Trayvon Martin Case: Zimmerman Lawyer Says Evidence May Not Be Made Fully Public

SANFORD, Fla. -- The attorney for Trayvon Martin shooter George Zimmerman says public release of all evidence in the case should be delayed so names of witnesses can be removed.

Attorney Mark O'Mara said on his website Friday he expects to receive that evidence on Monday. Under Florida law, this so-called discovery would normally be made public at the same time.

O'Mara says he may file a motion asking for a delay in public release so that witness names can be blacked out. O'Mara says if witnesses are hounded by the media it might jeopardize Zimmerman's chances of getting a fair trial.

Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, has pleaded not guilty to a second-degree murder charge in the Feb. 26 shooting of the 17-year-old Martin. Zimmerman claims he shot the teenager in self-defense.

From our partners

• Selita Ebanks Gets Back To Werk With New S&M Style Editorial. Peep The Pics! - styleblazer.com
• Ahmad 'Real' Givens Of VH1's 'Real Chance Of Love' In The Fight Of His Life After Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis - madamenoire.com
• 5 (Fun) Things You Should Know About March Madness Right Now - colorlines.com

Comments

[michelleobamaok]

05:27 AM on 09/20/2012

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2012/images/05/17/trayvon.martin.autopsy.pdf

Evidence of Injury:

1) Penetrating Gunshot Wound of Chest
2) Other injuries: There is a ¼ x ½ inch small abrasion on the left fourth finger.

[jsgaetano]

09:32 PM on 05/29/2012

I suspect Zimmerman will eventually flee the country.

[NancyY]

06:26 AM on 05/30/2012

Why should he flee the country for protecting himself against someone who was obviously harming him? Trayvon obviously made a HUGE mistake in putting his hands on Zimmerman. You never know what someone might do to defend themselves.

This begs the question, why didn't Trayvon's parents keep better tabs on his online activities, or tell him that racism is not acceptable?

[jsgaetano]

12:49 PM on 05/30/2012

Here is Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law:

"A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony."

It clearly states ANY actions taken by Trayvon were protected under the law.

Trayvon was defending himself against an armed pill popper with a history of violence and aggression.

[Run like hell]

11:16 AM on 06/11/2012

what do you call protecting yourself, following a minor after dark, scaring him forcing him to run from zimmerman, and then after have been told by 911 we don't need you to do that. zimmerman followed trayvon anyway, forcing a confrontation with trayvon this minor, which to me that is child endangerment, this man, this grown man who is armed with weapon starts the fight, loose the fight and shot an unarmed teenager, because he was angry. yeah right he was defending himself from this minor, this bully was defending himself fom a child who is unarmed wow and it seems you are blaming the victim. Trayvon Martin was the was innocent victim, he had a legal right to be there, he was not engaging in any unlawful act,and like Trayvon had right too,that were volulated by zimmerman deal with it zimmerman, and his wife are liers plus he is a cold blooded killer

[13champlain]

02:51 PM on 05/22/2012

why the long face?

[yankhadenuf]

01:07 PM on 05/28/2012

All of O'Mara's body language indicates a good lawyer with a bad client

[NancyY]

06:27 AM on 05/30/2012

Oh - you would have liked it better if O'Mara wore a hoodie?

[Bcale]

03:17 AM on 05/17/2012

Trayvon doubled back......Zimmerman was on the phone with the dispatcher for 4 minutes, at two minutes into the call, Trayvon started running. Based on the map, he was somewhere between 75 and 150 yards from his dads girlfriends house. He had a minimum of Two minutes to cover that distance.

Zimmerman started to follow then the dispatcher told him they didn't need him to do that. The call was calm as he explained where the police could find him etc.

Treyvon should have been safely home by then.
Lots of other things that have been brought up countless times, but this point is pretty clear....he had plenty of time to get away, however he didn't, he didn't want to run to the town home....he doesn't appear to be scared of the guy in the red jacket at all? He doubled back or hid or something. Sorry

[Zachary Barnett]

11:55 AM on 05/21/2012

I can almost agree with you on everything you said. Let's say Zimmerman didn't catch up to Trayvonn and he could've escaped GZ. Trayvon had a legal right to be at the location. Don't get me wrong, in these instances its best to just try to escape, but
Why couldn't Trayvonn stand his ground? Serious Question?

[jsgaetano]

09:34 PM on 05/29/2012

And Zimmerman also said Trayvon was a criminal. Obviously anything he said should be treated with suspicion.

[surfinnonreality]

12:22 PM on 05/16/2012

The doctor's report on Zimmerman' and Martin's injuries has been leaked. It doesn't look good for Martin.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/16/justice/florida-teen-shooting/index.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/george-zimmerman-suffered-injuries-alleged-scuffle-trayvon-martin-report-article-1.1078882

[jsgaetano]

09:35 PM on 05/29/2012

Trayvon was standing his ground. According to Florida law, any amount of force he attempted to use was completely justified.

[NancyY]

06:33 AM on 05/30/2012

Your darling Trayvon put his hands on Zimmerman, who just wanted to see what he was up to - in light of the burglaries that had happened in that neighborhood.

Note here: do not put your hands on another person, you never know what they might do to defend themselves.

[Ninotchka KS]

03:38 PM on 05/15/2012

An excellent reason for O'Mara not wanting the evidence to be made public, is because it might be extremely incriminating.
Either way, I prefer it to be kept secret and not released until the trial. That way no one can use the excuse that GZ didn't get a fair trial, if he is found guilty.

[Cora E]

04:07 PM on 05/15/2012

How right you are!! GZ could claim prejudicial jury exposure!

Well, let's see, the Zimmerman Camp has raised a whole heckuva lot of money that would easily set him up in a fairly comfortable lifestyle in another country. Even though his passport has been taken from him Zimmerman could still find a way out of the U.S. Therefore, his bond should be revoked and he should be taken back into custody.

I am willing to wait for the outcome as processed by the powers that be. There's nothing else I can do but wait and see. I know what outcome I'd like, probably just like everyone else does. I want justice for Trayvon Martin's death. I want the justice system to show that no one can go around murdering children and getting away with it. I want our Black youth to stop having their lives cut short. This can be done by punishing George Zimmerman to the full extent of the law, every applicable law. That's what I want, and I'm willing to wait.

[Ninotchka KS]

06:40 PM on 05/15/2012

Cora, I agree with you completely! I'll be glad when this comes to trial and is resolved.

[NancyY]

06:34 AM on 05/30/2012

What would Zimmerman be found guilty of? Not allowing your darling Trayvon to paralyze or kill him? Would you want a Trayvon to do that to you, or anyone you loved?

[Ninotchka KS]

01:42 PM on 05/30/2012

Your darling George is no innocent. He hit at least 3 women. He was forced to take anger management classes for assaulting a cop. He had emotional problems- bad enough to have to take meds for them. He made racial slurs on his FB page. All things that point to a guy capable of going into a rage and killing an unarmed teen. And most important, lied about the severity of his injuries.. So you sound pretty silly, sticking up for him like you do. But sick puppies have to stick together, don't they.... ?

[NancyY]

03:42 AM on 05/31/2012

Response to the "Ninotchka KS": I can only surmise that you have not seen the pictures of the injuries that your darling Trayvon did to Zimmerman's head, nor read the medical report that noted said injuries as well as the fact that your darling Trayvon broke his nose. A witness saw your darling Trayvon on top of Zimmerman, humiliating him and hitting his head on the concrete sidewalk. Zimmerman protected himself, your darling, angry, racist Trayvon is now dead. End of story.

[EdwardEJohnson]

07:18 AM on 05/15/2012

Do you Zimbots consider Zimmerman to be an honorary White. Is that why there is such a level of support for him? Had Zimmerman not did what he did none of this would have happened. Martin was heading to his destination. Zimmerman, a renter in the neighborhood clearly followed him after being advised not to do so> What part of that don't you get?

[Lotus19]

09:16 AM on 05/15/2012

Their hatred of blacks supercedes their liking of an "honorary white". Under other circumstances they would have raked him over the coals.

[yankhadenuf]

01:01 PM on 05/28/2012

It's a combination of hatred of blacks and their gun nuttery that makes GZ their "honorary white". However, I'm not sure if even their gun obsession would clear GZ in their cognitive dissonance if he were black

[Sh00Flys]

02:34 AM on 05/15/2012

Evidence ???? What evidence ????

According to all ZimBots posting here, there is NO evidence.

They further state that the defendants story should be accepted as gospel truth.

They predict the lack of evidence means the case will be thrown out at Discovery.

So, why did the defense waive Zman's right to a quick and speedy trial ????

So, why is the defense attempting to keep all this NON evidence secret ????

Hmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!

[NancyY]

04:57 AM on 05/15/2012

Oh, so now the big pretense is that your darling Trayvon did not harm Zimmerman? Well, then, why did Zimmerman bother to call the police? Why didn't he just shoot Trayvon on sight?

Uh-oh, your argument just fell flat.

[Lotus19]

09:18 AM on 05/15/2012

What falls flat are your own limited thinking, outlandish, and unsubstantiated r&cist claims.

[Cora E]

05:37 PM on 05/15/2012

Racism is an illness that lies deeply within one to feel that one is better than others based on the color of one's skin. There is a psychosis and sociopathic leaning due to an insecurity within the individual who possesses a sense of inferiority. Therefore, there is a need for the racist individual to feel that s/he is better than someone in order to measure up to par. Without this hatred for others who are different, the racist individual just might suffer an early demise. It would do well for persons such as this to attend diversity seminars and study cultures different than one's own. Perhaps even do volunteer work and make financial contributions to those less fortunate from different ethnicities. One needs to rid oneself of this nonsensical pattern of ostracizing those who are different and learn to embrace differences.

[yankhadenuf]

01:02 PM on 05/28/2012

Delay tactics keep his client out of prison longer

[Lotus19]

06:53 PM on 05/14/2012

The preview is in:

"Most names were redacted from the document, but six civilian witnesses were listed: Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin — parents of the alleged victim, Trayvon Martin — as well as Trayvon's brother, Jahvarius Fulton; Zimmerman's neighbor, Frank Taaffe; his friend, Joe Oliver; and his father, Robert Zimmerman"

"The document listed 18 Sanford police officers as primary witnesses, including lead Investigator Chris Serino. Corey's office also turned over five reports prepared by him, as well as written reports prepared by four other Sanford officers"

"According to the documents, prosecutors also have new video evidence from the night of the shooting — both from the 7-Eleven store where Trayvon purchased Skittles and Arizona iced tea, and from the clubhouse of Retreat at Twin Lakes, the apartment complex where the teen was killed"

"Also listed as witnesses are a New Jersey forensics expert, two employees with the Volusia County medical examiner's office and a pair of Federal Bureau of Investigation audio experts"

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-05-14/news/os-george-zimmernman-omara-gets-discovery-20120514_1_special-prosecutor-angela-corey-evidence-rachel-fugate

[RareBlackBird]

11:25 AM on 05/15/2012

black foot soldja? You are funny Nancy. Sad but hilarious. The video is going to show a normal teenager going to the store for candy while chatting with his girl. No wonder you are so hostile. You need Trayvon to be seen as a thug trying to break into homes to justify your racism.

[Cdcoop]

06:33 PM on 05/14/2012

5/14/12 Orlando Sentinel reporting....George Zimmerman prosecutors file list of witnesses, evidence in Trayvon Martin shooting.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-05-14/news/os-george-zimmernman-omara-gets-discovery-20120514_1_special-prosecutor-angela-corey-evidence-rachel-fugate

[Tim Berton]

01:02 PM on 05/14/2012

I understand O'Mara's concern but even if a witness favorable to the defense disappears before trial, can't the defense still use their police statement as evidence?

A lot of the key evidence is not witness statements anyway, such as the autopsy, ballistics, police photos, clothing analysis, medical reports of Zimmerman's injuries, 7-11 video where Martin bought his Skittles and tea, etc.

[NancyY]

05:03 AM on 05/15/2012

Forensics should be able to give better details as to what happened - i.e., the manner in which Trayvon was shot. I have not read any accounts to where Zimmerman's claim to being harmed physically by Trayvon have been refuted; I am sure that would have happened by now if that was the case. I am also as certain that if Trayvon had been shot in the back, or not at close range, we would have heard about that also. I think anyone should have a right to use deadly force if someone is on top of them and bashing their head on concrete.

[EdwardEJohnson]

07:13 AM on 05/15/2012

Your post are getting sillier. I don't know what happened that night and I don't think you would know if you were an eyewitness.

[jsgaetano]

09:42 PM on 05/29/2012

Well first off, anything about Zimmerman's injuries are irrelevant, since any actions by Trayvon were legal under SYG laws. However, if Zimmerman's injuries are self-inflicted, then obviously they then become pretty important.

[TELLIERYON]

11:48 AM on 05/14/2012

Well trayvon is alway with u on earth and in heaven but he will neaver be forgotten around here, im may not know him but he's well known now so i wish his family all the luck. and to all ways keep your head up he will all ways be in your heart.R.I.P TRAYVON MARTIN WE ALL MISS YOU SOOOO PLAY FOOTBALL AND YOU WILL NAVER LOSE.

[Sh00Fly]

02:35 PM on 05/14/2012

Gotta love the internet.

[Lotus19]

07:00 PM on 05/14/2012

Very nice sentiment.

[Ian Gord]

05:35 AM on 05/14/2012

What with all the violence threatened against Zimmerman, it's reasonable to assume any witness providing testimony contrary to the views of Zimmerman haters would reasonably fear for their lives and safety

Witnesses have been known to "disappear" in far less hate-filled cases.

[OdinsEye]

07:46 PM on 05/14/2012

"What with all the violence threatened against Zimmerman, it's reasonable to assume any witness providing testimony contrary to the views of Zimmerman haters would reasonably fear for their lives and safety"

Absolutely agree with that assessment. We have already seen the New Black Panthers put a bounty on Zimmerman while there was no arrest warrant for him.

[mavpay]

08:55 PM on 05/14/2012

Is this the same group that the FOXhounds accused of intimidating voters? They remind of O'Keefe's characters in his edited videos? Are you sure these people aren't bad actors who have been hired by Roger Ailes? Everyone else denounces these characters. Others totally ignore them. Perhaps they should be removed from the FOX payroll and be relaced by credible "actors."

There are Republicans who occupy the Governors' Mansion and the FL State House who have more of a criminal streak than these individuals.

[mavpay]

12:27 AM on 05/16/2012

O: The Republican party no longer resembles a viable mainstream American political party. The Republican party has no credibility. Right wing political leaders and operatives spread hate, divisive LIES and propaganda to its followers. It is all relevant and is DIRECTLY relevant to this story.

Projection will not work because most are aware who the REAL dangerous hateful bounty hunters are. They are the EXTREME hateful wing that defines the Republican party and the right wing corporate media operatives. Dotting "i's," crossing "t's," and playing super slueths won't help their followers.

By the way, your narrative fails to include the conversation Martin was having on his cell phone with his girlfriend.

[NancyY]

05:04 AM on 05/15/2012

Interesting point. Really, an interesting point. It's about intimidating witnesses, which is nothing new.

[CHICKSDIGLOCKEDCAPS]

07:45 PM on 05/13/2012

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MRS. ZIMMERMAN

[Jermaine Crawford]

04:28 PM on 05/13/2012

I think this guy will get off. There are three sides to every story. both parties side and the truth. I haven't been following the story but i think he needs to take responcibility for his action. Regardless what happened on that night, he shot and killed an unarmed boy. Not saying jail time but at lease some probation or something.

[queetipp]

04:57 PM on 05/13/2012

Maybe you should follow the case before you comment!

[wkingsolomon77]

06:52 PM on 05/13/2012

I was in the spirit this morning and there are sme wordly forces hoping that people will forget,and it ill look like zimmerman will get off. But then God steps in and turns things around at the last hour and zimmerman is locked up and what hapens while he is locked up shall not be spoken about for men