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Experts say Zimmerman arrest the beginning of complicated, tough legal battle

Story Created: Apr 12, 2012 at 10:20 AM CDT

Story Updated: Apr 12, 2012 at 10:20 AM CDT

An arrest has been made in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin but many involved say this is just the beginning of a complicated and tough legal battle which could also put Florida’s controversial “Stand YouR Ground” law on trial.

George Zimmerman, 28, turned himself in yesterday covering his face as police escorted him into jail.

He appears before a judge today for the first time.

Zimmerman surrendered to police after special prosecutor Angela Corey announced the state will charge him with 2nd degree murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.   

Legal experts say prosecutors face a tough road to win a conviction. They will have to prove Zimmerman intentionally went after Martin instead of shooting him in self-defense and fight the argument Florida’s "Stand Your Ground" law allowed him to use deadly force.

"Stand your Ground Law in Florida means, if you don't have a witness, an eye witness to the killing then you can say it was in self-defense...and no one can refute that,” said Fox News Legal Analyst Lis Wiehl.

Zimmerman's attorney would only have to prove by a preponderance of evidence he acted in self-defense at a pretrial hearing to prevent the case from going to trial.

Many attorneys had expected the prosecutor to go for the lesser charge of manslaughter. While others were not surprised Corey went for the maximum saying prosecutors sometimes overcharge, knowing it gives them room to work in plea deal.

Mark O'Mara, Zimmerman's new attorney, said his client would plead not guilty and does plan on using Florida’s so-called "Stands Your Ground" law in his defense.

If this case does make it to a jury trial, the attorney for Zimmerman says he will likely seek a change of venue to get it out of Seminole County. But if convicted, George Zimmerman could face life in prison.

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