Judge urges 'wise decision' as jury deliberates Zimmerman's fate - CNN

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• Jurors have 3 options: guilty of 2nd-degree murder, guilty of manslaughter, not guilty
• "All of us are depending on you to make a wise ... decision," judge tells jurors
• The verdict has highlighted issues of race and gun laws nationwide

(CNN) -- Will George Zimmerman walk, or be banished to a life behind bars? That's the question as a jury of six resumes deliberations for a second day Saturday morning.
Zimmerman is on trial for last year's shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida.
The all-female jury got the case Friday afternoon after two weeks of testimony and dramatic closing arguments over the past two days.
Judge Debra Nelson read 27 pages of instructions outlining the jury's three options: convict Zimmerman of second-degree murder or manslaughter, or find him not guilty. She approved the manslaughter option Thursday over the defense's vehement objection.

Key trial moments

Prosecutor John Guy addresses the jury with his closing rebuttal during George Zimmerman's murder trial on Friday, July 12. "He shot him because he wanted to," Guy told jurors, saying that Zimmerman didn't have to shoot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman, 29, is charged with second-degree murder in the February 2012 shooting. He has said he was acting in self-defense.

George Zimmerman's attorney Mark O'Mara holds up a chart during closing arguments for the defense on Friday, July 12. "How many 'what ifs' have you heard from the state in this case?" O'Mara asked the jury. "They don't get to ask you that."

Zimmerman, right, sits with another defense attorney, Don West, this week. West objected to a third-degree murder charge also sought by prosecutors on Thursday, July 11, the day closing arguments began. The judge ruled out that charge but said the jury could consider convicting the defendant of manslaughter.

Dr. Vincent Di Maio, a forensic pathologist and gunshot wound expert, describes Zimmerman's injuries while testifying for the defense Tuesday, July 9.

Defense attorney Mark O'Mara, right, questions forensics animation expert Daniel Schumaker, center, at the bench of Judge Debra Nelson with Assistant State Attorney Richard Mantei, left, during a July 9 hearing on the admissibility of animation created for the defense. Schumaker showed the judge and Mantei some 3-D animation on his laptop after an overhead projector didn't work.

John Donnelly, a friend of George Zimmerman's, cries on the witness stand on Monday, July 8, in Sanford, Florida, after listening to screams on the 911 tape entered in evidence.

Sondra Osterman, a friend of Zimmerman's, listens to the 911 tape while testifying on July 8.

Mark Osterman, a friend of Zimmerman's, testifies on July 8 and describes the type of gun Zimmerman owned.

Leanne Benjamin, a friend of Zimmerman's, smiles while identifying him in court on July 8.

Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, takes the stand during Zimmerman's trial on Friday, July 5.

George Zimmerman's mother, Gladys Zimmerman, listens to the 911 tape while taking the stand during his trial in Seminole County circuit court on July 5.

Martin's brother Jahvaris Fulton testifies at the Zimmerman trial in Seminole County circuit court on July 5.

Volusia and Seminole County associate medical examiner Shiping Bao testifies on July 5. Bao conducted the final autopsy on Martin and determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the chest.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Lab Analyst Anthony Gorgone testifies about DNA findings on Wednesday, July 3, in Sanford, Florida. Here, Gorgone points to a sweatshirt worn by Trayvon Martin on the night Martin was shot. Only one stain on Martin's hooded jacket yielded a partial DNA profile that matched Zimmerman's.

Gorgone points to a jacket worn by Zimmerman on the night of the shooting. Multiple stains on Zimmerman's jacket tested positive for Zimmerman's DNA. At least two stains from the jacket tested positive for a mixture of DNA that included Martin's DNA.

Firearms analyst Amy Siewert from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement answers questions from the prosecution while holding Zimmerman's gun on July 3. Siewert examined the gun and said Zimmerman had one bullet ready to fire in the chamber as well as a fully loaded magazine when the shooting occurred.

Alexis Carter, a military prosecutor, testifies during the trial on July 3. Carter taught a criminal litigation class that Zimmerman completed, and testified that the class included extensive coverage of Florida's self-defense laws.

Mark Osterman, a U.S. Air Marshal and friend of Zimmerman's who wrote a book about the case, testifies on Tuesday, July 2. He recounted the story of the shooting that Zimmerman told him and testified that when he took Zimmerman home from the police station after the shooting, Zimmerman wasn't acting like himself.

Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda, on July 2, demonstrates a possible scenario while questioning state witness Chris Serino, a Sanford police officer.

Hirotaka Nakasone, a voice recognition expert with the FBI, testifies in the Zimmerman trial on Monday, July 1.

Witness Jonathan Good is cross-examined by defense attorney Mark O'Mara on Friday, June 28.

Selma Mora reenacts a scenario for defense attorney Mark O'Mara on Thursday, June 27. Mora lived in Zimmerman's neighborhood at the time of the shooting.

Witness Jennifer Lauer points to where her former home was in the Retreat at Twin Lakes community during questioning by defense attorney Mark O'Mara on June 27. Lauer called 911 on the night of the shooting.

Rachel Jeantel, a friend of Martin's, is questioned by defense attorney Don West on June 27. She appeared to get frustrated several times during the cross-examination, including one time when West suggested they could break until the morning so she'd have more time to review the deposition transcript.

The evidence letter that Jeantel says she wrote with a friend for Sybrina Fulton, Martin's mother, is displayed during the trial on June 27. When the defense asked Jeantel to read the letter, she said she couldn't read cursive. She asked a friend to write the letter for her, she said.

Jeantel testifies on Wednesday, June 26. She was the last person to speak with Martin on the phone.

Zimmerman walks past Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton, left, and Tracy Martin, second from left, as he enters the courtroom after lunch recess on June 26.

Diana Smith of the Sanford Police Department on Tuesday, June 25, shows the jury a bag of Skittles that was collected as evidence at the crime scene. Martin was said to be carrying the bag of candy and a soft drink at the time of his death.

Assistant state attorneys John Guy, left, and Richard Mantei hold up Martin's sweatshirt as evidence during Zimmerman's trial on June 25. After Martin's death, protesters started wearing hoodies in solidarity against racial profiling.

During the trial on June 25, crime scene technician Diana Smith shows the jury a gun that was collected as evidence.

Zimmerman laughs with defense attorney Don West during his trial on June 25.

Selene Bahadoor enters the courtroom to take the witness stand on June 25. She was the first eyewitness to testify and said the shooting occured right behind her home.

Seminole County 911 dispatcher Sean Noffke testifies on Monday, June 24, about his conversation with Zimmerman on a non-emergency line the night of the shooting.

A transcript of Zimmerman's police call on the night of the shooting is projected during opening arguments on June 24.

Martin's father, Tracy Martin, cries on June 24 as he listens to the description of his son's death.

Prosecutor John Guy gestures during his opening arguments on June 24. His first words to the six-woman jury may have raised a few eyebrows. "Good morning. 'F*****g punks, these a******s all get away,'" Guy quoted Zimmerman. "These were the words in this grown man's mouth as he followed this boy that he didn't know. Those were his words, not mine."

From left, Zimmerman's father, Robert Zimmerman Sr.; his mother, Gladys; and his wife, Shellie, are escorted from the courtroom on June 24. Since they are all on the witness list, the judge ruled they cannot be present in the courtroom until after they testify.

Defense attorney Don West displays a photo of Zimmerman from the night of the shooting during his opening arguments on June 24. He opened his statements with a knock-knock joke but failed to win a laugh. "Knock knock. Who's there? George Zimmerman. George Zimmerman who? Good, you're on the jury," he said.

A video entered as evidence is displayed on June 24. It shows Martin, right, at a 7-Eleven on the night of his shooting.

From left, Martin's parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, and Benjamin Crump, the family's legal counsel, make a brief statement to the media before jurors heard opening statements on June 24.

Zimmerman waits for the start of his trial on June 24.


Photos: Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin
Zimmerman trial in death of Trayvon Martin

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Photos: Zimmerman trial

Zimmerman jury adjourns until Saturday

Defense gives three-hr. closing argument
"All of us are depending on you to make a wise and legal decision," Nelson told the jurors.
Beyond the courtroom, the verdict will reverberate nationwide, where it has highlighted issues of race and gun laws.
Some feel passionately that he did nothing wrong and killed Martin in self defense. Others accuse Zimmerman of profiling the unarmed 17-year-old, ignoring a 911 dispatcher's call not to follow him and killing him without justification.
Martin was African-American while Zimmerman is Hispanic.
The fateful day
Martin was walking back to his father's fiancee's house from a Sanford convenience store -- where he'd bought snacks.
Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, spotted him and called the police. The two got into an altercation that ended with Martin dead and panicked neighbors calling 911 to report anguished cries for help.
The now 29-year-old Zimmerman never denied shooting Martin on February, 26, 2012 . The question is why.
And who was crying for help that night, Martin or Zimmerman?
Zimmerman a 'wannabe police officer'
Since opening arguments on June 24, dozens testified as both sides presented extensive information -- the gun, pictures, interviews Zimmerman conducted and more -- for the jury to consider.
Nelson told the jurors that the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman is guilty.
"Your memory should be your asset," she told the jurors -- among other pieces of advice.
"It is up to you decide which evidence is reliable," Nelson said. "You should use your common sense."
Before jurors began their deliberations, attorneys made their case.
Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda characterized Zimmerman as untrustworthy. He picked apart interviews Zimmerman gave to police and the media.
Why would a scared man get out of his car and walk around after being told by a 911 dispatcher not to follow the victim, the prosecutor asked in his closing argument? Did Zimmerman walk toward Martin, or did Martin come after him? Should Zimmerman have had more than a bloody nose and scratches on his head if he'd had his head slammed on the ground by the victim?
The prosecution got one last chance to present its case Friday, when Assistant State Attorney John Guy rebutted the defense's closing argument.

Martin attorney: Powerful State closing

How a sequestered jury deliberates

Witness: Zimmerman had no choice

Years of challenges after trials are over
Guy characterized Zimmerman as a frustrated wannabe police officer who took the law into his own hands. He had decided Martin was one of the criminals who had been victimizing his neighborhood, he said, then trailed him against the advice of police dispatchers.
"The defendant didn't shoot Trayvon Martin because he had to," Guy said. "He shot him because he wanted to. That's the bottom line."
Zimmerman, the prosecution said, had a powerful determination not to allow someone he had already decided was a criminal to escape.
"What is that when a grown man, frustrated, angry, with hate in his heart, gets out of his car with a loaded gun and follows a child? A stranger? In the dark? And shoots him through his heart? What is that?" Guy asked.
It was nothing but self defense, defense attorney Mark O'Mara argued.
'Many coulda beens,' defense says
"How many 'coulda beens' have you heard from the state in this case," O'Mara asked Friday. "How many 'what ifs' have you heard from the state in this case? They don't get to ask you that. No, no, no."
"Do not give anybody the benefit of the doubt except for George Zimmerman," the lawyer said.
O'Mara tried to discredit the prosecution's portrayal of Zimmerman as frustrated, spiteful and seeking vengeance.
His client wasn't the aggressor, the defense argued.
It was Martin who stalked Zimmerman and emerged from the darkness to pounce, the defense said. The teenager pinned Zimmerman to the ground and slammed his head into the sidewalk, according to O'Mara.
"That was somebody who used the availability of dangerous items, from his fist to the concrete, to cause great bodily injury against George Zimmerman," he said.
Guy ridiculed the argument that Zimmerman had suffered substantial injuries.
Repeated blows against concrete would have caused more damage than the rivulets of blood and bumps seen in photographs from the night of the shooting, he said.
Authorities brace for reaction to verdicts
While this drama played out in a Sanford courtroom, Florida authorities braced for the outcome.
In the weeks after Martin's death, tens of thousands attended rallies demanding Zimmerman's arrest and castigating authorities for their handling of the case. Some of them wore hoodies, as did Martin the night he was killed, in support of his family.
A lawyer for the late teenager's family said that, while he wouldn't call Zimmerman a racist, "this case in its totality has a racial undertone to it."
Daryl Parks told CNN's Anderson Cooper that the defendant surmised Martin was a criminal like those who'd struck in his neighborhood before -- at least one of whom was black.
"The problem, in this case, ... is that Trayvon was not one of those people," Parks said.
The defense has strongly rejected accusations that Zimmerman is racist. O'Mara cited his client's work as a mentor to black children and his taking a black girl to his prom as evidence of his non-racist beliefs.
But the perception is still out there.
His defenders have been passionate as well, especially about a person's right to defend himself with a gun when attacked. Debate swirled over Florida's "stand your ground" law, which allows those who believe they are in imminent danger to use deadly force to protect themselves.
Calls for peace
Zimmerman's family is urging people to accept the verdict, whatever it is.
"Though we maintain George committed no crime whatsoever, we acknowledge that the people who called for George's arrest and subsequent trial have now witnessed both events come to pass," the family said. "We hope now that as Americans we will all respect the rule of law, which begins with respecting the verdict. The judicial system has run its course -- pray for justice, pray for peace, pray for our country."
Authorities appealed for calm as well and took steps in case some did not heed those appeals.
The sheriff's office in Broward County, in the Miami area, said it had made a contingency plan to respond to incidents tied to a verdict.
"Freedom of expression is a constitutional right," the sheriff's office said. "While raising your voice is encouraged, using your hands is not."
Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr. was among those who appealed for peace.
"If Zimmerman is convicted there should not be inappropriate celebrations, because a young man lost his life, and if he is not convicted we should avoid violence because it will only lead to more tragedies," Jackson said.
But O'Mara said that whatever the outcome, his client will not feel safe.
"There are a percentage of the population who are angry, they're upset, and they may well take it out on him," he said.
HLN's Grace Wong, Graham Winch, Amanda Sloane, Jonathan Anker and Anna Lanfreschi and CNN's Faith Karimi, Chelsea J. Carter, John Couwels and Mayra Cuevas contributed to this report.