Attorneys for George Zimmerman apologized this week for giving false information about the late Trayvon Martin. As the trial begins next week, evidence from Martin’s phone was used to portray him in a negative light.
Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara, had video from Martin’s phone that depicted three fights. O’Mara originally said that one of the videos showed Martin and two friends beating up a homeless man. However, the video was footage of two homeless men fighting over a bike.
“Though it was unintentional, it is a particular concern to us because we are and have been committed to disputing misinformation in every aspect of this case, not causing it,” Zimmerman’s team said in statement. “For that, Mr. O’Mara apologizes.”
Zimmerman’s legal team has been the subject of criticism after information about Martin was released from his cellphone. The information includes an image depicting Martin’s alleged drug use, an image of Martin holding firearms, and text messages of him in an argument with someone.
In an attempt to paint a different image of Martin, O’Mara has said that all of these things contributed to the confrontation his client and Martin had last year. The judge in the case has since ruled that none of the information can be used during the pretrial.
New evidence involving Zimmerman has surfaced this week, most notably his failed attempt to become a police officer in the Washington, D.C., area. According to paperwork, Zimmerman’s application was rejected to become a police officer.
In addition to his interest in police work, Zimmerman trained also at a gym and specialized in boxing and kickboxing. Reports indicate that O’Mara asked the judge to ban the prosecution from using terms such as “profiled,” “vigilante” and “self-appointed Neighborhood Watch captain.”
“There is little probative value by the use of these terms and the danger of unfair prejudice to the jury is substantial,” O’Mara said.
He added that a lack of evidence supports the claims that Zimmerman confronted Martin or that 911 dispatchers told Zimmerman to stay in his car.
According to Zimmerman’s website, since his camp announced last week that his defense fund was out of money, more than $46,000 has been raised. Meanwhile, as the trial begins next week, protesters have vowed to stage protests outside of the courthouse. Authorities in Sanford, Fla., have set aside space near the courthouse for the anticipated crowds during the trial.