US shooting: Black teenager's killer avoids jury hearing

The family of Trayvon Martin, the black teenager shot dead in Florida, called for the immediate arrest of his killer after prosecutors cancelled a grand jury hearing into the case, in a move expected to cause widespread protests.

Angela Corey, the state attorney, has been given sole charge of deciding whether George Zimmerman, a neighbourhood watch captain, will be charged over the death of the 17 year-old in a gated community in the town of Sanford in February.

Zimmerman, 28, claims that he killed Trayvon in self-defence after the teenager attacked him.

A grand jury hearing was scheduled for today (Tuesday) and would have seen ordinary members of the public decide whether prosecutors had enough evidence to bring Zimmerman to trial.

Corey insisted that its cancellation would have no impact on her decision whether or not to bring charges.

Ben Crump, the Martin family's lawyer, said that Trayvon's parents were trying to be patient and still hoped he would receive justice.

"We want a very public trial so the evidence can come out and show people that the justice system works for everybody," he said. "We know we want that day to come. We had hoped she [Miss Corey] had enough evidence without the need to convene a grand jury," he said. "The family is trying to have patience and faith through all of this."

Hal Uhrig, Zimmerman's lawyer, welcomed the decision, praising the state attorney's "courageous move".

However, the decision enraged protesters, who claim that Sanford police failed to carry out a thorough investigation and improperly allowed Zimmerman, whose father is white and mother Hispanic, to take advantage of Florida's "stand your ground" law which gives protection from prosecution to people who claim self-defence after a shooting or violent incident.

They say police would have acted differently had Trayvon been white.

Under Florida law, only first-degree murder cases require grand juries.

The Sanford Police Department was forced to close after dozens of protesters blocked the entrance to the building. Two protest leaders, Phillip Agnew and Stephen Green, were invited inside to speak to Miss Corey over the phone and hear her explain her decision. She told them the investigation was continuing. The national outrage over the initial police decision not to arrest Zimmerman led to Miss Corey taking over the case last month.

In a statement her office said yesterday (Monday): "The decision should not be considered a factor in the final determination of the case. From the moment she was assigned, Ms Corey noted she may not need a grand jury. At this time, the investigation continues and there will be no further comment from this office."

The cancellation of the grand jury means there is now no clear timescale for the conclusion of the case, which has led to national soul-searching over race relations. Last month Barack Obama said that if he had a son, "he would look like Trayvon".

Crump added that the family was praying that the cancellation of the grand jury hearing did not mean that Zimmerman would be cleared.

He urged protesters not to give up, adding that if it had not been for public outrage, Trayvon's death would have been "swept under the carpet".

"We expect an arrest to be made," he said. "We are praying that an arrest is imminent. Miss Corey has a record of being a very fair prosecutor. The family is encouraged that so many people are watching and we want them to continue to watch all the way to the trial."