(CelebNMusic247-News) Zimmerman Wants Florida To Pay Defense Fees:
George Zimmerman will ask the state of Florida to reimburse him for as much as $300,000 in expenses he racked up successfully defending himself in the shootingdeath of Trayvon Martin, NBC News has learned.
Zimmerman and his legal team believe they are entitled to the refund because Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree murder July 13 for having shot and killed Martin, 17.
The shooting in February 2012 sparked a national discussion over racial profiling after Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, said he acted in self-defense.
The motion, to be filed by Zimmerman’s lead attorney, Mark O’Mara, would seek refunds for the hundreds of thousands of dollars the defense spent on fees for expert witnesses and court reporters for depositions, travel and other similar expenses.
The request is expected to be between $200,000 and $300,000, according to Shawn Vincent, a spokesman for Zimmerman’s legal team.
Attorney fees for the defense team, including O’Mara, wouldn’t be part of the motion.
The state Judicial Administrative Commission, which would be responsible for paying out the money if the request is approved, didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment Monday night.
Zimmerman’s request was first reported by The Orlando Sentinel, which quoted O’Mara as saying he would soon file the motion with state Circuit Judge Debra Nelson.
The Sentinel reported that Zimmerman’s request would be based on a Florida law that says a defendant who’s acquitted isn’t liable for costs associated with his or her case. It must be approved by a judge or a clerk.
O’Mara told the newspaper he expects the Judicial Administrative Commission to throw up roadblocks.
“That’s where the fight is,” said O’Mara, who told the paper he’s been paid nothing by Zimmer.
What a LOSER!
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