SANFORD, Fla. – Laughter filled the courtroom, while prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda questioned 40 potential jurors in the George Zimmerman trial Wednesday on crime, race, self-defense and the law.
Potential juror K-80 talked about her husband's volunteering in his neighborhood crime watch. Zimmerman, a 29-year-old former crime watch volunteer, is facing a second-degree murder charge for fatally shooting an unarmed teen he told police looked "suspicious."
On Wednesday De la Rionda asked the potential juror if she had a crime watch presence in her community. Her husband was.
"My husband is quote, unquote 'block captain' but I couldn't tell you what that means," potential juror K-80 said.
De la Rionda: "What kinds of things does he do as block captain? Do you know?"
K-80 said, "I have no idea."
De la Rionda: "Do you see him going around patrolling the neighborhood?"
K-80 said no in a tone that many in the courtroom found humor in.
Some also found humor in an interaction with potential juror H-7.
De la Rionda: "Have you gone out and tried to arrest people on your own?"
"Nope, never have," H-7 said.
De la Rionda: "I know you are a member of the NRA right? But you never have gone out and arrested people or tried to?"
H-7 found the question ridiculous.
"No, It's never even crossed my mind why would I?"
De la Rionda remained a skeptic.
"It did not cross your mind? Has it crossed anyone's mind to go out there and arrest people?"
The 40 potential jurors said the thought had not crossed their minds.
De la Rionda: "Anybody live in a neighborhood that has a neighborhood watch?"
Potential juror B-7: "I've seen the signs."
De la Rionda continued his questioning.
"You haven't seen anybody walking around or anything?"
"Nah unless they are watching me," B-7 said.
De la Rionda: "I gather nobody has followed you at all?"
There is controversy about whether or not Zimmerman followed Trayvon Martin before killing him.
"I don't think so," B-7 said.