Crowd On MSNBC Cheers As Motion To Dismiss Charges Against Zimmerman Denied

(MEDIAITE)   On Friday, the state of Florida wrapped up its presentation of the case against George Zimmerman for the 2012 murder of Trayvon Martin. Following the state resting, Zimmerman’s counselors argued a motion before the judge to acquit Zimmerman due to a lack of evidence. What that motion was dismissed by the presiding judge, a crowd attending the Essence Festival in New Orleans where MSNBC is broadcasting live burst into cheers and applause. 

Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara, concluded his request for an acquittal by noting that Martin “did cause his own death.” The judge summarily dismissed O’Mara’s motion and proceeded to instruct him to begin the defense phase of the trial by calling their first witness.

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The crowd at the Essence Festival that had been watching the proceedings as MSNBC’s hosts broadcast live from that event exploded in cheers upon hearing the news that Zimmerman will not be acquitted without a jury passing a verdict of “not guilty.”

UPDATE: Doug Mataconis, an attorney familiar with criminal law, notes that motions to acquit like O’Mara’s are both common and frequently denied. He said that, while he does not practice law in Florida, “this is a common tactic in criminal cases nationwide.”

Watch the clip below via MSNBC:

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