Hi PB, Trayvon's family may consider filing a civil suit against Zimmerman. In that type of trial, they need only to prove that it is more likely than not that Zimmerman was negligent and such negligence caused Trayvon's death. In a criminal trial you must PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT - a civil suit is much easier to prove. We shall see.
Go back to High School to learn the ABCs of law again. A Florida Statute governs civil liability in self defense cases (AND IT IS NOT NEGLIGENCE):
See Fla. Stat. 776.032
(1) A person who uses force as permitted in s. 776.012, s. 776.013, or s. 776.031 is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force, unless the person against whom force was used is a law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 943.10(14), who was acting in the performance of his or her official duties and the officer identified himself or herself in accordance with any applicable law or the person using force knew or reasonably should have known that the person was a law enforcement officer. As used in this subsection, the term “criminal prosecution” includes arresting, detaining in custody, and charging or prosecuting the defendant.
Additionally the loser of such a suit would:
"(3) The court shall award reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, compensation for loss of income, and all expenses incurred by the defendant in defense of any civil action brought by a plaintiff if the court finds that the defendant is immune from prosecution as provided in subsection"
