George Zimmerman's Lawyers Withdraw From Trayvon Martin Case
George Zimmerman's lawyers publicly withdrew from the neighborhood watchman's case Tuesday, saying they had no knowledge of their client's whereabouts.
Zimmerman's former lawyers, Hal Uhrig and Craig Sonner, held a press conference to announce that they would no longer be working with Zimmerman, who they have been unable to establish contact with since Sunday.
"I can no longer represent a client that refuses to be in contact with me.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.
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The lawyers said that 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.
Although they never met Zimmerman face-to-face, Zimmerman's former lawyers said that they were in constant contact with their client via email, telephone, and text message until Sunday when Zimmerman became out of reach.
The lawyers have indicated that they are uncertain of the 28-year-old's whereabouts, but believe he is no longer in Florida and hiding "where he won't be found."
"You can stop looking in Florida, you can look much further away from that," Uhrig told reporters.
Ben Crump, a lawyer for Trayvon Martin's family, has expressed concern that if charged, Zimmerman could serve as a flight risk.
"At this point, we're just concerned that nobody knows where he is at. Nobody knows how to get to him," Crump said.
Zimmerman has been at the center of intense public scrutiny since the February death of 17-year-old Martin.
Martin, an African-American, was shot dead 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.
Zimmerman has yet to be charged in the case, as police have cited Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law which gives citizens leverage to use deadly force in some cases of self-defense. Nevertheless, national outcry, demonstrations, and debates have ensued across the country and has led to the involvement of federal officials.
