George Zimmerman, Trayvon Martin case hearing: New motions expected at court hearing today

Associated Press

SANFORD, Fla. -- Attorneys for former neighborhood watch leader George Zimmerman will argue for the right to subpoena the social media accounts of Trayvon Martin and also ask for more time to interview state witnesses in the high-profile murder case.

Judge Debra S. Nelson will hear arguments on the several new pretrial motions Friday. It comes two days after she set a tentative start date for Zimmerman’s trial in the February fatal shooting death of the unarmed 17-year-old.

The 29-year-old Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and is claiming self-defense.

Attorneys for more than a dozen media organizations, including The Associated Press, will also be on hand to fight efforts by the prosecutor to seal defense subpoenas and other case records.