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Deliberations could begin in murder trial of George Zimmerman over death of Trayvon Martin
SANFORD, Fla. – When jurors begin deliberating in the racially charged murder trial of George Zimmerman, they’ll also be able to consider a lesser charge of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of unarmed black teen Trayvon Martin.
The defence, which claims Zimmerman killed Martin in self-defence, will give its closing arguments Friday, a day after the prosecution spent two hours summarizing its case.
Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder, but the jury will also be allowed to consider manslaughter. But because of the way Florida law imposes sentences for crimes committed with a gun, the lesser charge could also carry a life sentence.
Judge Debra Nelson’s ruling to allow consideration of the manslaughter charge came despite the objections of Zimmerman’s lawyers.
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