Zimmerman defense says preparation, not money prompted motion to delay trial

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A judge on Tuesday denied a motion to delay the second-degree murder trial of George Zimmerman.

Zimmerman is now scheduled to appear in court on June 10 on charges in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin last year.

Zimmerman claims he killed Martin in self-defense, and defense attorney Mark O'Mara claimed he needed more time to prepare for the trial, but the judge denied the request.

"I can't make believe that everything contained in the motion doesn't exist. I don't know. I don't think we will be ready," said O'Mara.

O'Mara claims prosecutors in the case were slow to turn over evidence that the defense needed to prepare, including pictures of Zimmerman and the clothing he wore the night he shot and killed Martin.

The state provided black and white photographs of Zimmerman's injuries, but was then asked to provide the color photographs that police had taken.

The state responded in writing to those claims, saying O'Mara is moving too slowly and that Zimmerman was "in desperate need of an infusion of money. Perhaps this is the real reason why there have been so many delays."

O'Mara admits to money problems, but still claims the state is stonewalling.

"We've run into difficulty with getting discovery. You've seen motions regarding pictures and documents that we've been trying to get. And certainly, the reality is the defense fund is about empty," said O'Mara.

Martin would have turned 18 Tuesday, so before the hearing, there was a short prayer service in front of the courthouse to remember him.

Benjamin Crump, the Martins' attorney, said the family was hurting Tuesday.

"As his brother said, 'It's hard on mom, because there's nobody to get cake and ice cream for,'" sad Crump.  "You remember the time they came into the world and now, at the anniversary of birth, you remember that they are not here."

The poignancy was not lost on Zimmerman's defense team.

"I don't think that we need to be disconnected from the tragedy that happened to Trayvon Martin, even if it's our position that he caused it himself," said O'Mara. "No matter what, tragedy occurred and the Martin family has a special burden to bear today."

A stand your ground hearing must now happen within 45 days of the start of the murder trial, but that hearing has not yet been scheduled.

WFTV