A witness who testified in the George Zimmerman trial may have been present during court proceedings weeks before he took the stand — violating a Florida law that bars witnesses in a criminal trial from being in the courtroom before they testify, prosecutors have asserted.
An NBC News review of tapes from the trial shows John Donnelly, who was called as a witness for the defense on Monday, appearing to be seated in court on Tuesday, June 25 — the second day of testimony in the trial.
On June 24, Judge Debra Nelson had invoked Florida’s so-called “rule of sequestration,” which called for all witnesses except Trayvon Martin’s parents to leave the courtroom.
A witness who testified in the George Zimmerman trial may have been present during court proceedings weeks before he took the stand — violating a Florida law that bars witnesses in a criminal trial from being in the courtroom before they testify, prosecutors have asserted.
An NBC News review of tapes from the trial shows John Donnelly, who was called as a witness for the defense on Monday, appearing to be seated in court on Tuesday, June 25 — the second day of testimony in the trial.
On June 24, Judge Debra Nelson had invoked Florida’s so-called “rule of sequestration,” which called for all witnesses except Trayvon Martin’s parents to leave the courtroom.
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