Changes

After a media sensation that included distortions of the facts, George Zimmerman was subsequently charged with second-degree murder after being denied the protection of a [[grand jury]], despite his claim that he acted in [[self defense]].<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2012/0409/No-grand-jury-What-does-that-mean-for-George-Zimmerman</ref>  In the analogous case of Bernhard Goetz, the protection of a grand jury was important when the first grand jury declined to [[indictment|indict]] on the biggest charges.

After a media sensation that included distortions of the facts, George Zimmerman was subsequently charged with second-degree murder after being denied the protection of a [[grand jury]], despite his claim that he acted in [[self defense]].<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2012/0409/No-grand-jury-What-does-that-mean-for-George-Zimmerman</ref>  In the analogous case of Bernhard Goetz, the protection of a grand jury was important when the first grand jury declined to [[indictment|indict]] on the biggest charges.

Rather than plead the [[Fifth Amendment]], [[George Zimmerman]] surprisingly took the witness stand in April and testified that "he thought Trayvon was an adult, 'a little bit younger than I am,' and that he didn't know if Trayvon was armed or not. Zimmerman ended by saying, 'I'm sorry for the loss of your son.'" His bond was set at only $150,000, which he posted quickly in order to remain free until trial.<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2012/0420/George-Zimmerman-bond-hearing-5-new-things-we-learned/Zimmerman-brooded-over-comments-by-Trayvon-s-mother</ref>

Rather than plead the [[Fifth Amendment]], George Zimmerman surprisingly took the witness stand in April and testified that "he thought Trayvon was an adult, 'a little bit younger than I am,' and that he didn't know if Trayvon was armed or not. Zimmerman ended by saying, 'I'm sorry for the loss of your son.'" His bond was set at only $150,000, which he posted quickly in order to remain free until trial.<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2012/0420/George-Zimmerman-bond-hearing-5-new-things-we-learned/Zimmerman-brooded-over-comments-by-Trayvon-s-mother</ref>

:: On July 13, 2013: '' After three weeks of testimony, the six-woman jury rejected the prosecution’s contention that Mr. Zimmerman had deliberately pursued Mr. Martin because he assumed the hoodie-clad teenager was a criminal and instigated the fight that led to his death.'' [http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/15/us/george-zimmerman-verdict-trayvon-martin.html?hp&_r=0]

:: On July 13, 2013: '' After three weeks of testimony, the six-woman jury rejected the prosecution’s contention that Mr. Zimmerman had deliberately pursued Mr. Martin because he assumed the hoodie-clad teenager was a criminal and instigated the fight that led to his death.'' [http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/15/us/george-zimmerman-verdict-trayvon-martin.html?hp&_r=0]