Local

Zimmerman jurors spent 22 nights at Lake Mary Marriott

SANFORD, Fla. — The Seminole County Sheriff's Office has released new details about the sequestration of the jury during George Zimmerman's trial.

The Sheriff's Office said the jury was sequestered on Friday, June 21 and spent 22 nights at the Marriott on International Parkway in Lake Mary, Fla.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office said the hotel cost was about $1,000 daily, and meals were about $375 per day. The excursion expenses were approximately $350. In total, sequestration costs were approximately $33,000, said the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office is still compiling the agency's total costs associated with the trial. Preliminary figures indicate it spent about $320,000 on overtime, equipment and other trial-related expenses.

The Sheriff's Office said all television, internet use, reading materials, mail, and phone calls were screened, monitored and logged by deputies to ensure jurors were not exposed to any trial information or content related to the criminal justice system. Jurors were permitted to receive their cellphones once per day to check voice mails and make telephone calls in the presence of a deputy.

Outside of the jury room, jurors had individual rooms and got together with other jurors for meals and to socialize.

The Sheriff's Office said jurors watched television and movies, exercised at the hotel fitness center and spent weekends being visited by family and friends.

Jurors could also request visits from members of the religious community, the Sheriff's Office said.

Anyone visiting members of the jury was asked to sign an agreement indicating they would not discuss the case with the jury member or disclose any information to outside parties about the details of their visit.

Most breakfast and dinner meals were provided through the hotel, the Sheriff's Office said.

The Sheriff's Office said jurors dined out twice: at Outback Steakhouse, in Sanford, and at Amigo's, in Altamonte Springs. Dinner was also brought in from Giovanni's, in Lake Mary. Lunches usually took place at the courthouse, with lunch brought in from area restaurants. The group went out for lunch twice to Senior Tequila's, in Winter Springs.

Jurors went on several trips -- bowling, shopping at the Volusia Mall, a day and dinner in St. Augustine that included a visit to Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, manicures, pedicures and watching fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Jurors also went to the movies to see "World War Z" and "The Lone Ranger." All movies viewed were preapproved by the court, the Sheriff's Office said.

Jurors were provided access to the hotel's laundry service or could send laundry home with family members. Jurors were permitted to go to appointments for personal care if accompanied by deputies, said the Sheriff's Office.

Deputies provided security for jurors at all times during their sequestration. The Seminole County Sheriff's Office would not disclose the number of deputies assigned to this duty.

In accordance with Florida statutes, the clerk of the court is responsible for juror expenses for meals and lodging. Jurors paid for their own personal purchases and appointment costs. The Sheriff's Office paid for the movie and bowling excursions and the Ripley's admission.