Gunman George Zimmerman hires a new attorney in Trayvon Martin case

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Gunman George Zimmerman has hired a new defense attorney out of Maitland in the case of slain teen Trayvon Martin.

WFTV learned that Hal Uhrig has joined attorney, Craig Sonner, who was preparing Zimmerman's defense.

Sanford Chief Bill Lee placed himself on paid leave amid questions about why he didn't arrest Zimmerman for shooting and killing 17-year-old Martin.

That means he's collecting $102,000 a year to do nothing, and the city is paying a firm about $20,000 to find an interim chief to do his job.

However, WFTV learned that even when a chief is hired, Lee will still collect a paycheck.

"What do you say to people, taxpayers who may have concerns about you paying an interim chief and chief Bill Lee at the same time? They may be wondering, why not just get him off the payroll?" WFTV reporter Daralene Jones asked.

"Good question and I will make the determination about Chief Lee once I've had an independent law enforcement assessment," Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte said.

But Sanford has struggled financially for the last three years.

It's facing a $1 million budget shortfall and may have to lay off more employees.

The city is paying a public relations firm $100 per hour on top of a $5,000 installment to clean up its reputation that has been scared by Martin's death.

"The city has a reserve, and this is something put aside and built up over the years," said Bonaparte.

The city manager has not determined how much the city will pay the interim chief, who could start in the next three weeks.

WFTV