FOXNews.com: GOING PUBLIC: Zimmerman Witnesses Must Testify in Open Court

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GOING PUBLIC: Zimmerman Witnesses Must Testify in Open Court Jun 6th 2013, 21:50 Published June 06, 2013 Associated Press June 6, 2013: George Zimmerman, left, sits in Seminole circuit court with co-counsel Don West, during a pre-trial hearing, in Sanford, Fla.AP/Pool Orlando Sentinel SANFORD, Fla. –  A Florida judge denied a defense request Thursday to let a handful of witnesses testify confidentially during George Zimmerman's trial for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin. Defense attorney Mark O'Mara asked that the witnesses be allowed to testify out of the public eye because of concerns for their safety about testifying at the trial, which starts next week. He said their testimony could impact the jury's decision. Prosecutors and attorneys for media groups objected to the request. Circuit Judge Debra Nelson also heard testimony about whether a voice recognition expert will be allowed at trial. Cries for help can be heard on 911 calls that Zimmerman's neighbors made during a struggle between the neighborhood watch volunteer and Martin before the teen was shot. Experts have reached mixed conclusions about whose voice is crying for help. Zimmerman is pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, claiming self-defense. A delay in Zimmerman's arrest led to protests nationwide. Martin was black. Zimmerman's father is white, and his mother is Hispanic. The trial is expected to last more than a month. The judge also considered a request from defense attorneys to sanction prosecutors for what they describe as withholding evidence. Zimmerman's attorneys claimed that prosecutors withheld deleted photos and text messages that came from Martin's cellphone. An attorney for a technology worker in the State Attorney's Office testified that he first brought the evidence to the attention of Zimmerman's attorneys after he was contacted by the technology worker. The judge decided to suspend further testimony on sanctions, and any decision, until after the trial.

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