After sixteen hours of deliberations, the six women who made up the jury in the trial of George Zimmerman handed down a verdict of ‘not guilty,’ allowing the accused murderer to go free.

Zimmerman remained emotionless as the verdict was read aloud. The prosecution clearly failed to prove that he “intentionally committed an act or acts that caused death” or acted with a “depraved mind without regard for human life”- Florida’s respective definitions for manslaughter and second-degree murder.

If convicted, Zimmerman could have faced life in prison for second-degree murder or up to 30 years for manslaughter.

Crowds of protestors outside the Florida courthouse erupted into angry shouts, with some chanting “The system has failed!” Others broke down, tearfully lamenting a perceived lack of justice.

Police had reportedly asked the residents of Sanford-the town in which the contentious trial took place-to refrain from violence once a verdict was announced.