Jury selection began today in the trial of George Zimmerman the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in February 2012. Zimmerman claims that killed Martin in self-defense after he and the teen crossed paths. Zimmerman says he and Martin got into a confrontation and that he shot the teen only after Martin punched him and cracked his head against the sidewalk.
The Trayvon Martin murder case has divided the nation some on the side of George Zimmerman while others who do not believe Zimmerman are outraged and calling for his head saying he is a racist and killed Martin simply because he was a black teen wearing a hoodie.
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Today prosecutors and Zimmerman's lawyers will begin what is expected to be a week long process in selecting the jury that will deliberate the fate of George Zimmerman. Defense attorney Mark O'Mara has concerns that, due to the high profile nature of the case Zimmerman will not receive fair treatment by the jury. Despite O'Mara's concerns the defense team did not ask the judge for a change of venue.
The judge in the George Zimmerman murder trial recently allowed the defense to admit photos and text messages sent from Trayvon Martin to various recipients talking about drug use, getting into fights and selling a hand gun.
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The prosecution tried to get this material deemed inadmissible saying it was irrelevant to the case. O'Mara says that the photos and messages paint a picture of a troubled teen and depict an individual who could have been seen as dangerous by George Zimmerman.
The photos on Martin's phone show a marijuana plant and an individual holding a hand gun. Texts sent by Martin talked about organized fights that Martin was involved in and even refereed.
"He aint b(leed) nuff 4 me, only his nose," Trayvon texted to an unknown recipient about a fight he was involved with earlier that day.
O'Mara has told the media if the prosecution plans on attacking the character of George Zimmerman then he plans to do the same to Trayvon Martin.
George Zimmerman is facing a charge of second-degree murder. If he is convicted he could be sentenced to life in prison.
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