(CNN) — Lawyers for George Zimmerman, who successfully argued self-defense after their client killed Trayvon Martin, are preparing to ask Florida to reimburse them at least $200,000 for expenses, a spokesman for lead attorney George O’Mara said Tuesday.
Because Zimmerman was acquitted, Florida law allows for the defendant to recoup some expenses in the case.
Shawn Vincent said the numbers are being tabulated and a request will be submitted within a few weeks. O’Mara expects they will ask for $200,000 to $300,000, Vincent said.
The costs may include money spent for expert witnesses, travel expenses and fees for transcripts.
Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who fatally shot Martin in February 2012 in Sanford, was acquitted by a jury in July on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges.
The case sparked a heated nationwide discussion of race as well as debate over Florida’s “stand your ground” law. Martin was an unarmed black teenager, and Zimmerman identifies himself as Hispanic.
Zimmerman argued that he shot Martin after he and the teenager fought, and he feared for his life. The prosecution said Zimmerman had profiled Martin because he was black, followed him and shot him during a confrontation.
Zimmerman’s defense never cited “stand your ground” laws in its case, but jurors were instructed to consider them during deliberations in the high-profile trial.
The-CNN-Wire
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By Steve Almasy
CNN
