Zimmerman shot Martin ‘because he wanted to’ prosecutor tells jurors

A prosecutor has told jurors that George Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Martin “because he wanted to,” not because he had to, while the neighbourhood watch volunteer’s attorney said the deadly shooting of the Miami-area teen was carried out in self-defence.

The opposing attorneys squared off on the first day of testimony in a trial that has attracted international attention and prompted nationwide debates about gun control, race, and equal justice under the law.

Included among the millions likely to be following the case are civil rights leaders Rev Jesse Jackson and Rev Al Sharpton, who joined demonstrations in the weeks before prosecutors filed second-degree murder charges against Zimmerman 44 days after the shooting.