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Mark O'Mara, attorney for George Zimmerman, in court Tuesday. Photo credit: Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
“Today was a major turning point,” WESH-Channel 2’s Bob Kealing said. “George Zimmerman’s defense is all in now for a jury verdict of Zimmerman’s guilt or innocence.”
WFTV-Channel 9 anchor Vanessa Welch saw a “bombshell announcement.”
Zimmerman’s defense is not asking for a stand your ground hearing next month. He is charged with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin last year in Sanford.
“The defense says Zimmerman could not have gotten away if he wanted to,” WFTV’s Kathi Belich said. “They’re saying it’s not stand your ground. It’s self-defense.”
WKMG-Channel 6’s Tony Pipitone said it was never a stand your ground case. “At a trial now, the state is going to have the burden to prove it was murder or manslaughter,” Pipitone said. “At one of those immunity hearings, the burden is on the defense.”
WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said the defense’s move could be smart because Zimmerman could argue self-defense in a civil suit. “He could have the case thrown out on immunity and the Martins wouldn’t see a penny,” Sheaffer said.
Another big development: The state confirmed that Witness No. 8, the woman who had been on the phone with Martin before he was shot, was not in the hospital during his funeral, as she had said. “It could be used to challenge her credibility when she testifies,” Pipitone said.
Defense attorney Mark O’Mara said No. 8 could be the most significant witness in the case.
“You never want your star witness to be caught in a lie,” WFTV’s Sheaffer said. “Lie about one thing. What else could she be lying about?”
WESH legal analyst Richard Hornsby said it was a big deal. “It goes to the heart of what the defense argument is that she was likely coached, that she’s likely being untruthful,” he said. “I think it’s a huge revelation for the defense.”
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