The judge originally barred any mention of the MJ in opening statements as it went to character testimony, which (in my understanding) isn't admissible unless someone says what a great guy he was. Then the opposition can bring in evidence of bad character to refute it.
Also, the ME originally said that the low level of MJ wouldn't have any effect on TM. During testimony last week, the idiot ME (thank you, God) changed his mind and said it might have an effect.
That opened the door for the defense to bring in the MJ use, not as a character defect, but as possible evidence of TM’s behavior that night.
For those who know more about this than I do, would the low level of MJ in Trayvon be significant if it was evidence that he was in withdrawal since his usual suppliers were back in Miami?
Good point, possible withdrawal = possible high irritability and edginess, etc. But I’m inclined to attribute TM’s violent attack on Zimmerman more to the same violent criminal subculture which gives us “the knockout game,” and “beat whitey night,” and “polar bear hunting.”