DEBRA S. NELSON: Mr. Zimmerman, your bond will be released. Your GPS monitor will be cut off. You have no further business with the court.
JACKI LYDEN, HOST:
Late last night, a jury in Sanford, Florida, found defendant George Zimmerman not guilty of second degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Even as the defense rejoiced, Americans in many cities were dismayed. In Sanford, there was immediate outcry from Martin supporters.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Not guilty.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Not guilty.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: You're lying.
LYDEN: The NAACP and its president, Ben Jealous, have asked the Justice Department to file a civil suit of wrongful death.
BEN JEALOUS: We are encouraging people to call on the DOJ to continue their investigation and ultimately bring civil rights charges.
LYDEN: Martin's lawyer, Ben Crump, added his name to a long list of African-Americans killed by racial violence.
BEN CRUMP: Trayvon Martin will forever remain in the annals of history as symbol for the fight for equal justice for all.
LYDEN: For the defense, of course, a different story. The verdict is a happy relief, at least, for now.
MARK O'MARA: Obviously, we are ecstatic with the results. George Zimmerman was never guilty of anything, except protecting himself in self-defense. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.