Jury selection in the George Zimmerman trial, in which he was charged with the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, began on Monday among heightened tension and growing concern for justice.
The search to gather just the right group of people is a time sensitive and critical moment in the trial as the fate of Zimmerman, 29, will be in their hands.
The day began swiftly with Circuit Judge Debra Nelson listening to and then almost immediately rejecting a request from defense attorney Mark O'Mara to delay the trial.
"We're not fully ready and we need more time," he told the judge.
But Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda objected saying Zimmerman and his defense had "plenty of time" to prepare; the judge agreed and denied the request, according to USA Today.
The defense was not the only side to feel Judge Nelson's heat; she also prohibited prosecutors from using such terms as "profiled," "vigilante," and "wannabe cop" when speaking to potential jurors.
Zimmerman and his attorney have little faith that they will find any juror that has not already heard about the fatal shooting of Martin.
Martin was shot and killed by Zimmerman last February in what defense attorneys are alleging was a desperate attempt to protect himself from the teenager after Zimmerman confronted him, leading to a brawl between the two.
Martin was unarmed, and was only holding a can of Arizona Iced Tea and a bag of Skittles.
Outside the courtroom there were droves of protestors, and Sanford County officials have even designated areas for people to demonstrate regardless of whose side they are on as the trial unfolds.
Martin's father, Tracy Martin, came forward to speak to media as jury selection began and expressed that he and his family are relieved to finally see the trial commence.
"We see a fair and impartial trial," he said. "We ask that the community continue to stay peaceful as we place out faith in the justice system."
Zimmerman's brother, Robert Zimmerman Jr., also made statements asking for a fair trial for his brother, alluding to some coverage that the shooting was racially charged.
"You don't charge in this country simply to assuage the concerns of masses," he said. "Unfortunately, a political calculation was made centered around the politics of race and the law was defiled."
Zimmerman was present in the room as jury selections began.
The jurors, once chosen, will have their identities kept anonymous.
