Four potential jurors were interviewed today in preparation the George Zimmerman self-defense trial in Seminole County, Florida.
Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder for killing Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26, 2012. Zimmerman says he shot 17-year-old Martin in self-defense.
A total of 20 potential jurors were brought into the courtroom, and the group was instructed to return tomorrow at 9 a.m. They were told not to talk about the case or research it during their free time.
The first potential juror, a middle-aged blonde female, told the court that she has stayed away from watching news coverage of the case since she found out she could be a juror. When asked how she would react to what she heard in the media if it differed from what she heard in court, she replied, “I would listen to what I heard in the court because that’s what I’m supposed to do as a juror.”
Read more: Trial 2.0: Is FL vs. Zimmerman the future of justice?
The second woman, a younger black female, told the court that she doesn’t know much about the case and that she wants to serve on the jury even though she believes it will be hard emotionally.
The third candidate, a white middle-aged male, said was aware of the case and mentioned a 911 call that may prove crucial in the trial, saying the voice on the tape sounded like a woman to him.
All of the potential jurors were asked if they watched the local or national news, what channels, and about papers they subscribed to. The man said he did not watch the news, saying it was “too negative.”
Read more: Zimmerman jury selection: A sample questionaire
The last candidate for the day, a white middle-aged woman, knew about the shooting from the local news but says she has not formed an opinion. She says her family is of the belief that everyone deserves a fair trial.
