Defense rests, Zimmerman won't take stand

Lawyers for George Zimmerman rested their case yesterday without calling the former neighborhood watch volunteer to testify, setting up the final stages of his closely watched murder trial for the shooting of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin.

"After consulting with counsel, [I have decided] not to testify, your honor," Zimmerman told Florida Judge Debra Nelson.

Nelson also rejected a defense motion to dismiss the second-degree murder charge against Zimmerman, a routine request.

The defense used less than four days of testimony to present its case, after prosecutors spent nine days putting on witnesses.

Jurors are likely to begin deliberating later this week, after prosecutors call at least two rebuttal witnesses and both sides make closing arguments.