Seven Witnesses Identify Screaming Voice as Belonging to George Zimmerman

One of the most contested points in the trial is who was heard screaming that night, Zimmerman or Martin. Trayvon's family says it was Trayvon; Zimmerman's family says it was Zimmerman. But Zimmerman has called eight witnesses saying it's his voice.

The defense called a veteran, Joe Donnelly, a friend of Zimmerman's, to testify that it was his friend's voice screaming on the call. He's further asserting that his experience in combat -- he was a combat medic during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam -- make him qualified to know what a man in pain and fear for his life sounds like.

[Updated at 11:35 a.m. ET]

O'Mara [defense lawyer] asked Donnelly to describe his experience as a combat medic in Vietnam. [Bernie] De La Rionda [prosecutor, often called "BLDR" in tweets and short dispatches] objected as to the relevance of the question, and now the attorneys are at a sidebar with the judge.

[Updated at 11:40 a.m ET]

Donnelly is talking about his experience with his company of soldiers in Vietnam.

[Updated at 11:43 a.m. ET]

O'Mara is asking Donnelly about his duties as a medic in combat. Donnelly said he had to attend to people injured in combat, and appeared to be choking back tears. The attorneys are now at a sidebar with the judge.

[Updated at 11:47 a.m. ET]

"In the midst of combating, there are a lot people yelling and screaming," said Donnelly. "Sometimes they are screaming for help."

[Updated at 11:49 a.m. ET]

Appearing to choke back tears, Donnelly said he did not want to listen to the 911 call with the screams in the background, because it can be "distressing" to hear a friend cry for help. O'Mara is now playing the 911 call with the screams in the background for Donnelly.

[Updated at 11:52 a.m. ET]

Donnelly said he has no doubt in his mind that the person screaming on the 911 call was Zimmerman, and he wishes to God he did not have the ability to understand who was screaming on the 911 call.

Bob Owens (Confederate Yankee) found Donnelly's testimony especially authoritative and moving:

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail admits what is obvious to everyone.

Will George Zimmerman walk? Growing belief Trayvon shooter will escape jail over killing teen as 'prosecution case crumbles'

Experts say prosecutors failed to prove murder 'beyond reasonable doubt'
Ex Sentencing Commission economist: 'It should never have gone to court'
Speculation mounts as defence begin their presentation to court

by Matt Blake

Speculation is growing that George Zimmerman will walk free over the shooting of Trayvon Martin amid claims the prosecution's case has 'crumbled'.

Experts say that lawyers acting on behalf of the State of Miami have failed to show that Zimmerman did not reasonably believe the gunshot was 'necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm' to himself.

Even the media's favorite experts think this is a sham:

ABC News' legal expert Dan Abrams said while parts of Zimmerman's account lack credibility, the prosecution has not done enough to convince a jury.

He wrote: 'Now that the prosecution's case against Zimmerman is in, as a legal matter, it is difficult to see how jurors find proof beyond a reasonable doubt that it wasn't self defense'.

He told ABC News: 'I just don't see how a jury convicts him of second degree murder or even manslaughter in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.'

He continued: 'Now no matter how it started, if Zimmerman shot Martin because he reasonably believed it was the only way to protect himself from "great bodily harm" then he is not guilty. That's the law.'

The media's role in this has been shameful. It is obvious now as it was obvious then that this was a racial prosecution, pure and simple, and yet they cheerleaded for it just the same.

posted by Ace at 01:36 PM

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