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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - George Zimmerman's defense attorneys on Thursday released photos and text messages from 17-year-old Trayvon Martin's cellphone ahead of a hearing that will determine whether they can be used at Zimmerman's murder trial.

Zimmerman is charged with fatally shooting Martin last year during a confrontation at a gated community in Sanford. He is pleading not guilty, claiming self-defense. His trial starts next month.

The photos show Martin blowing smoke and extending his middle finger to the camera. The photos also show a gun and what appears to be a potted marijuana plant.

In the text messages, Martin tells a friend that his mother has told him he needs to move out of her house and move in with his father since he was caught skipping school. He also talks with a friend about smoking "weed."

Prosecutors have filed a motion asking Circuit Judge Debra Nelson to prevent the photos, texts and other personal information from being used at the second-degree murder trial. The hearing is set for next Tuesday.

Zimmerman's defense attorney, Mark O'Mara told The Associated Press last week that the materials could be relevant if prosecutors put a spotlight on Martin and his character.

"If the state puts at issue Trayvon, who he was. If the state makes that an issue, we get to respond to that," O'Mara said.

Attorneys for Martin's parents said in a statement that the photos and texts were irrelevant to the trial.

"Is the defense trying to prove Trayvon deserved to be killed by George Zimmerman because (of) the way he looked?" they said. "If so, this stereotypical and closed-minded thinking is the same mindset that caused George Zimmerman to get out of his car and pursue Trayvon, an unarmed kid who he didn't know."

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Follow Mike Schneider at http://twitter.com/MikeSchneiderAP


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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  • Abuse
    USCitizen wrote...
    Perfect example of...
    July 6, 2012 1:38 pm
    Guilty until you can prove yourself innocent.
  • Abuse
    ASU66 wrote...
    Sharpton only cares about his people
    July 6, 2012 7:42 pm
    If it would have been a white person that Zimmerman took out (or I guess I will say allegedly took out) Sharpton wouldn't udder a word or an opinion about it. He never gets involved when a white person is killed or attacked.
  • Abuse
    OneWonders wrote...
    It's really sad
    August 9, 2012 10:40 am
    that the media is the one who has to make a story and make it so Zimmerman is guilty before he even stepped into court. The media's job is to report the news...which they don't anymore. And speaking of Sharpton, he doesn't speak out against black on black violence. I never see a rally cry by him in Chicago for all the black on black violence. He only cares when another race goes after his race. It's really pathetic and the opposite of what MLK's goal was.
    Equal Justice, Not Social Justice.
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