Judge Debra Nelson ruled against George Zimmerman's request for amendments in his $1 million bond in the Trayvon Martin shooting case.
Zimmerman, whose bond was earlier revoked and later set to $1 million dollar and required the shooter to wear a 24-hour GPS monitoring device. Mark O'Mara, Zimmerman's head attorney, argued that the purview of the bond raised issues for his client's safety. O'Mara requested that the court remove the GPS and allow Zimmerman to reside outside the county, both of which were denied by Judge Nelson.
O'Mara told WPTV, "I really want to try (the case) in the courtroom, and I'm ready to try it... What I don't want is my client not to make it to that courtroom."
Prosecutors argued that the defense's request for amendments in the bond was not justified. Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda said, "My recollection is this defendant has appeared on national television ... but there are so many threats against him and he's so scared? He can't have it both ways," as reported by WPTV.
Earlier this month, the defense accused prosecutors of withholding key keeping evidence and thus hampering the defense's ability to construct its case.
O'Mara also claimed that the bloody photograph, which was published in color on the Zimmerman website, was handed over to his team only after the Judge ordered so, when in actuality it should have been done long before as per the Florida State law. According to the state law, "prosecutors are required to provide original photographs among discovery," as reported by The Guardian.
O'Mara told the The Guardian, "I get frustrated when certain evidence gets out and other evidence is withheld...It just seems like it's been pulling teeth for discovery in this case. This case is the opposite of any I've normally taken. Usually, discovery is dumped on your desk, because it's normally good for [the prosecution]. They usually try to shove it down your throat."
Zimmerman was arrested in February for the killing of the 17-year-old, Zimmerman who was armed shot Martin after claiming that he was attacked by the teenager and fired in an act of self-defense. The 28-year-old Zimmerman has maintained the claim to self-defense from the beginning of the case.
In July, the Florida judge set Zimmerman's bail for $1 million, after previously revoking a $150,000 bond, for misleading the court about his finances.
He has been released from jail on bond, but under strict conditions including a round the clock GPS monitoring system.
Court hearing for trial has been set for June 10.
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