Trayvon Martin Case Lawyers Can Continue Using Media, Judge Rules

Murder defendant's lawyers using website, social networks to inform public

Trayvon Martin murder case Judge Debra Nelson on Monday denied state prosecutors’ request to prohibit George Zimmerman’s lawyers from using a website, social media and the traditional news media to comment on the case. “There has not been an overriding pattern of prejudicial commentary that will overcome reasonable efforts to select a fair and impartial jury,” Nelson said in her ruling. It’s the second time that a request to ban media use has been rejected. The previous judge on the case, Kenneth Lester, in April, denied a motion to silence Zimmerman’s lawyers. State prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda and Zimmerman lawyer Mark O’Mara sparred over the ban in a hearing last Friday. O’Mara uses a legal blog, a Facebook page and a Twitter account to disseminate his opinions and information about the case. A June 10 trial has been scheduled for second-degree murder defendant Zimmerman, 29, who is accused of killing the 17-year-old unarmed Martin on Feb. 26, in a Sanford, Fla. gated community where he was a guest. The killing sparked nationwide protests over gun laws and whether racial profiling played a role in the black teen’s death. (New York Times)

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