I would have bet my best bonnet that George Zimmerman (GZ) would never, ever testifying this case, but this morning, the court swore him in and asked Are you gonna testify? He got a little pink and started shifting around and Mr. West started yelling. I was yelling but I could hear him. He said, I'll speak for my client. Court: I'm talking to your client. Crash bang. Then to end the fight Court says: I'll give you more time . Everyone was muttering at the tables. It was odd. And ow, at the end of the day, the court reminds him he's under oath and that when we come back she's going to ask him again and he's to be ready. OMG I'm terrified he will testify. By the time you read this it will have been decided but let me tell you that at this moment this old war horse has her heart in her throat. No kidding.
MR. ROOT RETURNS TO RE-DIRECT: Q: What about the expletives? You've heard anger in your job, right? You have heard various stages of ill will and hate, What about here? A: GZ used expletives about all the ones who got away, in general, no about Trayvon Martin (TM). Q: What about f'ing punk? A: Not directed toward TM. Q: Evidence of ill will toward TM? A: No not individually. Q: Was GZ reckless in his use of his fire arm? A; No. Bench. Q: Was GZ's handling of weapon dangerous, besides shooting? A: No. Q: Knowing all you know, did GZ have options open to him besides shooting? A: No. About the notoriety... impacted your answers? A: No. Q: does pay impact your answers. Q: in criminal cases he has testified "many" times and usually for the prosecution.
40 seconds of fighting and injuries... change your mind about options? Same if two minute delay between phone call and fight?Que Primary interest is evolution of events and at that moment what was the person's perception. Flashlight helped create the location where fight began. As a fighter when you get hit in close. Que pasa tearing, blood flowing ability to breathe and stunning effect. Q: Is a nose punch an advantage? A: Getting the first shot can be devastating. Sets the tone and tempo of fight. Control of fight. CJ degree is about law and academy is how to enforce. Cop is noble career he would recommend if the person is capable. Q: If you tell me to sit down and I ay no, does use of force escalate in stages? A: Yes. Q: Train to use verbal force? A: Number one instruction is avoid if you can. Then variables. In your face and verbal, more significant because close. 40 feet way you can walk away. Q: If I waked up to you and pushed you what would you do? a: If you pushed me I would give you strong verbal command to let you know you made a mistake. lol
RE-CROSS EXAMINATION: Opinion was based on GZ's capabilities. What about TM's options? This all makes sense with all the evidence. Q: Do you know what TN was doing? A: Yes. Clear from evidence. All the evidence. Not just GZ. His perception was plausible. He has been retained in past for defense? Twice, once testified and consulted before. Force continuum is a law enforce term but applies to soldiers and civilians. Hit in nose repeatedly. No other evidence that punched. Seen people hit in nose who go on but some are finished, beaten. Warrior mentality. More about the entry trajectory if TM pulling back. Not a movie. Grip and shoot is normal. Complex angle not plausible. Complex wrist position takes thought. Not likely in a fight. When he heard GZ in call stress in voice. Tension diminished when TM ran. GZ is not an "I'm going to get on hi" type. Gz was trained to shoot by fed marshal.
Common practice is to delay in depth interview. Cops need to interview to see if an arrest is warranted. Different.
RE-RE-DIRECT: GZ have warrior mindset? No. Opposite of that. No inner fire to fight. GZ was injured and TM not so GZ never landed a blow. Fight never stopped for the 40 second period of screaming.
OLIVIA BERTALAN: NEIGHBOR OF GZ, married and two kids. Home on wed with son she opened door and she went up and looked out of upstair window. One came toward house. Broke in. Dispatcher said get Locked weapon. Locked in with rusty scissors. Cops cam and ran away. Dispatch said get away from door. Two black guys. Stole lap top camera. One was fond and arrested. She moved.
CROSS EXAMINATION: Bernie! Contact with GZ. Proffer: GZ that day. He came to house and gave phone number. Heard about crime. Two african young guys. Again spoke to him about 20 times. Spoke to several people about it. Arrested , released and arrested again. Where did they live ? Near back gate. Jury back, all is OK, questions he goes through the questions again. Looked young. They lived in complex near back gate. Saw uncle testify Follows O'Mara's , been on Nancy over a year ago.
RE DIRECT: She was terrified. She couldn't ever open her door. She appreciated his help and he offered his wife to help her. She can barely speak of it all this time later. HOA started NW. Ever think GZ was weird or odd? No got a dog. Cops said get a dog. They moved out. Too involved? A; No Q: Very. Helpful to you? Very.
ROBERT ZIMMERMAN SR.: George's dad, lovely man. Tender.
Answers yes, sir. 911 call (I love O"Mara) First heard 911 was in courthouse in SA's office and they put him under oath asked questions and when he was leaving and your under oath so listen ask who> I said it's my son George. Still certain? I am. Today? Certainly. Cross-X Bernie I hope you ever read this so I can yell at you.
40 witnesses for the prosecution and 19 for the defense. Court says: Any more witnesses you would like to call? A: No. Court: After the recess I am going to ask you if you are going to testify. Be ready. OMG OMG