Zimmerman cleared

Former neighbourhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman has always maintained he killed black teenager Trayvon Martin in self-defence in the Florida town of Sanford last year.

After two days of deliberations the jury in his trial for murder and manslaughter agreed with him.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) JURY SPOKESWOMAN SAYING:

"In the circuit court of the 18th judicial circuit, Seminole County, Florida, State of Florida versus George Zimmerman, verdict: we the jury find George Zimmerman not guilty, so say we all."

Prosecutors alleged Zimmerman was a wannabe cop who tracked down and shot 17-year-old Martin without justification.

Zimmerman said Martin had attacked him.

But Zimmerman wasn't arrested for six weeks after the shooting because police believed his version of events, sparking nation-wide protests and cries of injustice.

Zimmerman showed little reaction to the verdict.

Trayvon Martin's family was not in court to hear the jury's decision.