(Sanford, FL) The jury has found George Zimmerman “not guilty” of killing Florida teenager Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman is now a free man.
The jury deliberated for more than 16 hours.
Their decision was unanimous.
Following the verdict, deputies escorted the jurors out of their hotel Saturday night. A court spokeswoman says they do not wish to speak to the media.
Defense attorneys say they were “ecstatic” at the verdict.
“George Zimmerman was never guilty of anything except protecting himself in self-defense and I’m glad the jury saw it that way,” attorney Mark O’Mara said.
Trayvon Martin’s family was not in the courtroom for the verdict. Their attorney issued a statement saying the family was thankful for all the support it received.
The family says Trayvon will be remembered as a symbol of “the fight for equal justice”.
The NAACP is urging the Justice Department to seek civil rights charges in the case.
