More than 500 potential jurors will begin reporting today as the murder trial of a Florida neighborhood watch captain gets underway. George Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin inside a gated community in Sanford.

Six jurors and four alternates will be chosen to hear the case, which is expected to last about three months.

Jury selection may take up to two weeks as the court attempts to find jurors who have not be affected by the massive media coverage of the case in Central Florida.


No Charges Filed Originally

Martin was shot and killed February 12, 2012 in the Retreat at Twin Lakes community. Zimmerman admits he shot Martin once with his 9 mm handgun, but he said he did so after Martin punched him and knocked him down and while he was on top of him, banging his head against the street.

The Sanford police, who took pictures at the scene of Zimmerman's bloody nose and injuries on the back of his head, did not file any charges against Zimmerman, who was well known by 9-1-1 dispatchers for his work as a Neighborhood Watch captain.

When local prosecutors did not file any charges, Martin's parents hired a civil rights attorney who began a media campaign and recruited other national civil rights leaders to join him. Protests were held around the country.

Case Turns Political

Under political pressure, Gov. Rick Scoot appointed State Attorney Angela B. Corey as a special prosecutor and 44 days after the shooting, Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder.

The months leading up to the trial have been filed with pre-trial hearings dealing with motions from the prosecution and the defense.

Some of these issues remain unresolved on the eve of jury selection.

After three days of hearings last week, the issue involving voice analysis of the background sounds from 9-1-1 calls placed during the incident remained undecided the day before trial.

Some Witnesses Intimidated

Prosecution experts have testified that there is a voice on the tapes calling for help and it belongs to Martin. Defense experts have testified that the methods used by the prosecution experts to come up with their conclusions were "absurd" and "imaginary stuff."

Judge Debra Nelson will decide whether any of the voice analysis testimony will be used during the trial.

Last week, she ruled that defense witnesses will have to testify in public. The defense argued that some of the witnesses were concerned about retaliation if they testified for Zimmerman.

Background:
The Trial of George Zimmerman

What Is Your Opinion?
Discuss The Trayvon Martin Case

See Also:
Trial Begins for George Zimmerman
Speech Expert Says It's 'Imaginary'
Zimmerman Witnesses Must Testify Publicly

^{Photo: Mug Shot}