George Zimmerman’s lawyers have quit, citing lack of contact with Travyon Martin killer

GlobalPost

Two lawyers representing Trayvon Martin's killer George Zimmerman have resigned.

Craig Sonner and Hal Uhrig called a nationally televised news conference today to announce that they had lost touch with their client and were withdrawing. The news was carried by MSNBC.

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According to the Raycom News Network, Sonner and Uhrig said the last time they had contact with their client was Sunday.

"On Sunday, we lost track of George, in that he would not return our calls," attorney Uhrig was quoted as saying by The Orlando Sentinel. Sonner was quoted as saying: "I've lost contact with him at this point."

The two said they were unable to represent their client if they could not contact him. Zimmerman had publicly described the two not has his lawyers, but only as "legal advisors."

"I'm not sure what the distinction is, but in his mind there's a distinction," Uhrig was quoted as saying.

Sonner said, "I can't keep talking to the media and saying I'm representing George Zimmerman…when he's doing things without consulting me," according to CBS News.

Zimmerman reportedly contacted special prosecutor Angela Corey, who is deciding whether there is sufficient evidence in the Martin case to charge Zimmerman, without consulting with his lawyers.

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The Martin family's lawyer, Benjamin Crump, told TIME, "Trayvon’s family was always concerned that Zimmerman doesn’t try to skirt his legal responsibilities and become a flight risk. We always wanted this before a judge and a jury. We hope that [authorities] will take this under consideration that this a flight risk. If they go to press charges, is he really going to face them?"

Corey has announced she will not seek a grand jury indictment of Zimmerman for the Feb. 26 killing, leading to speculation that an arrest could be imminent. A Justice Department probe is also underway.

See our complete Trayvon Martin case coverage.

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