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It has been five years since neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman shot and killed black teenager Trayvon Martin, but the conversation surrounding the case continues.

Since the 33-year-olds extremely controversial acquittal for second-degree murder, the topic of racial injustice has been at the forefront of many peoples minds, even inspiring the Black Lives Matter movement.

In a four-night series on Oxygen called The Jury Speaks, five jurors from the case Christine Barry, Maddy Rivera, Lauren Germain, David Ramirez, and Amy Trunalone discuss the case and reveal whether theyd still choose a not-guilty verdict today.

There was a clear racial aspect to the jury selection, said Georges attorney Don West.

Rightfully or wrongfully, we were more suspicious, if you will, of African-American jurors because of the way the case was presented in the media.

Of the six jurors and four alternates, eight were white and two Hispanic, and the ratio of women to men was eight to two.

You have a young black man whos been shot, but you have eight white jurors and two Hispanics. That struck me as kind of funny, said David.

Obviously, the goal is to find people who will favor you, Don continued.

During the trial, the prosecution heavily relied on the testimony of Rachel Jeantel, a friend of Trayvon's who was the last person he talked to.

Rachel revealed Trayvon thought George was following him, but when she gave her testimony during the trial, she wasnt necessarily convincing.

I felt like I wasnt a witness. Mr. West made me feel like I was a suspect, Rachel said.

The jury also had a difficult time making sense of the ear witnesses, or people who heard George and Trayvon fighting before the killing.

If a victim, the one who ended up being shot, was screaming for help for a minute and then was still shot, that gives premeditation, said Georges other attorney Mark OMara said.

On the other hand, if it was George who was screaming, then obviously he was screaming out for help, didnt get it, and then had to shoot out of self-defense.

Though the jury members are vocal about their distaste for George, they all still agree they would have chosen the same not-guilty verdict.

All I go back to is the law. That is what we have. Were a democracy, and what weve got is the law, said Amy.

Were to apply it blind to any other thing. At that moment, at that moment, did that person think their life was in jeopardy? Thats the way you have to answer the question."

What are your thoughts on the case? Sound off below!

The Jury Speaks airs tonight, Tuesday, July 25 at 9 p.m. on Oxygen.

Excerpt from:
George Zimmerman Jurors Open Up About Controversial Verdict on ... - Wetpaint