Florida Lawyer Representing Tiger Woods Hired by George Zimmerman?
Mark NeJame, a Florida lawyer who is known for representing golf legend Tiger Woods, had been asked to serve as legal council for George Zimmerman, the Sanford, Fla., neighborhood watchman who charged with second-degree murder in the February death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
NeJame told The Wall Street Journal in a Thursday interview that he was asked to represent Zimmerman about a month ago but was unable to take on the case due to other obligations and time constraints, but added that he had recommended Mark O'Mara, Zimmerman's current lawyer, for the case.
"On the top of my list was Mark O'Mara," NeJame told WSJ.
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O'Mara is a seasoned defense lawyer with over 30 years of experience practicing law.
Earlier this week, Zimmerman's former lawyers, Hal Uhrig and Craig Sonner, publicly withdrew from the neighborhood watchman's case saying that they had no knowledge of their client's whereabouts.
"I can no longer represent a client that refuses to be in contact with me. However, I still believe in everything I have said and that George acted in self-defense," Sonner told reporters.
The lawyers said they believe that the intense public scrutiny regarding the case had pushed Zimmerman "over the edge."
"We're concerned for his emotional and physical safety," Uhrig said.
Zimmerman has been at the center of intense public scrutiny since the February shooting death of Martin.
Martin, an African-American, was shot in a gated residential community on Feb. 26 during a confrontation with Zimmerman, who is part Hispanic. At the time of his death, Martin was unarmed wearing a hooded sweatshirt and carrying a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea. Zimmerman told police he shot Martin in self-defense.
It was announced on Tuesday that Zimmerman would be charged with second-degree murder in the case. During his court appearance, he plead not guilty to the charges against him.
