Lawyers prosecuting George Zimmerman are allowed to use terms like "vigilante" and "wannabe cop" once the trial begins Monday.

Judge Debra Nelson made the ruling in court Friday, denying a defense motion to have what they called "defamatory" words and phrases banned from Zimmerman's second-degree murder trial.

The judge still needs to decide whether the jury of six women and four alternates will hear testimony from voice experts who analyzed audio from a 911 call made the night Trayvon Martin was shot and killed last year. She said she would release that ruling in writing, possibly later Friday.

Court is in recess until Monday morning, when attorneys are set to begin opening statements at 9 a.m.

'Defamatory' terms allowed

Judge Nelson said the state is allowed to say that Zimmerman "profiled" Martin, but the state agreed to stay away from saying the black teenager was "racially profiled."

Prosecutors can also say that Zimmerman initiated the neighborhood watch at the Retreat at Twin Lakes subdivision, and that he was appointed captain.

The judge also allowed the following terms the defense sought to ban:

  • "Vigilante"
  • "Wannabe cop"
  • He "got out of the car after police (or dispatcher) told him not to"
  • He "confronted" Trayvon Martin.

Zimmerman waived his right to appear in court for Friday's hearing. He has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, claiming he shot Trayvon Martin in self-defense.

If convicted, Zimmerman faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

The all-women jury

A jury of six women was selected Thursday. Five are white, and one was said to be black and Hispanic. Five of the six jurors are married with children, and two have only lived in Florida for less than a year.

According to the 2010 Census, Seminole County is 78.5 percent white and 16.5 percent black, roughly mirroring the jury's racial makeup.

Lawyers also selected two more women and two men as alternate jurors. Three of the four alternates are white, and one is mixed-race. Two are single and have no children, one if married with two grown children, and the fourth is married with two stepchildren.

One juror had a prior arrest, but she said it was disposed of and she thought she was treated fairly. Two jurors have guns in their homes. All of their names have been kept confidential, and the panel will be sequestered for the trial.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys chose the panel of six jurors after almost two weeks of jury selection. In Florida, 12 jurors are required only for criminal trials involving capital cases, when the death penalty is being considered.

Seminole County court officials said details about the jury's sequestration will not be released through the duration of the trial. The public will not know where the jurors are eating or staying the night, or what leisurely activities they will participate in while court is in recess. A breakdown of the total cost to sequester the jury will be released when the trial is over.