Murder charge over Trayvon Martin shooting

A neighbourhood watch volunteer has been charged with second-degree murder over the fatal shooting of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin.

Seventeen-year-old Trayvon was shot dead in Sanford, Florida on February 26 by 28-year-old George Zimmerman, who claimed he acted in self-defence.

The charge against Zimmerman was announced by special prosecutor Angela Corey at a news conference in Jacksonville. She said he was being held in custody but would not reveal where.

Trayvon had been watching an NBA basketball game on TV at his father's girlfriend's house in a gated community when he left the house to walk to a nearby 7-Eleven to buy some sweets.

On his way back from the shop he was spotted by neighbourhood watch guard George Zimmerman.

Zimmerman called the police to report "suspicious behaviour" in his area. He told police he was following a young man. The police told him this was not necessary, however he continued to do so.

When they turned up, Trayvon was dead, he had been shot in the chest. Zimmerman was not arrested as he claimed he acted in self-defence.

Florida has a "stand your ground law" that allows someone in fear of "great bodily harm" to respond with deadly force. This controversial law is now being reviewed by a specially appointed state task force.

Trayvon's death and the police action triggered a series of anti-racism protests across the United States calling for justice in the case.

Trayvon's father Tracy maintains the police response would have been different if his son was white.

In April an estimated 8,000 people gathered in Sanford, Florida to call for justice in the shooting death of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

Hundreds of so-called "hoodie marches" have also been taking place on an ad-hoc basis as community leaders, students and celebrities protested against the police reaction.

The family of Trayvon have also been campaigning for his killer to be arrested for murder and have launched an online petition which has so far been signed by more than 2 million people.

President Barack Obama described Trayvon's death as a "tragedy" and ordered an investigation into the teenager's death.

Earlier this week lawyers for Zimmerman - Hal Uhrig and Craig Sonner - announced they had withdrawn from the case, saying they have lost contact with Zimmerman and fear for his emotional state.