Hopefully irrelevant to the jury. The reason I say this is since Travon was 17, manslaughter carries the same sentence as 2nd degree murder.
If the jury is briefed on the penalties of the two charges they may be inclined to go acquittal as a lesser conviction in this case does not carry a lesser punishment.
On the other hand they may be inclined to vote guilty on the 2nd degree murder as it doesn't carry a greater punishment.
Or they just might think that the DA was making the perfect case for the police... which was to press no charges.
On the other hand they would be finding the Governor and the special state attorney guilty of political correctness in the 1st degree and find the defendant Not guilty.
That’s interesting that the penalty is different because of the age of the victim. What if Zimmerman had been that same age?
Also, does the jury have the option of finding him guilty of manslaughter, or is it 2nd degree or acquittal?