Zimmerman found not guilty of 2nd-degree murder

The jury in the trial of George Zimmerman has reached a verdict in the case and has found Zimmerman not guilty of second-degree murder.

The verdict was read inside the courtroom just before 10 p.m. tonight.

The panel of six women deliberated in private for more than 16 hours since Friday. The trial consisted of more than two weeks of testimony and arguments from the prosecution and the defense.

Around 6 p.m. this evening, late into their second day of deliberations, the jury sent a note to the judge asking for clarification of the definition of manslaughter, according to reports.

Zimmerman, 29, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of 17-year-0ld Trayvon Martin, but was acquitted of the charges against him

Under Florida’s laws involving gun crimes, manslaughter could end up carrying a penalty as heavy as the one for second-degree murder: life in prison.

The jury’s decision was that Zimmerman justifiably used force that was necessary for self defense against death or great bodily harm, which is the definition of self-defense according to the State of Florida.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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