Rachel Jeantel, During Piers Morgan Interview, Reveals Don West is "Lucky I'm a Christian"
In the wake of the Goerge Zimmerman not guilty verdict, the prosecution's star witness made an appearance on television to address the attention around the case and the criticisms directed at her.
Rachel Jeantel made an appearance on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight" Monday night revealing that it was her good Christian upbringing that allowed her to get through the trial.
"Don West is lucky I'm a Christian," Jeantel, 19, said when asked how she was treated in the courtroom by defense attorney Don West. "The only reason I have not said anything to Don West is because my parents have taught me better."
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When asked about the jury's not guilty verdict, Jeantel was heartfelt and direct. "Disappointed. Upset. Angry. Question [sic]. And mad."
George Zimmerman was found not guilty on all charges in the shooting murder trial of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, after a jury of six women delivered their verdict following 16 hours of deliberations on Saturday night.
Zimmerman had been charged with second degree murder and manslaughter after shooting Martin dead after an altercation between the two last year.
Lawyers for Zimmerman, a volunteer Florida neighborhood watchman, argued that he had killed Martin in self-defense and that he used justifiable deadly force.
The jury had three verdicts to consider, of second degree murder, manslaughter, or not guilty on all counts. Seminole County Judge Debra Nelson had allowed the jury to consider coming to a verdict of manslaughter, which requires a lesser burden of proof and which also carries a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
The case had sparked a furious debate across the United States with Zimmerman accused of racially profiling the teenager as he returned home from a local convenience store after buying a soda and some skittles.
Zimmerman called 911 to report a "suspicious" person in the neighborhood and was told not to pursue by the dispatcher, but instead await police to attend. However, prosecutors allege that he continued to follow Martin, and the two later came to blows as an altercation broke out.
In the fight, Zimmerman had claimed that Martin, who himself was unarmed, went for the neighborhood watchman's gun, so Zimmerman described that he was forced to shoot him.
