Question
Answer the following questions concerning the Zimmerman trial: 1.1 Should the court allow Martin's family members and Zimmerman's family members and friends to testify to
Answer the following questions concerning the Zimmerman trial:
1.1 Should the court allow Martin's family members and Zimmerman's family members and friends to testify to identify the voice on the 911 recording? What is the significance of the voice identification for the defense and for the prosecution?
1.2 With respect to the voice on the 911 tape, the defense and the prosecution's witnesses provided conflicting testimony. In light of the conflicting testimony, how could the court determine whose voice was on the tape?
1.3 The judge ruled that the defense could show Trayvon Martin died with marijuana in his system. Why did the judge rule this way? Was the evidence relevant?
1.4 The judge ruled that the evidence that Trayvon Martin had a history of marijuana use could not be introduced. Why did the judge rule this way? Was the evidence relevant?
1.5 At trial, the defense called Mark Osberman, Zimmerman's best friend, to testify. Osberman testified that the voice on the 911 tape was "definitely" Zimmerman's voice. By the time of trial, Osberman had published a book about the fatal shooting"Defending Our Friend: The Most Hated Man in America." At cross-examination, the prosecutor asked him how many copies of the book had been sold. Osberman said he was not sure how many copies of the book had been sold but confirmed that all proceeds were destined for Zimmerman. Leanne Benjamin, owner of a real estate company at which Zimmerman once worked, also testified that she was certain she heard Zimmerman's voice on the 911 tape. At cross-examination, Benjamin admitted that she had contributed $2,500 to Zimmerman's defense fund and that her husband had purchased suits for Zimmerman to wear during his trial. Why did the prosecutor ask about the book proceeds, the contribution to the defense fund and the purchase of the clothes? What did the prosecutor intend to accomplish by this line of questions?
1.6 The defense called Adam Pollock, owner of a kickboxing gym to testify. Pollock testified that Zimmerman had trained at his gym prior to the incident. He said Zimmerman was "grossly obese" and was not athletic at all. What did the defense intend to accomplish by this testimony?
If you were the prosecutor, could you make an argument in favor of Trayvon Martin regarding the fact that Zimmerman had regularly received training at a kickboxing gym?
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