George Zimmerman's defense team faced several setbacks today, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
In a hearing this morning in Seminole County, Circuit Judge Debra Nelson refused the defense's request to delay the start date for Zimmerman's trial. It remains set for June 10.
Zimmerman is accused of second-degree murder in last year's shooting death of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman contends he shot the teen in self-defense. He remains free on $1 million bond and was not present for today's hearing. Martin's mother, however, sat in the front row.
Here's video of this morning's events, courtesy of the Sentinel:
The Sentinel reports that other rulings from today's pre-trial hearing included:
- The defense may not mention Martin's school suspension or reputation-damaging contentrecovered from the teen's cell phone. However, Nelson may allow for discussion of these issues if she feels they become relevant to the trial.
- In their opening statement, Zimmerman's lawyers may not bring up the fact that the active ingredient for marijuana was found in Martin's system.
- Jurors will not be allowed to visit the shooting scene, as the defense had requested.
