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Jane Velez Mitchell guest is Patti Wood, Zimmerman Juror dismissed.



Body language expert and professional speaker Patti Wood of Atlanta Georgia will appear at 7:45 tonight on Jane Velez Mitchell show on HLN to discuss the potential juror for the Zimmerman trial dismissed and escorted from the court.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNikiFlPswc

A potential juror in the George Zimmerman trial who was dismissed earlier in the week over a Facebook post has been escorted from the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center after showing back up to the courthouse Friday. 

Juror E-7 was dismissed Wednesday after it was discovered that he bashed the Sanford Police Department on Facebook in support of Trayvon Martin. 

The dismissed juror, identified as Jerry P. Counelis, was surrounded by several law enforcement officers Friday as he was escorted off the property for trespassing.  

A screen shot released by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office showed Counelis posted the following comment on Facebook to a link to a pro-Trayvon Martin website:  

"..... In Sanford ... & I CAN tell you THIS. 'Justice' IS Coming! ... & I'll tell you why. The ONLY reason this corrupt City Police dept. was stonewalling was because since they KNOWINGLY worked with this Self-appointed 'Neighborhood Watch' Security ... & KNEW he carried a weapon ... They knew they AND the Homeowners Association were Liable for HUGE $$$ damages in court ... MINUTES after the shooting occurred. But with the noise WE made ... it couldn't be covered up. I only hope the Feds go farther than just THIS case in investigating This 'Police Force.' The Seminole County 'Justice' System needs an ENEMA ... & they just MIGHT GET one!"


The comment was made on a page on Facebook called Coffee Party Progressives.  

https://www.facebook.com/coffeepartyprogressives 





Dismissed Zimmerman juror banned from Seminole courthouse


 


June 14, 2013|By Desiree Stennett, Orlando Sentinel


 


A dismissed juror in George Zimmerman's second-degree-murder case had to be escorted out of the courthouse and has been prohibited from returning to the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center until the trial ends.


Jerry Patrick Counelis is former prospective juror E-7, a middle-aged white man who described himself as an out-of-work musician and painter.

Counelis, who appeared eager to serve on the jury, saying he could withstand weeks of lost income despite being behind on his rent, was dismissed as a potential juror Wednesday.

 

When attorneys questioned him Wednesday, Counelis insisted he had no opinion about Zimmerman's guilt. But when Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson handed him a sheet of paper and asked if on March 21, 2012, he'd written and posted on Facebook what was on that paper. He read it, looked up and said, "Yes."

 

A deputy then escorted him from the courtroom, and the judge said nothing more about the post.

 

But several news organizations reported the post in question was a caustic diatribe critical of the Sanford Police Department and its handling of the investigation into Trayvon Martin's death.

 

Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, told reporters after court Friday that those who attempt to join a jury with preconceived notions of a defendant's guilt or innocence are "unbelievably dangerous" to the criminal-justice system.

 

According to a Seminole County Sheriff's Office trespass warning report, Counelis went to the courthouse at about 1:15 p.m. Friday to express concern about his privacy and animosity regarding the way he was treated during the jury-selection process.

 

A court deputy referred Counelis to the clerk's office if he had a complaint. At that point, Sheriff's Office documents show, Counelis walked into the foyer outside the jury assembly room where other potential jurors waited to be interviewed by state prosecutors and Zimmerman's defense.

 

When deputies asked Counelis to leave, the warning report says, he pointed to the door of the assembly room and said, "Do they know what they are in for!"

 

Counelis was escorted out of the courthouse and told he cannot return until the Zimmerman trial ends unless he has official court business. If he violates that order, Counelis could be arrested.

 

Zimmerman Potential Juror Dismissed And Escorted

A potential juror in the George Zimmerman trial who was dismissed earlier in the week over a Facebook post has been escorted from the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center after showing back up to the courthouse Friday.

 

Juror E-7 was dismissed Wednesday after it was discovered that he bashed the Sanford Police Department on Facebook in support of Trayvon Martin.

 

The dismissed juror, identified as Jerry P. Counelis, was surrounded by several law enforcement officers Friday as he was escorted off the property for trespassing.

 

A screen shot released by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office showed Counelis posted the following comment on Facebook to a link to a pro-Trayvon Martin website:

 

"..... In Sanford ... & I CAN tell you THIS. 'Justice' IS Coming! ... & I'll tell you why. The ONLY reason this corrupt City Police dept. was stonewalling was because since they KNOWINGLY worked with this Self-appointed 'Neighborhood Watch' Security ... & KNEW he carried a weapon ... They knew they AND the Homeowners Association were Liable for HUGE $$$ damages in court ... MINUTES after the shooting occurred. But with the noise WE made ... it couldn't be covered up. I only hope the Feds go farther than just THIS case in investigating This 'Police Force.' The Seminole County 'Justice' System needs an ENEMA ... & they just MIGHT GET one!"

 


The comment was made on a page on Facebook called Coffee Party Progressives.

 

Why jury selection for the Zimmerman trial is a lot like the NFL draft

 


 

Jury selection began this week in the George Zimmerman second-degree murder trial of 17- year old Trayvon Martin. Over the course of three weeks, prosecutors and defense attorneys will whittle their way through hundreds of prospective jurors in a collective effort to choose just six jurors and four alternates.

 

This is not a “who done it” trial, like that of O.J. Simpson or Casey Anthony. There is no dispute Mr. Zimmerman shot and killed Mr. Martin in a central Florida neighborhood on the night of February 28, 2012.

 

Rather, this case is about whether Mr. Zimmerman’s actions were legal. His position is that he only acted in self-defense after Mr. Martin physically attacked him.

 

This defense hinges upon a Florida law that allowed him to stand his ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if he reasonably believed it was necessary to do so to prevent great bodily harm to himself.

 

Jury selection is strategy. It is just as important, if not more important, than the facts and arguments that will be presented at the trial

 

Jury selection is much like an NFL draft. A team’s decision on whether to pick a player revolves around his skill, his personality, and whether he can help the team win. But there are no guarantees. A team may think it scored the best player of the draft, only to learn the player is a bust. (Ryan Leaf is a name that comes to mind.)

 

The defense and prosecution are also teams. Through the jury selection process, legally referred to as voir dire, attorneys will “strike” potential jurors they believe will not vote in their favor and will attempt to seat a juror they believe is sellable on their position. They cannot be sure of a juror's ultimate decision but they can certainly attempt to make the best picks.

 

Jury selection is an interview process. The best way to learn about the juror is to ask the person about his feelings on issues that are likely to arise in the case.

 

The death of Trayvon Martin was greatly publicized. Aside from media attention, it also sparked emotionally charged debates -- from race relations, gun ownership, self-defense, youth culture/fashion, and politics. As a result, jury selection strategy should focus heavily on potential jurors’ feelings and beliefs.

 

Let’s take a look at some of the prospective jurors:

 

Juror N-18 is a Puerto Rican male whose native tongue is Spanish. He stated that he heard about the case on the news but does not have Internet nor does he read newspapers. He only reads the Bible. He also stated that he believed Mr. Zimmerman to be guilty but that he could put his opinion aside and listen to the evidence.

 

On one hand, Juror N-18 may be pro-defense because Mr. Zimmerman is also a male of Hispanic descent and he saw photographs of a “hurt” Mr. Zimmerman. On the other hand, he may be pro-prosecution because he stated that he believes Mr. Zimmerman is guilty and he believes in the Ten Commandments, that “thou shall not kill.”

 

On Day 1, a woman with seven children and a grandmother were questioned. The women may be pro-prosecution because an unarmed, 17-year old represents one of their children or grandchildren. A man, who stated he listens to National Public Radio, may also be pro-prosecution because his choice in radio news may reveal that he has a more liberal mind.

 

On Day 2 of jury selection, both a man and a woman expressed fear for their safety following a verdict. Their fears may be related to deeper psychological issues with regard to violent crimes. This is a violent crime case with a defense that involves the defendant’s alleged fear for his life. These prospective jurors may be pro-defense because they can relate to Mr. Zimmerman’s fears.

 

Jury selection is strategy. It is just as important, if not more important, than the facts and arguments that will be presented at the trial. The wrong “pick” can lead to a losing team but the right “pick” can result in a winning verdict.

 


 


 

Potential Zimmerman juror expresses safety concerns

A potential juror in the George Zimmerman second-degree murder trial in Florida expressed fear Wednesday that she could be the victim of violence if picked for the trial, indicating that tensions are still running high in the community after Zimmerman shot 17-year old high school student Trayvon Martin last year.

 

Many of the potential jurors interviewed Wednesday morning on the third day of jury selection in the trial knew about the circumstances surrounding the highly-publicized shooting, and some had already developed fears or concerns.

 

A woman in her mid-twenties reportedly expressed fear for her safety if selected for the jury. A woman in her fifties also said that she didn’t like the negative media coverage Sanford, Florida received after the shooting.

 

“My impressions are we should look at the crime — I don’t think it’s a racial issue,” said one potential female juror who has watched coverage of the case on Good Morning America.

 

A potential male juror noted that “maybe [Zimmerman] thought he was doing the right thing.”

 

In accordance with Florida law, the jury will be composed of only six jurors.

 

Zimmerman, a half-white, half-Latino neighborhood watchman, stands trial this summer for second-degree murder after shooting Martin, purportedly in self-defense. Zimmerman claimed that Martin jumped him, pounded his head against the pavement, pummeled him with fists, and reached for Zimmerman’s gun, prompting Zimmerman to shoot and kill him. The case gained wide media attention and prompted threats of further violence in 2012, with The New Black Panthers offering a $10,000 bounty for Zimmerman’s capture.

 


How long does it typically take to choose a jury?

Friday marked the fifth day in the jury selection process for the trial of George Zimmerman. Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder for the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida. He claims he shot the unarmed teen in self-defense.

 

On Thursday, 11 prospective jurors were interviewed at Seminole County Court in Sanford, Florida. Six jurors and four alternate jurors will ultimately be selected. Judge Debra Nelson announced on Thursday, June 13, that all jurors chosen will be sequestered. Court officials estimate that the trial will last two to four weeks. Jurors selected will stay in a hotel until the trial begins, and they will have limited contact with the outside world until it is time for them to appear in the courtroom.

 

Some potential jurors have already expressed concern about how being a part of the Zimmerman jury could impact their lives. In past high-profile cases, jury selection has taken anywhere from one day to five months. In the case of former Enron executives Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling, the jury was chosen in a single day. In the highly publicized O.J. Simpson trial, it took more than a month to select the jury, and in the case of Joshua Komisarjevsky, who was involved in a Connecticut home invasion that resulted in the murder of a mother and her two daughters, jury selection took five months.

 

LENGTH OF JURY SELECTION

How long did it take to pick juries in various trials?

 

CA V. OJ SIMPSON

 

·         First-degree murder

·         More than one month

 

CA V. SCOTT PETERSON

 

·         First-degree murder (death penalty)

·         12 weeks

 

CT V. JOSHUA KOMISARJEVSKY

 

·         First-degree murder (death penalty)

·         5 months

 

ME V. MARK STRONG SR.

 

·         Promoting prostitution

·         4 days (over 4 weeks)

 

FL V. CASEY ANTHONY

 

·         First-degree murder

·         2 weeks

 

FL V. LUIS CABALLERO

 

·         First-degree murder (death penalty)

·         2 weeks

 

Sequestered jurors in Zimmerman trial will have limited access to families, outside news

(Orlando Sentinel, Jacob Langston/Pool/ Associated Press ) - George Zimmerman listens during jury selection in Seminole circuit court on the fourth day of his trial, in Sanford, Fla., Thursday, June 13, 2013. Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder for the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

     

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By Associated Press, Published: June 13 | Updated: Friday, June 14, 6:02 AM

SANFORD, Fla. — The six jurors and four alternates who eventually will decide whether George Zimmerman committed murder when he fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin will have limited contact with the outside world during the two weeks to a month it will take to hold the trial.

Circuit Judge Debra Nelson said for the first time Thursday that jurors picked for Zimmerman’s second-degree murder trial will be sequestered. They will have limited contact with their families, they will spend the night at a hotel and their actions will be monitored by court security outside the courtroom during the duration of the trial. Prosecutors and defense attorneys resume their fifth day of jury selection Friday.

“You would not be able to participate in day-to-day routine activities,” defense attorney Don West told one potential juror.

Some potential jurors have been wary of the prospect of being cut off from the world during the trial.

Jury candidate K-80, a middle-aged white woman, described sequestration Thursday as “my biggest fear.” Jurors are only referred to by their jury numbers in court to protect their identities.

Juror E-81, a middle-aged white woman, said when she saw the word “sequester” on the questionnaire in the jury room, “the walls caved in.”

“I want to sleep in my own bed,” she said. The potential juror also worried about her safety if picked, saying “I’m going to walk out of here with a bulls-eye on me.”

The jury candidate appeared to already have made up her mind about the case, decreasing her chances of being picked. Her impression was that Martin’s prior use of marijuana and an image of a gun found on his cell phone were indications that “he was going down the wrong path.” She also said she believed Zimmerman was just “looking after his neighborhood.”

“I believe every American has a right to defend himself,” said Juror E-81. “I think the more people armed, the better.”

Potential juror B-67, a Hispanic female in her 40s, was allowed to leave courtroom without being questioned by defense attorneys after she said being sequestered would be a hardship with her family and school commitments.

Zimmerman, a 29-year-old former neighborhood watch volunteer, is pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, claiming he shot an unarmed Martin in self-defense. A 44-day delay in Zimmerman’s arrest led to protests around the nation. They questioned whether the Sanford Police Department was investigating the case seriously since Martin was a black teen from the Miami area. Zimmerman identifies himself as Hispanic.

Attorneys need to find six jurors and four alternates. In Florida, 12 jurors are required only for criminal trials involving capital cases, when the death penalty is being considered.

 


Dismissed Zimmerman juror banned from Seminole courthouse

 

June 14, 2013|By Desiree Stennett, Orlando Sentinel

 

A dismissed juror in George Zimmerman's second-degree-murder case had to be escorted out of the courthouse and has been prohibited from returning to the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center until the trial ends.

Jerry Patrick Counelis is former prospective juror E-7, a middle-aged white man who described himself as an out-of-work musician and painter.

Counelis, who appeared eager to serve on the jury, saying he could withstand weeks of lost income despite being behind on his rent, was dismissed as a potential juror Wednesday.

 

When attorneys questioned him Wednesday, Counelis insisted he had no opinion about Zimmerman's guilt. But when Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson handed him a sheet of paper and asked if on March 21, 2012, he'd written and posted on Facebook what was on that paper. He read it, looked up and said, "Yes."

 

A deputy then escorted him from the courtroom, and the judge said nothing more about the post.

 

But several news organizations reported the post in question was a caustic diatribe critical of the Sanford Police Department and its handling of the investigation into Trayvon Martin's death.

 

Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, told reporters after court Friday that those who attempt to join a jury with preconceived notions of a defendant's guilt or innocence are "unbelievably dangerous" to the criminal-justice system.

 

According to a Seminole County Sheriff's Office trespass warning report, Counelis went to the courthouse at about 1:15 p.m. Friday to express concern about his privacy and animosity regarding the way he was treated during the jury-selection process.

 

A court deputy referred Counelis to the clerk's office if he had a complaint. At that point, Sheriff's Office documents show, Counelis walked into the foyer outside the jury assembly room where other potential jurors waited to be interviewed by state prosecutors and Zimmerman's defense.

 

When deputies asked Counelis to leave, the warning report says, he pointed to the door of the assembly room and said, "Do they know what they are in for!"

 

Counelis was escorted out of the courthouse and told he cannot return until the Zimmerman trial ends unless he has official court business. If he violates that order, Counelis could be arrested.

 

Zimmerman Potential Juror Dismissed And Escorted

A potential juror in the George Zimmerman trial who was dismissed earlier in the week over a Facebook post has been escorted from the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center after showing back up to the courthouse Friday.

 

Juror E-7 was dismissed Wednesday after it was discovered that he bashed the Sanford Police Department on Facebook in support of Trayvon Martin.

 

The dismissed juror, identified as Jerry P. Counelis, was surrounded by several law enforcement officers Friday as he was escorted off the property for trespassing.

 

A screen shot released by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office showed Counelis posted the following comment on Facebook to a link to a pro-Trayvon Martin website:

 

"..... In Sanford ... & I CAN tell you THIS. 'Justice' IS Coming! ... & I'll tell you why. The ONLY reason this corrupt City Police dept. was stonewalling was because since they KNOWINGLY worked with this Self-appointed 'Neighborhood Watch' Security ... & KNEW he carried a weapon ... They knew they AND the Homeowners Association were Liable for HUGE $$$ damages in court ... MINUTES after the shooting occurred. But with the noise WE made ... it couldn't be covered up. I only hope the Feds go farther than just THIS case in investigating This 'Police Force.' The Seminole County 'Justice' System needs an ENEMA ... & they just MIGHT GET one!"

 


The comment was made on a page on Facebook called Coffee Party Progressives.

 

Why jury selection for the Zimmerman trial is a lot like the NFL draft

 


 

Jury selection began this week in the George Zimmerman second-degree murder trial of 17- year old Trayvon Martin. Over the course of three weeks, prosecutors and defense attorneys will whittle their way through hundreds of prospective jurors in a collective effort to choose just six jurors and four alternates.

 

This is not a “who done it” trial, like that of O.J. Simpson or Casey Anthony. There is no dispute Mr. Zimmerman shot and killed Mr. Martin in a central Florida neighborhood on the night of February 28, 2012.

 

Rather, this case is about whether Mr. Zimmerman’s actions were legal. His position is that he only acted in self-defense after Mr. Martin physically attacked him.

 

This defense hinges upon a Florida law that allowed him to stand his ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if he reasonably believed it was necessary to do so to prevent great bodily harm to himself.

 

Jury selection is strategy. It is just as important, if not more important, than the facts and arguments that will be presented at the trial

 

Jury selection is much like an NFL draft. A team’s decision on whether to pick a player revolves around his skill, his personality, and whether he can help the team win. But there are no guarantees. A team may think it scored the best player of the draft, only to learn the player is a bust. (Ryan Leaf is a name that comes to mind.)

 

The defense and prosecution are also teams. Through the jury selection process, legally referred to as voir dire, attorneys will “strike” potential jurors they believe will not vote in their favor and will attempt to seat a juror they believe is sellable on their position. They cannot be sure of a juror's ultimate decision but they can certainly attempt to make the best picks.

 

Jury selection is an interview process. The best way to learn about the juror is to ask the person about his feelings on issues that are likely to arise in the case.

 

The death of Trayvon Martin was greatly publicized. Aside from media attention, it also sparked emotionally charged debates -- from race relations, gun ownership, self-defense, youth culture/fashion, and politics. As a result, jury selection strategy should focus heavily on potential jurors’ feelings and beliefs.

 

Let’s take a look at some of the prospective jurors:

 

Juror N-18 is a Puerto Rican male whose native tongue is Spanish. He stated that he heard about the case on the news but does not have Internet nor does he read newspapers. He only reads the Bible. He also stated that he believed Mr. Zimmerman to be guilty but that he could put his opinion aside and listen to the evidence.

 

On one hand, Juror N-18 may be pro-defense because Mr. Zimmerman is also a male of Hispanic descent and he saw photographs of a “hurt” Mr. Zimmerman. On the other hand, he may be pro-prosecution because he stated that he believes Mr. Zimmerman is guilty and he believes in the Ten Commandments, that “thou shall not kill.”

 

On Day 1, a woman with seven children and a grandmother were questioned. The women may be pro-prosecution because an unarmed, 17-year old represents one of their children or grandchildren. A man, who stated he listens to National Public Radio, may also be pro-prosecution because his choice in radio news may reveal that he has a more liberal mind.

 

On Day 2 of jury selection, both a man and a woman expressed fear for their safety following a verdict. Their fears may be related to deeper psychological issues with regard to violent crimes. This is a violent crime case with a defense that involves the defendant’s alleged fear for his life. These prospective jurors may be pro-defense because they can relate to Mr. Zimmerman’s fears.

 

Jury selection is strategy. It is just as important, if not more important, than the facts and arguments that will be presented at the trial. The wrong “pick” can lead to a losing team but the right “pick” can result in a winning verdict.

 


 


 

Potential Zimmerman juror expresses safety concerns

A potential juror in the George Zimmerman second-degree murder trial in Florida expressed fear Wednesday that she could be the victim of violence if picked for the trial, indicating that tensions are still running high in the community after Zimmerman shot 17-year old high school student Trayvon Martin last year.

 

Many of the potential jurors interviewed Wednesday morning on the third day of jury selection in the trial knew about the circumstances surrounding the highly-publicized shooting, and some had already developed fears or concerns.

 

A woman in her mid-twenties reportedly expressed fear for her safety if selected for the jury. A woman in her fifties also said that she didn’t like the negative media coverage Sanford, Florida received after the shooting.

 

“My impressions are we should look at the crime — I don’t think it’s a racial issue,” said one potential female juror who has watched coverage of the case on Good Morning America.

 

A potential male juror noted that “maybe [Zimmerman] thought he was doing the right thing.”

 

In accordance with Florida law, the jury will be composed of only six jurors.

 

Zimmerman, a half-white, half-Latino neighborhood watchman, stands trial this summer for second-degree murder after shooting Martin, purportedly in self-defense. Zimmerman claimed that Martin jumped him, pounded his head against the pavement, pummeled him with fists, and reached for Zimmerman’s gun, prompting Zimmerman to shoot and kill him. The case gained wide media attention and prompted threats of further violence in 2012, with The New Black Panthers offering a $10,000 bounty for Zimmerman’s capture.

 


How long does it typically take to choose a jury?

Friday marked the fifth day in the jury selection process for the trial of George Zimmerman. Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder for the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida. He claims he shot the unarmed teen in self-defense.

 

On Thursday, 11 prospective jurors were interviewed at Seminole County Court in Sanford, Florida. Six jurors and four alternate jurors will ultimately be selected. Judge Debra Nelson announced on Thursday, June 13, that all jurors chosen will be sequestered. Court officials estimate that the trial will last two to four weeks. Jurors selected will stay in a hotel until the trial begins, and they will have limited contact with the outside world until it is time for them to appear in the courtroom.

 

Some potential jurors have already expressed concern about how being a part of the Zimmerman jury could impact their lives. In past high-profile cases, jury selection has taken anywhere from one day to five months. In the case of former Enron executives Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling, the jury was chosen in a single day. In the highly publicized O.J. Simpson trial, it took more than a month to select the jury, and in the case of Joshua Komisarjevsky, who was involved in a Connecticut home invasion that resulted in the murder of a mother and her two daughters, jury selection took five months.

 

LENGTH OF JURY SELECTION

How long did it take to pick juries in various trials?

 

CA V. OJ SIMPSON

 

·         First-degree murder

·         More than one month

 

CA V. SCOTT PETERSON

 

·         First-degree murder (death penalty)

·         12 weeks

 

CT V. JOSHUA KOMISARJEVSKY

 

·         First-degree murder (death penalty)

·         5 months

 

ME V. MARK STRONG SR.

 

·         Promoting prostitution

·         4 days (over 4 weeks)

 

FL V. CASEY ANTHONY

 

·         First-degree murder

·         2 weeks

 

FL V. LUIS CABALLERO

 

·         First-degree murder (death penalty)

·         2 weeks

 

Sequestered jurors in Zimmerman trial will have limited access to families, outside news

(Orlando Sentinel, Jacob Langston/Pool/ Associated Press ) - George Zimmerman listens during jury selection in Seminole circuit court on the fourth day of his trial, in Sanford, Fla., Thursday, June 13, 2013. Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder for the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

     

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By Associated Press, Published: June 13 | Updated: Friday, June 14, 6:02 AM

SANFORD, Fla. — The six jurors and four alternates who eventually will decide whether George Zimmerman committed murder when he fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin will have limited contact with the outside world during the two weeks to a month it will take to hold the trial.

Circuit Judge Debra Nelson said for the first time Thursday that jurors picked for Zimmerman’s second-degree murder trial will be sequestered. They will have limited contact with their families, they will spend the night at a hotel and their actions will be monitored by court security outside the courtroom during the duration of the trial. Prosecutors and defense attorneys resume their fifth day of jury selection Friday.

“You would not be able to participate in day-to-day routine activities,” defense attorney Don West told one potential juror.

Some potential jurors have been wary of the prospect of being cut off from the world during the trial.

Jury candidate K-80, a middle-aged white woman, described sequestration Thursday as “my biggest fear.” Jurors are only referred to by their jury numbers in court to protect their identities.

Juror E-81, a middle-aged white woman, said when she saw the word “sequester” on the questionnaire in the jury room, “the walls caved in.”

“I want to sleep in my own bed,” she said. The potential juror also worried about her safety if picked, saying “I’m going to walk out of here with a bulls-eye on me.”

The jury candidate appeared to already have made up her mind about the case, decreasing her chances of being picked. Her impression was that Martin’s prior use of marijuana and an image of a gun found on his cell phone were indications that “he was going down the wrong path.” She also said she believed Zimmerman was just “looking after his neighborhood.”

“I believe every American has a right to defend himself,” said Juror E-81. “I think the more people armed, the better.”

Potential juror B-67, a Hispanic female in her 40s, was allowed to leave courtroom without being questioned by defense attorneys after she said being sequestered would be a hardship with her family and school commitments.

Zimmerman, a 29-year-old former neighborhood watch volunteer, is pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, claiming he shot an unarmed Martin in self-defense. A 44-day delay in Zimmerman’s arrest led to protests around the nation. They questioned whether the Sanford Police Department was investigating the case seriously since Martin was a black teen from the Miami area. Zimmerman identifies himself as Hispanic.

Attorneys need to find six jurors and four alternates. In Florida, 12 jurors are required only for criminal trials involving capital cases, when the death penalty is being considered.

 




 
 



Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.