George Zimmerman was last night acquitted of all charges for the fatal shooting of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in a central Florida town in February of last year.

If he had been convicted, the 29-year-old former neighbourhood watch volunteer, who claimed he acted in self-defence, could have been sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder or up to 30 years for manslaughter.

A panel of six women jurors rendered its verdict in the case, which sparked a national debate on issues including race and profiling, after a trial that began in Seminole County court on June 10.

There were protests in San Francisco and Washington following the verdict.

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