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George Zimmerman trial: 5 poignant moments

The jury is set to begin deliberations on whether George Zimmerman committed murder when he shot an unarmed black teenager, Trayvon Martin, on Feb. 26, 2012, in Sanford, Fla., or whether it was an act of self-defense. Here are five moments stand out from the trial.

4. Chuck Norris vs. Pee-Wee Herman

Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel/AP
Law enforcement expert Dennis Root testifies during George Zimmerman's trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Wednesday.

  • By Patrik Jonsson Staff writer

Zimmerman weighed 185 pounds during his struggle with Trayvon, who, at the time of his death, weighed 158 pounds.

The near 30-pound differential should have given Zimmerman a natural physical advantage but did not, testified Mr. Root, a private eye and "use of force" expert. Root concluded – saying “no offense” to Zimmerman – that he was soft, flabby, and a hapless, useless fighter, to the point where, during a mixed martial arts class in which he was enrolled, Zimmerman had to shadowbox or hit a sandbag instead of joining others who were boxing each other in the ring.

The prosecution pointed out that Zimmerman had once been arrested for assault on a police officer, so he couldn’t have been that helpless.

But Root said the dynamics of fighting revolve around reacting in real time. For example, he pointed out, Chuck Norris would perceive and react to a fight much differently than would Pee-Wee Herman, with the implication left in the air about which character Zimmerman most closely resembled in his fighting ability.

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Mark Sappenfield
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