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Facing South Florida: Zimmerman Verdict - Community Reaction

After more than a year, a jury has issued its verdict on the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin at the hands of George Zimmerman.

After more than 165 hours of deliberation, the jury found Zimmerman not guilty.

The verdict was the culmination of a case that started on February 26, 2012.

As the jury found him not guilty of second-degree murder of killing the Miami Gardens teen, Zimmerman blinked and barely smiled.

After hearing the verdict, Judge Debra Nelson told Zimmerman he was free to go.

The verdict caused outrage among many who said Zimmerman should have been punished for taking a life.

In South Florida, police prepared for violent protests - but none came.

CBS4's Jim DeFede sat down with state Senator Chris Smith and Miami-Dade Police Director J. D. Patterson to talk about the community's reaction.

Click on the image below to watch the interview.

Community Reaction
Community Reaction (Source: CBS4)
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