Trayvon Martin’s familiarity with guns, his marijuana use, and fights he may have been in cannot be brought up in George Zimmerman’s murder trial, the judge overseeing the case ruled Tuesday.
At the hearing two weeks before the scheduled start of the trial, Judge Debra Nelson handed a series of victories to the prosecution when she barred the defense from introducing some information about Martin.
Defense attorneys argued that some of the evidence could prove crucial in backing up Zimmerman’s claim of self-defense, depending on what the prosecution argues.
Certain evidence could ultimately be raised during the trial, however, if it is proven relevant and admissible based on what the prosecution presents, the judge decided.
Nelson left the door open on one issue involving marijuana. Defense attorneys say toxicology tests show Martin had enough THC — the key active ingredient in marijuana — in his system to indicate he may have smoked the drug a couple of hours before the shooting. Nelson barred any mention of this from opening statements, but said she will rule later on whether it will be admissible after she hears defense experts’ testimony about the marijuana use.
Defense attorneys also raised questions Tuesday about an analysis that suggests Martin might be heard screaming in the background of a 911 call just before the shooting.
Voice identification experts hired by the prosecution say that they don’t know for certain whose voice it is, and that there isn’t enough sound to make a conclusive determination.
One analyst, Alan Reich, said he believes Martin can be heard saying the word “stop.”
Reich told the Washington Post that he believes the voice is Martin, but another analyst told the Post that no determination can be made.
Defense attorneys said Tuesday that in a deposition on Friday, Reich said he had not completed his report and would need another two weeks.
The defense does not want Reich’s analysis admitted.
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Source: CNN
