The case has led to protests across the nation and spurred a debate about race and the laws of self-defense. Martin was black; Zimmerman's father is white and his mother is Hispanic.

Corey said she was seeking a middle ground that would get Fernandez out from the limitations of juvenile court, where there is no guarantee he could serve a continuous incarceration sentence until he is 22 if found guilty.

Reflecting on the moment he was asked by police to identify his son, Tracy Martin said, “I can’t describe the feeling, I can’t describe what was going through my mind

Sharpton said Martin's parents endured "insults and lies" Monday over reports that their son attacked Zimmerman.

The chief's decision came less than a day after city commissioners gave him a "no confidence" vote and after a couple of weeks of protests and uproar on social media websites.

The police chief has said authorities were prohibited from making an arrest based on the facts and circumstances they had at the time of the shooting. He said he continued to stand behind his agency's investigation.