By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
Back in 2000, the eyes of the nation (and perhaps the world) were fixated on the state of Florida. At stake, the presidency of the United States. We all remember what happened in the weeks that followed: the “Hanging Chad” controversy led to the United States Supreme Court’s refusal to compel a recount in the Sunshine State.
The start of the Trayvon Martin murder trial has the brought the state of Florida back into the national cross hair.
It’s hard to imagine that it’s been almost a year and half since George Zimmerman (a neighborhood watch patrolman) shot and killed Trayvon Martin. Martin, a mere teenager, was walking home from a local convenience store on February 6, 2012, when he was profiled and then stalked by Zimmerman.
What took place in the subsequent time frame remains uncertain and is the genesis of the second-degree murder trial.
The Zimmerman legal proceeding is now entering its second week of jury selection. The process to impanel a jury (known as the voir dire) is drawing from a pool 500 potential jurors, but only six jurors and four alternates will be selected.
Most experts agree that George Zimmerman’s legal fate probably rests on whose voice the jury believes is screaming for help on the 911 call.
Rest assure that there will be no shortage of conflicting testimony from voice recognition experts, all weighing in on this critical piece of evidence.
Interestingly enough, the defense team for George Zimmerman plans to argue self-defense, rather than invoking a stand your ground claim.
Thus, Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” law and similar laws around the country will not stand trial with George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida.
Meanwhile, the nation is watching.