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Zimmerman trial: Defense allowed to present Martin had marijuana in his system

By VERONICA LINARES, UPI.com
George Zimmerman. UPI/Joe Burbank/Pool
1 of 5 | George Zimmerman. UPI/Joe Burbank/Pool | License Photo

A Florida judge ruled Monday that George Zimmerman's attorneys would be allowed to show evidence that Trayvon Martin had marijuana in system when he was fatally shot.

Judge Debra Nelson denied a motion by prosecutors to keep toxicology results revealing Martin had THC in his system from the jury, thus permitting the defense to argue Martin's drug use could have affected his behavior on the night that he was shot.

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Defense attorney Don West noted that during Zimmerman's 911 call he can be heard saying the person he was observing appeared to be "on drugs."

Zimmerman's defense spokesman Shawn Vincent said Monday the defense would rest by the end of the day Tuesday or early Wednesday. The prosecution will then have time to introduce any rebuttal witnesses. Closing statements are expected to take place Thursday or Friday in what would be the end of week three of the trial.

Zimmerman, 29, a former neighborhood watch volunteer, pleaded not guilty to the second degree murder of Martin on the night of February 26, 2012, claiming he shot the teen in self defense. If convicted, Zimmerman faces life in prison.

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During opening statements, the prosecution argued that Zimmerman profiled Martin, was following him during his neighborhood watch shift and called a police dispatch number before encountering the teen.

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