One particular potential juror stood out today, R39, young male, perhaps of mixed race started off pretty well. He didn't watch much, calls his mother on the way home from work every day, but the clincher was: "R39 believes murder is murder even if it was in self-defense." That pretty much assured R39, he was not going to be a juror in this trial. However, his words will be played endlessly over the entertainment news shows.
The other potential juror E7, male, white around 50 years old, was very interesting to listen to. First, I thought he had an under-tone of being sarcastic. Then, the more he spoke, it was more of being straightforward. Although E7 seems to take on the "devil's advocate" role in conversations where an issue that is being pounded on, E7 will try to show another view.
I felt a connection to E7, as I have been a "devil's advocate" often throughout my life as I do believe there are two sides to each story.
E7 appeared to have seen enough coverage of what happened, and used "allegedly" a few times throughout his answers. After the questioning of E7 ended, the attorney's went to a sidebar, and then the Judge asks E7 about a post made on "Coffee Pary Progressives" Facebook.
E7 looked at the paper the Judge handed to him and E7 confirmed he wrote the story. The public is not aware of what was in the story, but it appears E7 makes it to the next round (I hope).
Note: To all potential jurors, make sure you check what you have written on Facebook or Twitter before you show up for jury selection. If you claim you have a Facebook, the attorneys will check them out before you get to the stand.
E73 female feels media created racial overtones. She has seen several photos of Trayvon Martin as well as George Zimmerman. She has not formed an opinion, and has a child that requires care.
M75, female has not formed an opinion, and wants to hear the evidence. M75 felt the "hoodie" march was ridiculous, if I heard her correctly. M75 was invited to protest with her co-workers and she declined. M75 also believes that black people were not targeted and she lives close to where the shooting happened.
B61, female, white or Asian, late twenties, early thirties. B61 feels it was not racially motivated. B61 has seen pleas for money for George Zimmerman, and knows about the Trayvon Martin "marijuana." B61 showed concern for safety after trial based on another high profile trial in another state. I feel the trial B62 is talking about is the Jodi Arias trial.
E22, black, female heard about the case through Orlando Sentinel and channel 3. E22 knew about the marches, felt police needed to be more pro-active, and should have done something. E22 hopes people won't be violent after the trial. What stood out to me is, E22 assured the attorneys "she did not have a secret agenda."
Nothing stood out to me with the balance of the potential jurors. Once the court reaches 30 potential jurors questioned in the first round, they will be questioned again in another area of interest in the case.
Raw: Trayvon Martin family attorney speaks after Day 3 of jury selection
http://www.wftv.com/videos/news/raw-trayvon-martin-family-attorney-speaks-after/v4Qg9/
Transcript:
Attorney Crump made the following statement on behalf of the Martin family: "Today on the third day of the jury selection in the Trayvon Martin murder trial we are inspired by the honesty of the potential jurors. Their answers have been forthright and we have faith that the justice system and the members of the public who are selected for the jury will perform their civic duty in a fair and impartial manner.
Yesterday, former NYPD detective Harry Houck commented to FOX that Trayvon would be alive today if he didn’t have a “street attitude.” This comment, made on a live panel, is reprehensible and extremely reminiscent of the victim blaming rhetoric we saw a year ago.
We all know Trayvon Martin was an unarmed teenager, who'd just bought Skittles and a tea on a chilly Florida evening in February. George Zimmerman was an armed adult who followed Trayvon down a street, pursued him and then shot him.
We are calling on the media to refuse to perpetuate victim blaming and irresponsible characterizations of Trayvon. The evidence shows there is no blood on Trayvon’s hands. Trayvon is not on trial here, he is the victim. Trayvon’s killer, George Zimmerman, is the man who is on trial."
Jury Selection
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT9CdyeDlp0
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuMSCYmZTa4
Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xheDQF3qYw
Part 4
http://www.youtube.com/user/croakerqueen123/videos
I don't know if I'm the minority here, but who the heck in the Seminole County Court System gave permission for the Martin family to use the room, background, and equipment INSIDE the courtroom to make public inflammatory press conferences???? Is this FOR REAL?? I feel it's WRONG for one side to be able to "report" their SIDE of ANYTHING right FROM THE COURTROOM ITSELF! It's VERY misleading to people, as if the court is CONDONING this kind of stuff! It needs to STOP, not only for this case, but for ALL cases. Like in the movies: Take it to the COURTHOUSE STEPS if you want to make a public statement!!!!
ReplyDeleteGeorge's brother had his media conference in the courtroom the other day also. It is just a safe place for the families on both sides as well as the attorney's to give a media conference without issues from outsiders.
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