Trayvon Martin case: Media groups sue to unseal Zimmerman file
George Zimmerman appears for a bond hearing at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility April 12, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Zimmerman was charged with second degree murder in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin who died February 26, 2012.
News organizations on Monday including The Miami Herald, the Associated Press and The New York Times challenged the sealing of records in the case against George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer accused of shooting unarmed teenager, Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26.
Over 20 media companies asked the Florida judge overseeing the trial to unseal the court file. The judge had previously agreed on Thursday to a request by Zimmerman's lawyer, Mark O'Mara, to keep the records and documents related to the case private, according to The New York Times.
State Attorney Angela B. Corey did not object to O'Mara's request.
More on GlobalPost: Trayvon Martin case: Complete coverage
Normally, records such as full police reports, autopsy reports and transcripts of witness interviews are public under Florida law, said the AP.
Lawyers representing the media filed an eight-page motion stating that it had not been made clear that sealing the file was warranted in this case. They also argued that a majority of the evidence in the case had already been reported, according to The Orlando Sentinel.
The motion said, "This criminal case has already raised serious questions – from all sides – about the ability of government to do its job and protect its citizens. Florida's historically open and transparent judicial system should not compound such suspicions by operating in the dark in this case."
More on GlobalPost: Poll: Trayvon Martin case opinions divided along racial lines
According to Florida law, a court must prove "serious and imminent threat" to justice before records are closed, and it must also find that there is no alternative to sealing the records, said CNN.
Defense attorneys for other high-profile cases have indicated that it might be tough for Zimmerman to get a fair trial after millions signed petitions calling for his prosecution and civil rights leaders led marches and rallies, said MSNBC.
More on GlobalPost: Meet the people behind Turkey's "miracle"
Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you. We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
Make a gift today, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000!