Authorities in Florida have charged George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin, six weeks after an alleged altercation between the two ended with the execution of the Florida teenager.

Special prosecutor Angela Corey addressed reporters at 6 p.m. Wednesday and announced that the state is formally charging Zimmerman, 28, for his role in the February 26 killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Authorities have now charged Zimmerman with second-degree murder. If convicted, he stands to serve as much as life in jail.

“I can tell you that we did not come to this decision lightly,” Corey said before announcing the charge against Zimmerman. "We do not prosecute by public pressure or by petition."

“He will be taken, when it was appropriate, for the appropriate appearance before a judge,” she said.