A Florida judge ruled that George Zimmerman’s defense team will not be allowed to introduce “reputation-damaging evidence” about the slain teenager.
Judge Debra Nelson ruled Tuesday that George Zimmerman’s defense team is not permitted to discuss 17-year-old Trayvon Martin’s suspension from school, marijuana use, text messages or history of fighting in their opening statements at the trial set to begin in early June. She did say that she will “consider motions to admit details as evidence on a case-by-case basis, outside the presence of jurors.”
If Zimmerman’s attorneys “can convince [Nelson] during the course of the trial” that a specific piece of information about the teen’s past is relevant she will consider allowing it to be submitted as evidence. However, the judge also denied the defense team’s request to sequester the jury, and their request to take the jurors to the scene of the shooting. Nelson called it a “logistical nightmare” and remarked that it was counter to the request by the defense that the jury be “kept under wraps.”
Zimmerman is on trial for second-degree murder for the February, 2012, shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Judge Nelson also denied the defense team’s request for a delay, ruling that jury selection will begin as planned on June 10th.
Benjamin Crump, the Martin family’s attorney told reporters after the hearing that he believes the judge made the right ruling concerning the limiting of information about Trayvon’s past that the jury can be exposed to. He said, “Trayvon Martin did not have a gun. Trayvon Martin did not get out of the car to chase anybody. Trayvon Martin did not shoot and kill anybody. Trayvon Martin is not on trial.”
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Fox News, George Zimmerman and America’s Learning Moment
Photo: AP/File
