Closing arguments could begin today for the George Zimmerman trial. The neighborhood watch volunteer pleaded not guilty in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, claiming he killed the Florida teen in self-defense on Feb. 26, 2012. Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder.
The well-publicized case has had a few last-minute odd twists and turns. Earlier today, Judge Debra Nelson allowed jurors in the case to consider the lesser charge of manslaughter. Prosecutor Richard Mantei also tried to introduce third-degree murder charges, claiming that Zimmerman committed child abuse for shooting the teenager.
On Wednesday, Zimmerman declined to testify in his trial, after Judge Debra Nelson asked him directly and repeated whether he wanted to do so. His defense attorney, Don West, objected to the judge's move, but was vehemently overruled.
Guests:
Michael Muskal, LA Times reporter who’s been covering the George Zimmerman trial
Bennett Gershman, Professor of Law at Pace University in New York and a former prosecutor