:The following is a LIVE, ongoing rundown of the day's testimony in the George Zimmerman trial for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
The most recent updates from the courtroom Monday are on top.
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6:40 p.m.
Mantei says he is in a position of having new information without the time to look it over regarding a new video.
Judge Nelson asks if they would like to go forward.
Mantei says he’d like to reopen his deposition.
Judge Nelson asks if his deposition can be taken now. Mantei says that can be done.
O’Mara says there was another proffer for the morning which could take 45 minutes.
Judge Nelson asks if the witness will testify tomorrow and if the hearing could be held after court.
West says it is subject to how quickly tomorrow goes.
Judge Nelson says Shoemaker’s proffer will be tomorrow morning and the other will be before their testimony.
De la Rionda asks for an opportunity to depose Dr. Di Maio.
Dr. Di Maio will testify about the angle of the gunshot and the distance between the skin and clothing.
Judge Nelson says they can ask Mr. Shoemaker about what he got from Dr. Di Maio and then call Dr. Di Maio.
Judge Nelson asks the attorneys to approach.
Court is in recess until 8:30 a.m.
5:35 p.m.
O’Mara says they are about 10 minutes away from having their witness present for the Daubert hearing.
Mantei says the number of blows being depicted in the exhibit has been removed and the objection no longer applies for that, but a number remain.
Judge Nelson asks if it would be helpful for the state to talk to the expert, Mr Shoemaker.
Mantei says he would be happy to do that.
Judge Nelson says she would like to take the issue up now.
Guy asks to substitute the timeline exhibit with a new fresh printed one.
Court is in recess until she is told they are ready.
5:11 p.m.
Judge Nelson moves on to the animation.
O’Mara says the exhibit has some movement, but is still frames. Judge Nelson asks if there should be a Daubert hearing.
Mantei says the newest version of the evidence was given to him three hours ago.
Judge Nelson asks for the first witness for the Daubert hearing.
O’Mara asks for a recess.
Judge Nelson gives a 15 minute recess, but asks council to approach.
5:08 p.m.
Judge Nelson says she has already made a similar ruling in not allowing detectives to say their opinion.
She asks about a witness named Root who is a law enforcement expert.
O’Mara says his view of force events and reasonable abilities of the two parties and what element to consider. His expertise on use of force is another issue, plus the effects of trauma and officers involved in shootings.
He says there are a number of areas for Mr. Root to testify.
He says Root has seen the evidence and only spent a little time with Zimmerman and can give his testimony on that.
Judge Nelson asks if those are common sense decisions for the jury to make.
O’Mara says he doesn’t think this jury has the experience background.
Guy argues for the state that the motion is limited to the three opinions offered in his deposition, which was 2.5 hours long.
He says he can testify about law enforcement actions, but not about the defendant.
He says the opinions to the defendant’s guilt or innocence would be improper.
O’Mara asks Judge Nelson to review the deposition.
She says the state’s motion is very clear. She finds that allowing him to testify as an expert would be bolstering the defending. The motion in limine is granted.
5:00 p.m.
West cites a case that has to do with the self-defense argument and admissibility of evidence.
Guy says the presence is not enough, but there has to be testimony about the effect, which they don’t have in this case.
He says it is unknown about the effects on Martin. He says the defendant’s comment that Martin appeared to be on drugs is among many comments said about him.
Guy says they are trying to backdoor negative character evidence.
Judge Nelson the defense has an expert that would testify about the effect it would have.
Guy says the court should hear it in a proffer to make a sound decision.
Judge Nelson asks if there would be an opportunity to proffer the witness.
She says not allowing the testimony to come in would be reversible error.
She says the state will have the opportunity to cross examine and call rebuttal witnesses. She denies the motion in limiting.
4:53 p.m.
West says the issue at this time is the amount of THC found in Martin’s toxicology.
Judge Nelson asks for a copy of it.
The state has a motion in limiting.
John Guy argues for the state that because the defendant didn’t know Martin and didn’t know his state and the minimal levels is unduly prejudicial.
He says the probative value is near zero and the prejudicial value is much greater.
Judge Nelson says she previously ruled it wouldn’t be in opening statements and they are now looking at the time of trial.
West argues the issue is specific to self-defense and the focus of the case. He says the knowledge of a positive level of THC and Dr. Bao changed his testimony.
He says Zimmerman said in his non-emergency call that Martin looked like he was on drugs. He says Martin looked like he was swaying in the 7-Eleven video and he was carrying a lighter.
He says they will have testimony from an expert that the level of THC is sufficient for some level of impairment and because of that and Zimmerman’s observations it is relevant and probative for the jury.
He says it supports the claim of self-defense because Martin’s behavior is also at issue and the level of his toxicology and how it impacted his behavior.
West says the state’s motion there was no knowledge Martin ingested it recently. He says Dr. Bao testified it would have been relatively recent.
4:45 p.m.
O’Mara argues that it has to be material.
He says the state had an opportunity to play him the tape in the deposition, but they decided not to.
O’Mara says he finds it incredible to ask about this witness’s information when the court has been addressing other issues with the state.
He asks the state to show what they could’ve accomplished.
He calls the state’s cross examination of Donnelly quite good.
He says striking his testimony would be extreme.
Mantei responds saying there are two types of violations willful and inadvertent.
Mantei says it is a matter that would have reopened the deposition instead of trying to do it on the fly.
He says it created an impression before the jury.
Judge Nelson says she has the transcript from the deposition. She says the state had the opportunity to ask about his background.
She says she finds that defense should have and did not provide the information, but the state has not shown the prejudice to strike the testimony.
The next issue is the toxicology report.
4:38 p.m.
Mantei says if the information was communicated, they could have more thoroughly investigated the witnesses background rather than do it before the jury.
He says the foundation for his background could have been more fully explored.
They could have investigated if he was in court for the proceedings for the reason the decision to listen was on his own, Mantei says.
He says it was something Donnelly knew would assist the defense.
Judge Nelson asks if Donnelly had never listened to the tape and he listened to it in court, what would be the difference.
Mantei says that would be a risky scenario.
Judge Nelson confirms it would be for the defense. She says if he’s played the tape for the first time in the courtroom, what would change.
She asks if that would have happened what the state would have done differently.
She says the issue is he now listened to the tape, identified Zimmerman and the defense knew it, but what would the state have done differently.
Mantei cites a case.
He says in open court the opportunity would have come for the state to question him about instantly knowing who the voice was.
4:32 p.m.
Judge Nelson says six different matters are going to be taken up.
State has motion to strike Donnelly’s testimony. The state requests a Richardson hearing.
Another is regarding an animation and toxicology.
State has motion’s to strike Serino and Singleton’s testimony. Since Martin testified, the state no longer motion’s for that strike.
The state’s argument is the defense had prior knowledge Donnelly would identify Zimmerman’s voice on the 911 tape, but at his deposition he did not indicate he listened to the tape or had an opinion.
Mantei says there was an opportunity to communicate the information. He says they spent several hours together yesterday for a deposition.
Mantei says some people have said Donnelly was in the courtroom sometime last week, too.
Mantei says he has cases that show the prejudice.
Judge Nelson asks what the state would have done differently with the knowledge.
Mantei cites a case for the sort of things that could have been done with knowledge of the new information.
Witness: Bill Lee - Former Sanford Police Chief
4:28 p.m.
De la Rionda asks if a witness saying they heard the audio on TV would be tainted.
Lee confirms.
De la Rionda asks if that would be because they are influenced by the context.
Lee confirms.
He explains that a line-up would have six samples with some similar characteristics in for comparison.
De la Rionda finishes questioning.
O’Mara redirects.
He asks if the voice was still an issued being looked into in the investigation.
Lee says evidence and testimony gave indication as to whose voice it was.
O’Mara asks about the suggestion to go get six voices, but in the confines of this case, the best practice would have been to allow each person listen individually.
Lee says for investigative purposes, each person would’ve listened individually.
O’Mara asks if the city manager normally makes police decisions.
“No sir,” Lee says.
O’Mara finishes questioning.
Lee is excused.
Judge Nelson dismisses the jury for the evening, but the attorneys have matters to take up.
4:21 p.m.
He describes his law enforcement background. He says he was born and raised in Sanford.
He calls he was involved in the case as the chief of police.
O’Mara asks about the decision made to play the 911 call recording for the Martin family and the point forward.
Lee confirms he was aware the decision was made.
O’Mara asks about best practices for handling audio line-ups.
Lee says just like a photo line-up it would be shown individually so their decision is not influenced.
He says he understand the recording was played at the mayor’s office and law enforcement was not present.
Lee says he offered to be present, but it wasn’t accepted and he was excluded from the room.
De la Rionda begins cross examination.
Lee says he asked the city manager if could be present, but it was declined.
He says he was not in the mayor’s office when it was played.
De la Rionda asks more about line-ups.
4:12 p.m.
Bill Lee takes the stand. He was Chief of Police for the city of Sanford. He says it ended June 22, 2012.
Witness: Tracy Martin - Trayvon Martin's father
4:09 p.m.
De la Rionda resumes questioning about Investigator Serino showing a photograph he used to identify Martin on the 27th.
De la Rionda asks about the meeting at the police station in the 28th where Serino played the 911 calls.
Martin says he doesn’t think Serino played each call in its entirety, leading up to the last call with the shot.
He confirms he was still in denial about his son being dead.
O’Mara objects. It is overruled.
De la Rionda asks him about his response of pulling his chair back and realizing it was the shot that killed his son.
Martin says his world was turned upside down at that point.
He confirms he attempted to answer Serino.
“Basically what I was listening to, I was listening to my son’s last cries for help. I was listening to his life being taken,” he says.
He confirms he was present at the mayor’s office when it was played again.
He can’t remember it was all of the 911 calls or just the last one.
He says he took control of the mouse and was able to rewind it over again.
De la Rionda asks if it brought him comfort hearing it again.
O’Mara objects.
De la Rionda asks if Martin was still dealing with the death while playing it over and over again.
“Yes,” Martin says.
He says he was just trying to figure out why the defendant got out of his vehicle and chased his son when he played the recording over and over again.
O'Mara re-directs.
He asks if he believes the police lied about him saying he said it wasn't his son's voice.
O'Mara asks if he instructed Crump to say the police lied.
He says he never instructed anyone to say anything.
O'Mara finishes questioning.
Martin is excused, but subject to recall.
The defense calls Chief Bill Lee to the stand.
4:01 p.m.
Martin says officers first wanted to verify his son’s identity with him.
O’Mara objects to a question about officers showing a picture of the body on the ground and asks to approach.
The attorneys enter a sidebar.
4:00 p.m.
Martin says mostly “yes” answers.
He says he doesn’t remember the exact words about not being asked to identify his son’s voice.
Martin says he told Serino he didn’t know and he pushed away from the table shaking his head and said he couldn’t tell, adding it was “something to that effect.”
Martin says he didn’t know Singleton was in the area.
He says he didn’t ask to hear it again at the moment.
Martin says he never told anyone he listened to a cleaned up version of the recording.
He says he didn’t tell Sybrina Fulton he had listened to the recording at Serino’s desk.
O’Mara asks about being at the mayor’s office when the tape was played for the whole family.
Martin says he didn’t advise anyone of what they were about to hear because they all know what they were there for.
He says after listening to it so many times, he said he knew it was Trayvon’s voice.
O’Mara finishes questioning.
De la Rionda cross examines.
He asks if it is still hard to believe his son is not living.
“It’s very difficult,” Martin says, calling him his best friend in life.
3:52 p.m.
Tracy Martin takes the stand. O'Mara questions him about meeting with Officer Serino.
3:50 p.m.
The jury is reseated. The defense calls Tracy Martin.
3:47 p.m.
The attorneys are in sidebar with Judge Nelson.
Witness: Adam Pollock - Gym manager
3:20 p.m.
Mantei asks about the difficulty for the person on the bottom to strike upwards.
Pollock says grabbing someone’s arm isn’t practical and wouldn’t work.
He says if you’re on your back you can’t arm lock someone on top of you, but you would have to be extremely skilled, which he says Zimmerman is not.
Mantei asks about striking.
Pollock says the beginning will be about footwork, body posturing and then about the jab.
Mantei asks about positioning for the hands.
Pollock says it is taught.
He says Zimmerman went two or three times a week for grappling for a number of months, and then his schedule changed, so he went to boxing classes.
Mantei finishes questioning.
O’Mara redirects.
He asks if Zimmerman was proficient in what he was learning.
Pollock says no, but Zimmerman was doing well with the stretches and work.
Pollock says chokes and arm locks were not something Zimmerman could pull off.
O’Mara asks about the description of Zimmerman as soft.
Pollock says he lost a lot of weight but had a long way to go with more body fat to lose and muscle to gain. “He was by no means ready for being a competitive athlete,” Pollock says.
Pollock is excused.
The defense asks for a break. Court is in recess for 15 minutes.
3:10 p.m.
O’Mara asks about the ways to end a fight and if screaming for help works.
Pollock says in a competive situation you can verbally tap out.
O’Mara finishes questioning.
Richard Mantei cross examines.
He asks about the phrase that the gym is the most complete fight gym in the world.
Pollock says other gyms have updated but he used to have the most equipment.
Mantei asks about Zimmerman taking a couple months off and if he knows if Zimmerman worked out somewhere else.
Pollock says he doesn’t know, but his facility is complete and is accessible.
Pollock says he would tell Zimmerman to come in for more training.
He says Zimmerman was between 250 and 260 pounds and would’ve lost 50 to 80 pounds.
Pollock says he didn’t do a body fat analysis for Zimmerman.
Mantei asks about the “first blow advantage.”
Pollock says he doesn’t teach strategy to beginners.
Mantei asks about grappling and if some things like cuts and scrapes can happen.
Mantei asks about the change of position maneuvers.
“A one minute round can seem like eternity if you’re not in condition for it,” Pollock says.
3:03 p.m.
O’Mara resumes questioning about Zimmerman’s athleticism.
Pollock says he would describe him as non-athletic.
Pollock says Zimmerman is physically soft, but he doesn't like using the terminology.
3:01 p.m.
Pollock says Zimmerman was still learning to punch on the heavy bag.
He says Zimmerman lost a lot of weight and improved through the diet and exercise.
Pollock says Zimmerman had black eyes and looked emotionally traumatized after the shooting.
“Almost like a state of shock that was continuing,” Pollock says.
The state objects to a question about a conversation Zimmerman had about shrimping regarding the event.
The attorneys approach for a sidebar.
2:55 p.m.
Pollock says Zimmerman trained for about a year at the gym, but did put his membership on hold for some time.
Pollock says he did grappling and boxer training, and also used the facility on his own.
He says Zimmerman asked his account be on hold in November and December 2011.
He rated Zimmerman a “1” out of 1-10 and says it takes a tremendous amount of work. He says Zimmerman was diligent and approachable, but he didn’t have the history and background to create an athlete.
Pollock says the training starts with becoming proficient in their own body. He says Zimmerman started at .5.
He calls Zimmerman a hard worker, but says some people take time for development.
2:48 p.m.
Pollock says the position is powerful for the person on top, who also has gravity working for them.
O’Mara asks about the term “shrimping,” which is the attempt to maneuver away from the person on top.
Pollock says the benefit for the person on the bottom is moving to the guard position is having the hands and legs available.
Pollock says a trained person that gets someone on the bottom usually knows how to keep them there.
Pollock confirms he knows Zimmerman.
He says he met him in October 2010 when he went to the gym to lose weight and get in shape.
Pollock says the exercise regime started with grappling due to his availability. He says he picked classes based on his school and work schedule.
Grappling is like wrestling only the purpose is submission.
He says a move with grappling includes positioning moves like shrimping, side control, and submissions like chokes, arm locks and leg locks.
Pollock says grappling classes were offered four days a week and a normal training session was two hours long.
He says he supervised all of it. He says Zimmerman was a beginner and not accomplished in grappling.
2:41 p.m.
Pollock describes his athletic history and competitions.
Pollock describes mixed martial arts fighting. He says different disciplines can fall under the term.
Pollock says a “ground and pound” is mounting the opponent on the ground.
He says it requires some means of getting them on the ground and keeping them there while striking them from the top downward.
Pollock says the reason to do that is to control the opponent and potentially end the fight immediately.
O’Mara asks about the benefit of a first blow.
“On occasion those first blows end a fight,” Pollock says.
He describes the positioning of a “ground and pound” maneuver.
He says a mounted position would have their legs above the other person’s hips.
O’Mara asks Pollock to demonstrate the position.
O'Mara lays flat on the floor while Pollock demonstrates describing the availability of the person's hands to defend.
2:30 p.m.
Adam Pollock takes the stand. He owns Kokopelli's Gym and Fitness Center and is a trainer.
Witness: Doris Singleton - Sanford investigator
2:29 p.m.
Singleton says she overheard Serino ask Martin if he recognized the voice.
She says Martin was crying and wiping his face with tissues. She says Green was rubbing his shoulders.
Singleton doesn’t remember Green saying anything.
Singleton says she remembers Martin saying it wasn’t his son’s voice.
O’Mara finishes questioning.
De la Rionda cross examines.
She says Martin was crying while listening to the recording. She says she was choked up herself and felt horrible for him because she has children of her own.
She says to know he was hearing the sound that ended his son’s life made it tough to watch.
Singleton says she saw him wipe tears from his eyes and could see he was upset.
“I can’t imagine having to go through that because I have children. I couldn’t imagine,” she says.
O’Mara redirects.
He asks if there is any doubt Martin said it wasn’t his son.
She says there was no doubt he said that.
Singleton is excused, but subject to recall.
The defense calls Adam Polluck.
The attorneys enter a sidebar with Judge Nelson.
2:23 p.m.
Singleton retakes the stand. She points out the approximate distance in the courtroom with the help of O'Mara.
Witness: Chris Serino - Sanford investigator
2:23 p.m.
O’Mara asks if it was significant in the investigation that Martin didn’t identify the voice as his son.
Serino says it became significant in the investigation because it wasn’t in dispute at the time.
He says statements from initial responding officers, Tim Smith, and the statement of Jon Good supported it was Zimmerman yelling for help.
Serino says it was for his own clarification that the information he had was correct.
He says when Martin said no he thought he was answering the question about the voice being his son’s.
Serino says Martin never contacted him to listen to it again or change his mind.
Serino didn’t question Green. He says she didn’t counter or disagree with Martin.
Serino says there was no concern Martin didn’t understand the question.
De la Rionda re-cross examines.
He asks about the prior information Serino mentioned. De la Rionda points out that when he played the call for Zimmerman, he said it didn’t sound like him.
De la Rionda asks about Green consoling Martin.
Serino says he has never had the voice or sound of the shooting on a recording before.
He says the circumstances surrounding the incident are also emotional.
O’Mara redirects.
He asks about the statement Zimmerman saying it didn’t sound like him.
Serino says that is typical for someone hearing their voice on a recording. He says a lot of people don’t recognized their own voice.
“I didn’t take it as denial,” Serino says.
Serino is excused, but subject to recall.
The defense recalls Doris Singleton.
2:15 p.m.
Serino says he doesn’t remember specifically telling Martin there would be a gunshot.
He agrees that Martin reacted appropriately to hearing the audio.
De la Rionda asks if Martin was having a hard time dealing with it.
“In my opinion, yes,” Serino says.
De la Rionda asks Serino if he prefaced the recordings that they would be difficult.
Serino says he believes he did.
Serino calls it a “very emotional moment.”
De la Rionda points out there was also a gunshot in the recording.
Serino says his judgment was to share all the information he had with Martin.
De al Rionda asks if there was any dispute that Martin understood that was the death of his son.
Serino confirms there was none.
He agrees he was trying to be sensitive.
Serino says Martin was looking away from him and the computer.
He says Martin’s response was under his breath, and he interpreted it as saying no.
De la Rionda asks if the no was directed at the audio just played or the identification of the voice.
O’Mara objects to speculation.
De la Rionda asks if Martin was hearing for the first time the death of his son.
Serino confirms it was before the audio was released.
De la Rionda asks about people's reactions to hearing about the death of a loved on.
Serino says they have extreme grief.
"It could be construed as denial," Serino says in answer to some people saying no.
De la Rionda finishes questioning.
O'Mara redirects.
2:05 p.m.
Serino confirms he was the chief investigating officer.
He says he met with Tracy Martin and his girlfriend, Brandy Green, either the day or two days after the shooting.
Serino says Martin was concerned there was not an arrest.
He says they did a meeting in the police department conference room and later played the 911 recording for him at his desk.
He describes who was sitting where.
He says the focus was the audio portions. He says he played all the recordings for him.
Serino says the audio might’ve been played off of a CD and it was audible.
He says Martin’s response was emotional and he let him listen before he asked anything.
“I believe my words were ‘is that your son’s voice in the background,’” Serino says, not remembering the exact words.
Serino says he interpreted Martin’s response as a no.
He says Green was consoling Martin and didn’t ask her for a response.
Serino says a sergeant stopped in the area.
O’Mara finishes questioning.
De la Rionda asks about the sergeant.
Serino says he didn’t see Detective Singleton around.
He confirms it is a difficult thing to do to talk to someone about the death of a loved one.
2:00 p.m.
Sanford Police Department Investigator Chris Serino takes the stand.
1:48 p.m.
The attorneys approach for a sidebar.
Witness: Doris Singleton - Sanford investigator
1:47 p.m.
O’Mara asks her for the setting of the meeting with Serino and Martin.
She says it was two days after the shooting and Martin was there to speak to Serino about concerns for the lack of an arrest.
De la Rionda objects. Judge Nelson says she can testify to what she observed but not what anyone else said.
Singleton says they were in a cubicle and a chair was brought over for Martin and his girlfriend.
She says it was two or three days after the incident. She says she was sitting diagonally to the cubicle about eight or ten feet from the desk.
She says Serino played the 911 call with the screams.
Martin was very upset and said and hung his head and cried, Singleton describes.
She says she gave a response to Serino.
O’Mara finishes questioning.
De la Rionda has no questions
Singleton is excused but subject to recall.
The defense calls Chris Serino.
1:40 p.m.
O’Mara asks her if she was present when Investigator Serino met with Tracy Martin.
De la Rionda objects to hearsay. They approach for a sidebar.
1:38 p.m.
The defense calls Doris Singleton.
1:37 p.m.
The jury is seated. Judge Nelson checks to make sure they didn't research the case or see any reports about.
Break for lunch
1:30 p.m.
Court is back in session and the attorneys enter a sidebar with Judge Nelson.
12:12 p.m.
The jury is released for lunch until 1:30 p.m.
Witness: John Donnelly - Friend of Zimmerman
12:08 p.m.
De la Rionda asks if Zimmerman sounds a little more excited than usual.
Donnelly says no. He says Zimmerman is trying to give law enforcement information.
De la Rionda asks about the 911 call with the screams.
Donnelly says there is no doubt in his mind it was Zimmerman. He says the screams in particular sounded like him, adding that he has heard a 250-pound man sound like a little girl but knew who it was, referring to his time as a medic in Vietnam.
De la Rionda asks if he would be able to pick out a new person’s voice he wasn’t familiar with.
Donnelly confirms he couldn’t.
De la Rionda says he has a matter to bring up before the court.
O’Mara re-directs.
He asks if all of the screams were from Zimmerman.
Donnelly confirms. He says it was one person and easy for him to identify Zimmerman.
He says he never discussed the non-emergency call with his wife.
He says he called O’Mara Saturday afternoon and it was the first time he decided he could testify about the call.
He says it was an emotional decision.
“This courtroom is about truth at some point in time even though this is personally very hard for me. This is the place truth is supposed to come out,” Donnelly says.
Donnelly is excused.
The attorneys approach for a sidebar.
11:58 a.m.
De la Rionda asks if he listened to Zimmerman’s call to the non-emergency line.
He says he heard part of it on the news, but isn’t sure what parts.
De la Rionda plays the call.
11:56 a.m.
Donnelly says the screams are Zimmerman’s
“There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that is George Zimmerman and I wish to god I did not have that ability to understand that,” Donnelly says.
O’Mara finishes questioning.
De la Rionda begins cross examination.
He asks about the deposition, describing it as brief.
De la Rionda asks if he ever mentioned identifying the voice.
Donnelly says he doesn’t remember being asked if he was going to testify about it.
De la Rionda asks about him listening to the recording last Saturday.
Donnelly says he always walked away when the recording was playing.
He says he thinks he needed to listen to it before today.
De la Rionda asks about the number of times he played.
Donnelly says he doesn’t know why he played it twice, but it was an emotional experience for him.
De la Rionda asks if he discussed it with his wife.
Donnelly says they never tried to discuss much with the case.
He says he gave a check for $2,500 for the defense and then donated $500 on the website. He also bought the clothes on sale.
Donnelly says Zimmerman is a dear friend.
11:50 a.m.
O’Mara asks if the yelling for help of a medic could be compared to how he heard them during regular conversation.
Donnelly says in battle, the screams can be distinguished and the job is to run to them where they are at and because you know the men you’re with, you know who it is before getting there.
O’Mara asks about the 911 call with the screams in the background.
Donnelly says he heard pieces of it in the news and tuned it out and walked away.
He says he didn’t want to hear it because it can be distressing to hear a friend yelling for help.
He says he listened to it this past Saturday while alone in his office.
O’Mara plays the recording.
11:43 a.m.
O’Mara asks how long Donnelly was in Vietnam. He says about a year.
He says 2-4 medics were there depending on a mission.
O’Mara asks if Donnelly talked to the other men or heard them yelling or screaming.
Donnelly says sometimes they had conversations, but once in combat the voices changed.
He says he tended to people in combat he knew during the day.
De la Rionda asks to approach the bench.
The attorneys go into sidebar.
11:36 a.m.
Donnelly says the friendship started with his help doing insurance policies for his real estate customers.
He says Zimmerman would come and sit and talk with them about business.
He says Zimmerman once asked him how to tie a Windsor knot for a tie.
Donnelly says he took Zimmerman to buy three suits, ties and shirts.
He says he has been in and out of the courtroom many times.
He confirms he has donated to the defense fund.
Donnelly says he has heard Zimmerman’s voice in casual conversation, laughing, and yelling during a political campaign.
Donnelly says he did not hear the 911 call with the screams until recently.
He says he was a combat medic in Vietnam.
O’Mara asks him to describe it.
De la Rionda objects to relevance.
Judge Nelson asks the attorneys to approach.
11:28 a.m.
John Donnelly takes the stand. He is married to Leanne Benjamin and is a friend of Zimmerman.
Witness: Leanne Benjamin - Friend of Zimmerman
11:27 a.m.
She describes the political campaign setting where she heard Zimmerman yelling.
O’Mara asks about the screams being continuous or segmented.
She says they were segmented.
O’Mara finishes.
De la Rionda re-cross examines.
He says he was speaking louder so she could hear. He asks if Zimmerman was heard speaking under his breath.
De la Rionda points out he had to play it a few times.
O’Mara redirects.
He asks if she was speaking on a call that was recording if she wanted to say something that couldn’t be heard.
She says she’d take it away from her head.
The jury says they don’t need a break.
The defense calls the next witness.
11:22 a.m.
Benjamin says she has encountered people that use that language in conversation.
She says her kids speak that way, in “cussing.”
“I think he was just reporting on what he saw,” she says.
De la Rionda asks about Zimmerman not saying the expletives after being asked about the person’s race.
O’Mara objects to speculation.
De la Rionda finishes questioning.
O’Mara redirects.
Benjamin says she didn’t hear Zimmerman speaking in an angry way.
She says she didn’t hear Zimmerman say the expletive the same way De la Rionda did.
She says it was more of a statement or comment.
Benjamin says she has a 30 and 33-year-old son.
O’Mara asks if she has heard them say the expletives.
She confirms.
She says it doesn’t always mean ill-will, anger or spite.
Benjamin says she closed her eyes to listen carefully to see if she could hear the possibility of running.
She describes Zimmerman’s use as more matter-of-fact and De la Rionda’s voice was louder and highlighting the words.
11:15 a.m.
Benjamin says she has heard parts of the call on the news.
She thinks she heard the part where he was trying to give an address.
She says it sounds windy.
De la Rionda asks her about the profanity.
She doesn’t remember hearing it.
“It sounds like maybe the environment changed,” she says.
She says his voice seems more matter-of-fact in the non-emergency call and he was outside.
De la Rionda plays the portion of the call with the profanities.
He plays it again for her.
She says the background noise sounds like the wind picked up or he is walking.
She says she thinks he was observing.
De la Rionda asks about the expletive referencing the person.
“I think it was a comment he was making,” Benjamin says.
She says she doesn’t think he was in an extremely excited state.
De la Rionda asks if she closed her eyes when she originally listened to the 911 call with the screams.
She says she was doing things around the house.
De la Rionda asks if Zimmerman was using the profanities during the campaign.
She says no.
11:01 a.m.
She identifies the voice in the 911 call as Zimmerman.
She says while working on the political campaign they were loud and “whooping it up” and she knows how he sounds.
O’Mara finishes questioning.
De la Rionda cross examines.
He asks about the contribution amount of $2,500. She confirms. She says she doesn’t know the other amounts, but her husband handles them.
She acknowledges they have contributed to the defense account.
De la Rionda asks about the first time she heard it.
She says she didn’t hear it right away. When she realized what happened because of prior jury experience, she tried to not watch, listen or read about it.
She says she first heard it on TV.
De la Rionda asks if she ever heard Martin’s voice. No, she says.
She says she heard similar yelling from Zimmerman during the political campaign.
De la Rionda asks if based on that she thinks it is Zimmerman, “Definitely,” she says.
He asks if she hears continuous yells for help.
She says it is hard to tell because of the other person’s voice.
De la Rionda asks if she discusses the case with her husband.
She says she tries not to discuss it on purpose.
Benjamin says she doesn’t remember hearing any other recordings. She doesn’t remember hearing the non-emergency call Zimmerman made.
De la Rionda plays the call.
10:49 a.m.
Benjamin says her office was in the same building as his and shared a refrigerator.
She says Zimmerman asked her business start-up questions.
She says they would go to lunch or dinner socially and a mutual friend was interested in politics in Lake Mary.
Benjamin says she and Zimmerman served on the friend’s campaign together.
She says the relationship over the last few years has been a little intermittent.
She says she and her husband recognized his strong interest in business and encouraged him to go to college.
Benjamin says her background before real estate was in teaching and encouraged Zimmerman’s tutoring of some young children.
She says at the time of the shooting, she didn’t hear about it because her father was sick and she was spending time with him.
She says Zimmerman called her and they spoke on the phone for a time. She didn’t know the shooting happened when he called her.
She says she doesn’t remember when the conversation was, but it was within a couple weeks after the shooting.
She says he tried to call her before that, but she was taking care of her dad.
The friendship reemerged, she says, and she offered support and help.
She says the mostly talked. Her husband donated money on Zimmerman’s website, she says.
She says her husband took him to Men’s Wearhouse for clothes for court.
She and her husband took Zimmerman food.
She says the connections would not affect her testimony.
She has heard the 911 call and has an opinion about the voice in the background.
O’Mara plays the 911 call.
10:38 a.m.
The defense calls Leanne Benjamin. She has known Zimmerman since about 2002 and 2003. She owns and operates a local real-estate business and says she referred customers to him when he worked for an insurance agency.
Witness: Geri Russo - Worked with Zimmerman at Digital Risk
10:36 a.m.
She says she has heard the recording less than 6 times, the first time being on the news.
She identifies the voice in the background as Zimmerman.
“I have no doubt in my mind that’s his voice,” she says.
Prosecutor John Guy cross examines.
She says she would characterize herself as a good friend, work friend.
She heard the tape soon after it was released to the media, she says.
She says doesn’t remember that Zimmerman was being actively investigated.
She thought Zimmerman was out sick from work and then out on FMLA, Family and Medical Leave Act.
Guy asks if she wanted to believe it was Zimmerman.
She says no.
She says she never heard Trayvon Martin speak or yell.
Guy finishes questioning.
O’Mara redirects.
Russo says she knew Zimmerman wasn’t in Florida after the shooting.
O’Mara asks if she know how long it was before Zimmerman was charged.
She believes it was a couple of months.
She doesn’t know who charged him, but believes a special prosecutor was involved.
O’Mara asks about the question if she was hopeful it was Zimmerman screaming.
She says she recognized the voice and there was no hoping it was one person or the other.
She says hope for the outcome of the case is not affecting her testimony and if she thought it was someone else’s voice she would testify to that.
Russo is excused.
O’Mara suggests a break.
The jury says they are good and Judge Nelson asks for the next witness.
10:28 a.m.
Russo says she heard his voice in normal, personal and work conversation in English and Spanish.
She has heard him laughing, but not yelling.
She says she spoke to him sometime in the year after the shooting. She estimates it was a couple of months before he returned to Seminole County.
O’Mara plays the 911 call with the screams in the background.
10:24 a.m.
Geri Russo takes the stand. She worked with Zimmerman at Digital Risk and considers him a friend. When she wasn't working there, she kept in touch with him. She did not know Shellie Zimmerman personally.
Witness: Mark Osterman - Friend of Zimmerman
10:23 a.m.
O’Mara asks about firing for center-mass.
Osterman says if you feel threatened, you aim for the largest area to stop the threat.
He says there is training for firing more than once in concealed weapon permit training.
He says wearing an internal holster is for comfort.
O’Mara demonstrates how an internal holster would look in his belt.
De la Rionda re-cross examines.
He asks about shooting at a threat more than once.
Osterman says they practiced it.
Osterman is excused but subject to recall
The defense calls Geri Russo.
10:17 a.m.
De la Rionda asks if Zimmerman ever asked about the type of holster to get.
Osterman says no. De la Rionda asks about it being an internal type of holster.
“Even without a jacket it would be hard to see,” Osterman says.
He says you should aim center-mass.
De la Rionda asks if someone would holster their gun until the threat if over.
Osterman says if he believes the person is neutralized, he would put away his gun.
He says he would have a round in the chamber and a fully loaded magazine.
De la Rionda asks if there is a difference between police officers and an average citizen.
Osterman says he agrees.
Osterman says he doesn’t remember specifics of telling Zimmerman how to arrest or restrain someone.
De la Rionda asks about Zimmerman shooting left or right-handed.
Osterman says Zimmerman was better right-handed than left-handed, but could shoot and hit a target.
De la Rionda finishes questioning.
O’Mara redirects.
O’Mara asks if a gun for self-defense should be ready to fire.
“Always, I would recommend that,” Osterman says.
He says “topping off the magazine” is recommended because it is better to have it and not need it. He says he instructs his wife the same way.
10:07 a.m.
Osterman says he heard Zimmerman in casual conversation, to a hysterical laugh and perhaps shouts over a long distance at the shooting range or store, but not what is heard on the 911 tapes.
O’Mara plays the 911 call with the screams in the background.
“I thought it was George,” Osterman says, describing the tone and volume as reasons why.
He says he has talked to Zimmerman over the phone and that it sounded like him.
O’Mara asks him to explain his understanding of double-action and single-action guns.
O’Mara finishes questioning.
De la Rionda cross-examines.
De la Rionda asks about the book and the proceeds going to Zimmerman.
Osterman says he’s not sure how many have been sold so far.
De la Rionda asks him about the trigger pull and if an expert would be better at explaining. Osterman confirms.
10:02 a.m.
Osterman says Zimmerman and his wife signed up for a class as a local sporting goods store.
He says they went to the shooting range on multiple occasions and discussed firearm safety.
O’Mara asks if Osterman discussed the type of weapon to purchase.’
Osterman says he did. He says some are for competitions, some are for self-defense, and some are for home defense.
He says personal defense are the ones he recommended Zimmerman get.
He says the gun chosen was because it didn’t have an external safety.
He says that is because sometimes the mind will lock up in stressful situations.
Osterman says in every law enforcement job he’s had, he has not had an external safety.
He says he believes Zimmerman shoots right-handed. He says the hand that squeezes the trigger is the dominant hand.
He says he told Zimmerman to do what is comfortable and feels natural in regards to handling the firearm.
Osterman says he practiced with Zimmerman shooting with the left hand.
“Whichever hand can get to the firearm, that’s the one you’d use,” he says.
9:51 a.m.
Mark Osterman takes the stand. O'Mara begins questioning. He reconfirms he is a federal air marshal. He says was aware of Zimmerman getting a concealed weapons permit. He explains how he talked with Zimmerman about getting it.
Witness: Sondra Osterman - Wife of Mark Osterman
9:50 a.m.
She says she’s heard the call three times and doesn’t think the voice is changing.
De la Rionda plays the entire non-emergency call made by Zimmerman.
She says she recognizes Zimmerman’s voice.
De la Rionda asks if they were continuous cries for help.
They appeared to be, she says.
O’Mara re-redirects.
He asks if she heard in any part of the call that Zimmerman was angry or acting with ill-will.
No, she says.
O’Mara asks about the curse words said in the call and if they show evidence of ill-will or hatred. She says no.
O’Mara asks about other portions of the call and if she heard anger. There was no evidence of ill-will, spite or hatred in his voice to her, she says.
O’Mara asks about the continuous screams and if she heard gaps in time.
She says hestitates.
O’Mara asks if it was a long continuous scream. She says it wasn’t long and continuous, but there were a lot of cries for help.
She is excused.
The defense calls Mark Osterman.
9:36 a.m.
She says she has listened to the call a few times before testifying today.
“Yes, definitely it’s Georgie,” she says after O’mara asks who she hears in the call.
O’Mara finishes questioning.
Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda begins questioning.
He asks about the book she and her husband wrote.
O’Mara objects. De la Rionda says it shows bias.
She confirms any money made from the book would be donated to Zimmerman.
De la Rionda asks her if she has a stake in the case. She says she doesn’t know.
She says the money is going into a savings account for Zimmerman after the case.
De la Rionda asks her if he is left-handed. She confirms.
She says she knew the first time it was Zimmerman. She says it’s played on the news.
She first heard it on the news, she says in a story about Zimmerman.
De la Rionda plays part of the non-emergency call Zimmerman made.
O’Mara asks for it to be identified.
De la Rionda says he didn’t want to tip her off to what it was.
She says she doesn’t know if she has heard the recording before.
She says she recognizes it as Zimmerman.
The portion of the call is the expletive phrases.
De la Rionda asks if she recognized the voice of Zimmerman saying them.
She says she recognizes it.
De la Rionda asks if she heard the defendant screaming before.
"Like that? No," she says.
De la Rionda finishes questioning.
O'Mara redirects.
He asks about the expletive phrases and if she thinks there was spite, ill-will or hatred.
No, she says.
O'Mara asks if there was anything in Zimmerman's voice that gave her the impression he was acting with ill-will.
She says no.
"I just knew it and I saw the reaction his wife had in listening to it," she says.
O'Mara finishes questioning.
De la Rionda re-cross examines.
He asks about the expletive phrases.
She says she's heard him say it before.
De la Rionda asks if him saying that would be used to invite them out to dinner or come talk.
"I don't think he was angry," she says.
De la Rionda asks if telling the police the expletive phrases and that people have gotten away in the past is angry.
"I don't take it as angry, no," she says.
O'Mara objects to speculation and improper foundation. He says the entire tape must be played.
De la Rionda plays a portion of the non-emergency call.
9:25 a.m.
Defense attorney Mark O’Mara asks her when she met Zimmerman. He asks if she has had the opportunity to hear Zimmerman’s voice in different occasions.
She describes talking, laughing and a little frustrated.
She says she is a good friend of Zimmerman.
“I wouldn’t lie for him or anybody,” she says in answer to a question from O’Mara.
O’Mara plays the 911 call with the screams heard in the background.
9:21 a.m.
Sondra Osterman, the wife of George Zimmerman's friend Mark Osterman, takes the stand.
Before court
9:18 a.m.
Jury is seated in the courtroom Judge Nelson checks to make sure they did not read or see reports about the case or research it.
9:14 a.m.
Attorneys are still in sidebar.
The trial by the numbers:
Third week of testimony
Day two for the defense to present their case
Two witnesses for the defense so far
Prosecutors presented 38 witnesses total
9:00 a.m.
Judge Debra Nelson enters the courtroom. Defense attorney asks for a sidebar to address some housekeeping issues.
8:25 a.m.
The defense is expected to continue presenting witnesses to testify at 9 a.m.