Less than a week after George Zimmerman was released on bail on charges of assaulting his girlfriend, he's swapped his public defender for a pricey private criminal defense lawyer, the the Orlando Sentinel reported Monday.
His former public defender, Jeff Dowdy,
confirmed to the Sentinel that Zimmerman had hired Jayne Weintraub, a lawyer who has appeared on CNN and HLN as a legal commentator, including during Zimmerman's high-profile murder trial in the shooting of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin.
Zimmerman, 30, was acquitted of murder in July.
Weintraub did not return a call to the Sentinel seeking comment.
Zimmerman has declared bankruptcy and claims to have $144, while owing $2.5 million in legal fees.
Last Tuesday, Zimmerman was released on $9,000 bail on the domestic violence charge. Dowdy also entered a not-guilty plea on a charge of aggravated assault with a weapon, among other charges.
Zimmerman has asked the court for the return of his Apple iPhone, a BlackBerry cellphone, a small flashlight and a pocket knife, which are not considered evidence in the domestic violence case.
Zimmerman is accused of pointing a shotgun at his girlfriend, Samantha Scheibe, smashing a glass table, forcing her from her home and barricading himself inside during a domestic dispute.
Zimmerman also had a previous run-in with police after his estranged wife reported he had pointed a gun at her.
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