Zimmerman in dock for murder of Trayvon, 17

Neighbourhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman has made his first court appearance charged with second-degree murder following the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

During a brief appearance in Sanford, Florida, yesterday, Zimmerman, wearing a grey prison jumpsuit, stood up straight and spoke only to answer “Yes, sir,” after he was asked basic questions about the charge against him.

The judge said an arraignment would be held on 29 May before another judge.

Zimmerman, 28, was charged after a public campaign to make an arrest following the 26 February shooting. Some legal experts had expected him to face a lesser count of manslaughter and say a prosecutor will face steep hurdles to win a murder conviction. Zimmerman has claimed he fired in self-defence.