iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app More

Trayvon Martin Case: George Zimmerman's Lawyer Examining Evidence

05/14/12 07:32 PM ET AP

Trayvon Martin Case

MIAMI -- George Zimmerman's attorney is examining 67 compact discs and a list of witness statements in the Trayvon Martin case.

Attorney Mark O'Mara announced Monday evening on the legal defense site he created for Zimmerman that he and his team have received discovery regarding the case. The package also includes 911 calls, non-emergency calls, photos, video, medical records and numerous hardcopy documents, including the state's discovery exhibit and demand for reciprocal discovery.

O'Mara said on the site that it would be "inappropriate" for them to issue an immediate comment on "particular pieces of evidence."

Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, has pleaded not guilty to a second-degree murder charge in the Feb. 26 shooting of the 17-year-old Martin. Zimmerman claims he shot the teenager in self-defense.

FOLLOW BLACK VOICES

Filed by Danielle Cadet  | 
 
 
  • Comments
  • 403
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Post Comment Preview Comment
To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2  Next ›  Last »  (2 total)
01:15 PM on 05/23/2012
I hope the prosecution placed a tracking device on zimmermans pharmacy visits.
10:09 AM on 05/24/2012
Foolish.
photo
Davewaybe
Life gives us time only love gives us meaning
12:13 AM on 05/18/2012
Your test for today people is one little question:
We know Zimmerman was on the phone to dispatch (911) for 4 mins 11 secs, and in this time he lost Martin.
From where Zimmerman to Martins house it was about 400 ft. or about 30 secs for a football player (at most)
So why was Martin not sitting in front of the television with his feet up, for 3 mins 30 secs, before Zimm even got off the phone?
02:16 PM on 05/18/2012
Wasn't Martin on his own phone call...which would explain the delay?
photo
Davewaybe
Life gives us time only love gives us meaning
03:48 PM on 05/18/2012
He was fleeing for his life, and being stalked by this white man with a gun rememeber
07:44 PM on 05/17/2012
Zimmerman clearly has mental problems, hence his being on medication for anxiety, Temazepam.

Temazepam has the following side effects;

---mental or mood problems (eg, aggression, agitation, anxiety); new or worsening trouble sleeping; suicidal thoughts or actions; unusual behavior

---Psychiatric side effects including cognitive disturbances, psychotic symptoms, and euphoria have been reported. One case of visual hallucination has been reported and confirmed upon rechallenge.

So, a man with anxiety problems, who is also on drugs that have side effects of aggression and cognitive disturbances was allowed to run around armed, pretending to be a cop.

(g)od bless America, amirite?
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
Peni4yothot
false evidence ain't real
10:04 PM on 05/17/2012
albonix, correct me if I am wrong, but when applying for a gun permit, are you questioned regarding any psych meds and psych history?
10:48 AM on 05/18/2012
I don't know, I'm not a gun nut. What I do know is that Zimmerman has a mental disorder (anxiety), was on mind altering drugs (tamezpam) and was chasing someone down with a gun on him.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
turnerj41
02:46 AM on 05/19/2012
absolutely yes
12:36 PM on 05/18/2012
Your argument is badly flawed. The medications Zimmerman was taking are designed to control the problems, not stimulate them. And there is no evidence whatsoever to the contrary.
01:15 PM on 05/18/2012
Those are the listed side effects, you can look it up yourself.
 
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
ornery
H.L. Mencken was too kind.
07:18 PM on 05/18/2012
No evidence beside the fact he shot an unarmed teenager to death.
07:17 PM on 05/17/2012
Here is the deal...Everyone is being confused with the mixture of true and false facts. This incident is being stretch beyond the point of comprehension.

It seems ridiculous to me, everyone is having major arguments over untruths told by the resources that are giving bits and pieces at certain times of the incidents.

For instance in scenario A, let us say hypothetical man shot a boy and the boy dies at the hospital 5 hours later. Did a crime take place?

Scenario B Hypothetically a Woman shot two teenage boys in the neighbor hood that was running from the direction of her house. The police were call and the woman was arrest. The boys were rush to the hospital and in critical condition. The police invested the incident and eight witnesses told the police the events that occurred. The boys were breaking into her house and carrying out several of things. The person was home, she appeared to be hurt and carrying a gun as the boys were running. The boys shot several of times, the woman shot back and hit both boys, and they fell to the ground. The police at the scene and finish their investigation at the home of the woman, the path they were running on and looking for the casting of the bullets as well as the car with the load merchandize.

Which scene do you believe? Which one has the total truth and facts?

Now think of this case....
10:02 AM on 05/17/2012
If the prosecution can convince the jury that beyond a reasonable doubt, Zimmerman started the physical struggle, then they may get a manslaughter conviction, nothing more. The only way I can see that happening is for them to get enough witnesses to testify that Trayvon never physically attacked anybody (in contrast to Zimmerman) so that the jury just might buy it. So the prosecution should start lining up coaches, teachers, fellow students, etc, to augment relative testimony.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jodacollins
10:23 PM on 05/19/2012
It was stated that TM assaulted a bus driver but I cannot find any authoritative reference to that. TM was suspended. It may be because he was 11 months short of being a legal adult, this info is secret.
10:24 AM on 05/24/2012
The mention of the bus driver attempted assault was in Martin's social tweets.

As for his three suspensions, it is conjecture as to what they were for. Given the things that are known about Martin, it is very unlikely that good news would be sealed.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Beth3
08:50 AM on 05/17/2012
All I want to know is one question, and that is this. How in the world does one plead Not Guilty knowing they shot and killed a person? You know you and the other person were the only ones having a fight, the only ones involved in the fight you two were having, you were the only one in the fight/struggle with a gun, the other person dies as a result from YOU shooting them, and you were the only one again with and in the struggle, and yet you say you are not guilty? Where is your mind? You did it period!
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
privategirl
11:59 AM on 05/17/2012
You plead not guilty when you know you live in a society that isn't as colored blind as it wants u to believe.

We are made to believe that everything Zimmerman say is the truth and thing anyone else says is a lie? Why is that?

Zimmerman is a liar...and he knows it...Not one piece of his so called evidence is coming from a neutral source like the EMT.
01:53 PM on 05/17/2012
the newest evidence from medical examiner is that trayvon had injuries to his knuckles from hitting george. george has not lied and when all the evidence [even the emt's] is revealed it will show how george defended his life against a brutal beating by tray.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jodacollins
10:27 PM on 05/19/2012
An American soldier is attacked by the enemy and a fight follows. During the fight, the American soldier kills the attacker. By your standard, the American soldier is a murderer. Right? He meets all of your stated standards for being guilty of murder:
1. He shot and killed a person?
2. Only two were fighting.
3. One shoots the other dies.
You missed the point of the crime of "assault".
photo
Clarabell
If we only had a "free" press!
06:04 PM on 05/16/2012
For those who are diehard Z supporters:

If the "sealed" evidence were exculpatory for Z, you can bet that his attorney would be pounding on the door of the court to get it released. (just like the med reports -- which appear to me to be the same stuff we saw a month or more ago). And yes, while in our country the defendant is "presumed" innocent until proven guilty, it does not preclude us from using our common sense as observers.

My guess is that, given the prosecutors evidence, the defense attorney will drag this thing on until many of us are no longer of this world -- after all, what's the rush? His client is not in jail and he will make a ton of money -- so the longer the better for "all" of their interests to be served.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jodacollins
08:23 PM on 05/16/2012
I read all of the prosecutions "evidence" has been turned over to the defense. My guess is, given the prosecutors evidence the defense will not need to drag this case out. I am making a prediction: The prosecution has nothing significant by way of evidence that is not widely known by the public, and with that evidence a convictions for 2nd degree murder is impossible. The prosecution is left to smoke and mirrors and trying to make the shooting of the attacker a hate crime on the part of the battered man. Impossible.
photo
Clarabell
If we only had a "free" press!
09:31 PM on 05/16/2012
"CNN Wire Staff updated 8:23 PM EDT Tues May 15, 2012:

(CNN) -- Prosecutors released a summary of evidence Tuesday in the case against neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, who is accused of second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin.
The eight-page document released to the public contains a list of possible witnesses and law enforcement reports that could be used in the prosecution's case against Zimmerman.
But it doesn't include details from those statements or reports, and contains no new revelations about the case, which sparked nationwide protests and reflection on race relations and gun laws in the United States. ..."

What you have is a guess -- just like those of us with some knowledge and a "gut" feeling. We will see what we will see, but my prediction is that it will not be fast in coming.
photo
Shannon RinkerHuffman
The road to success is always under construction
04:05 PM on 05/16/2012
Bottom line is this: If Zimmerman was going to follow and confront this guy no matter what, then why did he bother to call 911 and then not follow the explicit instructions of the police dispatcher?
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jodacollins
08:24 PM on 05/16/2012
Yep!
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
turnerj41
02:51 AM on 05/19/2012
backup
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
03:34 PM on 05/16/2012
Even if everything happened exactly as Zimmerman has alleged, Zimmerman is still guilty.

Of course, Zimmerman is the defendent.

If we simply ask and bekieve defendents stories at face value our prisons woul be empty.

Most defedents lie.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Hyblarvim
I need answers.
04:05 PM on 05/16/2012
If everything happened exactly as Zimmerman has alleged, what should he be convicted of?
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jodacollins
08:29 PM on 05/16/2012
Failing to obey the voice that said, "We don't need you to do that." I guess he might get two hours of community service if that were a crime. Since it is not a crime, I guess there is no punishment. Maybe he will be charged with legally carrying a concealed weapon. Humm. No, that is not illegal. Maybe they can charge him with taking a beating? How about this, they can charge him with the crime assumed by ShOOFlys, "Most defendants lie". I know, the prosecution can charge Z with "caring about the safety of his community" or with "being a good neighbor". How about charging him with, "Hispanic shoots black kid, and who cares why!".
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
turnerj41
03:04 AM on 05/19/2012
if everything happened as he said then nothing, but I remember his dad saying that George only drew and fired the gun as he was drifting towards unconciousness... do those screams sound like a person losing conciousness? I am eager to hear the testimony of the broken nose bacause it doesnt even look close to broken at the jail, just a small lump...also the independent medical report only talks minor bleeding. Finally, if the fatal shot is not very close to point blank George's story will collapse.

Now on second thought reckless endangerment seems plausible
photo
pciorlandosales
have come to chew bubble gum and kick ash
10:41 PM on 05/16/2012
Zimmerman has alleged ??? Please post a link something (anything) that Zimmerman himself has said?
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
carnelia8
Ain't no shame, in My game!
01:02 PM on 05/16/2012
They need to put the little punk behind bars and be done with him.
photo
Patt Rugar
Average Joe
12:06 PM on 05/16/2012
you got to love black voices coverage.. if it is a pro Zimmerman OR NEUTRAL story it is like 2-3 paragraphs long. If they can give it the Trayvon Twist and spin .. it is long. Why doesn't Huff give this story to general Commentators. We want the unbiased view.
01:12 PM on 05/16/2012
You should stick with Faux news, where fairy tales are played all day - all the time.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
enlightened45
03:52 PM on 05/16/2012
Pro Zimmerman stories are too scarce to worry over...Give it up, PR...you are out of touch with reality.
photo
pciorlandosales
have come to chew bubble gum and kick ash
10:34 PM on 05/16/2012
but then most people in here are
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
xanxia
Dazed and Confused
04:54 AM on 05/16/2012
Go people! It is your turn now to analyze this piece of information and put everything together like a lawyer! Everyone has their own opinion and I can see people getting more emotional over this case by the day convinced that what they know is the truth. Point is, we know nothing except what we read from the media. What we keep forgetting is not all evidence is going to be presented to everyone UNTIL the trial.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jodacollins
12:29 PM on 05/16/2012
I suspect little or nothing that is not already known will be presented at the trial. Only the spin on the facts that are already known may be new.
photo
pciorlandosales
have come to chew bubble gum and kick ash
11:24 PM on 05/15/2012
The other side of the coin, hope you can at least give me the same courtesy I gave you and can answer these questions.
1. Why did Martin not go home? He was within 100 ft of his front door. Nothing was between Martin and his front door.
2. Why did Martin attack Mr. Zimmerman? Mr. Zimmerman's injuries have been documented.
3. Mr. Zimmerman acknowledged in his 911 call that he has no idea where the kid is. Where was Martin the whole time Mr. Zimmerman is on the phone with the dispatcher?
4. Martin was on the High School football team as a wide receiver at 6'3" with a thin build. Why did Martin refuse to run when his gf suggests he should? Could Martin have not easily outrun Mr. Zimmerman?
5. The funeral directer (during a press conference) stated that Martin had no injuries consistent with a physical altercation. This situation (will) boil down to who attacked whom? Why does Martin have no injuries consistent with a physical confrontation?
6. If Mr. Zimmerman attacked Martin then why is it that Mr. Zimmerman is the only one of the two with physical injuries consistent with a physical confrontation?
7. Why is it that Mr. Zimmerman has a wet back and grass stains on his back, if he was the aggressor?
I suggest you review Florida Statute 776.041 Use of force by aggressor.
08:02 AM on 05/16/2012
Zimmerman is GUILTY and was told to stay put....why did he not follow directions from the dispacher... to STAY PUT. DO NOT FOLLOW...

So that tell you already...that he FOLLOWED Trayvon when the dispatcher told him to STAY PUT!.......

So what happens when you follow someone in the dark...ANYTHING....what would you do if someone was following YOU IN THE NIGHT.........

Maybe Trayvon thought Zimmerman was going to rob him....the point is HE WAS TOLD TO SAY PUT..do NOT FOLLOW! and he did not! he was not train as a cop and did not follow orders from the dispatcher!

You can butter and speculate and make up stories why zimmerman did what he did, but the bottom line is....HE WAS TOLD TO STAY PUT and he killed a young innocent man with a gun that he was NOT SUPPOSE to have......and he has a violent history
photo
Patt Rugar
Average Joe
11:43 AM on 05/16/2012
heas was told to stay put..do you have a link?
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jodacollins
12:30 PM on 05/16/2012
Z is not on trial for not staying put.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
merrybnurse
..right thing to do dosen't = convenient..
05:38 PM on 05/16/2012
man...I'm not gonna say it ..it won't get posted !!
photo
pciorlandosales
have come to chew bubble gum and kick ash
06:04 PM on 05/16/2012
I guess I am not going to get the same respect I gave. Doesn't surprise me in the least. 
photo
pciorlandosales
have come to chew bubble gum and kick ash
11:05 PM on 05/15/2012
A broken nose, two blackened eye's, lacerations to the back of his head. The funeral director for Martin during a press conference, "Mr. Martin had no injuries that would be associated with a physical altercation". Officer Smith's report, "Mr. Zimmerman's back is wet, and grass stained, as if he had been on the ground on his back". 911 call Zimmerman: "I can't give you my address. I don't know where this kid is". Martin less than 100 feet from his front door at the time Zimmerman tells the operator "I lost him, he ran around the buildings". Nothing between Martin and his front door the whole time Zimmerman is talking to the dispatcher (no longer following anyone). Why didn't Martin just go home? It's what a person who in fear does. You run home, lock your door and call 911.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Bella Lee
12:04 AM on 05/16/2012
Zimmerman never stopped running after Trayvon who was walking away fast but since he was not running Zimmerman was able to catch up and confront the teen
photo
pciorlandosales
have come to chew bubble gum and kick ash
02:06 AM on 05/16/2012
LOL your stories keep getting more and more funny.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jodacollins
02:25 AM on 05/16/2012
Why not suppose that TM was running as fast as he could in circles because he was confused and terrified. Therefore, Z was able to catch him and watch him run around in circles, and while running around in circles, TM accidentally knocked Z down and accidentally banged Z head against the concrete. Hey, if you are going to poses guesses, why not this guess?
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
tifosies
02:40 AM on 05/16/2012
"Why didn't Martin just go home?" Maybe he was hiding (going home puts him out in the open~in view of the man pursing him.) As GZ walked forward, he approached TM's hiding spot and he stood (still on the phone with his gf) "Why are you FOLLOWING ME?" GZ:"What are you doing here?" (sound of phone falling)
photo
Patt Rugar
Average Joe
11:48 AM on 05/16/2012
If he was that scared.. he should of been on the phone with 911. He could of gone home 3 different times. Including the time the witness asked hm to stop beating Zimmerman
photo
pciorlandosales
have come to chew bubble gum and kick ash
03:36 PM on 05/16/2012
So someone is following you. At some point they even lose sight of you. You do not run home lock the door and call 911? Well you do if your afraid. Keep in mind Martin was less than 100 feet from his front door. There was nothing between Martin and his front door. Instead you stop and have a conversation with them. Well not if your afraid. Even your gf tells you to run but you refuse. Well not if your afraid. Someone less confrontational would have said "I live here", I have the police on my phone now". If they where afraid. Instead they attack someone who is simply asking them two questions. Give that person 2 black eyes, broken nose, gashes to the back of the head. Only if they are not afraid.   
photo
pciorlandosales
have come to chew bubble gum and kick ash
10:58 PM on 05/15/2012
Things are not looking so great for the state in this case:) Actually the state is looking pretty incompetent. In their through and unbiased investigation they never bothered to retrieve an important piece of evidence. Zimmerman's medical records. Photo's taken at the Dr.'s office etc. O'mera made the investigator on the stand, at the bond hearing look incompetent as well.
photo
patters85
Obama the Capitalist!
11:25 PM on 05/15/2012
When a crook robs a bank. What happens in the shoot out afterwards has little to do with the charge of bank robbery. Weather Zimmerman got his butt kicked has little to do with why he was behind the condos with a gun and chasing a US citizen. We both know why he was back there. Don't we?
photo
pciorlandosales
have come to chew bubble gum and kick ash
11:47 PM on 05/15/2012
Yes (we) do he was attempting to protect his community. That is until he was attacked by a wanna be thug teenager.
photo
pciorlandosales
have come to chew bubble gum and kick ash
02:11 AM on 05/16/2012
Wow your so lost. I actually feel sorry for you lol !! 
08:08 AM on 05/16/2012
they have to look at his PAST Medical records....from the picture of him being brought in...I did not see him holding his nose if it was broken...

People that is injured are holding their injured parts....
I did not see his clothes wet and wrinkle with grass stains and indications of a scuffle.....

When your nose is broken it BLEEDS...his nose was not bleeding on the police video....he was not holding his so called injured nose.....
photo
pciorlandosales
have come to chew bubble gum and kick ash
09:58 PM on 05/16/2012
All I need to see is Officer Smiths statement from that night. His sworn testimony tells it all. Just in case you might want to hear facts in evidence, here you are.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/87828890/Sanford-FL-police-report-on-Trayvon-Martin