A Florida judge has refused to place a gag order on an attorney for George Zimmerman, the 29-year-old man facing murder charges in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Prosecutors had requested the gag in light of the controversial tactics of Zimmerman’s lawyer, Mark O’Mara, who has used a website and social media, plus press conferences, to publicly comment on the case; they argued that this public commenting could sway potential jurors. But Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson denied the gag order request, saying that there has been no evidence to suggest an “overriding pattern of prejudicial commentary that will overcome reasonable efforts to select a fair and impartial jury.”
Judge Nelson recently granted Zimmerman’s attorney access to Martin’s school records to review for a history of violence. And upon reviewing Zimmerman’s medical records, they will be turned over to prosecutors.
Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder and is expected to go on trial June 10, 2013.