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8A Daily News – Thursday, April 12, 2012 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The neighborhood watch volunteer who shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was arrested and charged with second-degree murder Wednesday after weeks of mounting tensions and protests across the country. George Zimmerman, 28, could get up to life in prison if convicted in the slaying of the unarmed black teenager. Special prosecutor Angela Corey announced the charges but would not discuss how she arrived at them or disclose other details of her investigation, saying: ''That's why we try cases in a courtroom.'' Second-degree murder is typically brought in cases when there is a fight or other confrontation that results in death but involves no pre- meditation to kill. It carries a mandatory minimum of 25 years behind bars when a gun is used. Martin's parents expressed relief over the decision to prosecute their son's killer. ''The question I would turned himself in in Florida. Zimmerman's new attor- ney, Mark O'Mara, said Zimmerman will plead not guilty. The lawyer asked that people not jump to con- clusions about his client's guilt and said he is ''hoping that the community will calm down'' now that charges have been filed. ''I'm expecting a lot of work and hopefully justice in the end,'' he said. On Tuesday, Zimmer- man's former lawyers por- trayed him as erratic and in precarious mental condi- tion. But O'Mara said Zim- merman was OK: ''I'm not concerned about his mental well-being.'' really like to ask him is, if he could look into Trayvon's eyes and see how innocent he was, would he have then pulled the trigger? Or would he have just let him go on home?'' said his father, Tracy Martin. Corey would not dis- close Zimmerman's where- abouts for his safety but said that he will be in court with- in 24 hours, at which point he can request bail. 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The shooting brought demands from black leaders for his arrest, touched off protests in which people wore hooded sweatshirts like the one the teenager had on, and set off a furious debate over race and self- defense that reached all the way to the White House, where President Barack Obama observed: ''If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon.'' Zimmerman, whose Murder charge brought in Trayvon Martin case Corey said the decision to bring charges was based on the facts and the law, declaring: ''We do not pros- ecute by public pressure or by petition.'' One of the biggest hur- dles to Zimmerman's arrest over the past month was Florida's ''stand your ground'' law, which gives people wide leeway to use deadly force without having to retreat in the face of dan- ger. an unoccupied police car Tuesday as it sat outside the neighborhood where Martin was killed. And a demon- stration by college students closed the town's police sta- tion Monday. But as the hour of the prosecutor's announcement neared, the Martin family and their lawyer pleaded for calm. Second-degree murder means a killing that was not premeditated but resulted instead from an ''imminent- ly dangerous act'' that showed a ''depraved'' lack of regard for human life. Some legal experts had predicted the prosecutor would instead bring a charge of manslaughter, which carries up to 15 years behind bars. It is defined as a death that results from a reckless but not a depraved act. Outside Sanford City Hall, Stacy Davis, a black woman, said she was glad to see arrested Zimmerman under arrest. ''It's not a black or white thing for me. It's a right or wrong thing. He needed to be arrested,'' she said. ''I'm happy because maybe that boy can get some rest.'' Corey repeatedly declined to answer ques- tions about details in the case. ''So much information got released on this case that never should have been released. We have to protect this prosecution and this investigation for Trayvon, for George Zimmerman,'' she said. Legal experts said Corey must have compelling evi- dence against Zimmerman if she chose to charge him with second-degree murder. ''That indicates they After Tax Time is Over April 17th We will still be here • Extension • Prior Year Taxes • Bookkeeping • Payroll P. Ralph Campbell, EA Enrolled Agent • Financial Services 530-529-9540 855 Walnut St. #2, Red Bluff CA Insurance Lic. 0C73069 Daniele Jackson was returning to the home of his father's fiancee from a convenience store when Zimmerman started follow- ing him. Zimmerman told police dispatchers: ''This guy looks like he is up to no good — he is on drugs or something.'' The 911 dis- patcher told him not to fol- low the young man. At some point, the two got into a fight and Zimmer- man used his gun. Six weeks ago, Martin have man) was chasing Trayvon because he was black,'' said Florida defense attorney Richard Hornsby. ''It's diffi- cult to think how one prose- cutor didn't charge him at all and another thought evidence (Zimmer- K W I K K U T S Family Hair Salon $200 REGULAR HAIRCUT off with coupon Not good with other offers 1064 South Main St., Red Bluff • 529-3540 Reg. $13.95 Expires 4/30/12 there was enough evidence to justify a second-degree charge. It's a pretty drastic swing.'' Tensions have risen in recent days in Sanford, a town of 50,000 outside Orlando. Someone shot up James W. Tysinger, Jr. M.D. Eye Physician & Surgeon Fellow American Academy of Ophthalmology We accept Medical, Medicare & most Insurances Office Hours: Tues-Wed-Thurs 8am-4:30pm Mon & Fri 1pm-4:30pm For Emergencies, After Hours, Week-ends, Call 530-567-5001 345 Hickory St. Red Bluff Tel: (530) 529-4733 Fax: (530) 529-1114 Zimmerman told police Martin attacked him after he had given up chasing the teenager and was returning to his truck. 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