Zimmerman attorney to discuss trial's national media attention
February 18, 2015
Donald R. West, the attorney for George Zimmerman, will deliver a talk titled “The National Media in the Zimmerman Trial” on Thursday, Feb. 26, at noon, in the McQuade Law Auditorium at The University of Toledo College of Law.
The free, public lecture is sponsored by the College of Law and its chapter of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.
George Zimmerman, the Florida man who claims to have shot and killed teenager Trayvon Martin in self-defense, was acquitted of second degree murder in July 2013. In the weeks and months preceding the not guilty verdict, the national media was acutely focused on Zimmerman and the facts of his case. This intense media presence had real consequences for Zimmerman and his defense.
West will look back on his representation of George Zimmerman and examine how media attention affected the trial.
“We are pleased to co-sponsor a talk by one of the attorneys in this high profile trial,” said Daniel J. Steinbock, dean of the College of Law. “The media regularly plays a role in trials, and we welcome the opportunity to expose our students, the local bar, and the University community to a timely presentation on this important topic.”
A veteran criminal defense attorney, West has been lead counsel in several high profile death penalty cases in state and federal courts in Florida and Puerto Rico, and has been designated as Learned Counsel in death penalty cases in state and federal courts. He is also the former Senior Litigation Counsel for the Federal Defender’s Office and supervisor of its Capital Defense Team.
West holds a B.A. and M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from the SUNY Buffalo Law School.
Food and drink will be provided.