Jurors Find Zimmerman Not Guilty
SANFORD, Fla. (CBS) -- After deliberating about 16 hours, the jury in the George Zimmerman trial came back with its verdict: "We the jury find George Zimmerman not guilty."
Outside the courthouse, demonstrators reacted.
"I think the jury made a mistake," said one protester.
MORE ZIMMERMAN TRIAL COVERAGE:
In February of 2012, Zimmerman spotted Trayvon Martin walking through a Florida neighborhood and called authorities.
911 Dispatcher: "Are you following him?"
Caller: "Yah."
The teenager ran toward the home where he was staying, but a few minutes later the two met up.
The defense created an animation showing Zimmerman's claim that he was attacked, and was forced to shoot in self-defense.
"Self-defense is a defense to everything," Mark O'Mara, the defense attorney.
But the prosecution claims it was Zimmerman who tracked down Martin, and started the confrontation.
"The defendant didn't shoot Trayvon Martin because he had to; he shot him because he wanted to," said John Guy, the prosecutor.
The case began as a local crime, but quickly made national headlines – raising questions about race, guns and equal justice.
Zimmerman was initially let go under Florida's Stand Your Ground Law. Protests were held nationwide until he was taken back into custody.
Click below to watch CBS News' Special Report:
During the trial, the jury heard from dozens of witnesses, but none of them saw or heard exactly what happened.
"You look at all the evidence, and you have to say, 'I have a reasonable doubt,'" said O'Mara.
The jury agreed, and now Zimmerman is a free man.
RELATED LINKS:
Local Teens, Young Adults Hold Rally In Wake Of Trayvon Martin's Death (3/25/12)
Other report related to this case
