What Will the Trayvon Martin Grand Jury Likely Consider?

A preview of what the grand jury, which meets beginning April 10, will look at

While the uproar continues over why George Zimmerman has not been arrested, soon the citizens of Seminole County will have their say as to whether or not he should be charged for killing Trayvon Martin in Sanford.

A grand jury composed of area residents will convene April 10 and hear from prosecutors, police and maybe even Zimmerman himself as they decide what to do.

Florida International University College of Law Professor Phyllis Kotey says it is “very unusual when you have criminal charges, especially of this nature, where there has not been at least an initial arrest.”

Kotey, who spent more than two decades as a prosecutor and judge, says what has happened with Zimmerman is not standard practice.

In Florida prosecutors have two ways to charge a suspect: by information where the prosecutor acts within his own authority, or a before a grand jury.

But just two days after Norman Wolfinger, the state attorney for Seminole and Brevard counties, announced that a grand jury would be investigating the case, he recused himself Thursday in an effort aimed at “toning down the rhetoric and preserving the integrity of the investigation."

Gov. Rick Scott appointed Angela Corey from the Jacksonville area as a special prosecutor in his place.

“You can expect they will hear the 911 tapes,” Kotey said of the grand jury. “They will talk to any individuals who have any information about what was happening.”

She said that means the two women who came forward to say they heard Martin pleading for help will testify.

The 18 members of the grand jury will read the police reports, the medical examiner’s findings, speak to witnesses including police, and hear Zimmerman’s words to the 911 operator on the fateful night of Feb. 26.

Zimmerman could testify.

“Yes, Zimmerman can testify before the grand jury and the grand jury has to want to hear it,” Kotey said. “They can say we don’t want to hear from you.”

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