Special Prosecutor Angela Corey has decided not to put George Zimmerman in front of a grand jury, ruling out a first-degree murder charge. Zimmerman’s lawyer called the decision “courageous.”

Corey can still charge Zimmerman with manslaughter for the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager.

Zimmerman claimed self-defense and has not been charged. There are many people who would like to see Zimmerman behind bars. Although there will be no grand jury, that still remains a very real possibility. — PZS

Orlando Sentinel:

Before turning the case over to prosecutors, Sanford police classified the case as a possible manslaughter. In this case, since Trayvon was not yet an adult, that charge carries a possible maximum sentence of 30 years.

In a statement, Corey’s office stressed that the decision not to call a grand jury “should not be considered a factor” in whether Zimmerman will ultimately be prosecuted in Trayvon’s death.

Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump said Trayvon’s parents were not surprised by the announcement and remain “hopeful that a decision will be reached very soon to arrest George Zimmerman and give Trayvon Martin’s family the simple justice they have been seeking all along.”

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#george zimmerman#law#shooting#trayvon martin