Chris Serino, lead detective in case of Trayvon Martin killing takes stand

Rocky1

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This would be the same lead detective that didn't release the information on Martin's criminal background, that Miami-Dade PD forwarded to Sanford PD.

Quote:George Zimmerman trial: Chris Serino, lead detective in case of Trayvon Martin killing, takes stand


By Erin Donaghue

(CBS) Investigators closely questioned murder suspect George Zimmerman about whether he followed Trayvon Martin and whether he was in fear for his life in a videotaped recording of a Feb. 29, 2012 police interview played in court Monday.

"You basically jumped out of the car to see where he was going. That's not fear," said detective Chris Serino in the videotape.

Serino, the lead detective in the investigation, took the stand Monday afternoon. The jury watched the videotaped interview as Serino testified. They also watched a video of Zimmerman's re-enactment of the fatal altercation taped by police in his Sanford, Fla. gated community the day after the shooting.

Zimmerman is standing trial in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, a Florida teen who was walking to his father's fiancee's home in the community. Zimmerman claims he shot the teen in self-defense.

In the Feb. 29 interview tape, Serino and Det. Doris Singleton - who took the stand just before Serino - questioned Zimmerman about his assertion that he was afraid of Martin and didn't want to confront him.

"Did you ask what this person was doing out there?" Serino asks Zimmerman on the tape.

"No sir. I didn't want to confront him and it wasn't my job."

On the video, the detectives also question him about the profanity-laced language he used on a non-emergency call to describe suspicious people in his neighborhood --- "f---ing punks" and "these ---holes."

Zimmerman said he was referring to people that "victimize the neighborhood."

On the tape, detectives played portions of the call.

"You want to catch him. You want to catch the bad guy," Serino said. "F---ing punk can't get away. Did you pursue this kid? Did you want to catch him?"

Zimmerman said no.

Singleton asked Zimmerman again about why he left his car, implying the non-emergency call painted a different picture than the account he gave her immediately following the altercation. Earlier in the day Monday, the court heard an audio recording of the Feb. 26 interview as Singleton testified.

"You did not tell me that you said 'Oh (expletive), he's running, and you got out of the car at the same time," Singleton said on the Feb. 29 videotape. "You told me the only reason you got out of the car was to get an address."

Singleton repeatedly questioned Zimmerman as to whether he thought Martin might have been afraid of him.

"Can you see how that might frighten him, you'd been following him? Do you think he was scared? Do you think he thought you were trying to hurt him?" asks Singleton in the video.

Monday evening, defense attorney Mark O'Mara was cross-examining Serino. Court was expected to recess at 6 p.m. and resume again Tuesday morning, with more testimony from Serino.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-5...ng-takes-stand/
 
So somehow, knowing and understanding self defense law makes it illegal to defend one's self?? We have eyewitness reports that corroborate Zimmerman's account, we have a broken nose and cuts on the back of his head that corroborate Zimmerman's account, but because he knows and understands the law, we're supposed to believe he made up the eyewitness and the blood and broken nose. You gotta love lawyers.

Quote: George Zimmerman trial: Prosecutors may introduce Zimmerman's school records, judge rules

By Crimesider Staff | July 3, 2013 9:42 AM

(CBS/AP) --A Florida judge has ruled that prosecutors may introduce evidence about suspected murderer George Zimmerman's coursework in criminal justice that they say gave him knowledge of Florida's self-defense law.

Circuit Judge Debra Nelson heard arguments from prosecutors and defense attorneys, who objected to the evidence being introduced, outside the presence of jurors Wednesday morning.

Defense attorney Mark O'Mara says the coursework is not relevant to the case and called the prosecution's effort to introduce it "a witch hunt."

Prosecutors argued Zimmerman's knowledge of law enforcement is relevant to the case.

"He has the education and the ability and the understanding and at least the background to be able to discuss, when he is confronted with police, to both understand what it is they might be trying to do and also what it is he might say in order to address the situation in the light most favorable to him," said prosecutor Richard Mantei in court.

Prosecutors say the school records show that 29-year-old Zimmerman had knowledge of the law, though he maintained in an interview with Fox News last year that he didn't. Jurors heard that interview on Tuesday.

Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin last year. Martin was unarmed.

Nelson ruled that Zimmerman's school records, a police job application and an application for a ride-along with Sanford police officers can be introduced before the jury.


http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-5...ds-judge-rules/
 
I would think all the tapes he made and all the talking he did after the shooting would show he did not have a single clue about what was happening.I don't understand all that at all. it looks like any idiot would figure out it was time to shut up and get a lawyer.
 
You are so right, the first thing anyone who knows anything about the legal system is dont say 1 word other than I want an attorney. And if they say you don't need one cuz you are not under arrest u get up and leave. This case was brought just to calm the al sharpton and Jesse Jackson huckster types from having their homies riot.
 
The judge has a problem allowing Martin's criminal history admitted, however. Someone please explain to me just how one is different fron the other?


Quote: Nelson ruled that Zimmerman's school records, a police job application and an application for a ride-along with Sanford police officers can be introduced before the jury.


Originally Posted By: Catskinner This case was brought just to calm the al sharpton and Jesse Jackson huckster types from having their homies riot.

Amen!

Edit to add: Texas requires CCW applicants to receive training in the laws governing the use of deadly force before license is issued. I would assume that FL has similar requirements.

Regards,
hm
 
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By that rationale everyone driving should receive speeding tickers because they know the speed limit, so they would be speeding if they didnt, but they do so theyre not, but they would be if they didnt.

Circular logic.

Defense attys, proof that any idiot can get an education.
 
Originally Posted By: tnshootistI would think all the tapes he made and all the talking he did after the shooting would show he did not have a single clue about what was happening.I don't understand all that at all. it looks like any idiot would figure out it was time to shut up and get a lawyer.


BINGO!! If the defense doesn't make this claim on Zimmerman's behalf, there's a problem. I honestly can't believe the prosecution is even introducing this evidence, when this is a simple and clear cut argument that he gave the police everything they wanted. He obviously made no attempt to try and conceal anything and did so without the advice of counsel. Obviously NOT the actions of one schooled in law enforcement techniques and the law.


Originally Posted By: hm1996
Edit to add: Texas requires CCW applicants to receive training in the laws governing the use of deadly force before license is issued. I would assume that FL has similar requirements.

Regards,
hm[/font]


Haven't actually done Florida's yet, but yes there is classroom instruction and range time required for Florida CCW permit. And, to the best of my knowledge, having looked into classes, the class time does include discussion of Florida's Stand Your Ground and self defense law HM. North Dakota's is open book test, 10 questions... ALL OF WHICH concern Self Defense Law and your right to exercise the use of "Deadly Force".
 
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