Benjamin Crump can be deposed by the defense in George Zimmerman’s second-degree murder trial, even though he is the attorney for the family of slain 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
The Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach ruled Monday that Crump can answer a limited range of questions, overturning the ruling of the judge in Zimmerman’s upcoming trial. The appeals court ruled unanimously that Zimmerman’s defense team can question Crump about the young woman referred to as “Witness 8,” who was on the phone with Martin just before he was shot. Crump initially found and interviewed her, and she’s expected to be a crucial witness for the prosecution.
But the questions asked of Crump must be limited to the circumstances surrounding his interview of “Witness 8” and its contents, according to the appeals court judges. Zimmerman’s defense cannot ask why Crump went looking for her or how he found her.
Defense attorneys turned to the appeals court after Seminole County Judge Debra Nelson twice denied their request to depose Crump, ruling in part that he was acting as “opposing counsel” at the time of the interview. Nelson will preside over Zimmerman’s trial when it begins June 10th.
Crump has released a statement saying in part that he’s ready to be deposed.