George Zimmerman won't take stand at murder trial

Zimmerman charged with murder in death of Trayvon Martin

SANFORD, Fla. – George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch leader charged with murder in the death of Trayvon Martin, said Wednesday that he will not testify in his own defense.

[WATCH/CHAT LIVE:  Tony Pipitone in courtroom | SPECIAL SECTION:  Zimmerman trial]

Judge Debra Nelson asked Zimmerman if he planned to take the stand and he said he would not after discussing the matter with his attorneys.

The defense rested its case, and the state's rebuttal case will take place with at least two more witnesses. 

Closing arguments will likely be held on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, defense attorney Don West objected several times to Nelson asking Zimmerman if he would testify.  Nelson overruled him in a testy exchange, which occurred when jurors were out of the courtroom.

Wednesday began with Nelson ruling that the defense will not be allowed to present a computer-animated fight reenactment as evidence and also cannot introduce text messages from Martin's phone.

Nelson said, however, that the computer animation showing the fight between Zimmerman and Martin may be allowed to be shown as a demonstrative aid during closing arguments. The animation cannot be reviewed by jurors during deliberations, Nelson said.

Zimmerman, 29, has pleaded not guilty, claiming he fatally shot the 17-year-old Miami teen in self-defense.

Jurors already have heard of Zimmerman's account from recorded police interviews played in the courtroom.

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