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George Zimmerman case: Judge orders to unseal some of state's evidence

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The Seminole County judge overseeing George Zimmerman’s murder trial has ordered some of the state's evidence against the accused killer of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin to be made public.

That means the public could soon learn more about what kind of case prosecutors have against Zimmerman.

Judge Kenneth Lester ordered the court file unsealed and that order was made public on Monday.

WFTV's legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said the file could include information like the probable cause affidavit and investigative reports.

However, the names and addresses of all of the state's witnesses won’t be released because Lester has ordered that to be taken out.

Sheaffer said that could be because it's such a high profile and sensitive case.

Sheaffer said information including witness statements, forensic evidence and Martin's autopsy will be released in discovery.

But Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O'Mara, said he doesn't want to accept that discovery until the judge promises to also protect the identity of witnesses when it's released.

"That's when we'll really get a sense of what the state's cause is all about," said Sheaffer.

The next scheduled court date for Zimmerman is his arraignment next Tuesday, May 8.

Zimmerman has already entered a not guilty plea and won't be in court for the hearing.