Television legal experts, even fellow defense attorneys, took turns blasting West into oblivion for that faux pas, while Twitter followers had a field day lampooning the longtime lawyer who stands between Zimmerman and life in prison for killing Trayvon Martin.
In case you missed it, West began by trying to personalize the case in his opening statements, talking about his life and his mother, before prosecutors objected and the judge sustained the objection, meaning that West had to change direction at the beginning of the opening statement. Bad move No. 1.
But then West stooped even lower by telling a knock-knock joke to the six female trial jurors that infuriated observers and shocked legal pundits:
“Who’s there?” West said. “George Zimmerman. George Zimmerman who? Okay, good. You’re on the jury.”
There was a long, pregnant silence while West stumbled to collect himself and continue on. Bad move No. 2.
It was his second legal blunder that set Twitter afire. Here’s some of the best tweets about Don West’s knock-knock joke.
Knock knock. Who’s there? Worlds worst lawyer… #DonWest #Zimmerman https://t.co/YWLHsgoMv3
— Darryl Giors (@dgiors) June 24, 2013
