Zimmerman Trial Begins With Obscenities

State's Opening Argument Begins With Words You Can't Say On TV

SANFORD, FL. -- The second degree murder trial of George Zimmerman in the lethal shooting of Trayvon Martin started at 9 a.m. this morning with motions to exclude family members and representatives of the Zimmerman and victim Trayvon Martin's family.

Court rules allow the judge to exclude anyone from the courtroom if they are on a witness list. There are some possible witnesses to be called by defense attorney, Mark O'Mara that are not on the list yet. Civil rights attorney and Martin family attorney, Benjamin Crump was one of the parties O'Mara said might be called.

Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson said she would rule later, and moved along to allow the six-member jury to enter and begin opening statements. The jury entered about 9:20 while the Judge had a brief side bar with the attorneys.

At 9:28 the Judge asked preliminary questions of the jury, all of whom have been sequestered, about any watching of news events, or conversations about the case since they last met. She also explained the "rules of the road" about how the trial will proceed and that they may not discuss the trial among themselves or anyone else. The jury members are allowed to take private notes.

The State, trying to show Zimmerman's alleged "hate" began it's very detailed opening statement by Assistant State Attorney John Guy with obscenities uttered by Zimmerman the night of the incident. "F--ing punks. These A--holes, they always get away." And described how "two worlds" collided that night as a neighborhood watch Captain killed 5' 8" 159 pound, 17-year old Martin on the rainy night of February 26, 2012.

Martin had ventured out to a local convenience store a half mile from where he was staying to buy Skittles and a drink. Zimmerman had a handgun in his waistband while driving his SUV around his neighborhood and noticed what he described to a police dispatcher as a suspicious person. Zimmerman followed Martin and shot him, claiming self defense.

The State hopes to prove otherwise with it's witnesses and evidence in what will be a trial lasting between two and four weeks.