Jury selection begins in Zimmerman trial

The Associated Press

SANFORD, Fla. -- On the first day of his trial Monday, George Zimmerman got a look at some of the people who might decide whether he committed second-degree murder when he fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

The first group of 100 potential jurors filled out questionnaires about themselves and their ability to serve on the jury as prosecutors and defense attorneys sought to find six objective members and four alternates.

In Florida, 12 jurors are required only for criminal trials involving capital cases, when the death penalty is being considered.

By the time the all-day session concluded, attorneys had interviewed four potential jurors, asking them what they had heard about the case on television, in newspapers and on the Internet.

"I really don't know anything about the case," said a woman, known as Juror B29. "But I believe at the end of the day, you have to listen to both sides."

Judge Debra Nelson said jury selection would alternate with the continuation of a hearing to determine whether she will allow the testimony of voice-recognition experts who say they might be able to identify who was screaming on a 911 tape recorded during Zimmerman's confrontation with Martin.

Thus far, the experts have reached mixed conclusions. Defense attorneys don't want them to testify. No testimony took place Monday.