Headline Surfer video produced by Sera King / Mark O'Mara, lead defense counsel for accused murderer George Zimmerman in the gunshot slaying of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, addresses the media after the latest bail hearing at the Seminole County Courthouse in Sanford, Florida. 

By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer

SANFORD, Fla. -- Had the judge in the George Zimmerman murder trial refused bail -- which he ultimately set at $1 million -- his defense team could have resorted to a legal maneuver that would have ramped up the high-profile case even more for both sides: a demand for a speedy trial.

SANFORD -- Respondents to an InstaPoll on Headline Surfer are in a virtual deadlock as to whether the charge of second-degree murder for Trayvon Martin is appropriate. The poll was created 8:59 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, asking: Do you agree with the 2nd degree murder charge against George Zimmerman in Trayvon Martin's death?

To the first choice: Yes, he committed a crime and must be held accountable, 401 or 50% chose that choice.

In the second choice, No, he was standing his ground and his actions were lawful, 399 or 50% chose that choice.

The Headline Surfer Install Poll was created 8:59 p.m., Wednesday, April 11. It will be closed once the 1,000th vote has been cast.

EDGEWATER -- A sense of relief came over me with the arrest of George Zimmerman on the charge of second-degree murder in the Sanford shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. As much as the whole state of Florida is a tinderbox of dryness prone to fire, I was more and more feeling that this situation was also a tinderbox that was on the verge of exploding into violence.

George Zimmerman was booked on a charge of second-degree murder Wednesday in the Feb. 26 gunshot slaying of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in the accused killer's gated community in Sanford. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Sybrina Fulton has been an emotional roller for 45 days since her 17-year-old son was gunned down in a Sanford gated community and after hearing the special prosecutor charging George Zimmerman with second degree murder, she was finally able to find some solace.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- I'm no lawyer, but I have extensively covered Florida's criminal and civil courts in Daytona Beach and DeLand as a member of the working press since the mid-1990s, including the appeals and ultimate death sentence execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos and the civil trial won by Dale Earnhardt's widow in keeping his autopsy photos sealed from the public. With national media outlets predicting a manslaughter charge by the special prosecutor against George Zimmerman in the Sanford gunshot slaying of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, some experts have said he could get as little as five years if convicted. I disagree.

Florida statutes are clear on manslaughter. Because Trayvon was a minor, that's an enhancer that makes the charge "aggravated manslaughter." And because a firearm was used in the killing, Florida's 10-20-life statute must be applied.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Florida and the nation are waiting on the 6 p.m. press conference by special prosecutor Angela Corey on whether she will file criminal charges against George Zimmerman in the Feb. 26 gunshot slaying of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. NSBNews.net will have local reaction from citizens, legal experts and the attorney for Trayvon's parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin.

NSBNews.net is likely the smallest media outlet to interview the grieving parents in person (the video/story package can be found here on our home page). NSBNews.net is rounding out its multi-media coverage of the weekend college student march from Daytona Beach to Sanford as well as sidebar stories on a Sanford police car sprayed with gunfire earlier this week across the street from the gated community where Trayvon lost his life and mini profiles on Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and retired Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning from an earlier rally in Miami.

NSBNews.net photos by Henry Frederick / Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, the parents of slain 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, are flanked by the Rev. Al Sharpton and their attorney Benjamin Crump as several thousand cheered them on in Sunday's downtown Miami rally.

MIAMI -- NSBNews.net, New Smyrna Beach's 24/7 Internet newspaper, scored an exclusive interview today with Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, the parents of Trayvon Martin, following the big rally attended by several thousand people in downtown Miami.

The "Justice Rally" included singer Chaka Khan and retired NBA superstars Alonzo Mourning and Isaiah Thomas who flanked the grieving parents on stage.