Shooter to be charged in death of US black teen

Prosecutors were Wednesday to unveil charges against a Florida neighborhood watch guard in the killing of a black teenager that has sparked nationwide anger over suspicions it was racially motivated. George Zimmerman "will be charged this afternoon" in the death of 17 year-old Trayvon Martin, the source said, confirming earlier media reports. It was not immediately clear what charges Zimmerman faces, but the office of special Florida prosecutor in the case, Angela Corey, said she would hold a press conference at 6:00 pm (2200 GMT) "to release new information regarding the Trayvon Martin shooting death investigation." Zimmerman fatally shot Martin in an altercation late February inside a gated community in the central Florida town of Sanford. Police briefly detained Zimmerman after the incident, but did not arrest him. Martin's family and supporters say the teenager may have been the victim of racial profiling. Zimmerman's supporters say that Martin attacked first, breaking Zimmerman's nose before knocking him to the ground and repeatedly slamming his head against the sidewalk. They insist Zimmerman fired in self-defense. A controversial Florida law allows the use of deadly force when a person senses a reasonable fear of death or serious injury. NBC News noted that because Corey earlier announced she would not take the case to a grand jury, which determines whether a criminal indictment should be issued, Zimmerman cannot be charged with first-degree murder. The Martin family attorney, Benjamin Crump, said he and his team of attorneys had urged Corey not to convene a grand jury. That way "we all get to see the evidence when it goes to court," Crump said at a Washington press conference organized by the National Action Convention, a US civil rights group. Zimmerman "can have his day in court. That's all we've been asking for." Speaking at the same event, Martin mother, Sybrina Fulton, and father, Tracy Martin, said they had faith in the justice system. The parents refused to comment on the early reports of the Zimmerman charges, but shared stories of personal pain since their son's death. "It's been a nightmare for the past 44 days," said Fulton, her voice quivering as she struggled to hold back the tears. "I've been up and down like a rollercoaster. But I know that justice will be served." "As a parent who loses their child," said Tracy Martin, "it's very difficult to maintain our sanity." Martin said he had been touched by the outpouring of support the family has received. To honor his late son's legacy he said he would, among other things, "teach our kids conflict resolution." Trayvon Martin's mother added: "By God's grace I'm here. If not I'd be holed up in my room crying." Zimmerman has gone into hiding, and his ex-lawyers said in a press conference Tuesday that he was not in Florida, but had not left the country. Meanwhile federal investigators are continuing a three-week probe of the case. "If we find evidence of a potential federal criminal civil rights crime, we will take appropriate action," Attorney General Eric Holder said earlier at the National Action event. Holder said senior Justice Department officials traveled to Sanford to meet with the Martin family and local residents and authorities. "In all of these discussions, we're listening carefully to concerns -- and emphasizing that the department will conduct a thorough and independent review of the evidence," Holder said.