Opening statements began on Monday morning in the George Zimmerman second-degree murder trial, the Huffington Post reported. More than a year after the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin sparked controversy across the country, prosecution and defense lawyers will finally get to outline their cases to a Florida jury. The proceedings have now begun, following nine days of jury selection, in hopes of finding objective candidates.
The volunteer neighborhood watchman Zimmerman shot and killed Martin as the unarmed teen was walking back to the home of his father's fiancee from a Sanford, Florida convenience store with a bag of candy on the night of February 26, 2012. Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty in Martin's slaying, claiming he shot the 17-year-old in self-defense.
Jury selection in Zimmerman's trial concluded Thursday, with a panel of six female jurors chosen. The jurors and four alternates were sequestered at an unknown location over the weekend in order to eliminate the possibility of their exposure to outside influences, news reports said.
The defense has not yet decided if Zimmerman will take the stand, saying the the decision will likely occur after the prosecution presents its case.
If convicted, Zimmerman could face a possible sentence of life in prison.
