Downtown Sanford quiet as George Zimmerman jury deliberates

Zimmerman charged with murder in death of Trayvon Martin

SANFORD, Fla. – Despite extra police patrols on the streets of downtown Sanford, there are few signs of the courtroom drama unfolding a few miles down the road.

As the jury deliberates for Day 2 in the George Zimmerman trial, people in Sanford are having a normal Saturday. Some say the trial is on their minds, but others say they're not following the case at all.

Lois Joslin calls what happened on February 26, 2012, between Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman a tragedy for both families involved. But she believes it's time for the justice system to run its course.

"I think it's a tragedy that the whole thing happened. We lost a very young soul. I wasn't there. I don't get to judge," she said.

Herman Eason works at Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe and he set up chairs for lunch like any other Saturday.

Although both the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and the Sanford Police have warned against violence after the verdict, Eason says he is optimistic.

"I don't get a sense of any violence or nothing. Really, (the protestors) got what they asked for. They wanted a trial," Eason said.

Police are out on the streets in droves in Sanford, a show of force meant to show law enforcement is ready for anything.  Both Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith and Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger have said they're not worried about violence but have a plan in place as a precaution.

Eason hopes whatever the outcome in the Zimmerman trial, the whole incident will be something that will make Sanford a better place.

"Sanford hasn't always been the best, but it has changed. I don't want it to go back to where it left. I want it to be better. I want it to be a lesson to all of us," he said.


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