Friday, July 13, 2012

Zimmerman attorney files motion asking for disqualification of judge in murder trial - @clickorlando

George Zimmerman is released from jail on Friday, July 6, 2012.

ORLANDO, Fla. -

George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch leader accused of murder in the death of Trayvon Martin, has filed a motion to disqualify the judge in his case.

Zimmerman, 28, claims Judge Kenneth Lester showed bias against him in his recent ruling after a bond hearing.

In a motion released on Friday, Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, wrote, "the Court makes gratuitous, disparaging remarks about Mr. Zimmerman's character."

The motion also says that "the Court has created a reasonable fear in Mr. Zimmerman that this Court is biased against him" and "he cannot receive a fair and impartial trial or hearing."

Zimmerman, 28, is charged with second-degree murder in the Feb. 26 shooting death of Martin, who was 17 years old, in a gated Sanford community.

Last Friday, Zimmerman bonded out of jail for a second time after posting a $1 million bond.

In a scathing order, Laster restricted Zimmerman's travel to within Seminole County, subjected him to a curfew, barred him from the local airport and required him to wear an electronic monitoring device.  He is also not allowed to apply for a passport or to drink alcohol.

[READ:  Zimmerman seeks new judge]

Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.