ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — An attorney for the neighborhood watch leader charged with fatally shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is asking a judge to deny prosecutors’ request that the teen’s marijuana use be off limits.
George Zimmerman’s attorney filed a motion Monday claiming that Martin likely was under the influence of marijuana at the time of his death in February 2012. Attorney Don West says that could be relevant to a jury evaluating Martin’s actions the night he was shot.
Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder for shooting Martin during a confrontation at the gated community in Sanford where he lived. His trial is scheduled to start next month.
Zimmerman is pleading not guilty, claiming self-defense.
Prosecutors have asked a judge to not allow Martin’s drug use or other personal matters from being used at trial.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.