Lawyer: Martin's parents may sue Zimmerman

SANFORD, Fla., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- A lawyer for Trayvon Martin's parents says they may file a lawsuit against George Zimmerman, who shot him while on patrol in a Florida community.

Benjamin Crump, who practices in Tallahassee, filed a pleading Wednesday opposing a motion by Zimmerman's lawyer to force him to give a deposition about his interview with a potential witness in the case, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported.

"Attorney Crump has been retained by the victim's parents to assert civil claims against defendant," lawyer Bruce Blackwell said.

Martin, 17, who was unarmed, was shot and killed last year as he walked to a relative's house in a gated community in Sanford. Zimmerman, a Neighborhood Watch volunteer who has been charged with second-degree murder, continued to follow Martin after a police dispatcher suggested he back off and says he fired in self-defense after Martin assaulted him.

Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. of America, the insurance company for the homeowners' association, said in a lawsuit filed in August that Martin's parents have filed a wrongful death claim. Zimmerman appears to have almost no assets except money collected for a defense fund.