George Zimmerman, the man accused of murdering Trayvon Martin, was
found not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter Saturday
night.
The verdict is the culmination of a case that captured the
nation's attention and will undoubtedly be imprinted in America's
history. For Zimmerman, it means trying to recapture his life after he
was at the center of a national maelstrom over racial profiling, state
gun laws and what constitutes self-defense.
The not guilty
verdict means the jury of six women found that Zimmerman justifiably
used deadly force and reasonably believed that such force was
"necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm" to himself —
Florida's definition of self-defense.
Zimmerman showed no emotion
as the verdict was read. After the verdict was read, he smiled slightly
and shook hands with one of his lawyers.
The unidentified jurors
decided Zimmerman didn't "intentionally commit an act or acts that
caused death" or demonstrate a "depraved mind without regard for human
life" -- Florida's definitions of manslaughter and second-degree murder,
respectively.
In a press conference after the verdict, Zimmerman attorney Mark O'Mara said his client will now need to get on with his life.
Trayvon's father, Tracy, posted on Twitter, "Even though I am
broken-hearted, my faith is unshattered. I will always love my baby Tray
... even in his death I know my baby proud of the FIGHT we along with
all of you put up for him."
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