Trayvon Martin murder suspect George Zimmerman is nearly broke, his lawyer said on Monday, and plans to ask the public to pay for his defense.
"He really has to live as a hermit, unfortunately," said Mark O'Mara of his client, who is awaiting trial. "He's not doing well. He's getting by."
His legal-defense fund, which once hovered around $210,000, is down to $50,000, with $20,000 in outstanding bills and no money coming in.
George and his wife, Shellie Zimmerman, are out of work, living in hiding in Seminole County, and spending a ton deal of money on security.
"Seminole County is unquestionably the most dangerous county, most expensive county for him to be in," O'Mara told the media this week.
He intends to ask the court to declare George Zimmerman indigent, which would mean that he needs the public to pay for his legal expenses.
Zimmerman, again is free on bail, also will ask a judge to let him leave the county. "I want him safe. If he's out of state, so be it," O'Mara said.
The request to be declared indigent will be awkward, given that he was raking in money this year - and had his bail revoked for not disclosing it.
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