Trayvon Martin’s Killer Says NBC Defamed Him

SANFORD, Fla. (CN) - The man who killed Trayvon Martin has sued NBC, claiming it edited his 911 call to make him sound racist.

George Zimmerman claims NBC used "yellow journalism" in editing and broadcasting the phone call he made to police in the moments before the shooting.

Zimmerman, 28, is charged with second-degree murder for the Feb. 26 death of Martin, 17, who was unarmed.

Zimmerman claims the NBC "Today" show defamed him by making it sound as if he voluntarily called Martin black, though he said it in response to a dispatcher's question.

After that March broadcast, Zimmerman says, he has received death threats, and has had to live in hiding.

Since July he's been confined to Seminole County. On Friday, his attorneys asked that he be able to "freely move around Florida" for his own safety.

Zimmerman's attorney Mark O'Mara said he also needs to travel to prepare for the trial and meet with witnesses.

Seminole County Judge Debra Nelson will hold a hearing on the request on Tuesday morning.

Nelson in October denied prosecutors' request for a gag order on Zimmerman's defense team. Prosecutors said chatter could influence potential jurors.

The shooting sparked nationwide protests because Zimmerman was not arrested for more than 6 weeks after he killed Martin.

His trial date is set for June 10.

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