The state has formally responded to George Zimmerman’s defense team’s request to delay the trial.
The motion, filed Friday by the state, rejects the request to delay the trial by Zimmerman's attorney Mark O'Mara. The court will now decide whether or not to grant the request.
Right now, the trial is set to happen at the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center on June 10, adn the prosecution said that's late enough.
The state also asked the defense to stop talking with the media, and in his response, assistant state attorney Bernie de la Rionda said it’s the defense that is preventing itself from getting ready for trial, by spending time talking to the media.
De la Rionda wrote:
“…the media blitz is starting again. The state again reiterates, this case should be tried in the courtroom and not in the media."
The assistant state attorney also said the defense has already caused enough delays citing, “on at least four occasions depositions were scheduled (entire days were set aside), only to be informed by Defense Counsel the depositions were cancelled.”
And in response to George Zimmerman’s defense, arguing that it’s the state’s fault that the trial process has been delayed, the state responds, “for Defense Counsel to now blame the State for some of the delays and the need to continue the case is inaccurate.”
The judge will hear arguments from both sides on this matter at a hearing Tuesday in Seminole County. She could issue a ruling at that hearing, or issue a written ruling at a later date.
O’Mara filed the continuance Wednesday, January 30. He said he wanted to delay the trial for several reasons, mostly dealing with evidence and witnesses that the defense is trying to get from the state. O'Mara said problems with discovery are slowing down the process
O'Mara is specifically wanting information from Twitter and Facebook for Trayvon Martin, and the analysis of Trayvon Martin's cell phone.
The defense also wants the ability to question a witness, known as Witness 8. O'Mara, in his motion, said he has repeatedly asked the state for information on Witness 8, particularly with regard to when the state became aware of the Witness, but the state is rebuffing those requests.
The defense also wants to go through the Martin family's witnesses, many of whom have made public and media appearances. O'Mara, in his motion, says, "While the gathering of that information is ongoing, the analysis of it is tedious and time consuming."
The defense also says it needs extra time to recruit experts which will help in trial preparation, something that can only be done after the discovery issues are handled.