zimmerman verdict

Alternate Juror Agrees That Trayvon’s Death Was ‘Justifiable’

We still don’t know what compelled four Zimmerman jurors to distance themselves from Juror B-37’s Anderson Cooper interview, but on Wednesday night, Juror E-54, one of four alternates, offered another perspective from the jury box. The interview with local Fox affiliate WOFL, which aired nationally on Hannity, didn’t include as much talk about George Zimmerman having a “good heart,” but the similarly obscured Juror E-54 agreed with the verdict and said Trayvon Martin’s killing was “justifiable.” Though, while B-37 felt Zimmerman was “guilty of not using good judgment” and shouldn’t have left his car, E-54 didn’t express the same reservations. “I think at the time he was trying to keep an observation and communicate to the police and was not being confrontational,” he said. “He had the right to be where he was and I don’t think he had to go back to his car.”

The two jurors also disagree on “Stand Your Ground” laws. Earlier on Wednesday, B-37 said in a statement to CNN that she won’t be doing any other interviews, and joined with those calling for the repeal of such laws. “My prayers are with all those who have the influence and power to modify the laws that left me with no verdict option other than ‘not guilty’ in order to remain within the instructions,” she said. “No other family should be forced to endure what the Martin family has endured.” E-54 felt “Stand Your Ground” wasn’t an issue in the case, “It was justifiable use of force.”

However, for the most part E-54, the only man on the panel, had high praise for his fellow jurors. It was revealed today that the jury bonded over mani-pedis, movie excursions, and a trip to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum, which are standard perks when you’re sequestered for three weeks. E-54 said he’s “proud as heck” of the jurors, who are “like sisters to me.” (His only comment on B-37:  “I’m not surprised that it was her that came out, I just think that it was a little too soon.”)

E-54 also believes that race didn’t play a role in the case, saying there was no evidence that Zimmerman profiled Trayvon Martin. “I think he characterized Trayvon Martin as a suspicious character, suspicious person, and that was all,” he said. He added that he doesn’t understand the civil rights complaint and feels, “people were going to be angry no matter what the verdict was.” As for the protests, he hopes they’re peaceful, “and that there’s not destruction, and not hatred and anger toward the jurors.”

Alternate Juror: Trayvon’s Death ‘Justifiable’