ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — George Zimmerman, the former neighborhood watch volunteer accused of fatally shooting a teenager in a gated community in Florida, says the judge presiding over his case has made disparaging remarks about him.

Zimmerman says in an appeal filed Tuesday that he fears Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester is biased against him and he wants a new judge to handle his case.

Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder in the February death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford.

Zimmerman pleaded not guilty, saying he acted in self-defense.

The appeal was filed with the 5th District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach.

All proceedings in Zimmerman’s case will be delayed until that court decides whether to hear the appeal.

The lack of an arrest for 44 days led to protests around the nation.