George Zimmerman, the man who shot a black teenager to death
nearly half a year ago in Florida will seek to have murder charges
dismissed under the state's controversial "Stand Your Ground" law,
according to his attorney on Thursday.
Zimmerman, a member of a neighbourhood watch who shot to
death the unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in February, said he did
so in self-defence.
Attorney Mark O'Mara said on Zimmerman's defence website that a
"Stand Your Ground" hearing will be convened in the coming months to
consider Zimmerman's plea under the state law, which gives Florida
citizens broad rights to defend themselves if they perceive an
imminent threat of injury or death.
"The primary focus of a 'Stand Your Ground' hearing is whether
George Zimmerman reasonably believed that his use of his weapon was
necessary to prevent great bodily harm to himself at the hands of
Trayvon Martin," O'Mara wrote on the website.
The hearing would be presided over by Florida's Seminole County
Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester, and would not involve a jury. If the
judge sides with Zimmerman, not only would the criminal charges be
dismissed, but Zimmerman would also be immune to any civil charges
stemming from the shooting, according to O'Mara.
If the judge does not agree with Zimmerman's claims, then a full
trial would ensue, according to The Miami Herald.
If convicted of second-degree murder, which is unplanned and
unpremeditated, Zimmerman could face a sentence of 25 years to life
in prison.
The case prompted nationwide protests after Sanford, Florida
police failed to detain Zimmerman after the slaying of
Martin. The teenager was visiting in the neighbourhood and was
carrying a bag of skittles candy from a local store on his way home
when the killing occurred.
Zimmerman, who is white, was a neighborhood security patrol
volunteer who was carrying a legal weapon. He reportedly used a
racial epithet in a recorded call to police.
Nationwide protests pressured local officials to finally arrest
Zimmerman in April.
