Six women will judge whether George Zimmerman committed a crime when the former Neighborhood Watch volunteer shot and killed the unarmed black teen Trayvon Martin. Attorneys concluded jury selection yesterday, selecting an all-women jury and two men and two women as alternates.
All are white except one juror, who is dark-skinned. Zimmerman defense attorney Mark O'Mara says the jury selection was fair and open to the public.
"The state struck the first black juror, and then we got our six", said O'Mara. "I had questions about two black jurors on their ability to be fair and impartial, and we talked about that. That's been, I think, now put on record as to my thoughts, and the judge agreed."
O'Mara struck two black women. He said one failed to disclose a relationship with a witness and had posted her summons on Facebook. The other failed to disclose her pastor's activism in support of Martin.
The state struck a black man but wasn't required to give a reason.
Opening statements begin Monday. Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder. He says he acted in self-defense.