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George Zimmerman asks public for help to fund defense

SANFORD, Fla. — George Zimmerman is asking the public to help him pay for his defense.

Zimmerman is facing second-degree murder charges in the death of teenager Trayvon Martin.

Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, said his defense fund is drained, despite hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations.

O'Mara said Zimmerman's defense fund is being emptied at a rate of $30,000 a month.

As a result, the case may not go to trial for another nine months.

O'Mara said one reason for the need to push back the start of his trial is money.

"Certainly, the reality is that the defense fund is a about empty. So, if we're going to fund this case through a defense fund effort, we need some time to replenish it or we're going to have to find some alternatives," said O'Mara.

O'Mara filed a motion to delay the trial of his client until November, citing slow progress in getting evidence from prosecutors.

For example, the state said it provided black and white photographs of Zimmerman's injuries, until it was badgered to provide the actual color photographs police took.

O'Mara also contends that information from Martin's Twitter and Facebook pages was also being withheld by the state.

"We've run into difficulty with getting discovery.  You've seen motions regarding pictures and documents that we've been trying to get," said O'Mara.

A hearing on the motion is scheduled for next Tuesday.