Zimmerman judge excludes Trayvon Martin fighting, social media and marijuana use
on May 28, 2013
35 Comments
Update -- see post-hearing analysis at bottom of post.
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At a hearing today, the Judge in the George Zimmerman case granted the prosecution's motion to exclude all mention of Trayvon Martin's social media use, including images and text relating to fighting and marijuana use.
We mentioned some of this evidence in our prior post.
The Judge's ruling addressed Opening Statements and jury selection, and leaves open the possibility that if the prosecution somehow opens the door to the evidence, it could come in at trial, but for now, it's out.
In a bombshell revelation, Zimmerman's attorney asserted for the first time that Martin videotaped friends beating up a homeless man. I didn't hear that part of the court hearing, but here is what an Orlando Sentinel reporter tweeted:
[UPDATE -- Zimmerman's attorney retracted the statement above:First time we've hear this: O'Mara in court: #Trayvon videod friends beating up homeless man.#Zimmerman. orlandosentinel.com/news/local/tra…
— OSTrayvonMartin (@OSTrayvonMartin) May 28, 2013
During the Tuesday, May 28th hearing, Mr. O'Mara misstated the nature of video from Trayvon Martin's cell phone which was included in the Defendant's 3rd Supplemental Discovery. He stated that the video showed "two buddies of his beating up a homeless guy," when what happened was Trayvon Martin, along with a buddy, was videotaping two homeless guys fighting each other over a bike. Though it was unintentional, it is a particular concern to us because we are and have been committed to disputing misinformation in every aspect of this case, not causing it. For that, Mr. O’Mara apologizes.] Here are live tweets of other rulings from Orlando Sentinel reporters:
Judge: No metion of #TrayvonMartin's toxicology report in opening statements. #GeorgeZimmerman
— Jeff Weiner (@JeffWeinerOS) May 28, 2013
Judge agrees with state: #TrayvonMartin's past marijuana use will not come into #GeorgeZimmerman's trial.
— Jeff Weiner (@JeffWeinerOS) May 28, 2013
Judge says #GeorgeZimmerman's wife should appear at deposition, but she may take the 5th. #TrayvonMartin
— Jeff Weiner (@JeffWeinerOS) May 28, 2013
Nelson sides with state, school suspension "will not be mentioned at all" without court's OK. #TrayvonMartin #GeorgeZimmerman
— Jeff Weiner (@JeffWeinerOS) May 28, 2013
Judge rules on #TrayvonMartin fighting: "It will not be mentioned in opening statement," but could come in later. #GeorgeZimmerman
— Jeff Weiner (@JeffWeinerOS) May 28, 2013
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