First Words in Zimmerman Trial: 'F-ing Punks'

Zimmerman's family kicked out as Trayvon Martin trial begins
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 24, 2013 11:38 AM CDT

George Zimmerman's trial started today, with a bang: The first words out of prosecutor John Guy's mouth were, "F---ing punks," a phrase he repeated three times. Guy was quoting Zimmerman's 911 call about Trayvon Martin, and continued, "These assholes always get away." During his opening statement, Guy went on to describe how Zimmerman shot Martin moments later. He was not shooting in self-defense, but "because he wanted to," Guy argued.

Martin's parents cried, Zimmerman showed no emotion, and jurors often had their hands over their mouths, ABC News reports. But no reaction was witnessed from Zimmerman's family, because they were booted from the courtroom—while the victim's family is allowed to watch the proceedings under Florida law, there is no such right for the family of the defendant. During the trial, the all-female jury will hear from witnesses, including the young woman Trayvon was talking to on the phone as Zimmerman followed him. But they won't hear from the audio experts whose testimony about a 911 call could have hurt his case. (More George Zimmerman stories.)

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