George Zimmerman the Florida community watch volunteer is charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Special Prosecutor Angela Corey announced the charges Wednesday evening during a news conference. Corey says the prosecution didn't come to the decision lightly and was not influenced by public pressure.
Zimmerman turned himself in at an undisclosed prison and was immediately placed under arrest.
Prosecutors had a few options. They didn't have to charge Zimmerman at all. Once they decided to bring charges they had to decide whether to go with manslaughter or murder, and to what degree.
Zimmerman was charged today with Second Degree Murder. That means the killing was intentional, but was not premeditated or planned. It also wasn't committed in a heat of passion. Second Degree Murder is kind of the middle ground between Voluntary Manslaughter and first degree murder.
Voluntary Manslaughter is a killing that occurs in the heat of passion.
First Degree Murder, the most serious charge a person can face, is when a person plans out the killing before time.
Allen County Judge Richard Warren says this case will be interesting to watch as it unfolds because it's so publicized and many people have already made up their minds.
If convicted Zimmerman could spend the rest of his life in prison. He's currently being held without the opportunity for bail but his lawyers could request a bond hearing.
