SANFORD, Fla. -- Lawyers for accused murderer George Zimmerman are asking a court to allow the neighborhood watchman to be allowed to wear regular clothes at his next bond hearing.
Citing Kennedy v. Cardwell, and several other legal precedents, Zimmerman's legal team believes making him appear before the judge in a prison uniform might make him appear guilty.
"The presumption of innocence requires the garb of innocence, and regardless of the ultimate outcome, or the evidence awaiting presentation," the motion states, "every Defendant is entitled to be brought before the court with the appearance, dignity, and respect of a free and innocent man."
Zimmerman also does not want to be handcuffed or shackled during his June 29 bond hearing. His lawyers say the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution prohibit such restraints because they may prejudice the jury.
This is the second hearing for the man who admitted shooting an unarmed 17-year-old, Trayvon Martin, in his Sanford neighborhood. His previous bond was revoked after the court discovered he lied about how much money he raised from an online defense fund.
The Seminole County court did not issue a statement regarding the motion or when the judge might rule on it.
