[Jackobotzie]

The special prosecutor investigating the death of Trayvon Martin announced Wednesday evening that George Zimmerman, who told police he shot the teen in self defense, has been charged with second-degree murder.

Zimmerman faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Authorities said that Zimmerman, who has been in hiding for weeks, was in police custody. Special prosecutor Angela Corey said during a news conference that she would not reveal where Zimmerman was out of concern for his safety. "He is within the custody of law enforcement officers in the state of Florida," Corey said.

The murder charge indicates that prosecutors believe that they can prove Zimmerman shot Martin with malice, though without premeditation. A manslaughter charge would have required prosecutors only to prove that Zimmerman acted unlawfully and with criminal negligence in shooting the teen.

"The difference between murder and manslaughter is your mental state," said Mark Geragos, a Los Angeles defense attorney, who is not connected to the case. "To elevate it to murder, you have to have the element of malice."

Malice is generally defined as showing ill will or "extreme indifference" to human life.

The announcement of the charges comes a day after Zimmerman's attorneys withdrew their counsel, saying they lost contact with him and that he repeatedly ignored their legal advice.

Zimmerman, 28, shot and killed 17-year-old Martin 43 days ago in a gated community in Sanford, Fla., where Martin was visiting with his father and his father's girlfriend. Zimmerman served as the captain of the neighborhood watch and told the police that he shot Martin in self-defense after the teen attacked him.

On the night of the shooting, Zimmerman was questioned at the police station, but he was released shortly thereafter. The police said there was not enough evidence to refute his claims of self-defense.

From the start, Martin’s family and their attorneys questioned the impartiality and thoroughness of the police investigation into the teen’s killing. Law enforcement experts said that Sanford police made key errors early in the investigation and made crucial decisions before important evidence was gathered. Martin's cell phone records were not immediately checked. Investigators did not talk with key witnesses for more than a week. While police conducted a criminal background check on Martin, as well as drug and alcohol tests, Zimmerman was not subject any of the same tests. It was learned later that Zimmerman was arrested in 2005 for assaulting a police officer and has had a history of aggression and violence, including domestic violence.

The killing and the subsequent handling of the investigation into Martin's death sparked national outrage and calls for Zimmerman's arrest. Protests were held across Florida and in other city's including New York City, Detroit and Philadelphia. The case has become a flashpoint in the national debates over racial profiling and gun control.

[mrmojo]

Light the torch and let the riots begin!!

[Brometheus]

riots from who?

[Seven Of Nine]

Originally Posted by Brometheus ↗

riots from who?

Ya... from who?

[AmericanIllusions]

Its crazy it took this long. So to all the **** out there that were so sure he did "nothing wrong", eat a sun baked dick. The prosecutor thinks he did.

[Seven Of Nine]

Originally Posted by AmericanIllusions ↗

Its crazy it took this long. So to all the **** out there that were so sure he did "nothing wrong", eat a sun baked dick. The prosecutor thinks he did.

Gawd I wish I could thank you more than once

[lroy10]

Originally Posted by AmericanIllusions ↗

Its crazy it took this long. So to all the **** out there that were so sure he did "nothing wrong", eat a sun baked dick. The prosecutor thinks he did.

Well shit, i guess if the second prosecutor assigned to case thinks Zimmerman is guilty there's really no reason to waste everyone's time with a trial.

[Seven Of Nine]

Originally Posted by lroy10 ↗

Well shit, i guess if the second prosecutor assigned to case thinks Zimmerman is guilty there's really no reason to waste everyone's time with a trial.

The issue here is that IT TOOK SO LONG TO ARREST AND PUT THE MAN IN JAIL FOR KILLING TRAYVON. I'm not saying he's guilty.

And besides, the Prosecutors DO think he did it, they absolutely wouldn't go to trial without meeting the criteria necessary for a prosecution ....would they??? LMAO Prosecutors make horrid judgements sometimes. It will play out in time.

[Wildrice]

I, for one will be paying attention to the trial.

[Steve]

Self defense my arse he was trying to rob his skittles.