(ABC News)--George Zimmerman was rebuffed by a Florida judge in his request today to
remove the GPS tracking device he must wear and be allowed to leave
Seminole County so that he would not have to live in hiding while
awaiting trial for shooting unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin.
Zimmerman, who is currently out of jail on a $1 million bond,
appeared in court today, noticeably stockier, clad in a dark suit and
presumably a bulletproof vest as he typically wears in public.
In seeking permission to remove the tracking device, defense attorney
Mark O'Mara put Adam Vincent, Zimmerman's probation officer, on the
stand. Vincent testified that Zimmerman has always complied with the
terms of his probation.
O'Mara argued that Zimmerman has "shown himself where he should be free"
and should not be restricted to Seminole County because it does not
allow him to speak with attorneys, expert witnesses or to help his
attorneys prepare for the upcoming trial.
Zimmerman "shouldn't have to be in hiding," O'Mara told the court.
Zimmerman, 28, has been in hiding since he received death threats
following the shooting death of the unarmed teenager on Feb. 26.
Lead prosecutor Bernie De La Rionda argued that the state "objects
strenuously to any modification of his GPS or his boundaries" and
reminded Judge Debra Nelson
that Zimmerman lied to the court about how much money he could provide
for bond and neglected to mention the existence of a second passport.
De La Rionda argued that the GPS is as much for Zimmerman's protection as it is for the state's benefit.
"Isn't the defendant safer if law enforcement knows exactly where he is?" De La Rionda asked.
The judge denied Zimmerman's request, requiring him to continue wearing
the GPS tracker and remain in Seminole County, except to visit his
attorneys in Orange County.
The two sides also wrangled over identifying the voice heard screaming
for help during the deadly confrontation between Zimmerman and Martin.
Members of Zimmerman's family said the voice was his, while Martin's
family claimed the voice belonged to the teenager. Martin's father
initially said the voice was not his son, but when he heard it with
heightened clarity, said it was Trayvon.
Defense Attorney Don West argued that the defense is obligated to know
which witnesses have heard the audio and identified who it was yelling
on the calls. The judge countered, saying that anyone could have now
heard the audio on the internet and that the prosecution has no greater
obligation than to disclose whether or not each witness made a statement
to law enforcement.
The hearing, like previous hearings, turned into a mini-trial complete
with witnesses and cross examination. At one point in today's court
session the prosecution brought up Zimmerman's comments on MySpace that
made derogatory statements about Mexicans, while the defense showed
newly released color photos of Zimmerman's bloodied and bruised nose taken the night of the shooting.
Zimmerman is charged with murder, but he claims he shot Martin in self
defense while struggling over his pistol after Martin knocked him down
and bashed his head against the cement. The trial is scheduled for June
13.
