Zimmerman did NOT use racial slur against Trayvon Martin, prosecutors now say



Despite what some people think they heard, prosecutors say George Zimmerman did not utter a racial slur in his call to 911 on the night he shot Trayvon Martin.

The disputed words on the recording turned out to be 'these f------ punks,' prosecutors said in an affidavit filed Thursday in support of the murder charges brought against the neighbourhood watch volunteer.

In yet another passage in the affidavit that caught the attention of those watching the racially charged case, prosecutors said Zimmerman 'profiled' Martin just before the shooting.

Troubled: The legal challenges Zimmerman faces seemed to weigh on him during his first public appearance since the February 26 shooting of Trayvon Martin

The document did not elaborate, and a spokeswoman for special prosecutor Angela Corey on Friday refused to explain it.

But legal experts warned that 'profiling' does not necessarily mean 'racial profiling.' 'Profiling' is a common law enforcement practice of using a set of facts and circumstances to determine whether someone may be committing a crime.



Police typically look at a person's behaviour and appearance, as well as other factors.

In the Martin case, Zimmerman told a police dispatcher: 'This guy looks like he is up to no good. He is on drugs or something.'

Zimmerman reported that the teenager had his hand in his waistband and was walking around, looking at homes in the gated community in Sanford, which had had several break-ins in the past year.

'When we see the word `punks' and we connect that to the word `profile,' I don't think that is compelling proof that it's racial profiling,' said Kendall Coffey, a former U.S. attorney in Miami who is now in private practice.

'This guy appeared to Zimmerman to meet the profile of a criminal.'

He added: 'Whether you're white, black or Hispanic. You have a hoodie. You're walking around.'

Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, said the affidavit supported his contention that race wasn't a factor.

'Presumably, they've looked at all the evidence and haven't determined anything that would support a racial component,' Mr O'Mara said Friday.



Debate: Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler said during a brief hearing in Sanford, Florida, that her husband works with an attorney who referred Zimmerman to his current defense attorney

Conflict: Attorneys are asking for a bond hearing on 20 April and for Recksiedler to remove herself from the case

Meanwhile, the Florida judge overseeing the second-degree murder case involving neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman today revealed that she may have a conflict of interest, as the 28-year-old's bail hearing was scheduled for next week.

Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler said during a brief hearing in Sanford, Florida, that her husband works with an attorney who referred Zimmerman to his current defense attorney.



Zimmerman's family originally had asked that attorney, Mark NeJame, to represent Zimmerman but NeJame instead referred them to lawyer Mark O'Mara.



NeJame is a well-known Orlando defense attorney who is serving as a CNN commentator on the case. He previously has represented Casey Anthony's parents and Tiger Woods when the golfer got into a vehicle accident.



Although Recksiedler did not recuse herself from the case during the hearing , she asked O'Mara and prosecutors to file motions with their views on the possible conflict before a bond hearing scheduled for next Friday.

Prosecutors say Zimmerman fatally shot unarmed teen Trayvon Martin in the chest during a confrontation on February 26.



Zimmerman says he shot Martin in self-defense and has pleaded not guilty.

Facing charges: A month and a half after George Zimmerman (left) shot and killed Trayvon Martin (right), the special prosecutor in the case filed second-degree murder charges against him



The lack of an arrest for more than 40 days led to protests nationwide.

Zimmerman surrendered to police on Wednesday when Florida special prosecutor Angela Corey charged him with second-degree murder in the shooting death of the 17-year-old.

Zimmerman's lawyer O'Mara has said he wants his client released from jail but did not request that at Zimmerman's initial court appearance on Thursday out of concern for his safety.



Emotions are running high in the racially charged case, which has captured national attention.