Trayvon Martin: George Zimmerman Acquitted

George Zimmerman has been acquitted of all charges over the death of black teenager Travyon Martin in Florida.

Mr Zimmerman was freed after the jury deliberated for more than 15 hours over two days in the murder trial.

The jurors notified the judge on Saturday night, shortly before 10pm local time, that they had reached a decision.

Minutes later the verdict was announced. Mr Zimmerman stood impassively as the verdict was read out.

Supporters of Trayvon Martin outside court after the verdict was reached

But outside the court supporters of Trayvon reacted with disappointment and anger.

Some chanted and held up a large banner saying "End racial oppression".

The case had divided public opinion in the United States, with even President Barack Obama commenting on the shooting and urging calm.

The six-member, all-woman jury began deliberating at 2.30pm on Friday after spending part of the day listening to the defence closing arguments and a rebuttal from the prosecution.

Trayvon Martin was shot dead in a gated community

Mr Zimmerman had been charged with second-degree murder over the teen's death, but jurors had the option of finding him guilty of manslaughter.

The neighbourhood watch guard at a gated community had always maintained that he shot the youth in self-defence.

The case drew massive protests after a 44-day delay in Mr Zimmerman's arrest.

After hearing the verdict, Judge Debra Nelson told Mr Zimmerman he was free to go.

The teen's death drew protests in cities across America

Jurors heard two different portraits of Mr Zimmerman and had to decide whether he was a wannabe cop who took the law into his own hands or a well-meaning neighbourhood watch volunteer who shot the teenager because he feared for his life.

The police chief in Sanford, where Martin was shot and where the trial was held, urged peace after the verdict was read.

The Florida state attorney later defended the decision to launch the murder trial, saying on the available evidence prosecutors believed Mr Zimmerman had a case to answer for second-degree murder.

Second-degree murder is classed as a death that does not include specific intent, and the trial centred on the controversial self-defence rule of "Stand Your Ground".

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Trayvon Martin: George Zimmerman Acquitted

Dengan url

https://letestnewsite.blogspot.com/2013/07/trayvon-martin-george-zimmerman.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Trayvon Martin: George Zimmerman Acquitted

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Trayvon Martin: George Zimmerman Acquitted

sebagai sumbernya