George Zimmerman (C) leaves the courtroom after his hearing at the Seminole County Courthouse on October 19, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Circuit Judge Debra Nelson ruled that Zimmerman's attorneys can access the school records of Trayvon Martin, with whom Zimmerman is charged of fatally shooting. (Photo by Stephen M. Dowell-Pool/Getty Images)
SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — A Florida judge says George Zimmerman has to stay under 24-hour GPS monitoring while he’s awaiting trial in the fatal shooting of teenager Trayvon Martin.
The judge also says Zimmerman has to remain in Florida’s Seminole County, despite his lawyers’ concerns about his safety. Defense lawyer Mark O’Mara told the judge that he wants to try the case “in the courtroom” — but that he wants to make sure his client will make it there.
A prosecutor, though, disputed the contention that Zimmerman has genuine fears for his safety — pointing out that Zimmerman has appeared on national TV, in a lengthy interview with Fox News.
Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder in the killing of the 17-year-old after an altercation in Sanford in February. He has pleaded not guilty, claiming self-defense under Florida’s “stand your ground” law.
EDITOR’S NOTE: George Zimmerman sued theGrio’s parent company of NBC News on last week, alleging that the network intentionally edited reports on the case to depict Zimmerman as a “racist and predatory villain.” NBC News denies the allegations.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
