Judge: Zimmerman can leave county to see lawyersUpdated: 12:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, 2012
Posted: 5:52 a.m. Friday, Aug. 24, 2012
SANFORD, Fla. —The former neighborhood watch volunteer charged in the fatal shooting of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin can leave the county where he lives so he can meet with his attorneys, a judge said Friday.
Judge Kenneth Lester said he will adjust George Zimmerman's bond terms so he can have easier access to his lawyers. The terms of Zimmerman's $1 million bond that were set last month had required him to stay within Seminole County, where the unarmed 17-year-old was shot in February.
"I'll grant him the authority to go to your office and consult with you. That should not be something that impedes his progress, your progress so to speak with the case. But as far as him actually moving, being able to move within Orange County, at this time, one should present me with a plan of what the purpose is, why he's doing that, I'll certainly consider it. If he's seeking employment in Orange County, that's one thing, but if he's planning on moving there, it's something that entails a lot of work, not only from our perspective of the court, but also perspective of the sheriff's department, also Orange County," said Lester.
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Ruling on another defense request, Lester also said he'll personally review some medical records to determine if they must be handed over to prosecutors.
The records in question are from a clinic where Zimmerman sought care the day after the Feb. 26 shooting. They detail injuries that Zimmerman says he suffered in a fight with Martin immediately before the shooting. Zimmerman had two black eyes, a broken nose and two cuts to the back of his head.
It is important evidence because Zimmerman maintains Martin was beating his head against the concrete and led him to feel a need defend himself.
Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda said he wants to make sure there aren't other records from the clinic because the state has so far received only a three-page report that did not include X-rays or other records.
De la Rionda also said he wants to be sure that Zimmerman didn't have any previous injuries to his nose or head before Feb. 26.
O'Mara said that he doesn't believe anything in the records would harm his client's case and that he is fighting the release to protect Zimmerman's privacy.
"You just don't waive all your constitutional rights to privacy just because you're a criminal defendant," O'Mara said.
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