Jury selection begins this week in the trial of George Zimmerman, charged with shooting and killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Here's what's happened so far in the case:
Feb 26, 2012 The Incident:
At approximately 7:10 p.m. Zimmerman called the Sanford police’s non-emergency line to report seeing Martin walking through the gated neighborhood in the rain.
Around a minute later, a 911 call is placed by a neighbor who heard a scuffle. Police respond and find the body of unarmed, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Feb 27-29 Police Speak:
Sanford police identify Zimmerman as the shooter. Police explain that Martin was in the neighborhood staying with friends of the family for the week.
Sanford police film a re-enactment with Zimmerman on site.
March 16,2012 Trayvon Martin’s Family speaks:
Martin’s parents called a press conference, demanding Zimmerman’s arrest, reported the Orlando sentinel.
March 20, 2012 Tensions rise:
After a series of rallies, CNN reported the NAACP marched on the Sanford Police department calling for the firing of Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee Jr. U.S. Justice Department announced its plan to review the case for possible civil rights violations. Racial tensions escalate when it's revealed Zimmerman called police to report several suspicious individuals, all black.
ABC News aired an interview with a girl they identify as Martin’s girlfriend. She says she was on the phone with Martin who complained of someone watching him.
March 26, 2012 Zimmerman’s account:
The Orlando Sentinel releases Zimmerman’s account to police. Zimmerman said he was attacked by Martin, his head slammed into the ground.
April 11, 2012 Charges filed:
Special prosecutor Angela Corey filed second degree murder charges against Zimmerman. NBC News reports that Al Sharpton said, "This is not a night for celebration. This is a night that should not have happened in the first place."
April 20, 2012 Bond Trial:
Bond set at $150,000, under the conditions that Zimmerman would not be allowed to possess a firearm or contact the Martin family.
May 2, 2012 Discovery begins:
Discovery revealed evidence from both sides including tapes from Zimmerman’s calls to police, photos of Martin’s bloody sweatshirt, and DNA report from the gun.
June 1, 2012 Bond Revoked:
Judge Nelson revokes Zimmerman’s bail after the prosecution said Zimmerman and his wife had mislead the court by failing to reveal large amounts of money. Zimmerman received the money through donations on Zimmerman’s website and spoke in code over recorded jailhouse phone calls.
April 30, 2013 No Longer Stand Your Ground defense:
Zimmerman’s defense team elected to bypass the Stand Your Ground hearing so case would be heard by a jury. Stand Your Ground allows a defense team to ask a judge to dismiss the case based on self-defense, however, if dismissed by the judge the defense would not be able to use self-defense at the trial.
June 10,2013 Jury selection begins:
Jury selection for the trial starts in Sanford, Florida, just outside of Orlando.
To see more, visit http://news.wjct.org.
