Deliberations for the day and will resume at 9 00 a. M. Eastern time tomorrow. Theyve already asked the judge a question, in the short time since their deliberations began. They requested a list of all the evidence they were presented with and the judge arranged to have that list delivered. Today we saw the dramatic conclusion of the case as the defense attorney mark omara presented his Closing Argument and prosecutor john guy gave the states rebuttal. So this is what happens in a criminal case. The state has to take you from somewhere down here before theres any evidence, and he sort of presumed to be not guilty, all the way up the list in your mind. The person who decided that this is going to continue, that it was going to become a violent event was the guy who didnt go home when he had the chance to. It was the guy who decided to lie in wait, i guess, plan his move. Does it really help you decide this case when somebody who is not George Zimmermans voice screams at the you or yells
Im jim axelrod with a western edition. The lines are drawn neatly in sanford, florida, where two camps of demonstrators are waiting for a verdict in the trial of the man accused of murdering Trayvon Martin, those who think George Zimmerman was acting in self defense in the altercation with the 17yearold and those who think hes a killer. After a full day of deliberations, jurors had a question for the judge. Mark strassmann joins us now from the courthouse. Mark, what do they want to know . Ow . Reporter well, jim, the question that they sent in is by far the clearest indication yet of the debate inside the jury room. The question reads as follows, may we please have clarification on the instructions regarding manslaughter . Trayvon. Justice. Outside the courthouse in sanford today, demonstrators were divided. George, guilty. George, guilty. Like so Many Americans are about whether George Zimmerman took the law into his own hands. Inside this courtroom, zimmermans future was still uncer
Now we wait for a verdict in the trial of george zimmerman, charged in the killing of Trayvon Martin. Its become such a closely watched, very highly charged court trial. Because of the rules governing Closing Arguments, the defense wrapped up today, then the prosecutors had the chance to have the last word before the judge charged and sent away the jury in this case. Ron mott was there. He continues to watch things for us tonight in sanford, florida. Ron, good evening. Reporter brian, good evening to you. After all the evidence, after all the testimony, it all now comes down to one of three options for this jury george zimmerman, guilty of seconddegree murder. George zimmerman, guilty of manslaughter. Or george zimmerman, not guilty. With his client accused of profiling Trayvon Martin, ending in a fatal encounter last year you might have an impression of george zimmerman. Stand up for a second. Reporter today defense attorney mark omara asked the jury in his Closing Argument not to mak
The jury may consider the lesser charge of manslaughter. Thats important for the state and they hammered at the notion the unarmed black teenager was the aggressor. Why does this defendant get out of the car if he thinks that Trayvon Martin is a threat to him . Why . Why . Because hes got a gun. Hes got the equalizer. Hes going to take care of it. Hes a want to be cop. We begin with Martin Savidge outside the courthouse in sanford. Martin, what a day. Highly emotional that Closing Argument from the prosecutor. I found it gripping to watch, and i have to say, if i was a member of that jury, compelling. Right. Let me point out the closing statement differed from the opening statement. A physical blow when they delivered the string of curse words at the beginning but today the veteran prosecutor bernie de la rhonda says a teenager is dead. A teenager is dead because a man made and acted on assumptions, very strong, listen. This defendant made the wrong assumption. He profiled him as a cri
For the past months to put together a plan to ensure the safety of sanford and our surrounding communities. Ladies and gentlemen, its a trying time for all of us. Were not sure what the verdict is going to bring out. But at the same time, its a great opportunity for evolution within the Sanford Community and showing how we as a community can evolve to do better and be better. To ensure that we have an opportunity to speak our peace peacefully. To come together peacefully. And when you leave here, you leave here peacefully. Theres nothing on the horizon for us other than to move forward. The family has also asked the judicial system to run its course, and thats exactly what were asking other people to do. Allow the judicial system to run its course. And we will move forward from here. Thank you and have a great afternoon. Thank you very much. Youve been listening to local Law Enforcement in sanford, florida, assuring the public they are prepared for whatever reaction comes to the verdic