Jury selection begins today in Trayvon Martin case in Florida

SANFORD, Fla. – Jury selection begins today in a Florida courtroom where George Zimmerman is going on trial for second-degree murder in the 2012 shooting of Trayvon Martin.

There’s no question Zimmerman, a former neighbourhood watch volunteer, shot Martin.

But the defence will have to walk a fine line as it tries to convince the jury that Zimmerman, who’s Hispanic, felt threatened by the African-American teenager.

At the same time, lawyer Mark O’Mara will have to avoid the appearance that either he or his client is racist.

The challenge for prosecutors is that they must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that while Zimmerman’s actions weren’t premeditated, they demonstrated a “depraved mind” that didn’t consider the threat toward human life.

Martin’s killing drew worldwide attention as it sparked a national debate about race, equal justice under the law and gun control. Zimmerman could get a life sentence if convicted.