George Zimmerman cleared of Trayvon Martin murder

George Zimmerman, the Florida neighbourhood watchman who shot dead an unarmed black 17-year-old male last year, has been found not guilty on all charges.

Lawyers for Mr Zimmerman, 29, argued he acted in self-defence and with justifiable use of deadly force.

The jury retired on Friday to consider its verdict on charges of either second-degree murder or manslaughter.

The BBC's David Willis, in Florida, says the result, in a case which sparked a fierce debate about racial profiling in the US, will be seen as "sensational".