George Zimmerman wants his GPS tracking device removed, and he wants to be able to travel freely around the state of Florida. Those requests came in a series of motions filed by Zimmerman’s defense Friday morning.
Since posting $1 million bond in July, George Zimmerman has been confined to Seminole County, with a GPS tracking device monitoring his every move to make sure he stays there.
Zimmerman’s defense wants Zimmerman to be able to leave Seminole County because they say it has become unsafe for him to stay there. They also say they need him in other parts of the state so he can prepare for his trial.
“Mr. Zimmerman is still at great risk of serious bodily harm, at great risk in his community, and has had to continue to live in seclusion and hiding … an increase in antagonism and threats towards him which is cause for additional concern for his safety and security,” wrote Mark O’Mara, Zimmerman’s defense attorney.
A hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m. for the following new motions:
- Motion to Compel Additional Discovery (PDF)
- Motion to Compel Regarding Voice Identification (PDF)
- Motion to Modify Conditions of Release (PDF)
- Motion for Clarification of Order Setting Bail (PDF)
Zimmerman’s defense also argues their client has met all the conditions of his bail so far without any incident, hoping that will convince the judge to grant their request.
The matters will be addressed Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. when the case heads back into the courtroom for a hearing. That’s also when the defense is also hoping they will get more evidence from the prosecution so they can continue to prepare for trial.
Just Thursday, Zimmerman filed a lawsuit against NBC, claiming he was defamed when the network edited his 911 call to police after the shooting of Trayvon Martin to make it sound like he was racist.
"NBC saw the death of Trayvon Martin not as a tragedy, but as an opportunity to increase ratings, and so set about to create a myth that George Zimmerman was a racist and predatory villain," the lawsuit claims.
NBC spokeswoman Kathy Kelly-Brown said the network strongly disagreed with the accusations made in the complaint.
"There was no intent to portray Mr. Zimmerman unfairly," she said. "We intend to vigorously defend our position in court."
Three employees of the network and its Miami affiliate lost their jobs because of the changes.