Zimmerman's lawyer raises media, race, Constitution in cash plea

theGRIO REPORT - In his plea, Mark O'Mara appeals to those who have gravitated to the Zimmerman side over issues of race, the media, and the U.S. Constitution...

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While donations to the Zimmerman defense fund initially spiked to around $1,000 a day after he was returned to jail June 1st, O’Mara’s post states that donations have since “significantly decreased,” because supporters have expressed concern that the judge would set such a high bond that getting Zimmerman released could drain the entire defense fund. But O’Mara says his client needs and “aggressive defense,” and that for that to happen, Zimmerman needs to be “out of jail with his wife and family assisting his legal team.”

While the defense works on securing the necessary collateral — or a deal with a bondsman that will allow them to forego the full amount — O’Mara’s firm is pleading for past donors to come back. The plea notes how “in the days surrounding Mr. Zimmerman’s initial arrest, supporters surprised everyone with the strength of their donations.” And they’re hoping those donors return.

The post closes with an appeal to the variety of causes and groups that have been drawn to Zimmerman’s defense: people who have been outraged by what they see as accusations of racism against Zimmerman by civil rights leaders long despised by members of the right; those who see Zimmerman’s case as one of Second Amendment rights; and others who have made the 28-year-old former neighborhood watch volunteer a conservative cause célèbre:

For those who have given in the past, for those who have thought about giving, for those who feel Mr. Zimmerman was justified in his actions, for those who feel they would do the same if they were in Mr. Zimmerman’s shoes, for those that think Mr. Zimmerman has been treated unfairly by the media, for those who feel Mr. Zimmerman has been falsely accused as a racist, for those who feel this case is an affront to their constitutional rights — now is the time to show your support.

O’Mara waived the “speedy trial” provision in Florida law that would have required the trail to begin 175 days after Zimmerman’s initial arrest. That means Zimmerman could spend months in jail awaiting trial if he is unable to make bond.

Read the full post here.

Follow Joy-Ann Reid on Twitter at @thereidreport

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