A former prospective juror in the George Zimmerman trial has filed a complaint with the Florida Civil Rights Group, saying he was defamed when Zimmerman’s defense attorney referred to him as a “stealth juror” who could have tainted the jury pool.
Two days after being dismissed as a prospective juror, Jerry Counelis, aka E-7, returned to the Seminole County Courthouse last Friday, but was banned and escorted out. Later, Zimmerman’s defense attorney, Mark O’Mara commented to the media that, “A juror like that, [is] what we call a ‘stealth juror’.”
Now, the FCRA is looking into whether or not Counelis’ civil rights were violated, given that he was not allowed back in the Courthouse. Also, the civil rights group has deemed O’Mara’s comments as “reckless and defamatory,” and would like an apology.
“It’s morally and ethically wrong for Attorney O’Mara to label Mr. Counelis as a “stealth juror,” J. Willie David III, president of FCRA said. “The false characterization of a former prospective juror is another example of how Attorney O’Mara uses questionable information in this trial to demonize victim, Trayvon Martin in a video.”
The FCRA said, Counelis was defamed by Zimmerman’s defense team in a “desperate attempt at sympathy from the public.”
O’Mara could offer an apology Wednesday, according to news reports.
Zimmerman is charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. He has pleaded not guilty and said, he shot Martin in self-defense.
