Jury selection begins in Zimmerman's trial

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — A judge denied a defense request to delay the start of George Zimmerman's trial, which began Monday with potential jurors filling out confidential questionnaires and a scattering of protesters gathering outside the courthouse to support the family of the teen Zimmerman shot during a confrontation last year.

The selection of jurors who both the prosecution and defense believe can be objective in the highly publicized case is expected to take all week.

In her first order of business, Nelson denied a request by defense attorney Mark O'Mara to delay the trial on second-degree murder charges because he needed several more weeks to prepare.

Potential jurors began the day by filling out a confidential questionnaire. The judge has said she will keep the identities of the selected jurors anonymous but she rejected a defense request to sequester the entire jury pool of 500 residents.

There is no dispute Zimmerman shot an unarmed Martin, 17, during a fight on a rainy night in February 2012. Prosecutors will try to show the neighborhood watch volunteer racially profiled the black teenager, while Zimmerman's attorney must convince jurors Zimmerman pulled his 9 mm handgun and fired a bullet into the high school student's chest because he feared for his life.

Zimmerman, who identifies himself as Hispanic, says he shot Martin in self-defense. If convicted, he could get a life sentence.

Prosecutors have refused to comment about the case outside the courtroom. Areas near the courthouse have been designated for expected protests.

"We want to make sure this trial is tried in a courtroom and not outside a courtroom," lead prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda said.

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20130610/US--Neighborhood.Watch/

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Choose me, choose me!

[Darnell 8,479]

Choose me, choose me!

Sure ! When you meet juror requirements, all is possible.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Sure ! When you meet juror requirements, all is possible.

???

[Darnell 8,479]

??? back atcha !

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

??? back atcha !

There is no Constitutional requirement for US citizenship to serve on a jury. California is passing legislation to make it the first state to specifically allow non-citizens to serve on juries.

[Darnell 8,479]

Welcome to Florida ! Yum !

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Sure ! When you meet juror requirements, all is possible.

Way to dash my dreams. Because I'm sure I would have been picked if I'd been Amurican.

[Darnell 8,479]

Way to dash my dreams. Because I'm sure I would have been picked if I'd been Amurican.

I know ! it sucks for a bit, but for you, I sense 2 problems:

1. location and

2. citizenship

Perhaps there will be another 'atrocity' in a few years - if'n you have real interest in it, to get chosen as a juror, you'll move to where the action is right after the first newsbreak (atrocity occurence till first jury selection takes about a year, each time, so you have time for planning and the move, but not much - as residency requirements must be met as well)

I wish you well, with the next one. I feel very bad for you that you cannot participate, this time, on this one.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Nah, nothing ever happens here. Such is life.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Way to dash my dreams. Because I'm sure I would have been picked if I'd been Amurican.

It was actually one of the first things that happened when I became a Murcan. Had my jury summons right about the same time as my passport. Was an interesting experience.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I would love to be on this panel if I could.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

You and I can go, Marvin. We're level headed individuals with no bias.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Yup, I just want to see justice served.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Yup, I just want to see justice served.

Justice, or vengeance? Justice is not always fair, but it is the social contract we live by. Let him be judged by the law, and whatever the outcome, we have to accept it. The one thing that pissed me off more than anything about the OJ trial was not the verdict itself, but the fact that the white community became so outraged about the verdict.