Why did Trayvon Martin’s killer go free?
‘The Jury Speaks’ tries to explain.
Heres what we learned.
Credit: Joe Burbank/Getty Images
Germain admitted that she hadnt even heard of Zimmerman until she showed up for jury duty.
But that wasnt the only factor in choosing a jury.
There was a clear racial aspect to the jury selection, West said.
That struck me as kind of funny.
Obviously, the goal is to find people who will favor you, West said.
On the stand, Jeantel recounted Martin telling her he was being followed.
Thinking Zimmerman was a rapist, she urged her friend to get away.
I felt like I wasnt a witness, Jeantel said.
Mr. West made me feel like I was a suspect.
As a result, the jurors reception of Jeantels testimony was muddled.
One of the tapes even included someone screaming for help.
Depending on who screamed, it could have mammoth implications for the case.
The source of the scream proved impossible to determine.
The court summoned both Martins and Zimmermans mothers to see if they recognized the scream.
Both of them said it was their son.
Therefore, they had to show that Martin posed a threat to Zimmermans life.
One key piece of evidence came from the placement of bullet holes in Martins clothing.
Specialists argued that this meant Zimmerman had shot Martin while the latter was leaning over him.
They basically said thats the reason why it was self-defense, Rivera added.
Still not guilty
By all accounts, the final jury deliberation was passionate.
But ultimately, the jurors said they dismissed their emotions and focused on the facts they had been presented.
All I go back to is the law, Trunalone said.
That is what we have.
Were a democracy, and what weve got is the law.
Were to apply it blind to any other thing.
At that moment,at that moment, did that person think their life was in jeopardy?
Thats the way you have to answer the question.
