06-19-2013, 07:36 PM
Voir doire is rolling along, but it's really looking like the jury won't be seated by end of this week, more like early next week. IMO.
Here's the status from HLN, as of end of day today:
-Prosecutor Bernie De La Rionda asked 40 potential jurors today about their families, their careers and even their criminal histories.
-There were some moments of levity. Multiple jurors said they enjoyed drinking beer. The courtroom erupted in laughter when one potential juror said he participated in competitive barbecue contests, but has not won any awards yet.
-De la Rionda also asked the potential jurors about their exposure to firearms.
The jurors’ attitudes toward guns may be an important factor in how they view Zimmerman’s decision to pursue the unarmed Martin with a gun the night of the shooting.
Most of the jurors said they either own a personal firearm or have family or friends who own guns. One candidate said he was a member of the National Rifle Association. Another said he goes to a shooting range every few months. Only a few of potential jurors said they had limited exposure to guns.
Next in the process:
-The 40 potential jurors will return to court Thursday morning at 9 a.m. for questions from the defense.
-After the defense finishes its line of questioning, the process of whittling down the pool to the six jurors and some number of alternates will begin.
Both sides will have the chance to keep or strike jurors. Each side has 10 peremptory strikes -- which means they will have 10 opportunities to eliminate potential jurors without having to disclose their reasons -- and an unlimited number of strikes “for cause,” for such reasons as bias or hardships.
Here's the status from HLN, as of end of day today:
-Prosecutor Bernie De La Rionda asked 40 potential jurors today about their families, their careers and even their criminal histories.
-There were some moments of levity. Multiple jurors said they enjoyed drinking beer. The courtroom erupted in laughter when one potential juror said he participated in competitive barbecue contests, but has not won any awards yet.
-De la Rionda also asked the potential jurors about their exposure to firearms.
The jurors’ attitudes toward guns may be an important factor in how they view Zimmerman’s decision to pursue the unarmed Martin with a gun the night of the shooting.
Most of the jurors said they either own a personal firearm or have family or friends who own guns. One candidate said he was a member of the National Rifle Association. Another said he goes to a shooting range every few months. Only a few of potential jurors said they had limited exposure to guns.
Next in the process:
-The 40 potential jurors will return to court Thursday morning at 9 a.m. for questions from the defense.
-After the defense finishes its line of questioning, the process of whittling down the pool to the six jurors and some number of alternates will begin.
Both sides will have the chance to keep or strike jurors. Each side has 10 peremptory strikes -- which means they will have 10 opportunities to eliminate potential jurors without having to disclose their reasons -- and an unlimited number of strikes “for cause,” for such reasons as bias or hardships.