06-24-2013, 05:14 PM
George's previous 911 calls - admissible?
The prosecution calls Ramona Rumph as the last witness today.
She maintains the calls received on the 911 and non emergency lines for the sheriff's office for 26 years.
Mantei asked her some questions about reports and started playing a 911 call made by Zimmerman on August 3, 2011.
In the call, Zimmerman reports a suspicious person and tells the the dispatcher about some break-ins in the neighborhood. Zimmerman says that the suspect matches the description of the person who allegedly did the break-in.
The defense objected and Judge Nelson sent the jury out of the courtroom.
The prosecution and defense went at each other after the jury left the room.
The defense claims the prosecution shouldn't be able to play this previous 911 call as it falls under "previous bad acts" by the defendant, which are excluded as prejudicial.
The prosecution argues that this call is relevant as it goes to Zimmerman's state of mind on the night that he shot Trayvon and ties into Zimmerman's characterization of Trayvon as one of "these fucking punks who always get away".
I'm surprised that the admissibility of George's previous 911 calls hasn't been addressed before now.
Judge Nelson indicates this matter will be researched and adjourns court for the day. Jury dismissed.
The prosecution calls Ramona Rumph as the last witness today.
She maintains the calls received on the 911 and non emergency lines for the sheriff's office for 26 years.
Mantei asked her some questions about reports and started playing a 911 call made by Zimmerman on August 3, 2011.
In the call, Zimmerman reports a suspicious person and tells the the dispatcher about some break-ins in the neighborhood. Zimmerman says that the suspect matches the description of the person who allegedly did the break-in.
The defense objected and Judge Nelson sent the jury out of the courtroom.
The prosecution and defense went at each other after the jury left the room.
The defense claims the prosecution shouldn't be able to play this previous 911 call as it falls under "previous bad acts" by the defendant, which are excluded as prejudicial.
The prosecution argues that this call is relevant as it goes to Zimmerman's state of mind on the night that he shot Trayvon and ties into Zimmerman's characterization of Trayvon as one of "these fucking punks who always get away".
I'm surprised that the admissibility of George's previous 911 calls hasn't been addressed before now.
Judge Nelson indicates this matter will be researched and adjourns court for the day. Jury dismissed.