George Zimmerman trial in Seminole circuit court, in Sanford, Fla., Monday, July 8, 2013.

Sanford police Officer Chris Serino also said Travyon Martin’s father may have said the screams were not his son’s out of denial about his son’s death.

Day 21The Defense Continues

Forensics animation expert Daniel Shumaker testifies in a hearing after the 21st day of the George Zimmerman trial

An image is projected during testimony by forensics animation expert Daniel Shoemaker, in the courtroom in a hearing after the 21st day of the George Zimmerman trial

Assistant State Attorney Richard Mantei challenges forensics animation expert Daniel Shumaker during cross examination of his testimony in a hearing after the 21st day of the George Zimmerman trial in Seminole circuit court

Defense counsel Mark O'Mara (far right) addresses forensics animation expert Daniel Shumaker as he testifies, with Assistant State Attorney Richard Mantei (far left) and Judge Debra Nelson looking on

Judge Debra Nelson listens to testimony from forensics animation expert Daniel Shoemaker, in the courtroom for the 21st day of the George Zimmerman trial

Defense witness Eloise Dilligard is sworn-in for testimony via teleconference in the George Zimmerman trial in Seminole circuit court, in Sanford, Fla., Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Dr. Vincent DiMaio, a forensic pathologist and gunshot wound expert, describes the relationship of Trayvon Martin's clothes and the fatal gunshot wound

Dr. Vincent DiMaio, a forensic pathologist and gunshot wound expert, describes the injuries of George Zimmerman while testifying for the defense in the trial in Seminole circuit court, in Sanford, Fla., Tuesday, July 9, 2013.

Dr. Vincent DiMaio, a forensic pathologist and gunshot wound expert, makes a gun gesture while testifying for the defense in the George Zimmerman trial

Defense counsel Mark O'Mara and an assistant carry in Trayvon Martin's T-shirt in the George Zimmerman trial

Defense counsel Don West makes an impassioned argument to Judge Debra Nelson moments before she abruptly recessed a late night court session in the George Zimmerman trial

Judge Debra Nelson abruptly announces court is adjourned to end a marathon night session in the George Zimmerman trial in Seminole circuit court, in Sanford, Fla., Tuesday, July 9, 2013.

Judge Debra Nelson abruptly leaves the bench at the end of a marathon night session in the George Zimmerman trial

Day 22Wednesday, July 10th

Defense law enforcement expert Dennis Root takes the stand during George Zimmerman's trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Wednesday, July 10, 2013.

Assistant state attorney John Guy holds up a piece of evidence during George Zimmerman's trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Wednesday, July 10, 2013. Guy was asking defense witness and law enforcement expert Dennis Root if certain evidence could be used as a weapon.

Defense attorney Mark O'Mara uses a foam dummy to describe the altercation between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin to defense witness and law enforcement expert Dennis Root

Defense attorney Mark O'Mara uses a foam dummy to describe the altercation between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin to defense witness and law enforcement expert Dennis Root

Defense attorney Mark O'Mara speaks with assistant state attorney Bernie de la Rionda during George Zimmerman's trial in Semimole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Wednesday, July 10, 2013.

Judge Debra Nelson rules on key issues during George Zimmerman's trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Wednesday, July 10, 2013.

Robert Zimmerman Sr. takes the stand for the defense

Olivia Bertalan takes the stand for the defense during George Zimmerman's trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Wednesday, July 10, 2013.

Olivia Bertalan takes the stand for the defense during George Zimmerman's trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Wednesday, July 10, 2013.

Standing next to his attorney Don West, George Zimmerman is sworn by Judge Debra Nelson during his trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Wednesday, July 10, 2013.

George Zimmerman stands while addressing Judge Debra Nelson that he chooses to not testify during his trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Wednesday, July 10, 2013.

Day 23: Closing Arguments

Defense attorney Don West glares back at State Attorney Angela Corey after the state entered a request that child abuse charges be allowed against George Zimmerman

Defense attorney Don West argues his points on lesser charges to Judge Debra Nelson during George Zimmerman's trial

George Zimmerman stands for instruction from Judge Debra Nelson during his trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Thursday, July 11, 2013.

Judge Debra Nelson gives instructions to the attorneys

Assistant state attorney Bernie de la Rionda presents the state's closing arguments against George Zimmerman during his trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Thursday, July 11, 2013.

Assistant state attorney Bernie de la Rionda demonstrates to the jury how George Zimmerman allegedly pulled his gun while presenting the state's closing arguments against Zimmerman

Assistant state attorney Bernie de la Rionda demonstrates to the jury how George Zimmerman claimed that Trayvon Martin grabbed his mouth and nose, while presenting the state's closing arguments against Zimmerman

Assistant state attorney Bernie de la Rionda shows George Zimmerman's gun to the jury while presenting the state's closing arguments against Zimmerman

Assistant state attorney Bernie de la Rionda presents the state's closing arguments against George Zimmerman

Assistant state attorney Bernie de la Rionda presents the state's closing arguments against George Zimmerman

Assistant state attorney Bernie de la Rionda presents the state's closing arguments against George Zimmerman

Assistant state attorney Bernie de la Rionda points to the defendent while presenting the state's closing arguments against George Zimmerman

Assistant state attorney Bernie de la Rionda shows a picture of a bloodied George Zimmerman to the jury while presenting the state's closing arguments

Assistant state attorney Bernie de la Rionda holds up evidence to the jury while presenting the state's closing arguments against George Zimmerman

Pastor R.L. Gundy of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference appeals for calm in the community in reaction to the coming verdict, during a press conference outside the courthouse, on the 23rd day of the George Zimmerman trial

Day 24The Defense Closing Argument (8:30-11:50)

The Prosecution Rebuttal (12:00-1:00)Jury Instructions (2:00PM)

George Zimmerman wipes perspiration from his face after arriving in the courtroom on the 24th day of the his trial at the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center, in Sanford, Fla., Friday, July 12, 2013.

Defense counsel Mark O'Mara has George Zimmerman stand in the courtroom for the jury during defense closing arguments

Defense counsel Mark O'Mara shows a timeline chart to the jury during closing arguments

George Zimmerman's father, Robert, with Zimmerman's mother Gladys (background) and Zimmerman's wife Shellie (background, right), watch the defense closing arguments

Defense counsel Mark O'Mara addresses the jury during closing arguments

Mark O'Mara, defense attorney for George Zimmerman, carries a slab of concrete toward the jury during closing arguments

Defense counsel Mark O'Mara carries life-size cutouts representing George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin, in the courtroom during closing arguments

Prosecutor John Guy addresses the jury during closing rebuttal

Prosecutor John Guy addresses the jury during closing rebuttal, on the 24th day of the George Zimmerman trial

Prosecutor John Guy holds up a photo of the slain Trayvon Martin, from the night of the shooting, while addressing the jury during closing rebuttal

Trayvon Martin's mother Sybrina Fulton, and father, Tracy Martin, watch the prosecution's rebuttal closing argument

The Jury Instructions

Judge Debra Nelson reads instructions to the jury during George Zimmerman's trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Friday, July 12, 2013.

Judge Debra Nelson reads instructions to the jury during George Zimmerman's trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Friday, July 12, 2013.

Jury Instructions• Jurors in the George Zimmerman trial will head to

the deliberation room Friday to decide the former neighborhood watch captain's fate, and the "guidebook" they'll be using to reach a verdict is the jury instructions. Those instructions spell out exactly what prosecutors must have proven for a guilty verdict of second-degree murder or manslaughter, and also tell jurors how Zimmerman can be found not guilty if they believe the killing can be excused by "justifiable deadly force."

2nd Degree Murder• In order for the jury to find Zimmerman guilty of

second-degree murder, the prosecution must prove the following three things, beyond a reasonable doubt:• Trayvon Martin is dead.• The death was caused by the criminal act of George

Zimmerman.• There was an unlawful killing of Trayvon Martin by an

act imminently dangerous to another and demonstrating a depraved mind without regard for human life.

Manslaughter• Jurors are also asked in the instructions to consider the

less included charge of manslaughter. In order for the jurors to return a guilty verdict of manslaughter, the prosecution must prove two things, beyond a reasonable doubt:• Trayvon Martin is dead.• George Zimmerman intentionally committed an act or

acts that caused the death of Trayvon Martin.• The instructions say that "a killing that is excusable or

was committed by the use of justifiable deadly force is lawful."

Justifiable Use of Deadly ForceThe instructions give jurors a detailed description of "justifiable use of deadly force," saying:• "At issue in this case is whether George Zimmerman acted in

self-defense. It is a defense to the crime of Second Degree Murder, and the lesser included offense of Manslaughter, if the death of Trayvon Martin resulted from the justifiable use of deadly force.• 'Deadly force' means force likely to cause death or great

bodily harm.• A person is justified in using deadly force if he reasonably

believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself.

Circumstances• In deciding whether George Zimmerman was justified in

the use of deadly force, you must judge him by the circumstances by which he was surrounded at the time the force was used. • The danger facing George Zimmerman need not have

been actual; however, to justify the use of deadly force, the appearance of danger must have been so real that a reasonably cautious and prudent person under the same circumstances would have believed that the danger could be avoided only through the use of that force. Based upon appearances, George Zimmerman must have actually believed that the danger was real.

Stand Your Ground/Abilities• If George Zimmerman was not engaged in an

unlawful activity and was attacked in any place where he had a right to be, he had no duty to retreat and had the right to stand his ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he reasonably believed that it was necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.• In considering the issue of self-defense, you may take

into account the relative physical abilities and capacities of George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin.

Guilty or Not Guilty• If in your consideration of the issue of self-defense

you have a reasonable doubt on the question of whether George Zimmerman was justified in the use of deadly force, you should find George Zimmerman not guilty.• However, if from the evidence you are convinced

beyond a reasonable doubt that George Zimmerman was not justified in the use of deadly force, you should find him guilty if all the elements of the charge have been proved."

Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith, left, addresses the media as Seminole County Sheriff Donald Eslinger, right, listens on Friday, July 12, 2013. The two law enforcement officials spoke shortly after the jury started to deliberate.

Seminole County Sheriff Donald Eslinger, right, addresses the media as Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith, left, listens on Friday, July 12, 2013.

Protesters outside the Seminole County Justice Center in Sanford wait for the Zimmerman verdict. July 12, 2013

Beezy Dinkins, 24, of St. Petersburg wears a Trayvon hoody. Protesters outside the Seminole County Justice Center in Sanford wait for the Zimmerman verdict. July 12, 2013

Chimurenga Waller stirs the crowd. Protesters outside the Seminole County Justice Center in Sanford wait for the Zimmerman verdict. July 12, 2013

Day 25: Saturday

George Zimmerman's possible fates

The jury is deliberating Zimmerman's fate. Here are the possible outcomes for the former

neighborhood watch captain on trial for killing Trayvon Martin.

If Zimmerman is convicted of second-degree murder• The former neighborhood watch captain could be sentenced to life in

prison if convicted of second-degree murder. In Florida, the mandatory sentence for the use of a gun that results in the death of another person is 25 years. Therefore, if convicted of second-degree murder, Zimmerman would be facing 25 years to life in prison.

For a second-degree murder conviction under Florida law, the State doesn’t have to prove Zimmerman premeditated killing the teenager, but it must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman killed Martin with “ill will, hatred, spite or evil intent.”

Zimmerman will not be eligible for parole if convicted, because it is prohibited under Florida law.

Nelson will schedule Zimmerman's sentencing for a later date.

If Zimmerman is convicted of manslaughter• Manslaughter under Florida law is defined as the killing of a

person as a result of an "act, procurement or culpable negligence of another, without lawful justification."

Prosecutors don’t have to prove that Zimmerman intended to cause death. However, the jury does have to be convinced that Zimmerman intended to commit an act that was not merely negligent, justified or excusable and which caused Martin's death. In Florida, if manslaughter is committed with a gun, it can be punishable by up to 30 years in prison. If convicted, Zimmerman could be sentenced between 10 to 30 years. Nelson will schedule Zimmerman's sentencing for a later date.

What happens if Zimmerman is acquitted?• If the jury returns a not guilty verdict, deciding that

prosecutors did not disprove beyond a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman acted in self-defense, he will be a free man and be able to walk out of court because he is not in police custody. He is free to leave Seminole County. He may choose to resume his career in mortgage insurance or his undergraduate education. O’Mara has said his client will not be safe if he is acquitted because of the outrage surrounding Martin’s death.

What happens if the jury is hung?• There is the possibility the jury will not be able to

reach a unanimous decision. That would be what is called a “hung jury.” If the judge declares a mistrial because the jury is hung, Zimmerman could face a retrial.

How long did the juries of these big trials deliberate?• Six women will soon begin deliberations in the trial

of George Zimmerman, the man accused of fatally shooting Trayvon Martin, but how long will it take for them to decide his fate.• Some people believe a short deliberation time

means a guilty verdict and a longer deliberation means the jury, or at least one juror, thinks the defendant is not guilty. But take a look at how long it took jurors to decide these cases:

Infamous (murder) trials I• Jurors took nearly 15 hours to find Jodi Arias guilty of first-degree

murder in the death of her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander.• Casey Anthony was acquitted of first-degree murder in the death of

her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. The jury deliberated 10 hours and 40 minutes.

• Jerry Sandusky was found guilty of 45 of 48 counts of child sex abuse after a jury deliberated for more than 20 hours over two days.

• After almost 14 hours, jurors found Drew Peterson guilty in the death of fourth wife, Kathleen Savio.

• The jury in the Conrad Murray trial found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson after about nine hours of jury deliberations.

• In 1995, O.J. Simpson was acquitted of two counts of murder in the deaths of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Jurors deliberated for less than four hours.

Infamous (murder) trials II• Jurors from the second Phil Spector trial deliberated for 30 hours

and convicted him of second-degree murder in the death of Lana Clarkson.

• After 35 hours of deliberations, stretched out over nine days, jurors acquitted Robert Blake of first-degree murder in his wife's death.

• Scott Peterson was convicted of first-degree and second-degree murder for killing his wife and their unborn child. The jury deliberated for seven days.

• After four days of deliberations, the Menendez brothers were convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for killing their parents.

• Steven Hayes was convicted of capital murder in the deaths of three members of the Petit family. The jury deliberated four hours.

Judge Debra Nelson addresses attorneys after informing them that the jury had a question on instructions for a charge of manslaughter

George Zimmerman stands when the jury arrives to deliver the verdict

Representing the Trayvon Martin family, attorney Jasmine Rand prays moments before George Zimmerman was found not guilty

Judge Debra Nelson receives the verdict from a deputy

Judge Debra Nelson reads the verdict to herself before handing it to the clerk of courts to announce George Zimmerman is not guilty

Judge Debra Nelson hands the verdict to the clerk of courts announcing George Zimmerman is not guilty

A Seminole circuit clerk of the court reads the verdict announcing George Zimmerman is found not guilty, on the 25th day of Zimmerman's trial at the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center, in Sanford, Fla., Saturday, July 13, 2013.

George Zimmerman listens as the verdict is announced that the jury finds him not guilty, with Mark O'Mara (left) and co-counsel, Don West and Lorna Truett

State Attorney Angela Corey and her assistant state attorneys Richard Mantei, left, John Guy, center left, and Bernie de la Rionda address the media following the not guilty verdict for George Zimmerman

State Attorney Angela Corey and her assistant state attorneys Richard Mantei, left, John Guy, center left, and Bernie de la Rionda address the media

State Attorney Angela Corey and assistant state attorney Bernie de la Rionda address the media following the not guilty verdict for George Zimmerman

Trayvon Martin family attorneys Daryl Parks, left, Natalie Jackson, center, Benjamin Crump, and Jasmine Rand address the media following George Zimmerman's not guilty verdict

Trayvon Martin family attorneys Daryl Parks, left, Benjamin Crump, center, and Jasmine Rand address the media following George Zimmerman's not guilty verdict

Defense attorneys Don West, left, and Mark O'Mara address the media following their not guilty verdict for George Zimmerman