Zimmerman found not guilty

CNN reports:

George Zimmerman is not guilty of murder in the death of Trayvon Martin, a Florida jury decided late Saturday.

The fact that Zimmerman fired the bullet that killed Martin was never in question, but the verdict means the six-person jury had reasonable doubt that the shooting amounted to a criminal act.

The verdict caps a case that has inflamed passions for well over a year, much of it focused on race and gun rights.

The six-person jury — all women — had three choices: to find Zimmerman guilty of second-degree murder; to find him guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter; or to find him not guilty.

The jurors deliberated for 16½ hours total, including 13 on Saturday alone, before delivering their verdict.

While the death of Martin is very sad, I thought this was more self-defence. Some of the initial reporting of this case regarding Zimmerman was highly prejudical and flat out wrong.

Also it appears the prosecutors with-held significant evidence from the defence, and may face sanctions for this now the trial is over.