Zimmerman Verdict Prompts Calls For Action By The Justice Department

The Justice Department is planning to review the case of George Zimmerman, following his acquittal this weekend by a Florida jury. The department says it is examining the case to see if any civil rights charges are warranted.

Late Saturday, a six member jury found Zimmerman not guilty on all charges in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Martin was unarmed when he was shot and killed by Zimmerman in February 2012. The case ignited racial tensions nationwide. Martin's family claims the 17-year-old was racially profiled by Zimmerman, who was a neighborhood watchman of his gated community in Sanford, FL. Zimmerman says he was attacked by Martin, and shot the teenager in self-defense.

Zimmerman was charged with second degree murder in the case. The jury was also allowed to consider a lesser charge of manslaughter. The NAACP is calling on the Justice Department to open a civil rights case against Zimmerman.