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Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Murder Trial Jurors’ Names Will Be Withheld

SANFORD, Fla. (CN) - Names of jurors in George Zimmerman's murder trial will be kept private for some time after the trial, Seminole County Judge Debra Nelson said Monday.

Nelson granted a motion to keep jurors' identities confidential after trial, but has not decided for how long.

Four members of the jury pool were dismissed Monday. Thirty-two will return for more questioning. Most of the 32 are women, white and middle-aged.

Attorneys have interviewed 49 potential jurors so far. Eight were questioned Monday.

Zimmerman, a Neighborhood Watch volunteer, killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26, 2012. Martin was unarmed.

Zimmerman claims he killed Martin in self-defense under Florida's so-called "stand your ground" law. He is charged with second-degree murder.

Once potential 40 jurors are chosen for the next round of questioning, six jurors and four alternates will be selected. Only six jurors are needed because this is not a capital case.

Zimmerman could face life in prison if convicted.

After the shooting, Zimmerman was not arrested for 44 days, sparking protests around the nation.

One potential juror, a middle-aged white woman who has a biracial grandson, said she thinks there will be more protests if Zimmerman is found innocent.

Another jury candidate said he had donated $20 to Zimmerman's legal defense fund because he felt sorry for him.

A middle-aged black man said he could not judge anyone because of his religion.

These people were not asked to return.

The trial is expected to last two to four weeks once the jury is seated. The jury will be sequestered during trial.

Also Monday, during the continuation of an earlier hearing, an expert for the defense said the voice heard screaming for help on a 911 call could not be recognized because of factors that affect the stress in the voice.

That hearing went on for four hours after juror questioning. It will continue Wednesday. The prosecution is expected to call an expert witness who says the voice is Martin's.

Today is the seventh day of jury selection.

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