ORLANDO, Florida (AP/WAOK) — On the same day that George Zimmerman’s attorney entered a not guilty plea to second degree murder charges in the death of Trayvon Martin, Attorney Mark O’Mara also provided more details about what’s up with the money raised by a defense fund web site.
O’Mara says about a quarter of the money that was to go to Zimmerman’s defense is instead being used to pay for his client’s security and living expenses while he’s in hiding. Zimmerman has been laying low since being released on bail after his arrest for the shooting of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin.
His lawyer says just under $50,000 of the more than $200,000 raised on the site was used for security and living arrangements. The lawyer says the other $150,000 from the site has been turned over to an independent administrator to manage. Zimmerman’s next pretrial court date is August 8th.
