George Zimmerman's legal fund said it has raised more than $53,000 since the beginning of the year, and has already spent more than 80 percent of it, including nearly $12,000 on living expenses.
In an updated posted Thursday on its website, the Zimmerman Legal Defense Fund Trust released a brief report on its expenses, as it promised to supporters when the fund launched.
According to the report, the fund raised a total of $53,611.11 from Jan. 1 through March 3.
Of that, the report said $43,670.58 has already been spent as follows:
- $16,000 on expert witnesses.
- $11,734.66 on household and living expenses, said to include most of March.
- $500 for security.
- $8,716.92 for law firm support and infrastructure.
- $5,879.31 in case-related expenses.
- $645.94 for fund management fees.
- $193.75 in other expenses.
That leaves the Zimmerman defense fund $9,940.53 on hand. The report said the fund is regarding that money as reserves for April expenses.
Fund managers said with the $16,000 allocated for expert witnesses, Zimmerman's defense retained three experts and an investigator, adding that there is a greater need for expert assistance to properly prepare for Zimmerman's June 10 second-degree murder trial for the death of Trayvon Martin in 2012. Zimmerman has claimed self-defense.
The defense fund said it has a $30,000 goal for March. That's after exceeding a similar goal for February, during which the fund raised $33,782.50.
"Funds raised in March will be used to retain the remaining experts we require and to ensure promised payment according to our agreements with experts already on board," the report said. "We must declare all our experts to the court by March 27."