Trial of black teen killer starts in US

The trial of George Zimmerman, charged with second-degree murder in the controversial killing of unarmed African-American teenager Trayvon Martin, is set to begin in the US state of Florida.

The selection of a six-member jury is to start on Monday. The sworn-in jury is expected to open-mindedly judge and give a verdict on the case. The long-awaited trial is expected to go on for four to eight weeks.
Zimmerman, a self-appointed neighborhood watch captain at the time, shot and killed Martin on February 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. He claims he acted in self-defense.
In April, the teenager’s family settled a wrongful death suit against the homeowners association of the Florida subdivision where he was shot and fatally killed.
The killing of 17-year-old Martin sparked a wave of demonstrations across the US and revived concerns among the public over the matter of hate crime.
Many in the US questioned the motives behind the killing, saying the shooting was racially motivated.