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Zimmerman Charged with Murder in Trayvon Martin's Killing

George Zimmerman, 28, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of the 17-year-old. He could face life in prison if convicted. The murder charge is likely to face intense scrutiny in the weeks ahead as it is weighed against Florida's "stand your ground" law, which police cited the night of the shooting as the reason Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, was never charged in the first place.

George Zimmerman, 28, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of the 17-year-old. He could face life in prison if convicted. The murder charge is likely to face intense scrutiny in the weeks ahead as it is weighed against Florida's "stand your ground" law, which police cited the night of the shooting as the reason Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, was never charged in the first place.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.