Trial Date Set on|Trayvon Martin’s Birthday

SANFORD, Fla. (CN) - George Zimmerman will stand trial for the death of Trayvon Martin on June 10, a judge ruled Tuesday, which would have been Martin's 18th birthday,

Circuit Judge Debra Nelson heeded requests from state prosecutors to bar Zimmerman from delaying the trial to November.

Zimmerman's attorney Mark O'Mara argued that he did not have enough time to prepare the case and accused the prosecution turning over evidence too slowly.

Martin was walking home from the store on Feb. 25, 2012, when Zimmerman shot and killed because he allegedly found the unarmed teen suspicious.

The case sparked protests nationwide after Zimmerman went free for 44 days before prosecutors finally charged him with second-degree murder.

Activists honored Martin's memory with peace rallies Tuesday in Sanford and in Martin's hometown of Miami on Saturday.

Martin's family chose not to attend the hearing or other events so they could spend his birthday together at home, their attorney, Benjamin Crump, said.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 5.

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