Opening Arguments
The opening arguments in the Zimmerman trial started this morning. The prosecution began their "case" with a 30 minute monologue that seemed to solicit sympathy from the jury by focusing on the undisputed fact that Trayvon Martin was shot and killed with a gun. They tried to imply racial prejudice (which seems to be the only other reason for their case), based on some words that were used in the original complaint call that George Zimmerman made to the police; words used during a conversation in which Zimmerman was clearly frustrated as he tried to answer the police dispatcher's questions. As expected, there was an attempt to demonize the gun, with such contentious statements as "there was a round in the chamber" and "the gun was inside Zimmerman's belt."
Following the prosecution's presentation, defense attorney Don West then proceeded to methodically lay the facts out for the jury, with fact after fact, supported with timelines and photographs, showing that Zimmerman had been viciously attacked by Martin, and was in fear for his life when he shot Martin. The playing of the 911 call that captured Zimmerman crying for help prompted a dramatic exit from the courtroom by Martin's mother who had earlier tried to convince people that it was Martin's voice...
The court recessed for lunch prior to the defense concluding their presentation.
My theory that this whole thing is about guns was bolstered by the prosecution's performance this morning.
-fl