Trayvon Martin murder trial to begin June 2013, judge says

George Zimmerman’s second-degree murder trial in the Trayvon Martin case is tentatively set for June 10, 2013, a judge ruled today.

Judge Debra Nelson, the third judge in the case, made the decision today in her first appearance in the matter since taking over in August, HLN reported.

Lawyers in the case planned to meet again Friday to discuss the release of evidence to the defense (such as Martin’s school records) and if they will make that information public, HLN said.

According to CBS News, the defense is also planning to ask for more time Friday to interview state witnesses.

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Zimmerman’s lawyers told CBS Miami that the trial could last about three weeks.

A status hearing to resolve some of the outstanding pretrial matters is set for December 10, CBS said.

There are still many issues that could delay the start of the trial, all involved said.

“June makes sense because it gives us a target date,” defense lawyer Mark O’Mara told USA Today. “I have no idea between now and then if we'll be ready. We're going to try to be ready.”

Zimmerman, 29, pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of Martin this February.

The neighborhood watch volunteer confronted the 17-year-old boy as he returned home late one night from a convenience store.

Zimmerman admitted shooting Martin, but said it was self-defense based on Florida’s “stand your ground” laws.

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