George Zimmerman trial begins in Trayvon Martin murder case, jury selection underway
The trial for George Zimmerman, the Florida neighborhood watch captain accused of murdering teen Trayvon Martin while on patrol, began Monday with the judge denying the defense’s request to delay the trial.
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Circuit Judge Debra Nelson rejected the request after lead defense attorney Mark O’Mara told the judge his defense team needed several more weeks to prepare.
“We’re not fully ready and need more time,” O’Mara said.
O’Mara blamed prosecutors for a delay in turning over evidence and said he needs time to interview an attorney for Martin’s family.
Prosecutors opposed the request for a delay.
Jury selection also began, 16 months after the shooting in Sanford, Florida which drew national attention.
Zimmerman, 29, said he fired in self-defense after Martin attacked him in the gated community where Zimmerman lived and where Martin was visiting his father and his father’s girlfriend. Police initially accepted Zimmerman’s explanation, sparking allegations from Martin’s parents and civil rights activists that officers were quick to excuse the shooter because Martin was black and Zimmerman is not.
