State pushes to keep Trayvon Martin's past out of George Zimmerman trial

[n2sooners]

Just an update on the Zimmerman trial, hadn't heard about it in a while.

ORLANDO, Fla. -

State prosecutors in the case against George Zimmerman are pushing to keep Zimmerman's attorneys from bringing testimony about Trayvon Martin's past during the trial.

The state said in motions filed on Friday they want to prevent Zimmerman's attorneys from bringing up Martin's personal life, including his school records, previous suspension from school, fights, text messages sent prior to his death unless related to case and his social media use.

The motion also says the state wants to prevent the defense from using Martin's toxicology report, which showed the level of marijuana in Martin's blood the night he was shot and killed.

The state's filings suggest they fear the defense may try to attack Martin's character, instead of focusing on whether Zimmerman murdered Martin. Assistant prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda argued that Martin's past is irrelevant and would clearly be designed only to prejudice the jury.

The state filing the motion doesn't mean the defense was trying to use it at the trial and often similar motions are filed as a precaution to give the judge an opportunity to tell both sides what they should not reference or introduce unless later ruled relevant and admissible.

Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara also filed motions discussing what they will discuss at the next hearing, which is set for May 28. Among the motions were a motion to allow additional witnesses and to allow expert testimony by video at the hearing.

Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder after shooting and killing Martin in Sanford in February 2012.

source

I think that in a self defense case the past of the victim is relevant, and the toxicology report is definitely relevant. And if bringing up one's past might prejudice the jury, does that mean the state won't try to bring up incidents that happened in Zimmerman's past?