Jurors in the trial of George Zimmerman found him Not Guilty today of second-degree murder. Form the start of the trial, Zimmerman admitted he had fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin during a 2012 confrontation. But Zimmerman's attorney's argued he had acted in self-defense.
Jurors deliberated for three and a half hours Friday, and for another 13 hours on Saturday before returning with a verdict.
They had the option of acquitting Zimmerman, or convicting him of either second -degree murder, or manslaughter. Police and civic leaders have been calling for calm in Sanford, Florida, and across the country, no matter what the verdict.
"There is no party in this case who wants to see any violence," Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger said. "We have an expectation upon this announcement that our community will continue to act peacefully."
According to Fox News, during closing arguments Zimmerman's attorney attempted to portray him as a neighborhood activist who shot Martin in self-defense, while prosecutors tried to portray him as a wannabe cop, whose mis-guided suspicion resulted in the teen's death.
Fox News also reported that police and city leaders said they have taken precautions for the possibility of mass protests or even civil unrest if Zimmerman, who's father is white and his mother Hispanic, was acquitted.