The special prosecutor investigating the shooting death of Trayvon Martin ruled out using a grand jury in the case, meaning her office alone will decide whether or not to charge the teenager's killer, George Zimmerman, with a crime.
Florida Governor Rick Scott appointed Angela Corey, a seasoned state attorney based in Jacksonville, to take over the Trayvon Martin case as special prosecutor.
"State Attorney Angela Corey has decided not to use a grand jury in the Trayvon Martin shooting death investigation," her office said in a statement.
"At this time, the investigation continues and there will be no further comment." It's very much unclear when a decision will be reached in the case.
Martin's death has captured national attention because of racial profiling and Florida's controversial self-defense laws, prompting demonstrations across the U.S.
The unarmed Martin, 17, was black and Zimmerman, 28, the neighborhood watchman who has not been charged with a crime, is white and Hispanic.
A demonstration Monday temporarily shut down the police department in Sanford, Fla., the epicenter of the case and where the shooting took place.
Sanford police declined to arrest Zimmerman after the shooting, saying they found no evidence to contradict his account that he acted in self-defense.
Police cited Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, which allows people to use deadly force against adversaries when they fear great bodily harm or death.
But defense lawyers with experience litigating "Stand Your Ground" say Zimmerman, will face a tough challenge to assert immunity under that law.
If the special prosecutor does not charge Zimmerman, some fear that the escalating racial tension could boil over into full-blown rioting in Florida.
Meanwhile, the man at the center of the storm has launched a website.
Zimmerman warns about various online groups that falsely claim to be raising funds for his defense, and has started soliciting donations for himself.
"I am the real George Zimmerman," declares the website.
"On Sunday February 26th, I was involved in a life altering event which led me to become the subject of intense media coverage," he writes.
"As a result of the incident and media coverage, I have been forced to leave my home, my school, my employer, my family and ultimately, my entire life."
"This website's sole purpose is to ensure my supporters that they are receiving my full attention without going through any intermediaries."
In addition to the controversies over race and Stand Your Ground, the case - in the eyes of many - has become the poster child for media bias.
Zimmerman, despite his highly questionable actions, remains free and is innocent until proven guilty, yet has been vilified from day one.
NBC's editing of the Trayvon Martin 911 call was the most glaring example.
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