Pool / Getty Images file
George Zimmerman, defendant in the killing of Trayvon Martin, stands in the Seminole Circuit Court with his attorney Mark O’Mara for a pre-trial hearing on April 30, 2013 in Sanford, Fla.
By James Novogrod and Tom Winter, NBC News
Attorneys for George Zimmerman say that unreleased text messages drawn from Trayvon Martins cell phone show the 17-year-old was arguing with a friend and was angry on the day he was shot and killed in Sanford, Fla.
This is relevant to Mr. Martins overall demeanor that day and relevant to his emotional state, a new court filing by the defense team reads. The filing goes on to say the messages may assist the jury in understanding why Trayvon Martin chose to hide and then confront George Zimmerman rather than simply going home.
The document, filed with the court in Sanford and made public Friday, is the latest in a back-and-forth over the admissibility of character evidence related to Martin, whose death on Feb. 26, 2012 spurred a national conversation about race, guns, and Floridas expansive self-defense laws.
Zimmerman, 29, is accused of second degree murder in Martins death and will face trial June 10. He has plead not guilty, telling police he resorted to self-defense after Martin punched him and beat his head to the ground after the two crossed paths inside a gated community that night.
Prosecutors have asked the court to prohibit text messages and other materials related to Martins life, arguing the materials are irrelevant to the circumstances surrounding the teens death.
At a key hearing next week, Judge Debra S. Nelson will hear arguments over what evidence should be admissible at trial.
Thursday, Zimmermans lawyers released a slew of evidence culled from Martins cell phone, including two pictures of a handgun, and text messages that appear to refer to an organized fight and smoking marijuana.
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Zimmerman's lawyers say Trayvon Martin argued with friend, was 'angry' on night of shooting
