Man is charged over teen death

A NEIGHBOURHOOD watch volunteer was charged last night with second-degree murder over the fatal shooting of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin.

The charge against George Zimmerman, 28, was announced by special prosecutor Angela Corey at a news conference in Jacksonville. She said he was being held in custody in Florida but would not say where for his safety.

The absence of an arrest had sparked outrage and rallies for justice in the Orlando suburb and across the US.

Mrs Corey said that authorities did not come to the decision lightly, nor was it based on public pressure.