WENN

Please keep your prayers going up ladies and gentlemen, because the second degree murder trial against George Zimmerman has started. Jury selection began this morning after a request for a delay was asked for by the defense team, and subsequently denied by Judge Debra Nelson. Though Lawyer Mark O’Mara claimed that the defense team was not fully prepared, according to USA Today, it was ruled that they had plenty of time to prepare  for the trial. Maybe if they didn’t spent so much time trying to push a smear campaign to tarnish a deceased young man’s character, they’d be further along.

Anywho…But as for the prosecution, they have also been ordered to not use words such as “profiled,” “vigilante,” “wannabe cop,” and “self-appointed neighborhood watch captain” when trying to refer to Zimmerman to possible jurors during the selection process.

Jury selection is underway with 100 different prospects being questioned by themselves, then brought into the courtroom to be questioned by lawyers (that could take all day, and if you’ve done jury duty, you know). Despite the fact that prosecutors might try and push for black jurors, while the defense team will push for white ones of course, in Seminole County, Florida where the case is taking place, it’s likely that there will be fewer individuals of color on the jury.

According to USA Today, George Zimmerman’s brother Robert was there for the proceedings, where he tried to paint George as a generous, sensitive individual. Zimmerman’s wife Shellie was there, and of course, Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, were there too. Tracy Martin continued to ask for peace as the trial begins:

“We are relieved that the start of the trial is here with the jury selection as we seek justice for our son Trayvon. We also seek a fair and impartial trial. We ask that the community continue to stay peaceful as we place our faith in the justice system. We ask that the community do the same.”

Until it’s all said and done, think positive thoughts (ignore the ugly things people try to say about Martin and his family) and let’s hope that justice for this young man will finally be served.

Source: newsone.com

Remember back when George Zimmerman was brought into custody and the judge gave him that weak $150,000 bond? Well, we all know that after being exposed as a scheming liar who was holding big dollars from acquiring donations for his legal fund from crazy racists folks, he was sent back to jail and had his bail revoked. Fast forward to today, and after some deep thought and hearing numerous arguments, Judge Kenneth Lester decided to set his new bond at $1 million.

According to CNN, though Judge Lester believed that Zimmerman tried to play the system, it ultimately wasn’t enough to hold him without bail until trial proceedings. Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda tried to argue that because Zimmerman is a liar he should stay in jail: “He quite frankly was manipulating the whole thing; he was using his wife as a conduit.” In fact, Zimmerman and his wife would speak in code during their jailhouse conversations, with him asking her to transfer these new, magical funds out of his account and into hers. Though Judge Lester seemed to largely side with the prosecutor, it seems that it wasn’t enough to warrant an extended stay in jail if he can come up with the money.

To be clear, though the bail was set much higher to hopefully keep Zimmerman from fleeing the country, he only needs to put up about 10 percent of the $1 million to be able to go free. And according to reports, Zimmerman does have enough money available to put up that 10 percent. If and when he does go free, according to USA Today, he is being ordered by Judge Lester to stay in Seminole County and he must wear an electronic monitoring device at his OWN expense…since he’s balling and all…

In the hearing, Judge Lester also took the time to point out that he could no longer see Zimmerman’s familial ties as a positive factor and believes that if given the chance, his people would be willing and ready to lie in court or on the stand. And though he claimed the higher bail wasn’t a punishment, because he felt Zimmerman didn’t earn or save the money he has and has been using, what he has to dole out for freedom would be of “little consequence to him.” Interesting indeed.

Hmmm…who knows what kind of antics or mess this man will get into if and when he posts bail and is back on the streets once again. Please…talking about he lied about the money he had because he didn’t trust the system…yeah, right. Let’s be real, he lied because he’s a liar, and that’s what liars do, and he’s been lying since the night he killed Trayvon Martin. Instead of sending money to this fool somebody needs to send him a copy of Liar Liar. The VHS copy just to make things especially hard for him…

What do you think of the bail increase?

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Source: WJBC.com

A law enforcement official has informed NBC news that special prosecutor Angela Corey will bring criminal charges against George Zimmerman around 6pm tonight.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not know the nature of the charges, but since Corey stated she would not bring the case before a grand jury, first-degree murder is not an option, NBC reports. This morning, Seminole County sheriff’s deputies set up barricades along the booking area for new inmates at the county jail, which for many further confirms news that Zimmerman will soon be behind bars.

Trayvon Martin’s father, Tracy, said he is looking forward to Corey’s announcement:

“It’s 44 days later, and George Zimmerman is still walking free,” he said at a news conference during a meeting of the National Action Network in Washington. “It’s 44 days later, and my son is in a mausoleum.”

The mood in Sanford, FL, where Trayvon was killed is said to be “intense,” pending the outcome of this case. Local resident Drew Campbell told the WESH Orlando station there:

“Everybody is on attention for this decision. Everybody is on their toes.”

Luckily, no one, especially Trayvon’s parents, will have to wait much longer—and thankfully, it appears the right decision will be made.

UPDATE: 6:05 P.M. EST – George Zimmerman is in police custody and will be charged with second degree murder.

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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