An affidavit released by the prosecutor who has charged George Zimmerman with second-degree murder in the shooting of Trayvon Martin says he did not use a racial slur in a 911 call made to police shortly before killing the teen.
When a recording was released some who heard it zeroed in on three words to suggest he had uttered a slur; instead, the document filed Thursday says the phrase Zimmerman uttered was "Those f-----g punks."
It also said Zimmerman "profiled" Martin, but did not elaborate.
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Some cited the alleged slur as potential evidence for the U.S. Justice Department, which could still bring a hate-crime charge against Zimmerman. And it fed growing outrage over the police department's initial decision not to arrest Zimmerman.
Martin was black. Zimmerman's father is non-Hispanic white and his mother is of Peruvian descent.
Meanwhile a new judge may be needed before the case even begins.
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The Florida judge overseeing the second-degree murder case involving Zimmerman said Friday that she may have a conflict of interest.
Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler said during a brief hearing in Sanford, Fla., that her husband works with an attorney who referred Zimmerman to his current defense attorney. Zimmerman's family originally had asked that attorney, Mark NeJame, to represent Zimmerman but NeJame instead referred them to lawyer Mark O'Mara.
NeJame is a well-known Orlando defense attorney who is serving as a CNN commentator on the case. He previously represented Casey Anthony's parents and Tiger Woods when the golfer got into a vehicle accident.
The judge asked O'Mara and prosecutors to file motions with their views on the possible conflict before a bond hearing scheduled for next Friday.
Prosecutors say Zimmerman fatally shot Martin in the chest during a confrontation on Feb. 26.
Zimmerman says he shot Martin in self-defense and has pleaded not guilty.
The lack of an arrest for more than 40 days led to protests nationwide.
Based on reporting by the Associated Press.
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