The second week of testimony in George Zimmerman's second-degree murder trial began with a surprise from the prosecution. State attorneys called to the stand an expert witness who testified in pre-trial hearings for the defense.
FBI voice analysis expert Hirotaka Nakasone told prosecutors science couldn't help identify who was yelling for help in the background of a 911 call made the night Zimmerman shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. He said people's voices change pitch under stress. Nakasone agreed with defense attorney Don West's explanation of why he didn't even try to determine the age of the person who cried for help.
West: “To do so would be a fool's errand, that you can't come up with a reliable scientific opinion because it's screaming, someone screaming for their life."
Nakasone: "Yes, that's my opinion of the consensus."
Similar testimony from Nakasone in a pretrial hearing helped Seminole County Judge Debra Nelson decide not to allow two state experts to testify they thought it was Martin yelling on the tape.
Zimmerman is pleading not guilty, claiming self defense.