After two days and more than 16 hours of deliberations, the jury reached its verdict.
“We the jury find the defendant not guilty.”
George Zimmerman is now a free man.
“You have no further business with the court.”
“Thank you, your honor” said Zimmerman.
It was a story that captured the nation’s attention. On February 26th, 2012, Zimmerman, a 28 year-old neighborhood watch volunteer, calls police to report a suspicious person in a Sanford, Florida gated community.
Minutes later, the unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin is shot and killed.
“My heart hurts for my son” said Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s mother.
Zimmerman claimed Martin attacked him and he was acting in self-defense.
The Martin family believed race was a driving factor.
Zimmerman was arrested in April 2012 and charged with second degree murder and pleaded not guilty.
“I felt sorry that they lost their child, yes” said Zimmerman.
The 14-day trial began in late June of this year.
Dozens have testified for both the prosecution and the defense.
From start to finish, this case has kept Americans waiting for this final verdict.
© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.