Zimmerman trial: Potential jurors polled on guns, crime

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Jury selection in the murder trial of George Zimmerman, who shot Trayvon Martin, has been narrowed to 40 people. They're being quizzed about guns, race, neighborhood watch and how people dress.

SANFORD, Fla. A prosecutor in the George Zimmerman murder trial spent much of Wednesday afternoon asking potential jurors about their firearm use, experience with neighborhood watch programs, how people are judged by their clothing and racial bias.

Those are crucial themes in the murder case against Zimmerman, who shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26, 2012.

On Wednesday, Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda delved into the experiences and views of 40 potential jurors.

Zimmerman, 29, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and says he killed the teen in self-defense. Prosecutors say he profiled and murdered Martin.

During nearly six hours of questioning, more than a dozen jurors said they had owned a gun, shot a gun or knew someone close to them who had firearms. At least 10 said they currently live or have lived in communities with neighborhood watch groups.

All agreed that the way someone is dressed, the fact that Trayvon was black and whether someone was in a gated community should not matter when assessing the value of a life or deciding Zimmerman's culpability.

De la Rionda was at times lighthearted with jurors who talked about being competitive barbecuers, beer lovers and animal rescuers.

Among the questions he asked: Have you ever patrolled your community because of crime? Do you know of groups that authorized neighborhood watch people to use firearms? Do you believe in taking the law into your own hands? Are you a member of the National Rifle Association?

Answers to the first three questions were all "no" except for one man's; he said there may be times when people may have to take the law into their hands.

One man, a Boy Scout leader, said he was an NRA member and instructor.

Seven potential jurors said they had been arrested without going into detail. Four said they had been victims of violent crimes. At least two said they had been victims of crimes and didn't believe the police had done enough in their cases.

No one was involved in a neighborhood watch group.

De la Rionda asked: "Does anybody have any law enforcement experience?" None said they had worked as officers, but several said they had family members and friends who worked in law enforcement. One man said his wife is in law enforcement; another said her brother-in-law was a retired police officer.

All said those connections would not affect their ability to be fair.

The potential jurors crowded shoulder to shoulder in a jury box had made it to a second round of jury selection after lawyers on both sides agreed that their exposure to news reports about the shooting would not interfere with their ability to serve.

"We are here to seek justice," de la Rionda said to the group. "This is your opportunity to live the Constitution."

Circuit Judge Debra Nelson read the charges against Zimmerman to the potential jurors, including the part where prosecutors say Zimmerman acted with a depraved mind and without regard for Trayvon's life.

For the first time since the pretrial proceedings began, Zimmerman's father, Robert Zimmerman, and mother, Gladys Zimmerman, were in court.

"Despite safety considerations, the time was right to do what they could to visibly advocate for George's innocence," said a Zimmerman family statement released Wednesday. "Our parents have avoided showing their face on camera because of numerous death threats."

Trayvon Martin's father, Tracy Martin, and his mother, Sybrina Fulton, have attended hearings since court action began last week.

On Thursday, defense attorneys will begin questioning the 40 potential jurors.

Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, said lawyers hope to begin opening statements Monday.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/19/zimmerman-jury-selection/2439635/

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

It's going to be hard to find impartial people, plus find a racial balance that will give Mr. Zimmerman a fair trial.

[Darnell 8,478]

huh? all things matter, when valuing a life. Even more so, when taking a life.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

huh? all things matter, when valuing a life. Even more so, when taking a life.

So, you think racial profiling is a reasonable way to decide whether or not to stalk and kill some, but not others.

[lostinblue 1,989]

So, you think racial profiling is a reasonable way to decide whether or not to stalk and kill some, but not others.

I missed that George has been charged with a hate crime. Please post a link. So how many Hispanics will sit on the jury? 1 or 0 ?

[Darnell 8,478]

So, you think racial profiling is a reasonable way to decide whether or not to stalk and kill some, but not others.

Doesn't matter what I think, sorry.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

It's going to be hard to find impartial people, plus find a racial balance that will give Mr. Zimmerman a fair trial.

Now that is true

So, you think racial profiling is a reasonable way to decide whether or not to stalk and kill some, but not others.

And bam ! Just when I thought weay have a rational thread. Well you just flushed that hope.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I missed that George has been charged with a hate crime. Please post a link.

FBI may charge George Zimmerman with hate crime

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

So how many Hispanics will sit on the jury? 1 or 0 ?

How is that even pertinent to this trail?

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

FBI may charge George Zimmerman with hate crime

you do know has been is past tense don't you.... Sorry I hate to be the grammar police here but I am funny about using correct syntax etc.

[Harsh_77 716]

It's going to be hard to find impartial people, plus find a racial balance that will give Mr. Zimmerman a fair trial.

yep

FBI may charge George Zimmerman with hate crime

Article is from May, have you heard anything more about this?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

It's going to be hard to find impartial people, plus find a racial balance that will give Mr. Zimmerman a fair trial.

You mean a jury to convict him, right?

If he is acquitted, what do you think will happen?

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

You mean a jury to convict him, right?

If he is acquitted, what do you think will happen?

You know what will happen. Mass protest. Feds step in. He will be charged with something else and kangarooed.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

How is that even pertinent to this trail?

It is not. Race does not matter

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So, you think racial profiling is a reasonable way to decide whether or not to stalk and kill some, but not others.

Which method do you suggest to decide in stalking and killing people?

What method do you use to determine who to report for making unregistered automatic weapons in 10 minutes with a file and scrap metal? Is it race based? Why would you not report someone that was making illegal machine guns in your neighborhood? Race? Class? Which method did you use to overlook this crime?