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Mark O'Mara on soliciting funds to defend George Zimmerman: "I'm a bit conflicted by it, to be honest"
Coming up this evening at 9 p.m., "Piers Morgan Tonight" welcomes Mark O’Mara for a candid and revealing exclusive interview, touching upon the state of George Zimmerman, both financially, and emotionally.
Four days after posting bail, O'Mara opens about having to solicit donations for his client's defense strategy:
"I'm a bit conflicted by it, to be honest. We're trying to deal with the reality that George does not have any funds of his own," he tells Piers Morgan. "He can only get those funds from his supporters."
Noting that the situation is rather unique, Zimmerman's defense attorney explains how the case's overwhelming price tag left him little choice:
"It was a decision, that we were sort of put in the position of having to do, because of the bond amount," he says. "In the past, I had never really asked for money on George's behalf. And though we had the defense fund active, we never really pushed it. The reality is, however, that with a one million dollar bond, and a one hundred thousand fee to get that bond done, we can not do it without support from George's supporters."
Watch the clip, listen to the interview, and tune in tonight as O'Mara lays out the timeline for the next stages of the case.
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I screen shot I Am George Zimmerman post on fb page to the Trayvon Martin family personal page on FB, Gone But Never Forgotten. This is the most disrespectful garbage this man and his friends could ever do to the Martin family. Mark O'mara is either a low life attorney for not getting his client under control or needs to put a stop to this NOW! http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss359/GunPowder_2009/06162012_350pm/George%20Zimmerman%20disrespect/reporttofedsandfb.png
Waiting on someone to answer some questions. This is for you smart people who think you know Zimmerman did this as an act of racisam. Whe was Trayvon walking late at night in a state & town he had never been in.... Why didn't dad go looking for him... why did dad wait until the next day to call 911.... Was it a habit for Trayvon to stay out all night...... Why didn't Trayvon call 911 (like Zimmerman) or call his father if he was scared... He had a phone... Why didn't the girlfriend call his dad or 911 if she was worried????? I have heard Zimmermans answers but not the living of Trayvon's loved ones. I have heard from all the racist but again not dad or the girlfriend....... Waiting
Well, you can "kinda write" but must not be able to read well, or all your answers to your questions. Then you would not have to come here and sound like you are "tweeking" or have "mental issues" like your little friend Zimmerman.
His presc. (2 of them) didn't help him either!
meaning: if you read...you will have the answer to all your questions.
The whole case is related to these questions you have. They have already been answered. If you really want to know and really in you heart care to know then look up that information. He was going to the store for candy, was babysitting two kids at the time of his death, I'm sure he thought he would return, so did the two kids he was attending to. Also father was concerned, hoping his son was out with a cousin, listen to fathers 911 call. This case is very unfortunate for all parties concerned. Lesson learned, listen to police dispatch, good idea, unless you are the police.
I wanted to hear these individuals but I CANNOT STAND Piers Morgan. When I hear from the British Government that his hands are clean, I will go back to my man Anderson. But right now NO CNN in my house!
I hear you loud and clear and AGREE 100%
Mr. O'Mara is telling a story, prior to his knowing that the bond was raised to $1 Million, he asked or suggested that GZ's supporters DIG DEEPER INTO THEIR POCKETS. I don't recall the exact words, and perhaps it was his anticipation that there would be a large increase. Some of the wording he is using to get that money sounds pretty sleezy! Mr. O'Mara is using every way possible to get funds into that PRIVATE TRUST ACCOUNT so that 1) legal fees will be paid and 2) GZ after plea bargainng and perhaps getting 10 years, walks away a multi millionaire. That is what GZ's wife meant in the recorded phone conversation when she said, "You are going to have a GREAT life when you get out of here." GZ replied, "WE WILL."
Piers Morgan is being used by Mark O'Mara and is not catching on. GZ is the arch manipulator and O'mara is learning fast. "I am conflicted" says O'Mara, but the greater the flow of funds the less the confliction. Piers Morgan did question the donors, are there any racists among them. O'Mara's down right lie that he has vetted thousands of responses raises the issue of HIS credibility. We know GZ's credibility was shattered in stashing away the opening $200,000. We live the American Dream – $'s & Cents. The possibility for justice for the Trayvon Martin family seem very remote.
Even O'Mara knows that what he is doing is compleytly unethical. He's spitting on Martins grave while trying to line his pockets and get famous. If Zimmerman doesnt't have the money then he shouldn't get a high priced attorney. It is obvious that Zimmerman is so desperate to stay out of jail than he is willing to take the chance of taking this matter to court rather than try and plea bargain for manslaughter. This is despite the fact that there is no evidence so far to justify his actions, even with his injuries, and he has lost all veracity in the eyes of the public. In the end that decision will come back to bite him in the ass as he will get a tougher sentance. Casey Anthony got lucky because she had a jury of 12 lazy idiots. That is Zimmerman's only shot of walking in this case.
I fully agree with you Rick everyone seems to forget who was the real victim that is Trayvon Martin. George Zimmerman had no respect for authority the night he gunned down a young kid. He was told not to pursue Trayvon and he chose to disobey an order. He lied to a judge, wow he has no respect for authority and the innocent life of Trayvon Martin. I hope he gets life.
Trayvon Martin a victim? Why? Because he was 17? Im not sure I follow. He's certainly not a victim for pounding Zimmermans head into the pavement and then being shot and ultimately losing his life for his bad decision. I'll agree that it is a extremely unfortunate that this young man lost his life for being a dumb teenager thinking he was a tough guy, but Zimmerman is being railroaded for simply defending himself within the law. This guy is living in a safe house because of racially motivated death threats, and he is not a victim? Is Zimmerman not a victim of threats against his life, simply for being half white? The prosecutions arguments are weak at best, but our justice system will do everything possible to put Zimmerman through the ringer, even though everyone in this country is supposedly assumed innocent until proven otherwise.
Just to add: "disobey an order"?? What are we not legally bound to follow the orders of a 911 disbatcher? I served in the Army for 8 years. Im sorry, but a disbatcher does not have the authority to give an "order" that anyone is legally bound to obey. Not to mention, there is ZERO evidence that states he did not do exactly what that disbatcher told him to do. There is, however, evidence that the fatal shot and fight ocurred near Zimmermans car.
I couldn't agree more Tom. GZ is the victim here and the racists just can't admit it. It must be really tough being blinded by racism. The mountain of evidence supporting George is completely invisible to these half witts. Not to mention the violent thieving past of Trayvon. He was such an angel which you can clearly see in all the photos they posted of him when he was 12. Good luck George, you have my full support.
@Tom
How do you now Martin wasn't defending himself when he was fighting Zimmerman? None of you GZ supporters give Martin any ground in his actions and totally accept GZ's account of the events with no evidence to back it up.
Where is the evidence that Martin through the first punch? Where is the evidence that Martin turned around and AMBUSED him from a bush? If you GZ supporters actually thought about how stupid that story sounds, you would realize that GZ has contradicted himself and common sense on numerous occasions.
@Tom again
The dispatcher shouldn't need to tell anyone not to follow a guy that looks like he's on drugs or just finished circling your vehicle menacingly. Its common sense. GZ voluntarily put himself in a dangerous situation by following Martin. The reality is that GZ knew the police weren't going to get there in time before Martin in his mind either left the community or got home. That is why he followed and pursued because he didn't want Martin to get away as he indicated by F***CKIN _______ always getting away.
On the back of all that, GZ supporters are still dumbfounded and still send him money from a ridiculous story. Trayvon tells DD that a creepy man was following him like he didn't know who it was. If he really did circle the vehicle, why be so casual about the person following him?
Mark O'Mara said if any money was sent to them by racists, it was returned?
That does not make sense.
This interview was propaganda.
Its laughable that GZ's attorney would care where the money comes from when his client is unemployed, had no collateral for the $1 million bond and is a flight risk. Who's to say this clown doesn't have a third passport?
Sure...sure...and if I believe that? well, then I believe that this killing/murder, was justifiable.
If Judge Lester had not looted Zimmerman's trust fund, the repository of donations sent for the express purpose of funding legal and living expenses, O'Mara's back would not be to the wall. He knows that, with the forces arrayed against him (including the DOJ), it's going to cost a fortune to vigorously defend this case. Lester jacked up the bail to 1 mil, forcing Zimmerman to come up with an additional $85,000 for the bondsman's fee, depleting the fund. Zimmerman didn't even have access to that fund, except through O'Mara and a trustee. That didn't stop Lester. And the pretext for jacking up the bail? The extraordinary claim that the Zimmermans were on the point of fleeing abroad, there to live large on the vast sum of $130,000, before their plot was thwarted by the ever-vigilant Lester. This was a petty, vindictive, unseemly maneuver, obviously punitive in nature, despite Lester's averments to the contrary. Zimmerman obviously made an error in judgement when he failed to disclose the amount in this fund on 4/20. That said, I can certainly appreciate his failure to "trust the system." The "system," perverted by racial politics, is obviously out to get him. As for Lester, he has disgraced himself and the court. I just happen to be a donor to Zimmerman, and I am outraged by Lester slapping what amounts to a 50% penalty on my donations.
There are many people unjustly incarcerated serving long terms on very questionable evidence. One man was released recently after 17 years. When it was determined that there had been evidence that showed he did not commit the crime.Tell me are you concerned about those people. Zimmerman has people willing to give him money and a high priced defense attorney. He was released on a resonable and had he not lied to the court and his own attorney he would have not had to pay ther higher bond.His problems are of his own making. Had he behaved like a rational person instead of playing cops and robbers he would not be in jail and Trayvon would be alive. Mosgt people would nor even been able to raise 15,000.00
It was not only the undisclosed money that caused the judge to increase Zimmerman's bail. It was also the fact that GZ surrendered an expired passport while secretly retaining a valid one. This would raise serious concerns about GZ as a flight risk.
I hope .GZ walks, he was 100% justified in shooting that thug, if anything he deserves a metal for taking 1 thief off of the streets.
YOU sound just as "delusional and paranoid" as your little friend Zimmerman! Perhaps taking some psyche meds, would help you too...but wait, didn't help him much ah??
Hope no one ever judges you the way you have judged Trayvon. How about waiting for the jury to decide? When assumptions are made about a teenage youth, they are based on stereotypes and ignorance yet when assumption are made about GZ we are to assume they are made from common sense and logic, wow really>>>>>>>
I'm all for O'Mara taking every last bit of those donations and paying himself off handsomely for defending this ignorant murderer and depriving Zimmerman of the money. O'Mara will have quite a vacation once the trial is over no matter what result comes about and after the immense cost of "private security" and "safehouses" , would just deplete those foolish donors of their hard earned or perhaps government checks cash. This would anger Zimmerman into a murderous rage , so if he is indeed set free , O'Mara had better make himself scarce with the loot and carry himself off to a private island so Mr. Zimmerman won't creep up behind him in the dark asking for his cut !
Racism makes judgements about people that are based on some personal perspective, but calling the police on black males ONLY and then shooting a person of that description surely looks like it to me. I do think that the raising of funds from people who are not recognizant that a teenager was killed here is unethical in the sense that most people would just get handed a public defender and probably just go to jail for actual murder , rather than be buttressed by racists and gun maniacs of questionable I'Q's.
I think racism is muchhh too much screamed about here. The big deal is that an armed man shot someone who was unarmed and not doing any crimes. That's basically what the issue is. That's the only issue. SYG puts too much power in the hands of people with guns. Who wants to be shot or approached by a neighborhood watchman when they are just coming from a store and then watch a football game.
How come this POS can't use the public defender like the rest of us who are really poor!He to good to be like the rest of us! Just another slap in the face for the Martin Family! Hope they burn this cowardly punk!!!
Oregon13 – He can do this because the media took this case and made it into a race issue. It was publicly broadcaster all over the world. That is why he can receive donations. The "rest of us" dont have our faces on every news channel and internet media site.
Because he is "special"? how sick is that!
Raising blood money for a child's death? O' Mara is totally unethical. I weep and cry at the ultimate insult on the Martin Family. It's the most hateful act against a grieving family.
The NRA and the KKK are paying for Zimmerman's defense.
And supporters of the SYG law, who in their ignorance, can't imagine that this is about THE INDIVIDUAL...who has hurt their law, if anything,but don't get that either!
Is it possible that there was never a race component to the Trayvon shooting? Is it possible that the media misled the public about the true nature of this case? Is it ever okay to defend oneself against an African-American? Is it possible that the anti-Zimmerman crowd could be close-minded about factual evidence?
is it possible that those who assume gz is innocent have this belief based on racism and that racism is buried so deep inside of them that they can't even recognize it, if trayvon was a white female would they feel the same way about gz's innocence? would they send him money? if you can honestly say yes you would feel the same way then that is one thing, but i would be willing to bet that would not be the case
Just wondering if anyone noticed Zimmerman is left handed with a left hand holster, yet says he had holster on right side, when he pulled the gun it would have to have been upside down. Very interesting. He also told the first interviewer the punch knocked him to the ground then after struggle shot, yet martins body no where neat where he says he was hit. Somethings not adding up?
Great observation... thanks for posting!
The blatant disrespect for a dead child just makes me cry. No parent should have to go through this horror. What O' Mara is doing is unforgivable.
Not everyone thinks that GZ is guilty! Who ever donates money to GZ is really no one's business. There are people who believe he acted in self defense and more importantly that the evidence thus far supports his claims. You all are so ready to jump and condem this man to death, yet have complete disregard to "maybe" that TM assualted him and thus attempted to murder him by smashing his head on the concrete floor! Anyone with any inteligence, should know that such act can cause severe damage and more likely death..that's attempted murder right there!
Though I sympathize tremendously for TM's parents, (they lost their son, and NO PARENT SHOULD HAVE TO ENDURE THAT).....I do not respect the fact that they allowed pictures of a very "innocent" little boy (and mind you TM was NOT a CHILD).....to be spread by the media and encouraged a lynch mob to go at GM including the Black Panthers, whom by the way have a bounty on his GZ head! Wanted DEAD OR ALIVE!! Funny how these such people are not being convicted of a "hate" crime!
Also, TM parents are profiting out of their sons death. Just like there are supporters donating to them, GZ has that SAME RIGHT!
FACTS: GZ was INJURED and someone certainly did it.....
GZ took a lie detector test and passed with flying colors (No deception)
Witnesses have given statements that TM was on top of GZ
I for one will not give a DIME of my hard earned money to either of them! Not until all the facts are presented in court and the evidence is put out all in the open.
I hate to say this, but it seems like TM's parents had more interest in him after his death, than rather when he was alive. Portraying him to be an angel when there are also FACTS that he was far from one.......suspended from school how many times? Theft? Drugs? Assaulting a bus driver? ( I mean is it really that far fetched that he would of thrown the first punch at GZ???? I don't think so!
Unless TM at 17 had a mental disability, then he should of known that smashing someone's head on concrete can kill. Thats attempted murder and if such the case, GZ had EVERY RIGHT to defend himself!!!
This child was on his way home from the store and talking on the phone. Why would he have any intention of assaulting anyone. I suppose you often make runs to the store and while talking on the phone decide to assault someone out of the blue.
To counter some of your "facts".
Yes Zimmerman was injured but how do you know it wasn't from Martin defending himself?
George Zimmerman did not take a lie detector test. He took a voice stress test. I believe there was some deception in the beginning as to why the detective went back over key areas and questioned him again. One of the questions he asked again was were you really in fear for your life. Remember he lied in court. The judge called him a manipulator. Manipulators are very good at pulling people in and getting them to believe anything. Like the detective giving the voice stress test said....it is a tool. Nothing is fool proof in this world. Not even a voice stress test.
Witnesses gave statements Martin was on top of Zimmerman. So that we can agree. Then how do you explain after shooting this child in the heart he has no blood on his clothing? This child was shot in his beating, pumping heart...Zimmerman should have been covered in blood.
To that point, have you ever straddled someone? Try is sometime and tell me if you can see their belt. The point here is that there was no way Martin could have seen his gun. He would have had to be straddling this guys knee caps in order to do so.
Then there is the autopsy report that shows the bullet entered from front to back. How can a person getting beat in the head, pull out a gun and shoot perfectly straight. No angles?
Zimmerman was stalking this kid. When the cops asked him in the interrogation can you tell me how he was running. He said he couldnt remember. He also said his ADHD has given him memory problems during the interrogation. Hmmm so how does he remember his account, and now that he is proven to be a liar can his words be trusted. A killer is going to have supporters, but victims will have their supporters too. This time I am supporting the victim unless there is concrete proof Martin attacked Zimmerman. AT this point all signs point to NO.
I agree with everything you stated. Zimmerman's story is so rediculous I don't see how anyone can believe it. Why would any teenager confront a stranger at night that's following him. He said Trayvon ran into the bushes first and then came out circled his car and then ran back into the bushes. Why would he do that? It makes no sense! His intentions were to go to the store and then go home. A typical teenager not a menacing thug. Hopefully Zimmerman will be convicted, if not, other people will know that as long as the person dies their LYING words is all that matters when it comes to *Stand Your Ground* law.
Donations come from supporters of the SYG law, though Zimmerman has caused the attention by trying to justify this murder. Also from the NRA supporters. I don't believe in taking away, but some changes may be needed. Also from the racists, who are beyond fixing...just trash.
All that writing...for nothing.
justathough...and nothing more than JUST YOUR THOUGHT!...worth nothing to me and others!
O'Mara knows his case is in a lot of trouble and cries for money on the basis that people give because they would have shot an unarmed child too is monstrous and grotesque. His pleas scream of desperation. In this economy, to squeeze hard working families out of money and to encourage the act of his client is deplorable. He knows the state's case is strong and his theatrics isn't fooling anyone over here. TRAYVON MARTIN IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY!! At this point, his client's credibility has been trashed by his own hand. The judges letter was scathing and damaging for the simple fact the judge thinks this man's word can't be trusted. If Zimmerman's word is all he has that Martin attacked him then his word means very little at this point. What this case is going to come down to is the state putting together what happened via eye witness, ear witness and the forensics. Right now? The forensics is not adding up for Zimmerman. What I am finding very troubling, besides all the other forensics stuff I won't get into, is how this man shoots a child in his heart and has no blood on him. We all saw the video and photos taken at the police station. Look at his clothing. Where is the blood from him shooting a child in the chest who was hoovering over him? I won't get into the mystery of the left handed man, with a left gun holster attached to his right side. All the state has to do is put together a good case and get a jury with common sense this time around. I am sure they don't want another repeat of the Casey Anthony case.
And yes you are a bleeding racist if you send money to support Zimmerman and trash Trayvon.
There should be an ethics review of this type of behavior by attorneys. Attorneys should not be allowed to engage in this type of activity. The job of the attorney is to prosecute or defend. For attorneys to start establishing web sites asking for funds to defend or prosecute a case opens the possibility of errors and abuse. Before this spirals out of control the governing bodies should evaluate this latest practice and establish boundaries before it gets even further out of hand. O'Mara is exploiting the unchartered waters but this behavior of his muddies the legal waters.
It seems so sleazy. One would think that the money coming in from all those, with ulterior motives is bad, enough. This will be the new joke...about attorneys, too bad for those with integrity.
Birds of a feather.....................
What happened to innocent until proven guilty? The type of premature lynching this guy is getting is ridiculous and unjust. The fact of the matter is NO ONE knows what truly happened in those 2 to 3 minutes after George got off the phone with dispatch just prior to the shooting. GZ might be completely truthful, exaggerating slightly or flat out lying. We very well may never know the truth but we still have witnesses and crime scene data. Looking at the evidence as a whole and with NO indication of who started the actual altercation, there's way too much doubt for 2nd degree murder. There's quite a bit of evidence for poor judgement, bad decision making (likely on both sides here) but the fact that so many people are willing to cast aside massive amounts of uncertainty just on a gut hunch is truly frightening.
There is not only indication, but it is truly a fact that Z decided to go after this teen...with preconceived judgements, then as a result this tragedy took place. His aggressive, as well as violent behavior is also a fact of his past. The fact that those charges where lowered to missdemeanors, does not mean that they did not take place. And fathers help? still questionable. Do I believe him? Not at all.
Innocent until proven guilty, but Zimmerman did not pay that same respect to Trayvon. Instead he profiled him to be a "punk". And a "a–hole". He took his frustrations out on this young man and it ended in his death. This part is fact. These are Zimmermans words. Listen to all the other 911 calls that he made prior to Trayvons death and you see the escalation in zimmermans frustration. This is partially how the prosecution call charge with second degree. Look at all the evidence, not just zimmermans word or report.
Clearly you are mixing up speculation and fact here. Expressing discontent about crime over a 911 call doesn't prove murderous intent. Most people who are fed up with petty property crime don't go and murder people as solution – they call the police, they become involved in their community, they set up watch groups...all things he did beforehand. I'm not sure what frustrations he took out on TM, because there was is no evidence he even laid a hand on him, whereas we have a witness clearly stating Martin was on top beating Zimmerman. Not only did GZ admit Martin came up to him and spoke first, Trayvon's own girlfriend said the same thing as well as mentioning he was previously by his fathers house. Yet for some reason he ends up 80 yards north a few minutes later only to begin addressing GZ as to why he was following him. The fact that people can't seem to grasp that a 17 year old male would possibly be hostile to a stranger getting in their business is just baffling to me.
No Justine, you're baffling because you can't see the forest for the trees.
What baffles me is the reality that we do not know this young man, only what media has put out there,we do know that it is an agressive move to get out of a car following a stranger and giving chase to that stranger with a handgun in your possession. Most people would not opt to do this as we respect we are not trained authority. Let someone follow your wife or child with a loaded weapon, no one knows if that weapon was garnished or what truly was said to cause this young man to fear for his life. What we do see and know is the previous 911 paranoid calls from Zimmerman and his frustration mounting. For one to call 911 and report is one thing, for one to begin acting like the police is a whole other thing entirely. This young man was clearly afraid in a strange place because his reaction was an instinctual one out of fight or flight. He tried flight and this did not work as according to the girlfriend, this guy is behind me again. Would you want your loved one to feel this type of fear.
I also know in our neighborhood watch of course we would never follow someone that's for the police to do, however when trayvon asked him why he was following him, Zimmerman who is a neighborhood watch person should have said I am neighborhood watch and you do not look familiar, can I help ou find your way, problem solved. He caused this whole chain of events. No one can dispute that. That also is why the second degree murder charge, depraved mind an act imminently dangerous to another. This is very different than first degree which is intentional, with a plan. We somehow forget who is the elder here. I know if my child was approached by an adult I would hope that adult would act like one and have enough sense to understand a child would be afraid of someone chasing, following in the dark. Zimmerman had an obligation as neighborhood watch to identify himself. He took from trayvon his right to move about freely when he began chasing him, and really I believe caught up to him, because Zimmerman alludes the dispatcher re his whereabouts. This is also very I the resting which no one seems to want to discuss.
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Stand your ground. Neighborhood Watch patrols the neighborhood for murderers, un...See More
3 hours ago · Like
George Zimmerman Legal Case That's the point, Kate. You keep it real. Thanks for participating. You proved my point.
3 hours ago · Like · 12
Judge Lester's order sets forth that George Zimmerman is not to have any direct or indirect contact with the victim's family unless through counsel for pre-trial purposes. When George Zimmerman addressed the Martins in his Hannity interview, was he in disobedience of the order of the court?
Martin had 2 minutes and 30 seconds to run away from Zim, and only 100 yards to get to his apartment. That he didn't means that he didn't want to, or he got lost (and somehow made it back to Zim for some reason) or he's the slowest black person in history.
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