Zimmerman seeks delay in trial start

SANFORD, Fla., Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Defense attorneys are seeking a delay of a Florida man's trial in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, saying prosecutors are slow in providing material.

Mark O'Mara, George Zimmerman's attorney, asked the judge Wednesday to delay the start of the trial, scheduled for June, citing a series of issues and delays in gathering evidence and conducting depositions, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Among the problems O'Mara cited was the delay by the state in providing the defense a quality color photo of Zimmerman's facial injuries taken at the scene. Prosecutors first provided a black-and-white photocopy, then a color photocopy and finally a digital copy only after repeated requests and a judge's direction.

O'Mara also said the state hasn't provided a full and understandable recording of a Martin family attorney's interview with a girl who says she was on the phone with the unarmed 17-year-old African-American moments he was shot in Sanford by Zimmerman, a Hispanic American, who said his shooting was justified under Florida's stand your ground law.

The attorney also said a full record of what was pulled from Martin's cell phone hasn't been given to the defense, among other issues.

O'Mara also said a number of depositions still must be conducted in the case, including ones with some of Martin's relatives and lead Sanford police investigator Chris Serino, the Sentinel said.

Circuit Judge Debra Nelson is expected to hear argument on the defense request and other motions next week.