Zimmerman Won't Seek 'Stand Your Ground' Immunity

Wants jury, not judge, to rule
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 30, 2013 12:53 PM CDT
Zimmerman Won't Seek 'Stand Your Ground' Immunity
George Zimmerman, defendant in the killing of Trayvon Martin, arrives in Seminole circuit court, in Sanford, Fla., for a pre-trial hearing, Tuesday, April 30, 2013.   (AP Photo/Orlando Sentinel, Joe Burbank, Pool)

As expected, George Zimmerman today officially turned down the opportunity to have a "Stand Your Ground" immunity hearing before he goes on trial in June over the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman could have seen a judge drop his murder charge at such a hearing, but "we'd much rather have the jury address the issue of criminal liability or lack thereof," his defense attorney told the judge today. Mark O'Mara added that Zimmerman could still request an immunity hearing after prosecutors have presented their case, the AP reports. (More George Zimmerman stories.)

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