Prosecutor John Guy began his emotional opening statement in the George Zimmerman trial Monday using the defendant’s own words against him
During most of the prosecution’s opening statements, Zimmerman looked straight forward without showing any emotion.
“The defendant claims that while Trayvon Martin was on top of him. He said, ‘You are going to die to night,’ Well ladies and gentlemen you are going to hear from people out there. Nobody heard that,” said Guy. “We are confident that at the end of this trial you will know in your head, in your heart, in your stomach that George Zimmerman did not shoot Trayvon Martin, because he had to, he shot him for the worst of all reasons — because he wanted to.”
After Guy wrapped his opening statement, defense attorney Don West began his opening statement.
“This is a sad case of course.” said West. “A young man lost his life, another is fighting for his.”
West thenĀ told the jurors a knock-knock joke, asking them if they don’t like the joke to not hold it against Zimmerman.
“Knock, knock, who’s there?’ ‘George Zimmerman.’ ‘George Zimmerman who?’ ‘Alright, good you are on the jury.'”
No one in the courtroom laughed at the joke, but West did get a few laughs when he followed it up by saying,
“Nothing, that’s funny.”
After the lunch recess, West apologized for the joke saying,
“No more bad jokes, I promise that. I was convinced it was the delivery.”
