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George Zimmerman defence begins closing arguments George Zimmerman defence makes closing argument
(34 minutes later)
The defence has begun closing arguments in the murder trial of a Florida neighbourhood watchman who shot dead an unarmed black teenager last year. The defence has made a closing argument in the murder trial of a Florida neighbourhood watchman who shot dead an unarmed black teenager last year.
It comes the day after the prosecution said George Zimmerman, 29, "profiled" 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, assuming he was a criminal.It comes the day after the prosecution said George Zimmerman, 29, "profiled" 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, assuming he was a criminal.
The defendant denies the charge, saying he fired in self-defence in a fight.The defendant denies the charge, saying he fired in self-defence in a fight.
A jury of six women will decide if he should be acquitted, or convicted of second-degree murder or manslaughter.A jury of six women will decide if he should be acquitted, or convicted of second-degree murder or manslaughter.
As the nation awaits the outcome, police and city leaders in southern Florida say they are ready for any mass protests or even civil unrest if Mr Zimmerman walks free.As the nation awaits the outcome, police and city leaders in southern Florida say they are ready for any mass protests or even civil unrest if Mr Zimmerman walks free.
'Wannabe cop' Dramatic pause
Defence lawyer Mark O'Mara told the sequestered jury on Friday that Mr Zimmerman's guilt had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt, and said the prosecution's case was built on a series of "could've beens" and "maybes".Defence lawyer Mark O'Mara told the sequestered jury on Friday that Mr Zimmerman's guilt had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt, and said the prosecution's case was built on a series of "could've beens" and "maybes".
"If it hasn't been proven, it's not just there. You can't fill in the gaps. You can't connect the dots. You're not allowed to.""If it hasn't been proven, it's not just there. You can't fill in the gaps. You can't connect the dots. You're not allowed to."
He dismissed the idea that Mr Zimmerman was patrolling his neighbourhood "looking for people to harass", and said the defendant had not shown ill will, hate or spite during the tussle with Martin. He dismissed the idea that Mr Zimmerman was patrolling his neighbourhood "looking for people to harass", and said the defendant had not shown ill will, hate or spite during the encounter with Martin.
Mr O'Mara also challenged the jury to think about what Martin was doing for four minutes - after a friend on the phone told him to start running, but before he came face to face with Mr Zimmerman.Mr O'Mara also challenged the jury to think about what Martin was doing for four minutes - after a friend on the phone told him to start running, but before he came face to face with Mr Zimmerman.
The defence lawyer fell silent for four minutes, and said the teenager had spent that amount of time planning his attack instead of returning home.The defence lawyer fell silent for four minutes, and said the teenager had spent that amount of time planning his attack instead of returning home.
Mr O'Mara said the aggressor was Martin, "the guy who decided not to go home when he had a chance to".Mr O'Mara said the aggressor was Martin, "the guy who decided not to go home when he had a chance to".
He used a slideshow, an animation of the fight, and cardboard cut-outs of Mr Zimmerman and Martin to make his closing argument to the jury. Summing up, he used a slideshow, an animation of the fight, and cardboard cut-outs of Mr Zimmerman and Martin.
The prosecution has reserved one hour for rebuttal once the defence concludes. After the defence concluded, the prosecution began its rebuttal.
'Assumptions'
The jurors are expected to begin deliberating later on Friday.The jurors are expected to begin deliberating later on Friday.
They must decide who was at fault in the fatal confrontation that ensued on the night of 26 February 2012 as Martin walked from a convenience store to the home of his father's fiancee in a gated community in Sanford, Florida.They must decide who was at fault in the fatal confrontation that ensued on the night of 26 February 2012 as Martin walked from a convenience store to the home of his father's fiancee in a gated community in Sanford, Florida.
Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda gave the state's closing remarks on Thursday, following 12 days of testimony by dozens of witnesses.Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda gave the state's closing remarks on Thursday, following 12 days of testimony by dozens of witnesses.
Without explicitly discussing race, he suggested Mr Zimmerman had assumed the African-American teenager, who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt as he walked in the rain, was up to no good.Without explicitly discussing race, he suggested Mr Zimmerman had assumed the African-American teenager, who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt as he walked in the rain, was up to no good.
"He is dead because another man made assumptions," said Mr de la Rionda. "Because his assumptions were wrong, Trayvon Benjamin Martin will no longer walk on this Earth.""He is dead because another man made assumptions," said Mr de la Rionda. "Because his assumptions were wrong, Trayvon Benjamin Martin will no longer walk on this Earth."
But the defence argues it was Martin who was the aggressor, launching an unprovoked attack on their client.But the defence argues it was Martin who was the aggressor, launching an unprovoked attack on their client.
They say the teenager punched their client, slammed his head into the pavement and reached for Mr Zimmerman's gun.They say the teenager punched their client, slammed his head into the pavement and reached for Mr Zimmerman's gun.
Mr Zimmerman, who was legally armed with a pistol, had been sitting in his vehicle on a dark street when he saw Martin.Mr Zimmerman, who was legally armed with a pistol, had been sitting in his vehicle on a dark street when he saw Martin.
The accused telephoned police to report a suspicious person, then left his vehicle in apparent pursuit of the teenager.The accused telephoned police to report a suspicious person, then left his vehicle in apparent pursuit of the teenager.
Moments later, Martin was dead of a gunshot wound to the chest.Moments later, Martin was dead of a gunshot wound to the chest.
Mr Zimmerman, who identifies himself as Hispanic, could face life in prison if convicted on the murder charge. If found guilty of manslaughter, he could face up to 30 years in prison.Mr Zimmerman, who identifies himself as Hispanic, could face life in prison if convicted on the murder charge. If found guilty of manslaughter, he could face up to 30 years in prison.
Last year, the case prompted mass, peaceful protests across the US, with critics questioning why it took police six weeks to arrest Mr Zimmerman.Last year, the case prompted mass, peaceful protests across the US, with critics questioning why it took police six weeks to arrest Mr Zimmerman.