Image via Complex Original
On February 26, 2012, Trayvon Martin, 17, was shot and killed by 28-year-old George Zimmerman, the self-appointed neighborhood watch leader at the Retreat at Twin Lakes, a gated community in Sanford, Fla. Zimmerman was initially questioned by the Sanford Police Department, but he claimed self-defenese under Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, and was released without being charged. Within three weeks, the story went national, sparking outrage that an unarmed teenager had been killed without anyone being charged with the crime. After intense pressure, Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder last April. The trial begins today.
Over the past 15 months, Trayvon Martin's killing has become a lightning rod for issues of race, crime, self-defense, and even gun control. This timeline highlights the most significant moments of the case in chronological order, and tracks the shifting media coverage and public opinion.
Written by Julian Kimble (@JRK316)
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Trayvon Martin Is Shot and Killed by George Zimmerman
Date: 2/26/2012
On a late February night in Sanford, FL, George Zimmerman shoots and kills 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The Sanford Police Department questions Zimmerman, who claims that Martin confronted and attacked him, slamming his head onto the ground while pummeling him, leaving Zimmerman with no choice but to shoot him once in the chest. Police release Zimmerman. It is initially a local news story.
The Story of Trayvon Martin's Killing Goes National
Date: 3/13/2012
The story of Trayvon Martin's death becomes a national story in mid-March. The Atlantic publishes a piece by Ta-Nehisi Coates highlighting problems with Florida's self-defense laws. Within days, other major outlets, including The New York Times, pick up on the story.
911 Calls From the Night of the Shooting Are Released
Date: 3/16/2012
The release of this footage is a key moment early in the case, as it reveals that a 911 dispatcher instructed Zimmerman not to follow Martin. With the story just having gone national, the revelation leads to cries for Zimmerman to be charged.
Seven 911 calls from the night George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin are released. Each of the calls features a gunshot and bone-chilling screams. NBC later finds itself in hot water after the Today Show plays an edited Zimmerman 911 call that makes it sound as if he only pursued Martin because of his race. After launching an internal investigation, NBC is forced to apologize and fire the producer who edited the call.
Video Footage of George Zimmerman From the Night of the Shooting Leaks
Date: 3/28/2012
In late March, ABC News releases police surveillance footage from the night Zimmerman killed Martin. Though Zimmerman claims that his scuffle with Martin left him a broken nose and wounds on the back of his head, the injuries can't be seen in the video. This causes some to question the validity of Zimmerman's claims.
Enhanced Footage From the Night of the Shooting Emerges
Date: 4/3/2012
Enhanced footage shows what appears to be an injury to the back of George Zimmerman's head, lending credibility to his claims that Martin slammed his head into the concrete repeatedly the night of the shooting. At this time, Zimmerman begins to gain some favor because his claims have been verified.
George Zimmerman's Lawyers Withdraw From the Case
Date: 4/10/2012
Both of George Zimmerman's original attorneys—Craig Sonner and Hal Uhrig—withdraw from the case, stating that they've "lost contact" with Zimmerman. With Zimmerman ignoring their efforts to reach out to him, neither thinks it is feasible to continue representing him. Both also say they are certain Zimmerman made contact with Sean Hannity of Fox News and the special prosecutor assigned to the case against their advice.
George Zimmerman Charged with Second-Degree Murder
Date: 4/11/2012
Just under two months after Zimmerman shot and killed Martin, special prosecutor Angela Corey announces that George Zimmerman is being charged with second-degree murder. As anticipated, Zimmerman turns himself in to police.
George Zimmerman Ordered to Remain in Custody Until Arraignment
Date: 4/12/2012
George Zimmerman's arraignment and bail hearing are scheduled during a court appearance that lasts three minutes. Judge Mark Herr decides that Zimmerman will remain in custody and his new attorney, Mark O'Mara, requests that Judge Herr seal all documents in the case. Herr approves this request.
George Zimmerman's Bond Set at $150,000
Date: 4/20/2012
Seminole County Circuit Court Judge Kenneth Lester sets George Zimmerman's bond at $150,000. The figure is significantly less than the $1 million that the state requested, but Lester says that Zimmerman is not a threat to the community. Zimmerman addresses Trayvon Martin's family for the first time, saying, "I am sorry for the loss of your son.... I did not know if he was armed or not."
George Zimmerman Is Released After Posting Bond
Date: 4/23/2012
Just three days after his bail was set, Zimmerman leaves John E. Polk Correctional Facility a free man. His destination is not disclosed for safety purposes, but he's fitted with a GPS monitoring device.
George Zimmerman Enters "Not Guilty" Plea to the Charge of Second-Degree Murder
Date: 5/8/2012
Though Zimmerman is absent from the courtroom, his attorney Mark O'Mara enters a plea of not guilty on his behalf. The state of Florida guarantees defendants a trial within 175 days of being charged, but O'Mara states that he needs more time to prepare.
Evidence in the Case Is Released
Date: 5/17/2012
Evidence from the case is made public by the Jacksonville State Attorney's Office on May 17. According to the autopsy report, Martin was killed by a single gunshot wound fired at an "intermediate range." Traces of marijuana were found in Martin's system. Another document is made publich showing that lead detective Chris Serino had no reason to believe that Martin was involved in any criminal activity the night of his murder, and that his death was ultimately avoidable.
Additional information includes conflicting statements from witnesses, audio tapes, and a slew of images from the night of the shooting. This marks the first time both the media and public get a clear look at George Zimmerman's face on the night of the shooting.
Judge Revokes George Zimmerman's Bond
Date: 6/1/2012
Judge Kenneth Lester revokes George Zimmerman's bond and gives him 48 hours to surrender after prosecutors file a motion accusing Zimmerman of deceiving the court about his financial situation and obtaining a passport two weeks after shooting Trayvon Martin. The website that Zimmerman launched to fund his defense raises over $200,000 just days after going live, and attorney Mark O'Mara tells the court at a bond hearing that Zimmerman and his family are destitute. New documents reveal that Zimmerman had $135,000 in his bank account a day prior to the hearing.
George Zimmerman Returns to Prison
Date: 6/3/2012
George Zimmerman returns to John E. Polk Correctional Facility. Mark O'Mara says that Zimmerman would have to answer questions about his credibility immediately, adding that it "[had] been tarnished and he will have to rehabilitate it." Zimmerman remains in custody without bond until a judge decides whether or not he should be freed before the trial begins.
George Zimmerman's Bond Set at $1 Million
Date: 7/5/2012
Judge Kenneth Lester sets George Zimmerman's bond at $1 million—which is what prosecutors originally recommended. Mark O'Mara had requested that Zimmerman's bond be set at $150,000, again, because he returned to jail promptly and posed no threat to the public safety. Judge Lester disagrees with that figure.
George Zimmerman Posts Bond
Date: 7/6/2012
George Zimmerman posts his significantly increased bond. His second release from prison comes with the following stipulations: He is not to open a bank account, apply for a passport, or visit an airport. He's also ordered to wear a tracking device and adhere to a strict 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. curfew.
Zimmerman takes up residence at a safe house with 24-hour protection provided by a private security firm.
Images of Trayvon Martin's Bloodied Clothes Are Released
Date: 7/12/2012
As the prosecution builds their case against Zimmerman, 284 pages of documents, including black and white photos of Trayvon Martin's blood-stained hoodie, are released. The photos, collected by the FBI and local authorities as part of a civil rights investigation, confirm that Martin was shot once in the chest, as both the Fruit of the Loom hoodie and Nike sweatshirt he wore underneath appear marked by bullet holes and blood. In addition, new evidence reveals how Martin spent his last days.
George Zimmerman Gives Sean Hannity His First Interview Since the Shooting
Date: 7/18/2012
During his first interview since killing Martin in February, Zimmerman tells Sean Hannity of Fox News that he feels the events of February 26 are "all God's plan." Appearing with Mark O'Mara, Zimmerman describes Martin's body language on the night of his death as "confrontational," adding that Martin attacked him, breaking his nose with a punch and knocking him to the pavement. Zimmerman also says that Martin reached for his gun and told him that he was going to die, thus giving him no choice but to shoot Martin once in the chest.
The interview also reveals that Zimmerman was unaware of the "Stand Your Ground" law the night of the murder.
Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump calls the interview "a gift," and special prosecutor Angela Corey says she intends to reference the interview during the trial.
Tests Indicate That Trayvon Martin's DNA Was Not Found on George Zimmerman's Gun
Date: 9/19/2012
Forensic tests reveal that only Zimmerman's DNA was found on the grip of his weapon. Zimmerman's DNA was also found on the gun's holster, but tests could not confirm the presence of Martin's. Zimmerman maintains that Martin was on top of him, pounding his head into the ground, suffocating him and reaching for his weapon.
Judge Rejects George Zimmerman's Request to Remove GPS Tracking Device
Date: 12/11/2012
Confined to a safe house in Seminole County since the summer, Zimmerman asks Judge Debra Nelson to have his GPS tracking device removed, a request that is then denied. The request is part of a 74-page motion filed by Mark O'Mara claiming that Zimmerman and his wife, Shellie, have been forced into hiding out of fear for their safety. The motion claims that Zimmerman would need the flexibility to travel and be available to his attorneys for meetings.
Judge Denies George Zimmerman's Request to Delay Trial, Announces Trial Date
Date: 2/5/2013
On what would've been Trayvon Martin's 18th birthday, Judge Debra Nelson denies the request of Zimmerman's defense to have the trial delayed. Claiming that prosecutors have been slow to turn over evidence, Zimmerman's defense attempts to have the trial's start date pushed back from June until November.
Attorney Mark O'Mara takes to Zimmerman's defense fund website to request donations, estimating that up to $1 million could be needed because the state of Florida has "virtually unlimited resources" to prosecute his client.
Nelson dismisses the request, announcing that the trial will begin on June 10.
George Zimmerman's Defense Announces Plans to Waive Right to "Stand Your Ground" Hearing
Date: 3/5/2013
The defense announces plans to waive their right to a "Stand Your Ground" hearing, giving them the opportunity to roll the hearing in with the trial and secure more time to prepare. Judge Debra Nelson denies the request to interview a young woman, known as "Witness 8," who is allegedly the last person to speak to Martin. The young woman claims to have missed Martin's funeral because of a hospital visit; there are no medical records to confirm this.
George Zimmerman Appears in Court for Pretrial Hearing
Date: 4/30/2013
Appearing in court, George Zimmerman waives his right to a pretrial "Stand Your Ground" hearing. Though his defense relinquished its intentions to have an immunity hearing, they considered the possibility of having one that runs simultaneously with the trial and maybe even one after it. During the hearing, the defense mentions that it's obtained information about Martin that could damage his reputation.
George Zimmerman's Defense Releases Texts and Photos from Trayvon Martin
Date: 5/23/2013
With only weeks remaining before the start of the trial, Zimmerman's defense releases texts and photos from Martin's cell phone. Some photos show Martin extending his middle finger to the camera and blowing smoke, while others show what many believe is a marijuana plant and an unidentified person holding a firearm. Text messages reveal Martin explaining to a friend that his mother told him he should move in with his father after he was caught skipping school. While Zimmerman's defense hopes to use this content during the trial, prosecutors file a motion to prevent it from being used.
Judge Decides on Limited Use of Trayvon Martin's Photos and Texts
Date: 5/27/2013
Close to a week after George Zimmerman's defense team leaked texts and photos from Martin, Judge Debra Nelson decides that only some of this material can be used in court, and in a limited capacity. Nelson rules that the defense will not be allowed to reference Martin's drug use, fights, and suspensions during opening statements. She stipulates that some of Martin's personal material can be introduced later in the trial, depending on how it progresses. She also decides against having jurors visit the site of the shooting and denies yet another request to have the trial delayed.
Voice Experts Testify That Screams for Help on 911 Call Don't Match Zimmerman's Voice
Date: 6/7/2013
At yet another pretrial hearing, voice experts provide testimony about whether or not the screams heard on the 911 call belong to George Zimmerman or Trayvon Martin. Alan Reich's analysis of the call returns words previously undetected by other experts, including "I'm begging you" from Martin and "This shall be" by Zimmerman. Reich, who said he spent "hundreds" of hours listening to the tape, says the screams belong to Trayvon Martin, but also refers to his discovery as "tentative."
Tom Owen, hired last year by the Orlando Sentinel to compare a voice sample from Zimmerman with the screams captured on tape, also testifies that Zimmerman's voice does not match what's heard on the recordings. However, he notes that the sample wasn't long enough to conduct a proper test because of the particulars of the software. He was forced to loop the sample over and over again to perform the analysis. This comes a day after FBI analyst Hirotaka Nakasone testified that it was essentially impossible to determine whose screams were heard on the tape.
George Zimmerman's Defense Releases Video Which Allegedly Contains Trayvon Martin's Voice
Date: 6/9/2013
On June 9, George Zimmerman's defense team releases a video via its website, claiming it proves the screams heard on the 911 tape do not belong to Martin. The video shows two men fighting over a bicycle; Zimmerman's attorneys say Martin captured the video and that the voice heard is his. This is said to be the lone sample of Martin's voice.
Zimmerman's lawyers will have to prove that the video is relevant to the case and won't overwhelm the jury. It was previously introduced by the defense, with attorney Mark O'Mara incorrectly stating that it showed Martin's friends beating a homeless man. It's on the state to prove that the video has no place in court.