Today is day one in the trial of George Zimmerman, who is charged with the killing of Florida teen Trayvon Martin. We will be covering it live minute-by-minute as jury selection and regular trial procedures happen. Watch the live stream here and follow the live blog below.
Court in Recess until 2:00 PM
Update 1:30 PM EST:
Court has resumed and judge as well as lawyers continue sifting through juror questionnaires.
Update 12:41 PM EST:
Trayvon Martin’s family and lawyers ask for peace during the trial as trial began two hours ago.
Update 12:28 PM EST:
Court recess for lunch until 1:30 PM, Jury to return at 2:00 PM
Update 12:15 PM EST:
Trayvon’s Martin looks down as lawyers go through the jury selection process
Update 12:12 PM EST:
Judge helps in sifting through the questionnaires, while Zimmerman’s wife looks on.
Update 12:07 PM EST:
Lights went off for a few seconds in the courtroom.
Update 12:00 PM EST:
Judge orders all media microphones off while attorneys sift through questionnaires.
Update 11:56 AM EST:
Letters being separated into piles according to responses. Meanwhile signs are leaned against the gates outside
Signs lean against the protest barrier outside the #georgezimmerman trial. #trayvonmartin @datelinenbc pic.twitter.com/HJaZs2bYxD
— Robin Oelkers (@robinoelkers) June 10, 2013
Update 11:53 AM EST:
Both parties are working through jury questionnaires right now
Update 11:32 AM EST:
“My mother raised us to respect all people, we are American after all.”
Update 11:30 AM EST:
“George is a likable person not the monster flashed before your screen, he is honest and human.”
Update 11:28 AM EST:
“The case has been turned into one about race and the laws that were supposed to protect George were violated” (translated from Spanish)
Update 11:26 AM EST:
“The charge was based around race and the case has been defiled.”
Update 11:19 AM EST:
“I am happy to engage the press here because I am safe here”
Update 11:13 AM EST:
Robert Zimmerman will take questions in two minutes
Update 11:11 AM EST:
First 21 potential jurors to be bought up to the jury box soon in order to be questioned individually.
Update 10:50 AM EST:
Court is still in recess, but Robert Zimmerman, George Zimmermans brother, keeps his thousands of followers on twitter updated.
Update 10:48 AM EST:
PHOTO: George's wife, Shelley #Zimmerman, just behind the defense table: pic.twitter.com/Ql8zbjrJG4
— Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) June 10, 2013
Update 10:20 AM EST:
Meanwhile as we wait for court to resume protesters gather outside.
NEW PHOTO: Protesters out in force outside George Zimmerman trial in Florida. pic.twitter.com/DdAgz7NeUC – @ahernandez_OS
— NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) June 10, 2013
Update 9:12 AM EST
Judge will hand over revised questionnaires to counsel to review. Court takes a recess.
Update 9:10 AM EST:
De La Rionda has no objection to avoiding mentioning certain words during jury selection at O’Mara’s request.
Update 9:08 AM EST:
Judge Nelson denies third motion for continuance and the States motion to compel has been resolved.