News
Trayvon Martin killer – George Zimmerman acquitted of all charges
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Defense lawyers insisted Zimmerman acted in self-defense.
Zimmerman faced possible life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder. The jury was also instructed to consider an alternate charge of manslaughter, which carries up to a 30-year sentence.
The February 2012 killing ignited widespread controversy after police initially declined to press charges against Zimmerman.
Community leaders on Friday had called for calm regardless of the eventual verdict.
“If Zimmerman is convicted, there should not be inappropriate celebrations, because a young man lost his life,” Reverend Jesse Jackson, a veteran civil rights activist, said. “If he is not convicted, we should avoid violence because it will only lead to more tragedies.”
Copyright 2013 AFP
Continue Reading