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Defense set to make its final argument to the jury – George Howell reports
After days of intense drama at the George Zimmerman trial, the prosecution made its case yesterday. The defense makes its closing pitch today.
Zimmerman’s attorneys will argue to the jury today why their client is not guilty of murder or manslaughter in the death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin.
CNN’s George Howell is in Sanford, Florida with more from the courtroom.
“Prosecutor Bernie De La Rionda went into great detail, pointing out inconsistencies in Zimmerman's story, from the national television interview Zimmerman did, to the video reenactment he conducted with police,” Howell reports.
“The prosecutor then picked apart Zimmerman's account of what happened.”
Tune in to CNN as the trial continues.
The stuff we forget on our cars – Jeanne Moos reports
CNN first brought you a video of a very helpful motorcyclist returning a coffee cup to a driver.
Well, that motorcyclist is now telling his story to our Jeanne Moos.
“Riding on his motorcycle, Nate Bos is used to seeing the gorgeous snowcapped mountains near Orem, Utah,” Moos says. ‘What caught his eye was the snow white of the cup on the black SUV's bumper.”
Nate says, “When I saw the cup, I was like ‘this lady's got a cup on her bumper.’
“To the rescue,” Moos says, “Nate gave chase.”
Angry residents want answers after train explosion – Anna Coren reports
The heart of a small town in Quebec is now a scorched disaster zone after a runaway freight train carrying 73 cars of crude oil derailed and exploded there, bursting into flames.
Twenty people are confirmed dead, with 30 still missing and presumed killed in the inferno.
The death toll continues to rise in the aftermath of that deadly train explosion in Lac Megantic, where angry residents are demanding answers.
CNN’s Anna Coren has their story.
“Police say they've found evidence of tampering on the locomotive and have launched a criminal investigation,” Coren reports.
“Separately, the engineer has been suspended without pay over whether or not enough brakes were engaged on the train. But that didn't stop local residents from directing their anger at the train company as this mourning township demands answers.”
“It's a bomb that is on the railroad," local resident Patrice Laframbuise says. “Why is it normal that this is acceptable?”
911 calls from desperate passengers, witnesses – Miguel Marquez reports
CNN is covering the latest from Asiana Airlines Flight 214's final moments in the air and the chaotic scene on the ground immediately after it crashed at San Francisco International Airport, killing two passengers.
Frightened witnesses and passengers on the plane made desperate calls for help moments after it crashed and burst into flames. This morning, we’re hearing their dramatic 911 calls.
CNN's Miquel Marquez has details.
“A chilling description of the traumatic scene as passengers escape the burning aircraft, and a desperate plea for emergency medical assistance,” Marquez explains.
The words on one call: "We've been down on the ground, I don't know, 20 minutes, a half-hour…There are people waiting on the tarmac with critical injuries, head injuries. We're almost losing a woman here…We're trying to keep her alive."
Defense rests, prosecution set to offer closing arguments – George Howell reports
Today may mark the final chapter in one of the most watched cases in years.
Prosecutors in the George Zimmerman trial will make their final arguments to the jury why he should be found guilty of murder for killing unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin.
Meanwhile, the defense rested its case yesterday, without the jury hearing from the defendant. CNN’s George Howell has that report.
After a tense exchange between Judge Deborah Nelson and Zimmerman's Lawyers he had decided not to testify.
The drama of the trial then focused on a dummy.
“During one of the most surreal moments in court, both sides straddled a foam dummy, in attempts to illustrate the conflicting arguments as to what happened the night Trayvon Martin was killed,” Howell reports.
“Persecuting Attorney John Guy argued that it would have been difficult for Zimmerman to shoot at a 90 degree angle had Trayvon Martin been on top as presented by the defense…”Then Defense Attorney Mark O'Mara grabbed the dummy to support his argument.”
Now, the trial moves on to its final stages as Judge Nelson makes another important ruling today. She will decide whether or not to grant the prosecution's request to apply lesser charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault.
The jury will begin deliberations Friday afternoon.
Debate over forensics at day 11 of Zimmerman trial – George Howell reports
A dramatic series of arguments to report at the George Zimmerman trial yesterday.
Day 11 of the trial turned into a debate over forensics, and who was where when the fatal shot hit Trayvon Martin.
The judge left open a key decision, over data jurors might see when they are back in court just a few hours from now.
George Howell reports details live from Sanford, Florida.
“Judge Debra Nelson, the Prosecution, and Defense wrangled late into the night—10pm—over whether to admit text messages & photos from Trayvon Martin's phone, and a computer animated reconstruction of the crime scene, that defense attorneys want admitted as evidence,” Howell reports.
“Judge Nelson questioned whether Martin actually sent the messages, or someone else. Defense Attorney Don West meanwhile argued the text messages and photos weren't turned over by the prosecution in a timely manner.”
In the end, the judge didn't rule on either issue, adjourned court, and walked off after hours of arguments.
Deadly train explosion an accident or criminal act? – Paula Newton reports
New details about the deadly train crash and explosion in Lac-Megantic, Quebec is raising new questions this morning.
At least 15 people are now confirmed dead and 35 remain missing after the runaway train loaded with 72 tankers of crude oil derailed and exploded, obliterating the center of the town.
Initially reported as an accident, the crash is now being investigated as a possible criminal act.
CNN’s Paula Newton has details.
“It's clear police want to preserve the heart of what is now a crime scene,” Newton reports. “They've asked firefighters to stop dousing it with water. They have dozens of investigators combing through what little is left.”
Police are revealing little about what evidence they’ve uncovered from the catastrophe, but they are not convinced it was purely an accident.
"Namely there are pieces that lead us to believe that there are certain facts that might lead to criminal acts,” says Captain Michel Forget of the Quebec Provincial Police.
NTSB: Asiana pilot-in-training had first-time instructor – Miguel Marquez reports
The investigation into the crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 continues with stunning new details this morning.
According to the head of the NTSB, of the three pilots in the cockpit at the time of the crash, the "flying pilot" was training on the Boeing 777 and the pilot "instructing" him was doing it for the first time.
The pilots tell investigators they had trouble with the "auto-throttle", a device that regulates speed. It was on and set to 137 knots, but seconds before the crash, the plane had slowed dangerously to 103 knots.
Miguel Marquez explains the developments live from San Francisco.
“We also know that no blood was taken from the pilots of Asiana Flight 214 in the hours after that crash,” Marquez reports. “U.S. officials saying they have no jurisdiction over foreign crews.”
Tune in to CNN or read along at CNN.com for updates on the investigation.
Emergency responders climbed into fuselage to save passengers – Gary Tuchman reports
NTSB investigators continue to try and zero-in today on what caused Asiana Airlines Flight 214 to crash-land at San Francisco's airport, killing two people.
They are focusing on the speed of the plane as it came in for a landing, which was said to be "low and too slow".
But incredibly, more than 300 people survived the crash-landing.
CNN is hearing for the first time from some of the emergency responders who climbed into the fuselage to save some of their lives.
CNN's Gary Tuchman spoke with two fire firefighters who were among the first on the scene.
Defense witnesses dispute Prosecution claims in Zimmerman trial – George Howell reports
The defense presented its case in the George Zimmerman trial yesterday.
Jurors heard from a parade of witnesses, all disputing a key prosecution claim that the voice screaming for help on the 911 call the night Trayvon Martin died was Martin’s. Defense witnesses hammered home the same answer to make their case that the voice screaming on the call was actually George Zimmerman's.
Today, the defense is set to introduce its own controversial piece of evidence: A toxicology report on Trayvon Martin.
George Howell has details.
“Judge Debra Nelson ruled that testimony regarding marijuana levels in Trayvon Martin's system will now be allowed as evidence for jurors to consider, as this trial moves into day 11,” Howell reports.
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