For the first time since that fateful night on February 26, the father of a neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed an unarmed teenager sat down for a television interview.
For the first time since that fateful night on February 26, the father of a neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed an unarmed teenager sat down for a television interview.
SANFORD, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -
Defense attorneys for George Zimmerman, the former neighborhood watch leader accused of fatally shooting Trayvon Martin, have been granted a request to obtain a deposition from a witness who says she was on the phone with the teenager before he was killed.
Zimmerman's lead attorney, Mark O'Mara, presented a motion to the judge on Friday asking to question the woman known as Witness 8. Described as a friend of Trayvon, 17, she originally recounted the conversation she had with him to attorney Benjamin Crump in a recorded phone interview. Crump is representing Trayvon's parents.
O'Mara also wanted a deposition from Crump regarding that interview, but Judge Debra Nelson denied that request.
"Nothing they presented indicates they need to get this information from him, when they can get it from people with direct knowledge," argued Crump's attorney, Bruce Blackwell.
Blackwell said the justice system has to protect an attorney's right to gather information from clients and witnesses, and Crump's opinions will not be part of the trial.
"Opinion is not evidence. Opinion is not relevant. Opinion is not material," he said. "What is material in this case is Witness number 8 and what she says."
Crump has previously submitted an affidavit, citing a formal deposition could jeopardize attorney-client privilege.
Judge Nelson is looking ahead to Zimmerman's June trial. She has said that she wants 100 potential jurors lined up each day during jury selection, to make sure they can easily seat a jury.
Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.
Information taken from the Associated Press with contributions from FOX 35's Keith Landry.
Photos of Casey Anthony
Click here to see photos of Casey Anthony through the months.
Trayvon Martin Coverage
Click here for stories, photos and 911 calls from the Trayvon Martin case.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 2:45 PM EDT2013-05-14 18:45:41 GMT
Audio experts gave differing opinions on whether screams for help captured on 911 calls were those of neighborhood watch leader George Zimmerman or Trayvon Martin.
Audio experts gave differing opinions on whether screams for help captured on 911 calls were those of neighborhood watch leader George Zimmerman or Trayvon Martin.
A judge in the case of a former neighborhood watch leader accused of shooting Florida teenager Trayvon Martin is set to hear arguments on a request by defense attorneys to delay the trial.
A judge in the case of a former neighborhood watch leader accused of shooting Florida teenager Trayvon Martin has denied a defense request to delay the trial.
Thursday, September 20 2012 8:10 AM EDT2012-09-20 12:10:24 GMT
After new evidence was released in the State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman case, Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara has made plans to hit back. He says, he's going to ask for more DNA testing.
After new evidence was released in the State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman case, Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara has made plans to hit back. He says, he's going to ask for more DNA testing.
Wednesday, September 19 2012 12:45 PM EDT2012-09-19 16:45:26 GMT
Forensic tests show George Zimmerman's DNA was the only one that could be identified on the grip of the gun used to fatally shoot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Forensic tests show George Zimmerman's DNA was the only one that could be identified on the grip of the gun used to fatally shoot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Monday, August 13 2012 4:57 PM EDT2012-08-13 20:57:25 GMT
The attorney for the shooter of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin says he is filing his appeal this week of the trial judge's recent ruling not to recuse himself from the case.
The attorney for the shooter of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin says he is filing his appeal this week of the trial judge's recent ruling not to recuse himself from the case.
