Story highlights The jury will resume their deliberations around 9 a.m. Saturday, the judge says

They have 3 options: guilty of 2nd-degree murder, guilty of manslaughter, not guilty

A prosecutor says of George Zimmerman: "He shot him because he wanted to"

Zimmerman is guilty of nothing but protecting himself, attorney Mark O'Mara argues

Will George Zimmerman walk, or will he be walked handcuffed to prison?

Six women on a Florida jury could decide that as early as Saturday morning, when they resume deliberations in Zimmerman's trial in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

The jury officially got the case at about 2:30 p.m. Friday, after 14 days of testimony punctuated by at times dramatic closing arguments over the past two days.

Judge Debra Nelson read off 27 pages of instructions that outlined the jury's three options: convict Zimmerman of second-degree murder in Martin's death, convict him of manslaughter or find him not guilty. She approved the manslaughter option on Thursday, over the defense's vehement objection.

"All of us are depending on you to make a wise and legal decision," Nelson told the jurors.

JUST WATCHED Who are the Zimmerman jurors? Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Who are the Zimmerman jurors? 04:34

About two hours later, the judge noted the jury's request for an inventory of the evidence presented -- something that they got delivered to them at about 5 p.m. But the jurors only deliberated for an hour longer, at which point they asked to cut off talk for the night.

They'll be back at it Saturday, starting at 9 a.m.

Hanging in the balance is what happens to Zimmerman, and beyond that a verdict's inevitable impact on the many others nationwide who have been moved by the case.

Some feel passionately that he did nothing wrong and killed Martin only to save his own life. Others blame Zimmerman for, in their view, profiling the unarmed 17-year-old, ignoring a 911 dispatcher's direction not to follow him and shooting him without justification.

Given those strong feelings, the case spawned a vigorous debate about gun violence and race: Martin was black, while Zimmerman is Hispanic. And it still does, so much so that authorities in Seminole County and elsewhere steeled for the possibility of violent reactions to the verdict.

"As Americans, we entrust our fellow citizens with a solemn duty," Seminole County Sheriff Donald Eslinger said moments after the jury got the case. "At times, as individuals, we may not agree with this verdict. But as communities within our country, we respect the rule of law."

Photos: New photos in Trayvon Martin case Photos: New photos in Trayvon Martin case New photos in Trayvon Martin case – Trayvon Martin in a picture released on Thursday, May 23, by attorneys for George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer accused of killing Martin without provocation 14 months ago. The evidence, Zimmerman's attorneys say, paints a different picture of the 17-year-old than the one portrayed by his family and supporters. Hide Caption 1 of 6 Photos: New photos in Trayvon Martin case New photos in Trayvon Martin case – Much of the evidence disclosed in filings by Zimmerman's attorneys on May 23 comes from Martin's cell phone, including photos showing small marijuana plants growing in pots. Hide Caption 2 of 6 Photos: New photos in Trayvon Martin case New photos in Trayvon Martin case – A person holds a gun in this image taken from Martin's cell phone. Hide Caption 3 of 6 Photos: New photos in Trayvon Martin case New photos in Trayvon Martin case – Martin stands between two other young men. Hide Caption 4 of 6 Photos: New photos in Trayvon Martin case New photos in Trayvon Martin case – Smoke escapes from Martin's mouth in this series of images taken from his cell phone. Hide Caption 5 of 6 Photos: New photos in Trayvon Martin case New photos in Trayvon Martin case – Defense attorneys say they will try to use the evidence if prosecutors attempt to attack Zimmerman's character during his trial on second-degree murder charges, set to begin next month. The Martin family's attorney says the information is irrelevant and meant to prejudice a jury. Hide Caption 6 of 6

Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – George Zimmerman is congratulated by members of his defense team, Don West and Lorna Truett, after the not guilty verdict is read on Saturday, July 13, in Sanford, Florida. A jury of six women found him not guilty in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. View photos of the public reaction to the verdict. Hide Caption 1 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – George Zimmerman's wife, Shellie Zimmerman, cries as friends and family members celebrate the verdict on July 13. Hide Caption 2 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Robert Zimmerman Sr. and Gladys Zimmerman embrace after their son is found not guilty on July 13. Hide Caption 3 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – George Zimmerman prepares to leave the courtroom after the not guilty verdict is read on July 13. Hide Caption 4 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Zimmerman confers with his defense team on July 13, after working out the wording for a response to the jury, who had asked for clarification on the instructions regarding manslaughter. The response, crafted and agreed to by both the prosecution and defense, instructed the jury to ask their question more specifically, as the court could not engage in general discussion. Hide Caption 5 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Zimmerman and his defense team stand in the courtroom as the jury arrives before starting their second day of deliberations on July 13. Hide Caption 6 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Prosecutor John Guy addresses the jury with his closing rebuttal during Zimmerman's murder trial on Friday, July 12. "He shot him because he wanted to," Guy told jurors, saying that Zimmerman didn't have to shoot 17-year-old Martin. Hide Caption 7 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Zimmerman's attorney Mark O'Mara holds up a chart during closing arguments for the defense on Friday, July 12. "How many 'what ifs' have you heard from the state in this case?" O'Mara asked the jury. "They don't get to ask you that." Hide Caption 8 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Zimmerman, right, sits with another defense attorney, Don West, this week. West objected to a third-degree murder charge also sought by prosecutors on Thursday, July 11, the day closing arguments began. The judge ruled out that charge but said the jury could consider convicting the defendant of manslaughter. Hide Caption 9 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Dr. Vincent Di Maio, a forensic pathologist and gunshot wound expert, describes Zimmerman's injuries while testifying for the defense Tuesday, July 9. Hide Caption 10 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Defense attorney Mark O'Mara, right, questions forensics animation expert Daniel Schumaker, center, at the bench of Judge Debra Nelson with Assistant State Attorney Richard Mantei, left, during a July 9 hearing on the admissibility of animation created for the defense. Schumaker showed the judge and Mantei some 3-D animation on his laptop after an overhead projector didn't work. Hide Caption 11 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – John Donnelly, a friend of George Zimmerman's, cries on the witness stand on Monday, July 8, in Sanford, Florida, after listening to screams on the 911 tape entered in evidence. Hide Caption 12 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Sondra Osterman, a friend of Zimmerman's, listens to the 911 tape while testifying on July 8. Hide Caption 13 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Mark Osterman, a friend of Zimmerman's, testifies on July 8 and describes the type of gun Zimmerman owned. Hide Caption 14 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Leanne Benjamin, a friend of Zimmerman's, smiles while identifying him in court on July 8. Hide Caption 15 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, takes the stand during Zimmerman's trial on Friday, July 5. Hide Caption 16 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – George Zimmerman's mother, Gladys Zimmerman, listens to the 911 tape while taking the stand during his trial in Seminole County circuit court on July 5. Hide Caption 17 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Martin's brother Jahvaris Fulton testifies at the Zimmerman trial in Seminole County circuit court on July 5. Hide Caption 18 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Volusia and Seminole County associate medical examiner Shiping Bao testifies on July 5. Bao conducted the final autopsy on Martin and determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the chest. Hide Caption 19 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Lab Analyst Anthony Gorgone testifies about DNA findings on Wednesday, July 3, in Sanford, Florida. Here, Gorgone points to a sweatshirt worn by Trayvon Martin on the night Martin was shot. Only one stain on Martin's hooded jacket yielded a partial DNA profile that matched Zimmerman's. Hide Caption 20 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Gorgone points to a jacket worn by Zimmerman on the night of the shooting. Multiple stains on Zimmerman's jacket tested positive for Zimmerman's DNA. At least two stains from the jacket tested positive for a mixture of DNA that included Martin's DNA. Hide Caption 21 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Firearms analyst Amy Siewert from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement answers questions from the prosecution while holding Zimmerman's gun on July 3. Siewert examined the gun and said Zimmerman had one bullet ready to fire in the chamber as well as a fully loaded magazine when the shooting occurred. Hide Caption 22 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Alexis Carter, a military prosecutor, testifies during the trial on July 3. Carter taught a criminal litigation class that Zimmerman completed, and testified that the class included extensive coverage of Florida's self-defense laws. Hide Caption 23 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Mark Osterman, a U.S. Air Marshal and friend of Zimmerman's who wrote a book about the case, testifies on Tuesday, July 2. He recounted the story of the shooting that Zimmerman told him and testified that when he took Zimmerman home from the police station after the shooting, Zimmerman wasn't acting like himself. Hide Caption 24 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda, on July 2, demonstrates a possible scenario while questioning state witness Chris Serino, a Sanford police officer. Hide Caption 25 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Hirotaka Nakasone, a voice recognition expert with the FBI, testifies in the Zimmerman trial on Monday, July 1. Hide Caption 26 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Witness Jonathan Good is cross-examined by defense attorney Mark O'Mara on Friday, June 28. Hide Caption 27 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Selma Mora reenacts a scenario for defense attorney Mark O'Mara on Thursday, June 27. Mora lived in Zimmerman's neighborhood at the time of the shooting. Hide Caption 28 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Witness Jennifer Lauer points to where her former home was in the Retreat at Twin Lakes community during questioning by defense attorney Mark O'Mara on June 27. Lauer called 911 on the night of the shooting. Hide Caption 29 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Rachel Jeantel , a friend of Martin's, is questioned by defense attorney Don West on June 27. She appeared to get frustrated several times during the cross-examination, including one time when West suggested they could break until the morning so she'd have more time to review the deposition transcript. Hide Caption 30 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – The evidence letter that Jeantel says she wrote with a friend for Sybrina Fulton, Martin's mother, is displayed during the trial on June 27. When the defense asked Jeantel to read the letter, she said she couldn't read cursive. She asked a friend to write the letter for her, she said. Hide Caption 31 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Jeantel testifies on Wednesday, June 26. She was the last person to speak with Martin on the phone. Hide Caption 32 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Zimmerman walks past Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton, left, and Tracy Martin, second from left, as he enters the courtroom after lunch recess on June 26. Hide Caption 33 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Diana Smith of the Sanford Police Department on Tuesday, June 25, shows the jury a bag of Skittles that was collected as evidence at the crime scene. Martin was said to be carrying the bag of candy and a soft drink at the time of his death. Hide Caption 34 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Assistant state attorneys John Guy, left, and Richard Mantei hold up Martin's sweatshirt as evidence during Zimmerman's trial on June 25. After Martin's death, protesters started wearing hoodies in solidarity against racial profiling. Hide Caption 35 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – During the trial on June 25, crime scene technician Diana Smith shows the jury a gun that was collected as evidence. Hide Caption 36 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Zimmerman laughs with defense attorney Don West during his trial on June 25. Hide Caption 37 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Selene Bahadoor enters the courtroom to take the witness stand on June 25. She was the first eyewitness to testify and said the shooting occured right behind her home. Hide Caption 38 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Seminole County 911 dispatcher Sean Noffke testifies on Monday, June 24, about his conversation with Zimmerman on a non-emergency line the night of the shooting. Hide Caption 39 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – A transcript of Zimmerman's police call on the night of the shooting is projected during opening arguments on June 24. Hide Caption 40 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Martin's father, Tracy Martin, cries on June 24 as he listens to the description of his son's death. Hide Caption 41 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Prosecutor John Guy gestures during his opening arguments on June 24. His first words to the six-woman jury may have raised a few eyebrows. "Good morning. 'F*****g punks, these a******s all get away,'" Guy quoted Zimmerman. "These were the words in this grown man's mouth as he followed this boy that he didn't know. Those were his words, not mine." Hide Caption 42 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – From left, Zimmerman's father, Robert Zimmerman Sr.; his mother, Gladys; and his wife, Shellie, are escorted from the courtroom on June 24. Since they are all on the witness list, the judge ruled they cannot be present in the courtroom until after they testify. Hide Caption 43 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Defense attorney Don West displays a photo of Zimmerman from the night of the shooting during his opening arguments on June 24. He opened his statements with a knock-knock joke but failed to win a laugh. "Knock knock. Who's there? George Zimmerman. George Zimmerman who? Good, you're on the jury," he said. Hide Caption 44 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – A video entered as evidence is displayed on June 24. It shows Martin, right, at a 7-Eleven on the night of his shooting. Hide Caption 45 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – From left, Martin's parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, and Benjamin Crump, the family's legal counsel, make a brief statement to the media before jurors heard opening statements on June 24. Hide Caption 46 of 47 Photos: Photos: Zimmerman trial Key moments in the Zimmerman trial – Zimmerman waits for the start of his trial on June 24. Hide Caption 47 of 47

JUST WATCHED Defense: Don't quickly judge Zimmerman Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Defense: Don't quickly judge Zimmerman 02:36

JUST WATCHED Prosecution: Zimmerman profiled Trayvon Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Prosecution: Zimmerman profiled Trayvon 03:14

JUST WATCHED Why did prosecutor, defense use a dummy? Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Why did prosecutor, defense use a dummy? 02:22

All this emotion traces back to the evening of February, 26, 2012. Martin was walking back to his father's fiancee's house from a Sanford convenience store -- where he'd bought Skittles and a drink -- the hood of his sweatshirt raised as rain fell. The Miami teen was spotted by Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, who called police and, at one point, got out of his car.

The now 29-year-old Zimmerman never denied shooting Martin, following an altercation between the two. The question is why.

Prosecutor: Zimmerman 'had hate in his heart'

Since opening arguments on June 24, dozens testified on everything from what they heard that night, what they saw or believed happened, and whose panicked voice they think can be heard screaming on a pivotal 911 call. Both sides presented extensive info -- the gun, pictures, interviews that Zimmerman conducted and more -- for the jury to consider.

Instructing the jury Friday afternoon, Judge Nelson told the six women that Zimmerman didn't have to prove anything. The prosecution does, however, have to convince them he's guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, she said.

She told the jury not to use Zimmerman's decision not to testify against him and to be cognizant of the specific charges. She told them "your memory should be your asset" -- among other pieces of advice.

"It is up to you decide which evidence is reliable," Nelson said. "You should use your common sense."

Attorneys made their cases before jurors began their deliberations.

Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda went first Thursday, characterizing Zimmerman -- the only one of the two involved in the altercation who the prosecutor said is still able to make his case -- as untrustworthy. De la Rionda picked apart interviews Zimmerman had given to police and in the media.

Why would a scared man get out of his car and walk around after being told by a 911 dispatcher not to follow the victim, the prosecutor asked in his closing argument? Did Zimmerman walk toward Martin, or did Martin come after him? Should Zimmerman have had more than a bloody nose and scratches on his head if he'd had his head slammed on the ground by the victim?

Zimmerman "always has an excuse, or they catch him in a lie," de la Rionda said.

The prosecution got one last chance to present its case Friday, when Assistant State Attorney John Guy rebutted the defense's own closing argument.

Guy echoed many points de la Rionda had made, characterizing Zimmerman as a frustrated wannabe police officer who took the law into his own hands. He had decided Martin was one of the criminals who had been victimizing his neighborhood, Guy argued, then trailed him against the advice of police dispatchers and wrongly shot him to death.

"The defendant didn't shoot Trayvon Martin because he had to," Guy said. "He shot him because he wanted to. That's the bottom line."

The prosecutor argued Zimmerman built a mountain of lies to conceal vengeful frustration and powerful determination not to allow someone he had already decided was a criminal to escape.

And, Guy contended, his under-his-breath commentary, captured on a police recording, about "f***ing punks" -- apparently directed at Martin -- revealed Zimmerman's hatred and ill-will toward the teenager.

That's important because under Florida law, a conviction on second-degree murder requires jurors to find that Zimmerman shot Martin out of "ill will, hatred, spite, or an evil intent."

"Common sense tells you it's the person talking like the defendant who had hate in his heart," Guy said.

"What is that when a grown man, frustrated, angry, with hate in his heart, gets out of his car with a loaded gun and follows a child? A stranger? In the dark? And shoots him through him heart? What is that?"

It was, defense attorney Mark O'Mara argued, nothing more than self-defense.

JUST WATCHED Defense rests in Zimmerman trial Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Defense rests in Zimmerman trial 02:24

JUST WATCHED Author: Zimmerman won't be convicted Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Author: Zimmerman won't be convicted 01:15

JUST WATCHED Ex-police chief: I upheld my oath Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Ex-police chief: I upheld my oath 06:07

JUST WATCHED Preparing for Zimmerman verdict Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Preparing for Zimmerman verdict 00:29

Defense: Case against Zimmerman full of 'what ifs'

"How many 'coulda beens' have you heard from the state in this case," O'Mara asked Friday. "How many 'what ifs' have you heard from the state in this case? They don't get to ask you that. No, no, no."

"Do not give anybody the benefit of the doubt except for George Zimmerman," the lawyer said.

O'Mara tried to discredit the prosecution's portrayal of Zimmerman as a frustrated, spiteful vengeance-seeker.

His client wasn't the aggressor, the defense argued, contending it was Martin who stalked Zimmerman and emerged from the darkness to pounce. There, O'Mara said, the teenager pinned Zimmerman to the ground and slammed his head into the sidewalk.

The defense attorney lugged a heavy block of cement to show jurors what, he said, Zimmerman had struck.

"And that is not an unarmed teenager with nothing but Skittles trying to get home," said O'Mara. "That was somebody who used the availability of dangerous items, from his fist to the concrete, to cause great bodily injury against George Zimmerman."

Guy ridiculed the argument that Zimmerman had suffered substantial injuries, saying repeated blows against concrete would have caused more damage than the rivulets of blood and bumps seen in photographs from the night of the shooting.

Authorities brace for post-verdict reaction

While this drama played out in a Sanford courtroom, authorities -- in that central Florida city and elsewhere around the state and the country -- braced for what might happen when or if the jury makes its decision.

In the weeks after Martin's death, tens of thousands attended rallies demanding Zimmerman's arrest and castigating authorities for their handling of the case. Some of them wore hoodies, as did Martin the night he was killed, in support of his family.

On Friday, a lawyer for the late teenager's family said that, while he wouldn't call Zimmerman a racist, "this case in its totality has a racial undertone to it."

Daryl Parks told CNN's Anderson Cooper that the defendant surmised Martin was a criminal like those who'd struck in his neighborhood before -- at least one of whom was black. "The problem, in this case, ... is that Trayvon was not one of those people," Parks said.

The defense, meanwhile, has strongly rejected accusations that Zimmerman is a racist, with O'Mara citing his client's work as a mentor to black children and his having taken a black girl to his prom as evidence of his non-racist beliefs.

But the perception is still out there, and it's a big reason Zimmerman moved out of his home after receiving death threats, his father Robert had said, then stayed at an undisclosed location awaiting trial.

His defenders have been passionate as well, especially about a person's right to defend himself with a gun when attacked. Debate swirled over Florida's "stand your ground" law, which allows those who believe they are in imminent danger to use deadly force to protect themselves.

Soon after the jury got the case, Zimmerman's family released a statement urging people to accept the verdict, whatever it is.

"Though we maintain George committed no crime whatsoever, we acknowledge that the people who called for George's arrest and subsequent trial have now witnessed both events come to pass," the family said. "We hope now that as Americans we will all respect the rule of law, which begins with respecting the verdict. The judicial system has run its course -- pray for justice, pray for peace, pray for our country."

Authorities similarly appealed for calm -- and took steps in case some did not heed those appeals.

The sheriff's office in Broward County, in the Miami area, said it had made a contingency plan to respond to incidents tied to a verdict, as it used a public service announcement to urge people to refrain from violence or destruction.

"Freedom of expression is a constitutional right," the sheriff's office said. "While raising your voice is encouraged, using your hands is not."

The Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr., a prominent civil rights leader, was among those who urged people not to react with violence.

"If Zimmerman is convicted there should not be inappropriate celebrations, because a young man lost his life, and if he is not convicted we should avoid violence because it will only lead to more tragedies," Jackson said.

But O'Mara, for one, said that whatever the outcome, his client will not feel safe.

"There are a percentage of the population who are angry, they're upset, and they may well take it out on him," he said.