Attorney: Zimmerman had $200K from web donations

George Zimmerman appears before Circuit Judge Kenneth R. Lester Jr. during a bond hearing in Sanford, Fla., April 20, 2012. / AP Photo/Orlando Sentinel

Updated at 7:52 a.m. ET

(AP) ORLANDO, Fla. - George Zimmerman's attorney said a website created to raise money for his legal defense has raised more than $200,000.

Mark O'Mara said on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 Thursday night that he learned about the money on Wednesday and will inform a judge at a Friday hearing.

Zimmerman, who has been charged with second-degree murder in the Feb. 26 shooting of Trayvon Martin, was released from jail this week and went into hiding after paying 10 percent of $150,000 bail. He has pleaded not guilty and is claiming self-defense.

O'Mara said the bail amount may have been higher if the judge knew Zimmerman had raised $200,000.

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The website www.therealgeorgezimmerman.com was no longer functioning as of Tuesday, said James Woods, O'Mara's spokesman, but O'Mara said he'll likely start a new defense fund for Zimmerman.

O'Mara did not immediately return a Thursday evening phone message by The Associated Press.

"It was taken down at Mark's request and he will not have any future online presence unless authorized in advance by Mark," Woods said in an email.

O'Mara has hinted that he will ask Zimmerman to be declared indigent, which would allow taxpayers to pay for his legal bills. Any income from the website would make that process more difficult.

The website was created almost two weeks ago by Zimmerman's family to thank his supporters and to receive donations from anyone who wanted to help with his legal defense.

The 44-day delay in Zimmerman's arrest spurred protests nationwide and inspired a national debate about racial profiling, equal justice under the law and Florida's self-defense law.

[Harry1899]

The last paragraph of this article highlights the media bias that I have been harping about ever since this incident became big news. Why is it the liberal media never mentions that Zimmerman was viciously attacked by Martin, who broke his nose and had him down on the ground slamming his head into a concrete sidewalk when the gun came out and the shot was fired. Why has the liberal media avoided all discussion about Martin's character - his multiple suspensions from high school, his drug use, his history of violence, his criminal activities?

[Ourdoc1]

Zimmerman's attorney proved two things with his statements...
1. He cares about making a name for himself.
2. He wants all the money out of it he can get.

The judge needs to tell him, you chose to take this case, and since you did, you accept what Zimmerman can pay and the tax payers pay NOTHING.

[1Ronald100]

I got so sick and tired seeing Pierce Morgan froth at the mouth over this case. Bleating and prating in his high pitched voice like a wounded sheep caught in a wire fence. Pierce was running this continually EVERY night for a while there like nothing else is happening. You would have never seen such OCD under Larry King. Do all Brits act like this?

[Harry1899]

That's a keen observation and a great comment, Ronald. I was in England earlier this month and listened to a news report about the arrest of one of Englands "Top 10" criminals (a black man in Birmingham), who was said to have put up a "violent struggle" resulting in 3 policemen being injured (or being sent to hospital as the Brits say). The media seemed most concerned about how the criminal had been treated and whether the police used excessive force during the takedown. So the answer to your rhetorical question would appear to me to be "yes".

[peace6348]

Many of us feel Trayvon was whitewashed by the media and Zimmerman animalized. Having clean-cut younger pictures of Trayvon flaunted in our faces with only one picture of Zimmerman - in a jailhouse orange jumpsuit - was simply a media spin. We would truly like to know the facts.

[reality_sanity]

Most of the pictures I see of George were in a suit and tie. Where are the pictures of George brandishing his weapon? -- Who cares what pictures are published -- what matters is the determination of the facts as determined by a jury at a trial in Florida.

[AOCGUY]

Many of us feel quite the opposite and neither how you nor I feel makes any difference at all. The one thing we apparantly do agree on is that we wnat to know the truth regardless of what it is.

[Proj-Coord]

Wow $200K. This is now the IN-THING. Need to raise some capital and get yourself out of hardwork/poverty.... you know what to do. Maybe Florida is where you should go. It is working down there. Maybe new age enterpreneurs need to head down to Florida in droves. Gear up. Let's raise some serious greenback. BEATS AN IPO. Don't even have to be business to raise money. Interesting though, not sure how this law(?justice?) thing works. Some guys in California were charged with kidnapping. Bail set $1+ Million. No one was killed in this incident. Zimmerman Killed Trayvon... Bailed at $150,000. Is that how much the legal system thinks the life of an America Black Kid is worth? Would seem like the Zimmmerman's killing has actually produced a financial "windfall". At $200,000 revenue reporting, even if he paid the entire bail bond today, he'll still comes out ahead with $50,000 he would have never been able to lay hands on at one time in his life time. That's good business if you role that out in the apprentice. Welcome to America. Does anyone know of a good list of potentials that would pay off this big? I'm just curious.

[samXXkiley]

coucou,
"the world's gone crazy"
in any manner justice must be done to Trayvon.
"au revoir"

[peace6348]

Why not JUSTICE must be done - both Zimmerman and Trayvon are entitled to justice in the USA>

[Rafterman11]

Maybe they can start donating to the Charles Manson Defense Fund next.

George Zimmerman supporters say its not about race, but I think it is. Consider...

Travon Martin was committing no crime and had every right to be there as a guest of a community resident. He was not a "thug", contrary to what George Zimmerman supporters say, and had no criminal record, just some non-violent school incidents. Unlike George Zimmerman, who has had a few violent run ins with police and was even fired from a security job for being "too aggressive".

If George Zimmerman does not initiate their encounter and does not engage him, none of this happens. Yet the number of people who think George Zimmerman is just some poor victim and had no part in all this is staggering. Its as if people think George Zimmerman was just minding his own business and Travon Martin just dropped out of the sky and starting pounding his head against the ground for no reason.

After all, when the GZ supporters discuss this case, that's where they start the narrative, isn't it? They completely ignore any of the events leading up to the attack - GZ following him, TM telling his girlfriend he feels threatened, GZ getting out of the truck and following him for a bit before returning - none of that happened in GZ supporters' eyes.

Any fair person will look at that and see that GZ had the responsibility in starting this. You might say TM overreacted to the events, but you can't say GZ didn't start this encounter.

Yet the number of vocal GZ supporters who think not only was he not at fault at all, but they think he as a hero, is shocking. So, don't tell us that its not about race because it is. You couldn't explain the lengths some people are going at to exonerate GZ in all of this, including ignoring everything GZ did prior to the final encounter, without wondering if TM being black has something to do with the unwavering support for GZ.

[peace6348]

Since all we have so far is a Trayvon whitewash by the Media, I would really like to know the facts before we put Zimmerman on Death Row.

[reality_sanity]

One -- trials determine the facts, not the media

Two -- Second degree murder is not a capital offense; so George will not be spending time on Death Row.

[artjoephilly]

Near here in York PA, [at least] two guys broke into a home, killed the young mother for 80 bucks while the kids were in the BR. That IS a crime. The perpetual headline story to which this comment is attached is nothing more than a mind control technique to divide the dumb populace (probably regarding gun control).

[mysticpizza]

Now you speaking the gospel.

[KAISOMAN]

I keep hoping that Mr. Zimmermann's account of the incident is found to be closer to the truth that what the parents and their lawyer, the pubic at-large-, the liberal media, Al Sharpton and Jessie et al have been perpetrating. Only two people really know the truth and one is dead.

It seems to me an apology is NOT necessary, and if given graciously accepted. What if Mr Zimmerman were the VICTIM and the dead youngman was indeed the aggressor, how would all those who have been anti_Zimmermann now correct the wrong they have done to him and alleviate all the fear and threats on his life etc?

Gosh I am really hoping Zimmermann's side of the story is the more accurate.

[AOCGUY]

Why would you hope that Mr Zimmerman's side (the only side really) is more accurate rather than just hoping the truth wins out. I could understand that feeling if you were a member of his family or a close friend, but as a layman you should really be more concerned that the tructh is discovered and real justice is served.

[Ourdoc1]

Regardless of what you think happened, if Zimmerman had not stalked and questioned Trayvon, something he had NO LEGAL AUTHORITY to do, nothing would have happened. The police would have come, found that Trayvon was living there, and sent home, all would be at peace. This is 100% Zimmerman's fault period. HIS actions caused everything.

[infantryman1968]

Attorney: Zimmerman had $200K from web donations


LOL!


Since Zimmerman turned hinself in, can he collect his own bounty from the Panthers?

[reality_sanity]

Two more terrorists propagating lies about bounties that were retracted and repudiated by many including the speaker. Once again George's "supporters" continue to be a greater threat to George's life than those they accuse of being threats.

[AOCGUY]

Maybe Z-Man should go ask them, BTW it is the New Black Panthers not the Black Panthers. Two different organizations that do NOT agree with one another.