BREAKING NEWS: George Zimmerman found ‘Not Guilty” of all charges in the killing of Trayvon Martin.
Below is an earlier version of the story.
Jurors in the murder trial of George Zimmerman have asked the judge for clarification on the charge of manslaughter Saturday evening as they deliberate into the second day whether the neighborhood watch volunteer acted in self defense when he fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
The jurors sent Judge Debra Nelson a note asking for clarification on the manslaughter charge, the less-serious charge Zimmerman faces, after deliberating for about eight hours Saturday. The question read simply: “May we please have clarification for the instruction on manslaughter?”
As jurors awaited an answer, Nelson talked to lawyers at the bench and then said court would recess for a half hour. When attorneys returned, prosecutor Richard Mantei said that after conducting research, he would suggest asking the jurors to elaborate. Defense attorney Mark O’Mara agreed.
“Let’s get clarification on their confusion,” O’Mara said.
The judge then sent a note back to the jury that read: “The court can’t engage in general discussion but may be able to address a specific question regarding clarification of the instructions regarding manslaughter. If you have a specific question, please submit it.”
