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George Zimmerman trial: 5 poignant moments

The jury is set to begin deliberations on whether George Zimmerman committed murder when he shot an unarmed black teenager, Trayvon Martin, on Feb. 26, 2012, in Sanford, Fla., or whether it was an act of self-defense. Here are five moments stand out from the trial.

3. The audio expert who couldn’t be heard

Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/AP/File
The parents of Trayvon Martin, Sybrina Fulton (l.) and Tracy Martin, listen to the 911 phone call of the shooting of their son by George Zimmerman during Zimmerman's trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla., last month.

  • By Patrik Jonsson Staff writer

A 911 tape includes shrieks for help. The mothers of both Trayvon and Zimmerman testified the anguished scream belonged to their son. But even audio experts couldn’t agree, causing Judge Debra Nelson to rule that no expert analysis at all could be heard about the scream

In the courtroom itself, attempts to discuss the tape were marred by their own technical issues. In testimony away from the jury, one audio analyst, Alan Reich, tried to describe how he had come to the conclusion that not only was it Trayvon screaming, but that Zimmerman uttered a cryptic, “This shall be,” while Trayvon pleaded, “I’m begging you.”

Mr. Reich’s testimony, though, was beset by a poor telephone connection, where both those in the courtroom and Reich struggled to understand what was being said.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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