George Zimmerman/via Wikipedia Commons

UPDATE: Prosecutors and defense attornies finalized the six jurors and four alternates in the George Zimmerman trial on Thursday afternoon, according to the Miami Herald.

The jury will be kept sequestered for the entire length of the trial, which could last up to four weeks.

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Final stages of jury selection in the George Zimmerman murder trial began on Thursday in Sanford, Florida with defense attorney Mark O'Mara questioning the final 40 jury candidates on any biases or prejudices that would would prevent a "fair verdict."

O'Meara asked potential jurors about their beliefs regarding a fair trial, whether they had been victims of a violent crime, and their overall criminal history. Six jurors and four alternates will be selected from the larger pool. Several potential jurors have already been removed from the pool.

George Zimmerman is on trial for shooting unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012. He has been charged with second-degree murder but has pleaded not guilty.  Zimmerman claims self-defense under Florida's controversial "Stand Your Ground" law. Public outrage ensued after police failed to arrest or charge Zimmerman until 44 days after the shooting.

If jury selection is finished by this week, opening statements in the trial could begin next Monday.

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