George Zimmerman to be charged with 2nd degree murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman will now go to trial.
What is a second degree murder charge?
Definition: The unlawful killing of another person. Premeditation is not required: “The unlawful killing of a human being, when perpetrated by any act imminently dangerous to another and evincing a depraved mind regardless of human life, although without any premeditated design to effect the death of any particular individual, is murder in the second degree and constitutes a felony of the first degree, punishable by imprisonment for a term of years not exceeding life,” according to Florida law.
Possible Sentences: Has the possibility of a life sentence for offenders with a history of violent crimes but the average sentence is 22 years. It is not considered capital murder so the death penalty, which is legal in Florida, is not an option.