According to Florida law, a victim’s family can stay inside a courtroom and watch the proceedings. However, no such rule covers family rights for the accused especially when they are on the witness list. The family attorney for the Martins, Benjamin Crump, was also kicked out of court. It was a bitter start to what has been one of the more divisive cases in recent memory.
“I’m here today as Trayvon Martin’s mom as I have been every day. I will be attending every day to get justice for my son,” said Sybrina Fulton moments before she and Martin’s father walked into court. “I ask that you pray for me and my family because I don’t want any other mother to have to experience what I am going through now.”
Key to the trial will be determining Zimmerman’s state of mind nearly 16 months ago when the shooting took place.
“To prove second-degree murder, prosecutors must prove that Zimmerman was filled with ill-will, hatred or spite,” said criminal defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh, who has no connection to the case. “Jurors can consider a lesser charge of manslaughter if they think what Zimmerman did was unlawful but didn’t contain those necessary elements.”