The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
July 12, 2013

Manslaughter Conviction Possible as Final Arguments Heard in Zimmerman Trial 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
The trial of George Zimmerman for the fatal shooting of unarmed
African-American teenager Trayvon Martin is wrapping up in Florida. In
his closing remarks Thursday, prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda accused
Zimmerman, a self-appointed neighborhood watch captain, of profiling
Trayvon Martin as the 17 year-old walked through a gated community
carrying only Skittles and iced tea. The prosecutor opened his statement
with these words.

Bernie de la Rionda: "Good afternoon. A teenager is dead. He is dead
through no fault of his own. He is dead because a man made assumptions."

Zimmerman could face up to life in prison if convicted of second-degree
murder. On Thursday, the judge told jurors they could also find
Zimmerman guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter, which could carry
up to 30 years in prison. The defense will make its closing statement
today followed by a rebuttal from prosecutors. Then a jury of six women,
five of them white, will deliberate Zimmerman's fate.

 

.