WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Florida's governor is rejecting any suggestions charges were filed in the killing of the unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin because of public pressure.
Republican Governor Rick Scott said Monday he doesn't believe special prosecutor Angela Corey is influenced by anything but the facts of the case.
He said his focus is the same as hers -- securing justice for Martin's family and due process for George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer recently charged with second-degree murder in the February 26 shooting of the 17-year-old.
Zimmerman's arrest last week came nearly six weeks after Martin was shot in a gated community in Sanford, near Orlando. The shooting touched off weeks of protests and U.S. debate about race and self-defense.
Zimmerman, who is expected to plead not guilty, said he acted in self-defense.
Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, filed a request Monday in Seminole County Circuit Court asking a judge to step down after she revealed a potential conflict of interest. O'Mara later said Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler revealed the potential conflict last week and that he wants the issue to be addressed now rather than later if there ends up being a conflict.
Recksiedler's potential conflict involves her husband, who works with Orlando attorney Mark NeJame.
Zimmerman's family first approached NeJame about representing Zimmerman. He declined and referred them to O'Mara. NeJame also is serving as a CNN legal analyst on the case.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Photo Credit: CBS News
