Detective in Zimmerman case hires lawyer

• Tweet

SANFORD, Fla., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Policeman Chris Serino, involved in the Trayvon Martin shooting case in Sanford, Fla., has hired a noted trial lawyer to represent him in future proceedings.

A police investigator approaching a murder trial with his own counsel is regarded as unusual, but trial attorney Jose Baez sent a letter to the law firm representing the city, advising them of his involvement in the next stage of the case, The Miami Herald reported Tuesday.

"He [Serino] wants his own counsel. He's intimidated. It may not be a friendly deposition," said Baez spokesman Michael Wright.

Serino, formerly Sanford's police major-crimes investigator, revealed he had filed an arrest affidavit against defendant George Zimmerman, several weeks after the shooting death of Martin, even though Serino's supervisor said publicly there was inadequate evidence to make a case, the newspaper said

Recorded interviews between Zimmerman and Serino, now assigned to other police duties, noted Serino's skepticism of Zimmerman's answers to questions, the newspaper said.

The killing of the unarmed black teenager Feb. 26 triggered national outrage and an examination of Florida's controversial "Stand Your Ground" self-defense law.

Baez gained fame when he represented Casey Anthony, a Florida mother acquitted of killing her daughter in 2008.