Attorney: Zimmerman Hearing Could Set Him Free
SANFORD (CBSMiami/AP) – The defense team for George Zimmerman, led by attorney Mark O'Mara, said Thursday that there will be a "stand your ground" hearing that could possibly lead to all criminal charges against Zimmerman being dismissed.
A statement on the defense team's website said, "the defense asserts that there is a clear support for a strong claim of self-defense…a "stand your ground" hearing will essentially be a mini-trial."
The defense team said the burden will be on the defense to prove the evidence fits the conditions set forth by the legislature of the stand your ground law.
Zimmerman's defense team said if the court agrees with the stand your ground defense, all criminal charges will be dismissed and Zimmerman will be immune from civil actions.
Zimmerman says he shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in February in self-defense under Florida's so-called "stand your ground" law, which allows people to use deadly force, instead of retreating, if they believe their lives are in danger.
Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder. If a judge rules the evidence fits the conditions of "stand your ground," the criminal charges would be dismissed and Zimmerman would be immune from civil action in the shooting.
Zimmerman is free on $1 million bond.
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