Jury selection began Monday in the Seminole County murder trial of George Zimmerman — a case that has sparked national debate for the past year.
Zimmerman, 29, was charged with second-degree murder after Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager, was shot and killed in Sanford in February 2012. Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty, and he said he was just defending himself in a fight with Martin.
Zimmerman was the self-appointed neighborhood watchman and called 911 several times with complaints of a suspicious black man.
Police did not initially arrest Zimmerman after the shooting because they said he was acting in self-defense.
Because racial stereotyping may have played a role in Martin’s death, the case has received national media coverage and brought attention to the “stand your ground” law, gun control and racial profiling.
With how high-profile the case has become, choosing the six jurors could take weeks.
Jennifer Zedalis, a UF Levin College of Law senior legal skills professor and director of trial practice, said it is difficult for someone to unlearn or set aside information they know about a trial, which makes jury selection difficult.
“Because of the national interest in the case, jury selection is very challenging,” she said. “You want to get jurors to hear a case who don’t come into the case with a strike against you already.”
To ensure a fair trial, lawyers are questioning possible jurors on what media they have consumed. They are also asked if they have ever participated in a rally, if they recognize any lawyers from TV and if they have strong feelings about the case.
Bob Dekle, a UF Levin College of Law senior legal skills professor and criminal prosecution clinic director, said the trial itself could take longer than two weeks.
“It remains to be seen how it’s going to play out in front of a jury,” he said.
In Gainesville, several students have been vocal about their opinions about the shooting.
Skye Schmelzer, a 21-year-old UF history senior and member of the Gainesville chapter of the Students for a Democratic Society, helped organize a local rally demanding justice for the Martin family.
Schmelzer said she was glad to see the trial begin but was upset Zimmerman’s defense team was trying to stereotype Martin.
The best thing that could result is that it sheds light on profiling, she said.
“Trayvon deserves justice,” Schmelzer said.
Contact Alexa Volland at avolland@alligator.org
