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Joe Burbank / Pool via Orlando Sentinel/AP
George Zimmerman, left, sits with defense counsel at the Seminole County courthouse Tuesday in Sanford, Fla., on Dec. 11, 2012.
George Zimmerman is running out of money to pay for his legal defense, his lawyers say on a website set up to solicit donations.
Zimmerman, a former neighborhood watch volunteer, is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager, on Feb. 26, 2012, in Sanford, Fla. He has pleaded not guilty.
On Wednesday, Mark O’Mara’s firm, which runs the website GZDefenseFund.com, tweeted that there was an update to the site. In the update, the lawyers say they are preparing for a hearing on Zimmerman’s self-defense claim, possibly in April, but need money in order to pay legal expenses.
“The State has virtually unlimited resources to prosecute George,” the site reads. “To finance his defense, however, George relies on the generosity of individuals who believe he is innocent.”
“As we prepare for an (sic) Self-Defense Immunity Hearing or a trial, the cold fact is that we must raise more money,” the website reads. “Our goal is to raise $30,000 per month. This represents the minimum we calculate we need to conduct the defense George deserves, and this figure does not include any attorney's fees.”
The lawyers say on the website that as of a month ago more than $300,000 has been raised to pay for Zimmerman’s defense, but also say that when O’Mara first took the case last year, many legal analysts predicted the defense would cost more than $1 million. The attorneys say neither O’Mara nor his co-counsel Mark West has been paid for their services.
This is how the, $314,099.07 raised by the defense fund has been spent, according to the site:
- Bail bond - $95,000
- Household/living expenses - $61,747.54
- Security - $56,100.00
- Law firm support and infrastructure - $40,647.64
- Case-related expenses - $35,588.07
- PayPal and fund management fees - $7,924.22
- Other expenses - $3,201.04
The site solicits donations via PayPal, credit card or check. The O’Mara Law Group in Orlando is the site’s registered owner. Zimmerman set up a website of his own to solicit money on April 8, 2012, but stopped taking donations when O’Mara launched gzdefensefund.com on April 23, 2012.
The Zimmerman case ignited an emotional debate over race and gun rights in the weeks after Martin's death. Local police initially did not charge Zimmerman, fueling protests, and Zimmerman was later charged by special state prosecutor Angela Corey following an investigation.
Zimmerman, who is of white and Hispanic descent, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. He says he shot Martin in self-defense after Martin attacked him. He is free on bail.
“It’s not unusual in high-profile cases for there to be a defense fund,” Derek Byrd, president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers told NBC News. “In the the old days people would go knocking on neighbors’ doors or ask friends. Today, with social media – Twitter, Facebook, websites – you can see where people would use them to reach a bigger audience.”
Byrd agreed with O’Mara that prosecutors can tap more resources for their case. He said defense attorneys have large expenses to hire experts, transcribe depositions and other related expenses.
E-mails sent to O'Mara's law firm were not returned, and repeated attempts to call his office phone met with a busy signal. E-mails and phone messages sent to prosecutor Corey were also unanswered.
Leave a Comment:
Donors should get a share of the spoils from the lawsuits after GZ is proven innocent.
Seems to me he can provide his own security, I mean he has no issues with killing an unarmed teenager because "he felt threatened" by a kid half his size. He is so full of sh*t, and I CANNOT believe that sane people actually donate to child murderers. Give the fu*k a public defender and tell him to live in his own damn house...people hate you George because you murdered a child that had no weapons on him and was half your size and could have not possibly hurt you no matter what. Quit being a chicken sh*t, live in your own house with your perjuring wife, get a public defender and be a man!
wrong. Martin was no kid. He was 17 and over 6 foot tall. Martin attacked zimmerman and was killed for being a thug. wish more people would stand their ground
Empirate:
I agree!
Likewise, you all should get a share of his prison cell block from the murder conviction after he's proven guilty of murder too!
Everyone of you donors deserve a piece of everything George has coming.
(Which of you volunteers to have the first piece of Big lying Shellie?)
all the "evidence" I have seen proves to me he is not guilty. I hope zimmerman sues NBC and wins. A person cant even protect him home and neigbors without being screwed by the system. HE DID NOTHING WRONG
he chased the kid down. that is murder
Really? What was he protecting his neighbors from? A can of iced tea and a bag of Skittles?
tim, you really need to get your facts right. Completely misinformed.
docjt, he was protecting himself from a thug
hal or should we say jackass zimmermans butt buddy..... all things appear to me he is a murderer who had zero business even asking who this kid was ..and I wish trayvon and zimmerman had wrestled for the gun and trayvon got it away from his attacker and shot zimmerman so that trayvon could be alive and claiming he was standing his ground and protecting himself from some lunatic with a gun coming after him and asking him what his business was there at that time of day ,and then trayvon could tell us his story and say things like " I was scared and this guy pulled a gun on me and I wrestled it away from zimmerman and I shot him and I was standing my ground ...and you HAL would be all like yeah we support you trayvon ,because that guy had no business following you or asking you who you were and what you were doing there ...that's what you would say HAL ......right....
Hal, chasing someone down and shooting them hasn't done anything wrong ? If the kid was ruining, his back was toward Zimmerman, to my mind that is hardly self defense.
Hal, you are absolutely correct. So please, please continue to send George all of your money so that he may continue to live his heroic life of leisure. He deserves it, and you should pay for it. God bless you. Three cheers for white is always right.
Really? A thug with no criminal record that walks around unarmed? LOL.
yes, do any of you clowns pay attention to the facts. Where did you dream this story up?
DOCJT, again, you obviously paid no attention to the facts. The wanna be thug came back to Zimmemrans car and attacked him. Pretty simple.
Thats not what NBC said. So its NOT true! The media never lies...
joe and hall now your the liars in no case or no release of evidence has there been anything said about going back to his car and zimmerman did accost and confront trayvon first ...IS THAT CORRECT OR NOT????and if it is what legal authorization or what right did zimmerman have to confront trayvon...I suspect trayvon was committing the worst time of all code 1;34;32/78 "walking while black" A major crime in Zimmermans world..
sean NOT CORRECT. GZ was attacked, eye wittness reports confirm. GZ will be found innocent and should sue NBC. Then I hope he writes a book, he should title it "stand your ground" Hind sight is 2020, its hard to decide when to shoot in a tense situation. Better to be judged by 12 then carried by 6. I have been in a shooting situation
Quite obviously, Joe, you have failed to read either Zimmerman's statements or watch the re-enactment. Really, dude, inform yourself. Otherwise, you just look silly.
No they don't. Evidently, you have not bothered to read any of the witness statements.
Hey DOCJT - these Zimbots don't read - they just spew BS like Reagan spewed green pea soup!!
And don't forget, how much they lie. They'll know the truth and lie anyway.
I find it hard to believe anyone commenting on this case is actually this "unread"; this guy here is just flat out telling a bold faced lie.
Good GRIEF!
Just love watching the ill-informed spew their untruths!
There was an altercation, who attacked who will never be proven, witnesses and Zimmermans injuries indicate that Martin was the attacker, but even that cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, a jury will hear the facts and come to the conclusion that there is reasonable doubt and because of that, Zimmerman will walk. To convict, the prosecutor will have to prove that Zimmerman attacked Martin, and she cant do it.
Seang
They did, Martin lost.
STEVE
back to the spin i see, same crap different year!! wow
the prosecutor only has to prove that the death of martin is based on the actions of zimmerman, not that the altercation was started by anyone-- read the statute!!
CJ
Youre still wrong.
All the jury is going to hear is that Martin attacked, and Martin lost, and once Omara shows what a thug Martin was, the jury will believe it.
STEVE
you do know that A YOU VS ME type reply does nothing but expose your very small minded and uneducated view of our justice system.
if you STOPPED and took the time to read the statute of 2nd murder you would see the key words that make it different then 1st degree, they are "CAUSED THE DEATH OF ANOTHER"
so steve, for the few people who read these posts that dont comment but enjoy the banter and back and forth---
they just have now witnessed why YOU ARE WRONG, and just maybe learned something themselves that they now would expect you to do the same and might suggest you read the statute too.
P.S. by the way, you might also notice our laws are not broken down by thug, rich, poor , red hair or , biker member, or college professor so once again the trial is NOT ABOUT martin. (you really need to get over that part)
cj
Again you are wrong. Steve did not mention anything about the difference between 1st and 2nd degree murder. Steve is saying that GZ will be declared innocent because of the actions that TM took in causing his own death by ambushing, attacking and trying to kill GZ.
So instead of looking stupid by giving an answer to a question that is not asked, just stay quiet.
KPM53
you always want to jump in, shut your f-ing mouth and mind your business.
steve just like you keep NEEDING TO BELIEVE zimmerman, fools you both are, he has provided enough GAPS in his video and in his recorded voluntary statements that make it clear HE IS LYING.
and i mentioned the 1st degree vs 2nd degree because comments ago, he referred to it, so piss off.
LMAO, you've got that right!
:)
Oh I think they meant to say he ran out of suckers !
True!
who cares ...he is a murderer we all know enough about this case to know that this man .and this sicko state and this nutty stand your ground law that basically lets you murder anyone and claim that you were just a scared little chicken-s#$% , weasel loser and if you don't agree with me why don't we meet up so I can shoot you and claim you are an internet stalker,and I was scared for my life and I was just standing my ground...
we all know enough about this case....
wow. you must be privy to the evidence. i'm impressed (NOT).
seang your a fuc*ing idiot. If your mother had the ability to go back in time, she would have drowned you in the bathtub.
MARTIN ATTACKED ZIMMERMAN. Eye wittnesses claimed that in statements. You Drink NBC koolaid and make this a "race" thing. Well guess what Zimmerman is a mexican, not white! You people are so god da*N dumb I have to wounder how you figured out how to turn you computer on!
Hal you are a @!$%#ing tool...
how original "tool". Atleast I look at the whole picture and not be sucked in by race baiting.... you are the one played by media to keep the nation divided.
Blatant lie. Looks like the sock puppets are out in force tonight. LOL
YEP!!!
He followed the guy, against the "orders" of the police. He is the instigator of the encounter. He should have followed "orders" and let the professionals handle the situation. He reported the problem, there was no further reason for him to be involved unless he felt somehow "empowered" because he was packing.
What has happened shows he is dangerous. And also guilty of manslaughter, some degree of it or other. Not premeditated murder.
I think it was Travon Martin that was defending himself, because he was being followed by an unknown person who maybe was going to harm him.
Zimmerman did a stupid act and needs to pay the consequence.
Martin attacked ZIMMERMAN. Also 911 operators are NOT police. He did stop following martin, he returned to his suburban when that PUNK jumped him. That PUNK got what he deserved.
Wait a minute. I thought that we had to prove it in a court of law whether or not Zimmerman is guilty. You gun smoking cowards all make the point that Martin was guilty. Why isn't he given the same benefit of a doubt you give Z? He didn't get a courtroom or any legal donations. He just got a bullet.
Stand Your Ground isn't about the rule of law, it's about wild west, cowboy bull@!$%#. If you choose to live by a code like that then why not die by it? Zimmerman should get the bullet he gave.
Well according to Z and eye witnessess plus the emts findings it looks like z was defending himself. we dont get Martins side because dead men tell no tales. Sorry thats how it goes
And it is exactly thinking like yours, offplanet, that makes it necessary of GZ to have security.
Please assure all of us that you neither own, nor will never own, a firearm.
Keep defending killers. And reassuring yourself that that is freedom and liberty.
I believe in the right to defend oneself. I also don't believe that anyone attacking me with their fists will have an easy time killing me. The difference between me and you and George Z is that I don't live in fear.
Well aren't you the keyboard toughguy?
Funny.
offplanet
What if you had a gun and I was trying to get it away from you, what would you think about that?
From what I understand, Zimmerman was following Martin. He should not have been doing that, and was advised strongly not to do so by a representative of law enforcement. Zimmerman was carrying a gun. Martin was not. Zimmerman was acting suspiciously following someone. Martin was going back to his home. beyond this, I do not think anything else is truly "known" and should come out in a trial.
It just could be that to Zimmerman, packing a gun and looking for trouble, the hooded Martin was a possible target. Bacause he looked like a "hood".
So far, from what is known, this is not about gun violence or stand your ground. It is about a dangerous individual running around with a gun, apparently looking for trouble.
Well said!!
May be more white man need to kill randomly more black teenagers and make an internet fund raiser to be rich. As guilty as Zimmerman is as richer him and his team are getting. This is a shame to see how others sympathyze with a criminal who intentionally killed an inoncent teenager because of his skin color. Martin was no angel as a teenager, and he didn't have to die the way he was killed. WHERE IS AMERICAN JUSTICE? Why all of a sudden Zimmerman pops up in the news again without justice done. This is to show that this case will dye out, fade away where everyone will forget about this crime and the murderer will walk free as ever.
Raoul, it's called self defense.
There is a victim here with a bashed skull, and its not Martin my friend.
The victim is the one with the bullet hole in his chest and a wound that severed one ventricle, pierced the second ventricle, and collapsed his lungs.
Zimmerman did not have a bashed skull. He had two small scalp lacerations.
I see the exaggerations have started up once again. LOL.
You're right Vom Brunhaus, so please donate. George thanks you for your verbal support, but he needs you to put your money where your mouth is. So give, give, give.
hey dummy zimmerman is a mexican!!! not white. your a racist against mexicans
Chris I hope you or someone you care about is attacked by some punk and you will get to sit back and say I wish (said loved one insert name here) had been armed and didnt have to think about legalitys of self defense. I on the other hand teach my loved ones to shoot and not stop till ammos gone, and to pack everywere you go.
Hey, dummy. No he isn't.
Puerto rician, Same damn thing. Why are you racist against latins DOCJT?
Uh, no it isn't. But only a racist would make such a statement, lol.
BTW, he isn't Puerto Rican, either. Can't you get anything right? LOL
Well DOCJT - Peru is near Puerto Rico right? They both start with P!! LMAO!!! THEY are out tonight!!
Mexican...Puerto Rican...what's the dif? LOL
Just NOT white...
So there is NO WAY he is a racist! Sheeeeeeesh!
Your actions have spoken louder than words can ever convey what was really in your heart that night. Get you house in order . You will not recover, niether in or out of prison.
He's a lazy, murdering douchebag. I hope they lock his punk ass up
Gee, that's too bad. Well, you know, this is america. Reckon he better get him a job.
Here is proof that what goes around comes around, you lie you get caught. You use a gun, you better be right. You spend more than you have, you cry for help. Well George, your wife lied. You used your gun, which may or may not have been done so in a legal manner. That's for court will decide. You spent too much money, that George is ALL your fault.
He's screwed anyway. Even if he is found not guilty, which would be fkn crazy, he'll end up like Casey Anthony. Alone, no job, and in hiding. Prison is his best chance lol
No Tim he will write a book, I hope and be a puplic figure. Go george
Won't make any money from a book. Quite obviously, his supporters can't read.
Not supporting him at all but this is the system. Prosecutors know financial pressure makes people plea out. Drag it out till you can't afford it.
Whose living expenses? Whose security? His or his lawyers? $8,000 for his lawyer to administer the funds management?
George Zimmerman could be working - there are enough people out there who think he was justified and is innocent. For a couple of months after the shooting, maybe - but he is probably fine at least until the trial starts.
It's bad enough that he needs that kind of money for living expenses & security. I like most Americans live on much less. Then to add another $75,000 for legal support and case related expenses (and the lawyers haven't been paid yet). It all sounds like another fleecing of America. All for some wanna be cop who let his imagination run amok and kill a kid. Shoot first and ask questions later is not someone you want to give a badge to.
Whatever happened to the right to a fair speedy trial? Sounds like the prosecutors are placing a war of attrition against Zimmerman.
Today Zimmerman's lawyers filed motions to have the trial push back from June to November.
Care to rethink your statement?
Really Miscreant!! It is Zimmermurderer's attorneys that keep filing motion after motion to keep from going to court. I mean why should he want a "speedy trial"? He's making a small fortune and "porking up" on his supporters' dimes!!! Suckers!!
Rick-1710985
Nothing happened to it -except George just don't want one. That's why he filed his "MOTION TO WAIVE SPEEDY TRIAL" last spring, just to duck it. Don't you know anything Rick?
Your ears need cleaning -because it's the other way around; George's team is doing everything it takes to prolong this case coming to trial. That's only because they have no evidence to defend George with yet; the prosecutors have it all, and every bit of it incriminates George something terrible. Even George's own medical record of his injuries incriminates George.
MR PERRY
the longer it goes on the more zimmerman group thinks the facts change when they dont-- time does not change facts just when they are presented!
silliness lol lol at best!!
Hey CJ!!!
All of you George Zimmerman's supporters, please continue to send George and his wife all of your hard earned money so that they and their entourage can continue to live like millionaires for the rest of their lives. This hater and cold blooded murderer make y'all so proud. So Give, Give, Give keep hate alive.
we will do just that!
Chris Dover Please go to you local gun store,.... buy a revolver.... and rinse your mouth out with it.. you racist scum bag.
Also the american tax payer spends (against their will) 1.4 BILLION on the obamas "rock star" life style
OH MY Hal!! Really?!?!
My guess is that he regrets the day he ever bought a gun--also, once the criminal trial is over, the civil trial(s) will start.
I personally don't care if you own a gun, but I'm in my 66 years old and have lived in many big cities--NYC, Chicago, and Boston--and I can honestly say, I have never been in a situation where if I had a gun, it would have helped the situation. Isn't there someone in the Jacksonville area that shot an unarmed teenager over loud music--he also, will rue the day he ever got a gun
well a gun is like a parachute, If you need one and dont have one, you will probably never need one again.
Yes that was a grouchy old koot that gave a car load of blacks to turn their music off or down and they wouldn't obey him so since he was carrying he shot and killed a black boy. Then tried to plead self defense guess he was defending his heari g when he shot the boy. He was most likely a racist. Yes He was a "responsible" gun owner __responsible for killing that boy
The media convicted him and that is why he has to live in a different location. He also needs security, though a bit expensive, because of the death warrants issued by several groups.
It is a shame that the media was so bias on this case. He might be guilty of one thing only: lack of common sense, but he's not guilty of murder.
Thanks to the racist Al Sharpton and the ignorant liberal media. Most notably MSNBC
Unadulterated BS. He left his home for an undisclosed location before the media ever printed the first report. He never returned to his home following the shooting.
Those of us who live in the Raleigh-Durham area are still waiting for Jesse and Al to come back and apologize for convicting the Duke LaCrosse players with the assistance of our local and national media.
But we aren't holding our collective breath.
A conviction comes from a court of law. Don't understand how these things work, do you?
mpa
Im still waiting for Jesse and Al to learn how to pronounce "ask", Ill probably be waiting a long time.
This guy was Legal by the book when this happened. The Govt. and the State are trying their best to appease the Blacks thats why hes where hes at. This case whatever the outcome should be a learning point for others put in identical situations as George was. Reminder the Fed. Govt. will support the whims of Black people "they dont call them Fed. Govt. BABIES for nothing". Zimms mistake was calling the cops instead of makin dust, but he thought the cops would support him, WRONG! People attacked by Blacks have to make their own rules and not notify Authorities, no matter if they are VICTIMS or not. This case has been severely TWISTED to make George the Criminal, and not the thug that jumped him and tryed to kill him. PEOPLE VS BLACKS dont notify anyone remember the ZIMMERMAN case folks and be like the 3 Monkeys!
Vom, put your money where your mouth is. JUST GIVE.
zimmerman had no right to follow accost or kill this guy ..HE IS NOT A COP.. hey von braughn this is america not Nazi Germany where your obviously from...zimmerman got attacked when he illegally and without provocation or due authorization followed and confronted this kid who was doing nothing wrong... the only thing wrong in this case is that the wrong person got shot ...the attacker is zimmerman ,the man standing his ground was martin,, enough said ..
Vom Brunhaus
Please edit your post a little better so that it will not be so unintelligible or find someone who speaks and writes in English to help you. That way you will not look so ignorant. Are you in Germany? You sound like a Nazi. Am I correct? Google translate will not tell you when to use a capital or how to spell tried when translating from German to English.... Also that's is a contraction. Not trying to be the grammer police just trying to understand what you are trying to communicate. That's why we have rules of grammar.
Vom
The cops did support Zimmerman, and still do, and so do their reports, pictures, and witness reports. The only reason Zimmerman was charged was that to not do so would rile up the blacks, well let them get riled up, let them burn their own neighborhoods, it time to quit tyring to appease them so they wont riot.
maybe the racist obama your welfare momma could chip in and help, being he is the one who slanted public opinion by saying the poor black kid could be his kid and speaking out against martin before having all the facts and calling him white when he is in fact mexican, just like obama your welfare momma is black you could call him white as his hatcher was white. obama sucks deek and should be run out of the country for racism and stupidity and inability to run a country let alone his own family.
yoyoma-5234705 See my post #73.3 above it applies to you too. Actually Zimmerman is half Peruvian not Mexican. Neither is a race they are considered ethnicity's. Your position that he wasn't white because he is Mexican would be as accurate as saying he was American not white......
He should ask the black couches for money.
Fry baby, fry. Think you can just go out and stalk and kill whoever you want? How christian of you.
Maybe they should ask Mr. LaPierre for a mill or two. After all, didn't George prove NRA's major point that the only way to get the "bad guys" is with a big gun? It would be great PR in Florida.....what a cesspool of human behavior that state has become.
Yeah! Who do they think they are - Illinois? Michigan?
why can't his family support his defense? why am i being asked to?
i sure hope republicans won't contribute to his welfare.