George Zimmerman Trial: Jury selection continues in murder trial of former neighborhood watch captain

(CBS/AP) -- Jury selection was expected to continue Tuesday in the George Zimmerman trial as prosecuting and defense attorneys question dozens of potential jurors, a process that is expected to take all week, if not longer.

PICTURES: George Zimmerman in court

READ: Trayvon Martin Shooting: A timeline of events

As court recessed for the day Monday, a judge instructed a group of potential jurors not to read or watch news reports about the case before returning to court Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Circuit Judge Debra Nelson also warned the potential jurors not to discuss, independently research or engage in any social media conversations about the case.

"If you're around someone and they insist on talking about the case, please leave them," Nelson said. "I know it might be difficult if it's a family member."

She also warned the men and women not to drive by any location related to the trial.

"Do I have your assurance you will abide by that instruction?," Nelson asked following each warning, to which the potential jurors replied in the affirmative.

Zimmerman, 29, is accused in the February, 2012 shooting death of unarmed Florida teen Trayvon Martin during a confrontation in a Sanford, Fla. gated community. Zimmerman argues he killed Martin in self-defense after the teen attacked him.

Zimmerman was in the courtroom during the proceedings Monday, and stood as the group of potential jurors entered and exited the courtroom to hear the instructions.

Publicity issues were front and center as jury selection launched Monday with about 100 potential jurors filling out questionnaires, and some being questioned by attorneys. Of those that were questioned, attorneys focused on what they may have heard in the news media about the high-profile case, whether they may have formed any opinions, and whether they would be able to put aside what they've heard about the case and make decisions based only on evidence presented in court.

Six jurors and several alternates are expected to be chosen from a pool of about 500.

The identities of the potential jurors are being kept secret, and they are being referred to by number.

Several said that they had heard about the case, but felt they would be able to judge Zimmerman impartially. The familiarity of the first four jurors questioned Monday ranged from specific details of the February 2012 encounter to vague outlines of the incident and the circumstances that led to the deadly altercation.

None of the jury candidates who were questioned said it would be a hardship to serve on the panel.

Juror "B30", a 65-year-old man with hearing loss, said he recalled Martin's parents going public about their concerns over the lack of an immediate arrest last year and more recently testimony over whether voice-recognition experts should be allowed to testify at trial.

"There was fault on both sides as far as I can see, two people being in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said. "Two people who instigated something that could have been avoided."

A woman in her 50s who watches TV games shows said she believed she could be unbiased even though she knew some basic facts of the case. Another woman in her late 30s who recently moved from Chicago and works in a nursing home, said she only had a passing familiarity with the case - mainly images she saw of people wearing T-shirts with Martin's face on them.

"Everybody needs a fair trial - everyone," she said." "I feel that at the end of the day, you have to listen to both sides. Every side has a truth."

Complete coverage of the George Zimmerman-Trayvon Martin case on Crimesider