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Florida braces for George Zimmerman trial verdict Florida braces for George Zimmerman trial verdict
(about 2 hours later)
Florida officials have appealed for calm as the trial of a neighbourhood watchman who shot dead an unarmed black 17-year-old enters its final phase.Florida officials have appealed for calm as the trial of a neighbourhood watchman who shot dead an unarmed black 17-year-old enters its final phase.
Closing arguments have begun in the trial of George Zimmerman, 29, who is charged with the second-degree murder of Trayvon Martin in February 2012.Closing arguments have begun in the trial of George Zimmerman, 29, who is charged with the second-degree murder of Trayvon Martin in February 2012.
A judge told jurors on Thursday that they could convict him of manslaughter, but ruled out another lower charge.A judge told jurors on Thursday that they could convict him of manslaughter, but ruled out another lower charge.
The accused says he shot the teenager in self-defence in an Orlando suburb.The accused says he shot the teenager in self-defence in an Orlando suburb.
Police took six weeks to arrest Mr Zimmerman after the killing, which stoked racial tensions and spawned mass, peaceful protests.Police took six weeks to arrest Mr Zimmerman after the killing, which stoked racial tensions and spawned mass, peaceful protests.
'Don't be violent''Don't be violent'
Community leaders in the town of Sanford, where the shooting occurred, say they have been working to smooth tensions in case Mr Zimmerman is acquitted.Community leaders in the town of Sanford, where the shooting occurred, say they have been working to smooth tensions in case Mr Zimmerman is acquitted.
"It's all right to be vocal, but we don't want to be violent," said Rev Walter Richardson, a pastor and chairman of Miami-Dade County's Community Relations Board, according to the Associated Press."It's all right to be vocal, but we don't want to be violent," said Rev Walter Richardson, a pastor and chairman of Miami-Dade County's Community Relations Board, according to the Associated Press.
"We've already lost one soul and we don't want to lose any more.""We've already lost one soul and we don't want to lose any more."
Trayvon Martin was walking to the home of his father's fiancee from a convenience shop when the fatal confrontation ensued with the neighbourhood watch volunteer in a gated community on a rainy evening.Trayvon Martin was walking to the home of his father's fiancee from a convenience shop when the fatal confrontation ensued with the neighbourhood watch volunteer in a gated community on a rainy evening.
Before the prosecution began its closing argument on Thursday, after 12 days of testimony, a judge gave instructions to the sequestered jury of six women.Before the prosecution began its closing argument on Thursday, after 12 days of testimony, a judge gave instructions to the sequestered jury of six women.
Debate over screams
Seminole County Judge Debra Nelson said they could also convict Mr Zimmerman for manslaughter.Seminole County Judge Debra Nelson said they could also convict Mr Zimmerman for manslaughter.
But she ruled out another lesser charge of third-degree murder, amid strong objections from the defence team.But she ruled out another lesser charge of third-degree murder, amid strong objections from the defence team.
Lawyers argued the move was a "trick" from the prosecution, because the lesser charge of third-degree murder would be based on the argument that Mr Zimmerman committed child abuse against Martin, who was a minor.Lawyers argued the move was a "trick" from the prosecution, because the lesser charge of third-degree murder would be based on the argument that Mr Zimmerman committed child abuse against Martin, who was a minor.
"Oh my God," defence lawyer Don West told the judge. "Just when I thought this case couldn't get any more bizarre, the state is seeking third-degree murder based on child abuse.""Oh my God," defence lawyer Don West told the judge. "Just when I thought this case couldn't get any more bizarre, the state is seeking third-degree murder based on child abuse."
The defence said the jury should consider only a second-degree murder conviction or acquittal.The defence said the jury should consider only a second-degree murder conviction or acquittal.
Mr Zimmerman could face life in prison if he is convicted on the initial charge of murder.Mr Zimmerman could face life in prison if he is convicted on the initial charge of murder.
If convicted for manslaughter he could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in jail.If convicted for manslaughter he could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in jail.
Earlier in the trial the jury heard from both the defendant's parents, who testified that screams heard in the background of an emergency call were those of Mr Zimmerman. Whose screams?
But Martin's mother told the court she was "absolutely" certain it was her son crying for help. Over several weeks of testimony, prosecutors argued that Mr Zimmerman had lied in his account of the confrontation - that Martin had attacked him unprovoked, pummelled him and slammed his head against the concrete pavement, while he struggled for his life and ultimately fired his gun in self-defence.
Prosecutors had said during opening statements that Mr Zimmerman shot Martin "because he wanted to", after profiling the teenager. A prosecutor said during opening statements that Mr Zimmerman shot Martin "because he wanted to", after deciding the teenager did not belong in the neighbourhood.
And prosecutors portrayed the defendant as an aspiring police officer who was familiar with Florida's lax laws on armed self-defence.
Martin's parents told the court the voice heard screaming for help on an emergency call during the fight was their son's.
And a defence witness testified none of Mr Zimmerman's DNA had been found on Martin's body - especially under his fingernails.
Meanwhile, the defence showed a video recording of Mr Zimmerman explaining to police his version of events, and dwelt on Mr Zimmerman's injuries, which they said showed the teenager was severely beating him.
Both of Mr Zimmerman's parents, as well as friends and an uncle, told the court the cries heard on the emergency call were those of Mr Zimmerman.
A forensic pathologist testified that Mr Zimmerman had fired his gun from beneath Martin, evidence, the defence said, that the teenager was beating him up.
The trial has reportedly taken an emotional toll on both the defendant and the victim's family.The trial has reportedly taken an emotional toll on both the defendant and the victim's family.
Defence lawyers said Mr Zimmerman was very worried about the verdict and feared for his personal safety in the future.Defence lawyers said Mr Zimmerman was very worried about the verdict and feared for his personal safety in the future.