Defense attorney Don West on Thursday called the proposal "outrageous," given that it is premised on the idea that Zimmerman committed child abuse since 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was underage when he was fatally shot.
Judge Debra Nelson says she will rule on the proposal later. The judge, however, agreed with the prosecution that jurors could consider manslaughter as a lesser charge.
West said he wanted the six jurors to only consider the second-degree murder charge or not guilty.
Zimmerman is pleading not guilty to second-degree murder. He claims he shot Martin in self-defense last year.
The Associated Press published this story earlier in the day Thursday:
Attorneys in George Zimmerman's second-degree murder trial will be making their closing arguments.
Judge Debra Nelson told prosecutors and defense attorneys they should plan on starting closing arguments Thursday.
The judge also said the six jurors could begin deliberating as early as Friday.
Zimmerman's defense attorneys rested Wednesday after calling 18 witnesses over four days.
Defense attorney Mark O'Mara told CNN there's "overwhelming evidence" that Zimmerman acted in self-defense when he fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, but he worries about jurors returning "a compromise verdict." Some legal analysts have suggested the jury could convict him of the lesser offense of manslaughter.
Zimmerman is pleading not guilty to second-degree murder.
George Zimmerman
http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/7/263410