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(Image source: Central Florida News 13 / Joe Burbank)
BY COLLIN RUANE
After nine days, jury selection in the trial of George Zimmerman
is complete, and the makeup of the six-person jury might surprise you.
The 40-person jury pool earlier this week was called a "melting pot" by WFTV for its
racial diversity. But in the end, every single juror picked to decide Zimmerman's fate turned
out to be a woman.
Alternates include two men and two women; three of them are white. None of the jurors
have been named for safety reasons. (Via WKMG)
CNN takes a look at the background of the
group that is now being referred to as the "Seminole 6."
"Five of the six women are mothers. Two of them are very new to the area ... The fact
that many are mothers, some with children close to the age of Trayvon, I don't think
can be ignored."
Although the media has focused on gender and race in the jury pool, the prosecuting attorney
says none of that is important.
"Should it matter what the person's gender or race or ethnicity? Should it matter? Should
it matter what the victim's race, ethnicity or gender is?" (Via WPEC)
Attorneys for both the prosecution and the defense agreed to this jury pool, but
the defendant was also heard in the courtroom briefly telling the judge his feelings on
the subject.
JUDGE: "And is this jury panel acceptable to you, sir?"
GEORGE ZIMMERMAN: "Yes, your
honor." (Via WOFL)
The jury will be sequestered during the
entirety of the second-degree *** trial, which is expected to last two to four weeks.
Opening statements are set for Monday morning at 9 a.m. Eastern time.