Investigators testify in Zimmerman case

SANFORD, Fla., July 1 (UPI) -- Investigators in the George Zimmerman murder trial in Florida testified Monday about the defendant's inconsistencies in interviews after he shot Trayvon Martin.

As the trial entered its second week, Christopher Serino, the lead investigator for the Sanford Police Department, provided a video re-enactment of the fatal 2012 shooting of the unarmed 17-year-old, as prosecutors further highlighted inconsistencies in Zimmerman's claim of self-defense, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Zimmerman said a police dispatcher inquired, "Can you get him somewhere where you can see him?" after he called police on the night of the shooting. That is not reflected in the recording of the call presented in court, the newspaper said.

Jurors also saw Zimmerman's videotaped interview with Serino and fellow investigator Doris Singleton, in which Serino tells Zimmerman his injuries are "not quite consistent" with his story. Martin was a good kid, Serino says in the videotape, "a kid with folks who care."

On cross examination Singleton testified Zimmerman did not seem to harbor ill will, anger or hatred toward Martin, words that appear in the second-degree murder statute.

Singleton also read Zimmerman's written statement, in which Zimmerman repeatedly refers to Martin as a "suspect." Singleton testified she never encouraged him to use the term, and noted she did not think it unusual for Zimmerman to refer to Martin by that term.

In another interview heard by the jury, the investigators tell Zimmerman they are skeptical of his claim he did not attempt to chase Martin.

"Did you pursue this kid, did you want to catch him?" Serino is heard to ask. "No," says Zimmerman.

Earlier in the day, testimony was heard by FBI audio expert Hirotaka Nakasone, who said he was able to isolate only "a little less than 3 seconds" of screaming in the audiotape of a 911 call. Nakasone said it was not enough for comparison and added screams could not be compared to a normal speaking voice.

The available audio is "not fit for the purpose of voice comparison," he said.