In an apparent attempt to smear dead Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman's defense team has released photos and text messages from Martin's cellphone ahead of a hearing next week that will determine whether they're admissible in court.
BuzzFeedhas posted some of the photos and text message logs, and more are available at the George Zimmerman legal case website.
Martin family attorney Natalie Jackson vented her anger about the release on Twitter, saying the defense team is appearing "desperate and transparent."
Dear #GZ defense team...r u trying 2 say #TM deserved 2 b killed by #GZ b/c of how he looked? That mindset is why #GZ is facing a M2 trial.
— Natalie Jackson (@NatJackEsq) May 23, 2013
Last year, Zimmerman shot the unarmed 17-year-old during a confrontation in a Florida neighborhood. Zimmerman claims he shot Martin in self defense and is pleading not guilty to charges of fatally shooting the teenager. His trial is scheduled to begin next month.
The photos released by Zimmerman's legal team appear to show Martin blowing smoke, riding a horse, and holding a gun. Text messages discuss Martin's mom apparently kicking him out of the house.
"If the state puts at issue Trayvon, who he was. If the state makes that an issue, we get to respond to that," Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, told the Associated Press.
Prosecutors have previously requested gag orders against O'Mara. A gag order would prevent attorneys from discussing evidence in the case and opinions about Zimmerman's guilt with news organizations and on social media. A judge denied one request, and the state has filed another, saying the case is getting an "inordinate amount of media coverage."
So far, the subjects involved in the case haven't been shy about discussing it.
Please follow Law & Order on Twitter and Facebook.
Join the conversation about this story »
     |